On the '05 series engines the raw water feed from the raw water pump to the heat exchanger does prevent the removal of the v-belt. It's a simple matter of closing your incoming seacock removing the support bracket on the valve cover, loosening the hose clamps and disconnecting the pipe at the raw water pump. The belt can then be changed.
I am considering the purchase of a 1305. Has this belt change proceedure been changed in '06 model engines. I would hate to try to deal with it at sea.
There are no specification changes planned for existing engines.
However, there is an options to extend the life and durability of the belt system of Beta Marine engines. Most engines have an alternator upgrade option, on the BV1305 it comes with a 65 amp alternator that is upgradeable to a 100amp, with the upgrade comes an aluminum multi-groove pulley system that takes the serpentine style multi-groove belts that not only offer durability but much longer life. On certain engine, incl. the BV1305 the pulley system alone is available as an upgrade option.
Note: The multi-groove pulley system must be installed on a new engine, it is not a retro-fit oprion for existing engines.
