Engines · MTU

MTU Series 2000

MTU's high-performance V diesel for fast yachts, built in 10-, 12- and 16-cylinder form.1,2

Hulls on record
28
Builders
11
Built between
2001–2026

On the recordHulls by decade built

  1. 22000sAmerican Custom Yachts
  2. 92010sJarrett Bay, Jim Smith
  3. 172020sBayliss, Michael Rybovich & Sons
First on record
Don TeoAmerican Custom Yachts HIN ACW72004D901 · 2001
Latest on record
Mama WhoWeaver HIN WSF80053A526 · 2026

What it is

The Series 2000 is MTU's high-performance yacht engine. It grew from the 12-cylinder MTU 183 block, which made 1,150 horsepower before electronics and 1,920 as the Series 2000.2,5

Viking was the first builder in North America to take delivery of the 16V 2000 M94. The M96 generation debuted in 2015. A later 12-cylinder rating, the M96X, raised output from 1,432 kW to 1,472 kW, more than 2,000 horsepower.2,6

How it runs

Every M96L shares a 135 mm bore and 156 mm stroke and is rated at 2,450 rpm. The 10V displaces 22.3 liters, the 12V 26.8 and the 16V 35.7. The sheet rates the 10V at 1,600 bhp, the 12V at 1,920 and the 16V at 2,600.1

Fuel goes in through common rail. Air comes through sequential turbocharging with three exhaust-gas turbochargers.1

What it's good for

Acceleration is the case for it. MTU pitches it at fishing yachts for instant acceleration, and Marlin reported the M96 as particularly suitable for sportfishing yachts.3,4

Viking chose the 16V 2000 M96L for its 92 Enclosed Bridge Convertible. Its senior project engineer said other engines making the same horsepower or more weighed twice as much.4,7

Trade-offs

MTU rates the M96L for fast vessels with low load factors. Dry, the 16V weighs 3,450 kg (7,606 lbs) before its gearbox.1

It lives on a maintenance program. On that program, Yachting reported, something on the engine gets attention every 500 hours, with overhauls scheduled between 4,000 and 9,000 hours depending on model. Yachting adds that increasing the horsepower of MTU engines is not feasible.5

BuildersOn record with MTU Series 2000

Hulls with MTU Series 2000

28 hulls · All engines

  1. Don TeoAmerican Custom Yachts HIN ACW72004D901 · 72200172 ft
  2. Que MasAmerican Custom Yachts HIN ACW70009C104 · 70200470.5 ft
  3. Clean SweepBayliss hull 18 · 77201477 ft
  4. SevenBayliss hull 26 · 62202062 ft
  5. Summer Girl2 names since 2020Bayliss hull GB4 · 62 GameBoat202062.8 ft
  6. Wave PaverBayliss hull 27 · 75202275.5 ft
  7. Catch 23Bayliss hull 29 · 82202470.2 ft
  8. SequentisBayliss hull 30 · 60 Walkaround202460.1 ft
  9. Max BetBayliss hull 31 · 64202464.8 ft
  10. Big DealBayliss hull 32 · 75202575.5 ftActive
  11. Boys ToyDuffie hull 5 · 59202459.2 ft
  12. Reel Easy2 names since 2019F&S Boatworks hull 29201975.3 ft
  13. Special SituationF&S Boatworks hull 31202372.9 ft
  14. Reel Quick3 names since 2013Jarrett Bay hull 56 · 77 Sportfisherman201375.8 ft
  15. Nikki Bella2 names since 2017Jarrett Bay hull 62 · 90 Sportfisherman201782 ft
  16. Reel DevelopmentJarrett Bay hull 60 · 84 Sportfisherman202075.1 ft
  17. RenegadeJarrett Bay hull 67 · 56 Open Convertible202255.7 ft
  18. SapeloJim Smith hull 30 · 86201586 ft
  19. El Jefe2 names since 2018Jim Smith hull 34 · 60 Walkaround201860 ft
  20. Waymaker2 names since 2020Merritt hull 106 · 86202077.5 ft
  21. CatchMerritt hull 112 · 77202377 ft
  22. III AmigosMichael Rybovich & Sons hull 6 · 94 Sportfisherman202194 ft
  23. PersistenceMichael Rybovich & Sons hull 7 · 82 Sportfisherman202382 ft
  24. PerlamarMichael Rybovich & Sons hull 8 · 62 Sportfisherman202462 ft
  25. Shotski2 names since 2018Paul Mann hull 139201877 ft
  26. Smooth MoveSpencer hull 199 · 74201774 ft
  27. CenturionSpencer hull 200 · 74201774 ft
  28. Mama WhoWeaver HIN WSF80053A526 · 80202670.5 ft

Sources

  1. 110V/12V/16V 2000 M96L / 12V 2000 M96X Marine for fast vessels with low load factors (1DS)MTU (Rolls-Royce Power Systems)
  2. 2Rolls-Royce: MTU Series 2000 yacht engine with more than 2,000 mhpRolls-Royce
  3. 3Sportfishing YachtsMTU (Rolls-Royce Power Systems)
  4. 4Rolls-Royce Presents New MTU Series 2000 Yacht Engine At Fort Lauderdale Boat ShowMarlin
  5. 5Yachting: The Diesel DilemmaYachting
  6. 6Viking first to receive 2,600 bhp mtu Series 2000 engines in North AmericaMTU (Rolls-Royce Power Systems)
  7. 7A 92-foot sportfishing yacht launches with the new mtu Series 2000 M96MTU (Rolls-Royce Power Systems)

Each hull’s original power is shown on her page as her source wrote it. Know of one we’ve missed? Send us what you have.