Three Generations Backed by Four Mitsubishi Engines

The female dynasty of Vidalia Dock and Storage are no strangers to the Murky Mississippi, nor the advantage of a Mitsubishi powered vessel. When it came to repowering the Sonny J., Vidalia Dock knew right where to go.

Purchased in early 2018, the vessel was fitted with a pair of 600HP Cummins K19 engines. With the goal of EPA Tier compliance and engine reliability, Laborde Products provided two fully mechanical Mitsubishi S6R-Y3MPTAW Tier III engines for the 65x24 vessel; these engines are rated 684HP @1800RPM each with Twin Disc 7:1 transmissions. The repower was performed by 363 Dry Dock, a subsidiary of Vidalia Dock, and overseen by their port engineer Albert Smith. With a similar footprint, the 24.5-liter Mitsubishi engine was able to replace the 19-liter engine with ease and reused most of the vessel systems including the transmissions.

After a successful commissioning and inaugural inspection run around Vidalia’s fleeting space, vessel owner Carla Jenkins says of the Sonny J., “This boat is a real beast, the Mitsubishi engines are the smoothest running engines I’ve ever experienced”.

Vidalia Dock & Storage located in Vidalia, LA. provides tug services, and fleeting space for 100 barges, boat/ barge dry dock capability as well as limestone sales. Laborde Products provides heavy-duty engines, diesel and natural gas-powered equipment, service and support to meet the needs of the marine and industrial markets. In addition to being an engine distributor, Laborde Products also offers a complete line of custom packaged, engine driven equipment.