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Willard 40 Trawler

Built 1977–2003 by Willard

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About the Willard 40 Trawler

Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.

Willard 40 Trawler
Photo: nwclassicyacht, CC BY 2.0 via Flickr · licence
Built
1977–2003
Builder
Willard
Length
39.75 ft
Waterline
36.08 ft
Beam
13.67 ft
Draft
4.25 ft
Displacement
33,000 lb
Hull / keel
full displacement
Propulsion
inboard
Fuel
600 gal
Water
300 gal
Holding
75 gal
Water heater
11 gal · engine + AC · standard
Steering
hydraulic
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
  • Fuel 600 gal
    “Fuel tank: 2 aluminum, 600 gal. approximate total” — brochure (40 Pilot House (brochure labelled 1990)), willardboats.org
    Builder brochure (Willard Marine) for the 40 Pilot House: two aluminum tanks, about 600 gal total.
  • Water 300 gal
    “Water tanks: one stainless steel, 300 gal. approximately” — brochure (40 Pilot House (brochure labelled 1990)), willardboats.org
    The builder's brochure gives about 300 gal in one stainless tank, against our earlier 260 from a spec guide. The brochure covers the Pilot House version; the Flybridge Sedan version of the 1977–2003 Willard 40 wasn't checked.
  • Holding 75 gal
    “Holding tank: 75 gal. approximately” — brochure (40 Pilot House (brochure labelled 1990)), willardboats.org
  • Water heater 11 gal · engine + AC · standard
    “Water heater: 11 gal. stainless, heated by engine or shore power system (Standard Equipment List)” — brochure (1990s), willardboats.org
    Willard Marine's 40 Pilot House brochure lists an 11 US gal stainless water heater (engine and shore power) in its standard equipment, separate from the 300 gal water tank. The brochure is for the later pilothouse version (file labelled 1990; dealer contacts with email addresses suggest the late 1990s), so earlier 40 Trawlers may differ.

Tanks are often replaced or added on older boats — check the tank labels or a survey for yours.

Thrusters and steering — where this comes from
  • Bow thruster unknown
    Willard Marine's 40 Pilot House standard-equipment list (from a late brochure) names no thruster, but it covers standard gear only, so whether one was optional isn't known.
  • Stern thruster unknown
    Nothing found.
  • Steering hydraulic
    “MECHANICAL ... Steering: hydraulic” — brochure (1990s), willardboats.org
    Builder standard-equipment list for the 40 Pilot House gives hydraulic steering (make not stated). The brochure is from the later years of the 1977-2003 run; earlier boats were not confirmed separately.

Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.

Heavy-weather trawler on a ballasted (about 7,000 lb) full-displacement hull; about 20 built. Two staterooms, hardtop over the cockpit, staysail mast; a pilothouse version was also offered. No lower-helm deck door. Single 120 hp diesel (make not given) cruises 8 knots. About 20 built (HMY).

Engines fitted

Boats of the same model can differ — check which engines yours actually has before ordering parts.

Generator

The brochure's standard equipment list has shore power and a battery charger but no generator; no option list found.

Manuals and brochures online

Hosted by the builder or an owners' association; they own the copyright.

Known problems for this model

No well-sourced problem reports found yet.

Engines & parts

Cummins 6BT / 6BTA 5.9 parts: good

Factory standard engine — you entered “Cummins 6B 5.9 (naturally aspirated)”

Mechanically injected 5.9 L inline six from the Cummins B-series truck/industrial family, so base-engine parts are everywhere. Cummins still sells factory ReCon (remanufactured) marine 6BT/6BTA engines (152–210 hp ratings) with a 2-year/2000-hour warranty. Seaboard Marine is the best-known marine specialist, selling aftercooler/heat-exchanger service kits, upgraded raw water pumps and technical guidance; TAD also sells Cummins packages.

Parts sources: Seaboard Marine, Cummins (ReCon 6BT/6BTA), Diesel Pro Power

Common problems (2)
  • Aftercooler corrosion letting seawater into the intake cooling
    On the turbo-aftercooled 6BTA the seawater-cooled aftercooler core has vertical tubes and an aluminum housing that corrodes from condensate; a leak can put salt water into the cylinders and wreck the engine. Owners pull, clean, grease and pressure-test the core every few years and fit new O-rings.
    trawlerforum.com · sbmar.com
  • Heat exchanger and aftercooler service cooling
    Routine seawater-side service (O-rings, gaskets, zincs) is a recurring owner job; kits are sold for it and refilling coolant without trapping air is a common question.
    sbmar.com · sbmar.com
Service part numbers (5)
Oil filter Cummins 3937743
“| Oil Filter | 3937743 |” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au · “Cummins Oil Filter 3937743 Spin-on type, 3.66" outside diameter, 6.95" height” — dealer, dieselpro.com
Fuel filter
6BT 5.9 210 hp (CPL 742)
Fleetguard FF5052
Replaces FF42000, FS1251
“on-engine fuel filter with drain for all 6BT 210 B’s (CPL 742). Replaces the FF42000, FS1251.” — dealer, sbmar.com · “Cummins 6BT Fuel Filter 3931063 FF5052” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au
Fuel filter
late 6BTA (also late 4BTA and 6CTA)
Fleetguard FF5285
“Fleetguard FF5285 Fuel Filter – late 4BTA 6BTA and 6CTA’s” — dealer, sbmar.com · “Cummins 6BTA Fuel Filter 3890017 FF5285 ... suits late model Cummins 6BTA's, 6CTA8.3-M” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au
Raw-water impeller
seawater pump with 1-1/4 in hose ports (Sherwood M70/M71 type, early 4BT/6BT)
Sherwood 10615K
“Seawater Pump Impeller | **1-1/4" PORTS** 3908220 10615K” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au · “Cummins Marine Water Pump Impeller 10615K 2 9/16" diameter, 1 5/8" length” — dealer, dieselpro.com
Raw-water impeller
keyway-shaft pump, 2 in inlet / 1-3/4 in outlet, 11° offset flange (e.g. P1716/P1730 on 6BTA)
Sherwood 17000K
“**2" inlet & 1-3/4" outlet ports with 11° OFFSET flange** 17000K” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au · “Cummins Impeller for Key Shaft 17000K” — dealer, dieselpro.com

From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.

John Deere 4045 / 6068 (marine) parts: good

Factory standard engine — you entered “John Deere 4045”

Huge agricultural/industrial population and a wide Deere dealer network keep base-engine parts easy to get; marinization parts vary by who marinized the engine (Deere, Lugger/Northern Lights, etc.). Industrial 6068s have run tens of thousands of hours without head removal.

Parts sources: RPM Diesel (Northern Lights/Lugger/Deere parts)

Common problems (3)
  • Low-load operation engine
    Long periods at very low load can glaze cylinders; owners are advised to keep engines at operating temperature and run them up periodically.
    mvdirona.com
  • Oil leaks at filter supply tube O-rings engine
    A recurring 6068 question is oil leaking from O-rings on the oil filter supply tubes.
    facebook.com
  • Electronic throttle/sensor faults (4045T) fuel
    Electronically controlled 4045s can buck and smoke under throttle from sensor problems.
    downeastboatforum.com
Maker’s service schedule (17)
Engine oil & filter change250 hrs or 6 mo
“250 Hour-6 Month Service ... Change engine oil and filter.” — manufacturer, manuals.deere.com
Engine oil & filter change
6068SFM50 with PLUS-50 oil and JD extended-life filter (2002 manual OMRG28997)
500 hrs or 1 yr
“the oil and filter change interval is 500 hours or every 12 months, whichever comes first.” — manufacturer, westdiesel.com
Fuel filters & water separator500 hrs or 1 yr
“500 Hour/12 Month Service ... Replace fuel filter element.” — manufacturer, manuals.deere.com
Raw-water pump impeller
current manual OMRG35856 (Tier 2 marine incl. 6068SFM75/AFM75)
2,000 hrs or 2 yrs
“2000 Hour-24 Month Service ... Inspect and repair sea water pump.” — manufacturer, manuals.deere.com
Raw-water pump impeller
2002 manual OMRG28997 (earlier PowerTech marine engines)
1,000 hrs or 2 yrs
“1000 Hour/24 Month Service ... Inspect and repair sea water pump.” — manufacturer, westdiesel.com
Engine pencil zincs250 hrs or 6 mo
“the zinc plugs MUST BE inspected every 250 Hours.” — manufacturer, manuals.deere.com
Coolant replacement & freeze-point test
coolant other than John Deere COOL-GARD
2,000 hrs or 2 yrs
“If COOL-GARD is not used, the flushing interval is 2000 hours or 24 months of operation.” — manufacturer, manuals.deere.com
Coolant replacement & freeze-point test
John Deere COOL-GARD coolant
3,000 hrs or 3 yrs
“When John Deere COOL-GARD is used, the drain interval is 3000 hours or 36 months.” — manufacturer, manuals.deere.com
Valve clearance check / adjust2,000 hrs or 2 yrs
“2000 Hour-24 Month Service ... Check and adjust engine valve clearance.” — manufacturer, manuals.deere.com
Heat exchanger & oil cooler cleaning500 hrs or 1 yr
“500 Hour/12 Month Service ... Inspect and clean heat exchanger and aftercooler core.” — manufacturer, manuals.deere.com
Turbocharger inspection
engines with sea-water aftercooler (e.g. 6068SFM50/SFM75/AFM75)
500 hrs or 1 yr
“500 Hour/12 Month Service ... Inspect and clean heat exchanger and aftercooler core.” — manufacturer, manuals.deere.com
Drive belts inspect / replace
manual belt tensioner
250 hrs or 6 mo
“250 Hour-6 Month Service ... Check belt tension and wear.” — manufacturer, manuals.deere.com
Drive belts inspect / replace
automatic belt tensioner
500 hrs or 1 yr
“500 Hour/12 Month Service ... Check automatic belt tensioner and belt wear.” — manufacturer, manuals.deere.com
Coolant analysis and SCAs, check cooling system, pressure test cooling system
current manual OMRG35856
500 hrs or 1 yr
“500 Hour/12 Month Service ... Coolant solution analysis ... Pressure test cooling system.” — manufacturer, manuals.deere.com
Check crankshaft vibration damper (6-cyl) and test thermostats
current manual OMRG35856
2,000 hrs or 2 yrs
“2000 Hour-24 Month Service ... Check crankshaft vibration damper. ... Test thermostats.” — manufacturer, manuals.deere.com
Clean crankcase vent tube / replace crankcase vent filter (if equipped)500 hrs or 1 yr
“500 Hour/12 Month Service ... Clean crankcase vent tube.” — manufacturer, manuals.deere.com
Check engine mounts250 hrs or 6 mo
“250 Hour-6 Month Service ... Check engine mounts.” — manufacturer, manuals.deere.com
Service part numbers (11)
Oil filter
Tier 2 and later marine engines (4045TFM75, 6068AFM75, 6068AFM85)
John Deere RE504836
“OIL FILTER RE504836 (8843) (8863) (8864) (8865)” — manufacturer, deere.com
Oil filter
Tier 1 marine engines (4045TFM50, 6068TFM50)
John Deere DZ118286
“OIL FILTER DZ118286 (8852, 8851, 8850, 8802)” — manufacturer, deere.com
Fuel filter
final fuel filter, Tier 1 engines (4045TFM50; also listed for 6068TFM50)
John Deere RE62420
“FINAL FUEL FILTER RE62420 (35AG, 35CU, 35CV)” — manufacturer, deere.com
Fuel filter
4045TFM75 secondary element (option 35DH)
John Deere RE520842
“FUEL FILTER SECONDARY FILTER ELEMENT RE520842 (35DH)” — manufacturer, deere.com
Fuel filter
6068AFM75 / 6068AFM85 / 6068SFM75 (option codes 81AG-81BT, 35EK, 8172, 8173)
John Deere RE527961
“FUEL FILTER RE527961 (81AG) (81AH) (81AJ) (81AK) (81AQ) (81BQ) (81BR) (81BS) (81BT)” — manufacturer, deere.com · “FUEL FILTER RE527960 (35EK) RE527961 (35EK, 8172, 8173) RE525523 (35EK) RE520906 (8172, 8173)” — manufacturer, deere.ca
Fuel pre-filter / separator
engine primary fuel filter element (4045TFM50, 6068TFM50; 4045TFM75 option 8154)
John Deere RE62425
“PRIMARY FUEL FILTER RE62425 (35CU) (35CV)” — manufacturer, deere.com
Fuel pre-filter / separator
4045TFM75 engine primary fuel filter element (option 8150)
John Deere RE521540
“FUEL FILTER PRIMARY FILTER ELEMENT RE521540 (8150)” — manufacturer, deere.com
Drive belt
fan belt 1585-1587 mm (options 24CY / 24CZ / 24GC)
John Deere DZ119515
“DZ119515 (LGTH = 1587 mm) (24GC)” — manufacturer, deere.com · “FAN BELT DZ119515 (LGTH = 1587 mm) (24GC)” — manufacturer, deere.ca
Drive belt
fan belt 1500 mm (options 240N / 24BN)
John Deere R500277
“FAN BELT R500277 (LGTH =1500 mm) (240N) (24BN)” — manufacturer, deere.com
Drive belt
fan belt 1527 mm (options 24GB / 24KM)
John Deere DZ118764
“FAN BELT DZ118764 (LGTH = 1527 mm) (24GB)” — manufacturer, deere.com · “DZ118764 (LGTH = 1527 mm) (24GB)” — manufacturer, deere.ca
Crankcase vent (OCV) filter
6068AFM75 / 6068AFM85 (options 2971, 29AG)
John Deere RE502284
“CRANKCASE VENT SYSTEM RE502284 (2971) (29AG) 1500 hrs of operation” — manufacturer, deere.com

From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.

Model sources (5)

hmy.com · yachtr.com · trawlerforum.com · denisonyachtsales.com · willardboats.org

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Other Willard models

Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.