In 1937, John H. Westerbeke Sr. founded the Westerbeke Corporation as a company dedicated to the development of diesel engines and generators for a variety of uses. By 1938, Westerbeke was already pioneering use of the Detroit Diesel 6-71 for marine applications.
In 1959, the company started customising Perkins engine blocks for marine applications, creating a market for small marine diesels among sail boaters seeking reliable and practical auxiliary power. The same engines were also used in marine diesel generators.
The Classic Westerbekes from the early 1980’s
In the early 1980’s, Westerbeke began producing their classic range of small diesel auxiliaries ranging from 13 to 33 HP.
Westerbeke W-13 / W-13A
Manufactured 1980-84 (with W-13A produced 1984-88)
Rated at 13.5Hp, the WESTERBEKE W-13 offers 2-cylinder smoothness in a lightweight package. With a displacement of 37 cubic inches, the W-13 is well-suited to most yachts up to 32 feet.
Standard features not usually found on engines this size include fresh water cooling, 12V 50 amp alternator, cold weather starting aid, short profile sailing gear, push button priming and an electric fuel pump for dependability.
Westerbeke W-21 / W-21A
Manufactured 1980-84 (with W-21A produced 1984-88)
The 3-cylinder WESTERBEKE 21 provides exceptional smoothness for sail auxiliaries in the 28 to 34 foot range.
Rated at 21 HP, the W-21 mounts on 15″ centers for easy installation in tight engine compartments.
Standard equipment includes fresh water cooling, cold weather starting aid, electric fuel pump for dependability, push button priming and pre-wired electrical system.
Westerbeke W-27 / W-27A
Manufactured 1980-84 (with W-27A produced 1984-88)
Ideally suited for sail auxiliaries up to 37 feet, the WESTERBEKE 27 provides 4-cylinder smoothness and quiet.
This lightweight and compact engine mounts on 15″ centers. Standard features include freshwater cooling for long engine life, factory prewiring, electric fuel pump, 12V 50 amp. alternator, throttle stop and shift brackets, cold weather starting aid and much more.
Westerbeke W-33 / W-33A
Manufactured 1980-84 (with W-33A produced 1984-88)
The 3-cylinder WESTERBEKE 21 provides exceptional smoothness for sail auxiliaries in the 28 to 34 foot range.
Rated at 21 HP, the W-21 mounts on 15″ centers for easy installation in tight engine compartments.
Standard equipment includes fresh water cooling, cold weather starting aid, electric fuel pump for dependability, push button priming and pre-wired electrical system.
The more refined Westerbekes from the mid 1980’s
In the mid 1980’s, Westerbeke began producing their enduring range of 2, 3 and 4 cylinder (vertical) diesel auxiliaries. These new Westerbeke advanced series engines were designed to minimise the “envelope” (the combined length, width, height) over the legacy models. These lightweight, low profile engines were designed to fit into even the smallest engine compartments. They were engineered by Westerbeke to provide consistent performance, quietness, durability and above all reliability, year after year. Some of these engines are still in production today.
They all had fresh-water cooling, were pre-wired for easy instrument panel connection and had, unusually, a direct connection for heating domestic fresh water on board.
Westerbeke 12 B/C/D TWO
The timeline of these engines was;
- 1983-1992: 12B Two
- 1992-2005: 12C Two
- 2005-onwards: 12D Two
Westerbeke 20 B TWO
The 20B-TWO was produced from 1987 until 2005.
Westerbeke 30 B/C THREE
- 1987-2005: 30B Three
- 2005-present: 30C Three
Westerbeke 35 B/C/D/E THREE
- 1987-2000: 35B Three
- 2000-2002: 35C Three
- 2002-2005: 35D Three
- 2005-present: 35E Three
Westerbeke 44 A/B/C FOUR
- 1999-2002: 44A Four
- 2002-2005: 44B Four
- 2005-present: 44C Four
