The Kurt Hahn, a 1992-built 10.7 metre traditional displacement monohull cruiser that serves as a support vessel for the Outward Bound program in New Zealand, has been given a new lease of life thanks to the help of Power Equipment.

With more than 15,000 hours on her original John Deere engine, the vessel’s stewards decided she deserved a re-power. What better option than a like-for-like replacement with a brand-new John Deere 4045TFM50.

A four-cylinder, turbocharged engine displacing 4.5litres, the 4045TFM50 replacement in the Kurt Hahn will have its work cut out for it.

Says Simon Graney, School Director of Outward Bound NZ: “The previous John Deere engine had a really hard life – the vessel is operated by many skippers – up to 28 different skippers at any one time, and hundreds over the life of the vessel – and we go through gearboxes pretty fast!”

The vessel is operated in a lot of short bursts according to Simon, with many low-speed and idling hours, (not necessarily the best operating regime for a diesel engine!).

Usually shadowing traditional sailing cutters that are used in personal development programs by Outward Bound NZ, the Kurt Hahn can be involved in multiple tasks from running instructors alongside the sailing vessels, transferring crews or towing boats to safety.

As a low-revving, high-torque engine, the 4045TFM50 is ideal for the kind of single-screw displacement operation required around the Marlborough and Queen Charlotte Sounds where the vessel operates. They allow for better vessel control, (a nice advantage with multiple inexperienced skippers!), and are a low-vibration engine thanks to both their lower revs and internal balancing that makes the John Deere marine engine range a favourite on vessels all over the world.