MJ Sailingvideo
One Diesel Engine, One VERY Tight Space!! (MJ Sailing - Episode 371)
December 27, 2025 · 20 min · 41K views · Stevensville, United States
Crew guides diesel engine on pallet beneath bridge inside hull
What this video covers
Matt moves a 600-pound diesel hybrid engine from the cockpit into the aft engine bay of his boat by building a custom rolling dolly and a temporary bridge deck. To navigate the tight clearance, he removes the alternator, bracket, and front cover, gaining nearly an inch of width.4:32 He protects the interior surfaces with builder’s paper and plywood before constructing a platform to bridge the cockpit sill and the cabin floor.1:33 Because the overhead space is too restricted for a standard I-beam trolley system, he uses an "inchworm" method to slide the engine forward on the dolly, lifting and resetting blocks to clear structural beams.10:26 Once the engine reaches the aft berth, he plans to install a temporary I-beam between bulkheads to hang a chain hoist for final positioning.19:55 The project demonstrates that rolling a heavy engine on a custom dolly is a viable alternative to overhead lifting in confined spaces.
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