• Current propulsion: the M92B.
• Auxiliary power: the 4.4GM series.
• Classic engines: the 4.108, 4.236 and 6.354, plus parts.

For other Perkins engines, see our Perkins engines page.

Current Perkins range for boats

Model	Role	Suits
M92B	Propulsion	Workboat, fishing and commercial vessels
4.4GM, 4.4TGM, 4.4TWGM, 4.4TW2GM	Auxiliary	Generator sets, hydraulic and other auxiliary duty

Perkins also lists the E70B in its marine range.

Perkins M92B

The M92B is the drive unit in this range. As a Perkins engine, it suits vessels where the power goes through a gearbox and shaft to the propeller. The table lists workboat, fishing and commercial vessels as the typical fit.

If the boat will work offshore, check duty cycle, emissions approval and nearby support as carefully as you check power.

Perkins 4.4GM series

The 4.4GM series covers auxiliary power solutions, including generator sets and hydraulic drives. It comes in various variants, so choose by the power and cooling arrangement you need. Check the Perkins spec page for each.

Auxiliary applications can also include emergency or standby pumps, where reliable starting and regular maintenance matter.

Classic Perkins marine engines: 4.108, 4.236 and 6.354

The old names are cubic inch capacities. The first number is the cylinder count, the second the displacement:

• 4.108: four cylinders, 108 cubic inches.
• 4.236: four cylinders, 236 cubic inches.
• 6.354: six cylinders, 354 cubic inches. A “T” prefix, as in T6.354, means turbocharged.

People searching by these numbers are usually keeping an older boat running. The common questions are whether parts are still available, whether the unit is worth rebuilding, and what a repower involves.

The answers depend on condition. A documented service history and steady maintenance make a rebuild easier to justify, and routine service work is the usual place to start with an older Perkins engine.

Sabre, Prima, P4 and P6

These are older names that still turn up in searches. If yours carries one, send us the full plate details and we will tell you whether we can help. For current needs, use the range above.

Parts and support for older units

We supply parts for older Perkins engines fitted to boats and ship worldwide.

To identify the right part, have these ready:

• Engine model, as shown on the plate.
• Serial number and build list number.
• Photos of the part and the complete plate.
• Service records, if you have them.

Send them with your enquiry and our team will check the part before you order. We can also offer technical advice if you are unsure which part number applies.

Repower, rebuild or replace?

Rebuilding or keeping an older 4.108, 4.236 or 6.354 makes sense when the block and installation are sound and parts are available.

A repower with a current unit is worth considering when the old one is worn out or near the end of its service life, when environmental rules or emissions limits apply, or when fuel use, sustainability goals and reliability matter.

When looking at a repower, remember it is rarely a like-for-like swap. Mounting, exhaust and cooling solutions may need to change. Check the engine bed, gearbox match, shaft, cooling, exhaust and controls, along with any class or insurer requirements. A complete repower touches all of these, not just the unit itself.

Costs vary widely by boat. Talk to us and to a marine surveyor or engineering firm first.

Choosing between propulsion and auxiliary engines

Start with the job. If the engine drives the boat, look at the M92B. If it powers a generator, hydraulics or a pump, look at the 4.4GM series. They are designed for different duties, so one is not a substitute for the other.

Then consider duty cycle (continuous or intermittent) and the space, weight and cooling you have. Before buying, check:

• Emissions approval for where you will operate. This is an environmental rule as much as a technical one.
• Gearbox compatibility.
• Room for service access around the unit.
• Dealer and service network support close to where the boat works, especially offshore.

Support differs between engine manufacturers, so ask who will look after the unit where you operate. If you are comparing alternatives from other manufacturers, judge them on the same points.

About Perkins in marine

Perkins is an engine company based in Wimborne, Dorset, and says it has been in the marine industry for more than 85 years. It is part of Caterpillar, which acquired it in 1998. Sleemans is a separate company from Perkins.

You can also browse our wider diesel engines.

Frequently asked questions