Launches, Yachts & Commercial
Client Comments
Hi James, the engine is fantastic (thought I’d still send this even though we talked, so you have a happy customer reference)!!!
Smooth water at 2000rpm gave 5.3knots on GPS, 2600rpm gave 6.2knots, previously unheard of speeds! Plodding for a launch guy like you but very good for us. Even better she went astern very well, a big plus as we’ve never gone astern with any definitive movement within 50 metres, now within about 2 metres. Makes berthing in a marina a pleasure.
Thanks very much for persisting and getting this sorted for us.James Stonyer
Stewart 34 owner
I was having some problems with my transmission slipping and the marine engineer at HMB marina gave me James from Moon Engines contact details. James followed up on my phone call with a visit where he tested the oil pressure. Unfortunately the gearbox had to come out. Terry in the workshop showed me the damaged parts. A new gearbox was the recommended option. I was offered a great price and an excellent follow up service. I often rang James seeking advice and found him willing to listen and answer questions. I am now back out cruising the gulf. I have no hesitation recommending the Team at Moon Engines.
David Clark
Manager Training Delivery - Techtel T&D Ltd
Ken Pascoe
We have a Van De Staddt Pioneer 10 sloop built in 1979, and powered by a Norwegian Sabb 10HSP motor, with an uncommon feathering prop.
This summer after nearly 40 years of service the Main gearbox shaft decided it had had enough. As you can imagine finding parts for this engine, and then someone prepared to work on an unusual gearbox like this can be a challenge.
Luckily I was recommended James and Terry from Moon Engines, who were able to help, gave great advice about how to proceed, and completed the work in good time to a very high quality.
I really appreciated their pragmatic and honest approach to the work that was required, and their understanding of my need to get my boat running again without the costs getting out of control.
The gear shift is now the smoothest it’s ever been in the 25 years I’ve been sailing the boat, and we were very pleased to get it back in the water with the original motor and gearbox still installed.
Hopefully we’ll get another 40 years of service out of it now!Ben Bell
la Passat Coromandel Harbour
Alan Houghton
James Mobberley of Moon Engines Ltd recently supplied and installed a new drive plate and gearbox for my Beneteau 390 yacht. His high level of experience and expertise meant a complex installation went very well. In fact his sound advice regarding a possible engine replacement saved me unnecessary expenditure for which I was very grateful. Highly professional, experienced and reliable, James is operating a business which is highly customer focussed and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend his services.
Mark Peryman
Boeing 767 Captain, Air New Zealand
Moon Engines recently installed a replacement Yanmar in my keeler. I was approaching the whole process of an engine upgrade with some trepidation, but was pleasantly supplied at how smoothly it all went. Friendly, helpful service and most importantly they stuck to their timeframes and budget.
Nigel Chandler
Moon Engines have supplied engines and gearboxes for all of my various boat building projects since 1999. I am pleased to say these engines have performed very well and proved reliable. Some have been rebuilds and others have been used, which James has put through his inspection process and then tested on a Dyno. Any faults found have been put right before sending to me.
After sales backup and advice on things like exhausts,engine mounts, correct oils and other installation details are always available on the other end of the phone.
Perhaps the biggest feature for me is the value for money these engines represent over new options, making my build projects viable. I am always confident to refer engine inquiries on to James knowing they will receive the same service.John Bingham
Anyone that has done a repower knows how stressful and expensive it can get. James gave me realistic budgets and realistic time frames for the work to be completed.
The work was carried out to the exact standards that were requested by me and the finished result was spot on. The advice I was given (and followed) meant the cash was spend in best possible way with the best possible results.
My Woollocott Ketch is a different boat to manage under power with its Yanmar power plant and the water maker also installed by the crew at Moon engines makes life on boat a complete joy.
I would not hesitate to engage Moon engines again on such a project.Darryl Montgomery
New Years day 2013 saw the final demise of the original 1987 38HP Thorneycroft diesel engine in my 43 foot Bruce Roberts ketch. In frustration, I contacted James Mobberley of Moon Engines Ltd; we discussed the various options available to me, but concluded with James’s recommendation i.e. to fit a new 54HP Yanmar motor and a new propeller etc to match the increase in horsepower this new engine would give.
The installation was done on time, within budget and with proper tidy-up.
There were, however, persistent vibration problems with the prop shaft and the new propeller itself. James confirmed that all the stated specifications had been met and sought second opinions from other Yanmar specialists with the same result. Nevertheless, he accepted, without question, that something was amiss and worked consistently and cheerfully to put it right.
It took numerous sea trials, several lift outs and many consultations before it was concluded that the new prop was cavitating. The keel on this ketch is hollow around the stern gland; it was flexing with the power of the new Yanmar, thus the vibration. James finally solved the problem primarily by re-fitting my old propeller (re-pitched) which, according to all calculations and specifications underpowered the Yanmar but which, in practice, solved the problems to my entire satisfaction. We lost ½ knot in speed.
While there was never any doubt that James Mobberley's installation met all the stated requirements and most of the second opinions of experts and the old hands, he worked on the problem until it was fixed, and at no extra cost.
I would be pleased to recommend him and his company for any work of a similar nature.Alan Eversfield
Thanks James... all fitted... all fine...we had a nice day out in the sun today relaxing on the bay thanks to your help.
Will do as you suggest and get Giant to recon the other one.
You are one of the very few people I can trust in this NZ business world. Keep it going you will prosper… which I'm sure you are already... but years on with your present approach will build the heap even higher.
Regards and again many thanksGeoff. P
50ft Ketch with 2712 Ford
When my gearbox failed I started contacting everyone who deals with marine gearboxes. James from Moon Engines was more than helpful with advice and helping in the search. He helped for several weeks and then aided me in getting a great deal on a new gearbox. He was also able to supply other parts I needed right away. Delivery was very quick and James and the rest of the staff were great with staying in contact. Although any mechanical problem can drive you crazy James and Moon Engines made this problem bearable.
Andy Wudrich
Director of sport, Rosehill College
James and the team at Moon Engines have been handling my engine maintenance for the last 3 years and more recently they installed a replacement engine into my launch. James took full control of the installation including the boat alterations to accommodate the new engine. What I thought would be a very complicated process James and the team simply made it happen on time and more importantly within budget.
On a personal note James goes out of his way to offer advice on many maintenance issues even when it may not involve work for Moon Engines. James has become my bible and sounding board for all my maintenance. The personal service is what makes Moon Engines simply the best marine service company that I have ever come across.Mark von Batenburg