40 sedan bridge forum

The C-7 is the replacement engine in Caterpillar's line for the 3126/ 350hp application. C-7's were used because there are no more new 3126's. The Cat C series is significantly further down the technology path that the 3116/3126 which are mechanical engines. You can have problems with any diesel engine, but the Cat C engines are typically Caterpillar….i.e. bullet proof.

And, yes, there are a few 3126 400DB's, but there aren't many for a couple of reasons: The 400 was first offered at a time when dealers sold everything as soon as the boats hit the showroom. Sea Ray was only taking 400 orders if there was a signed sales contract attached to the order form. This was the latest and best executed sedan in this size class that SR ever offered and it was a hot seller that every dealer wanted on his lot. Most dealers handled the pre-sold requirement by getting a customer to agree to have his name used in this manner so the dealer could get at least 1 inventory boat. Eventually, and for the first year or so this was the way most 400's were sold. Since they were destined for a dealers showroom, most had very few options and the 3126 was kind of expensive for a little performance boost.

ANd the cost for the 3126 option is the other reason we don't see many. IN actual practice, even thought they have a larger displacement and develop a few more horsepower, the torque surge on the 350 hp 3116 and the 420hp 3126 are nearly identical up to about 23-2400 rpm, which is recommended cruise speed. That means you really only take advantage of the added hp on the 3126 after you get to an RPM range that is above where you should be running the engines anyway. So, most experienced buyers just didn't spend the extra $8-$10K for the 3126 option.

Frank - that was great data! - thank you so much. I have a few additional questions if you dont mind.

You mentioned that the C7 was a replacement for the 350HP 3126, then below you mentioned the 3116 being 350HP and the 3126 being 420HP. Would the C7's that were used in replacement likely match the original HP? In this case could i expect the C7's to be around 420HP?

Last question - if you were purchasing this boat would you suggest looking for anything specific (engine wise)? I have a local CAT dealer (Yancy CAT in GA) that will inspect the engines, but thought I would ask you as well!

Thank you so much for the reply
 
Bear with the "longish" answer:

Caterpillar had some vendor problems with the original 3126 with soft valves and soft block metallurgy. Then neither the 3116 or the 3126 could easily be made emissions compliant, even though their unit injection system was superb and extremely efficient. To "fix" both issues, Cat re-engineered parts of the 3126 in about 2002-3 and de-tuned it from 420 hp to 350 hp. The 2003 & up 350 hp 3126 engines are bullet proof and had none of the earlier issues. The engine's fuel system was still was not as manageable as it needed to be to meet environmental guidelines so it was replaced with a fully electronic common rail engine, the C-7.

The last spec sheep I saw on the C-7 marine engines showed them to be available in 3 hp ratings: 400 hp, 450 hp, and 500 hp. THe only way to tell for sure what C-7 is in the boat you are considering it to look at the engine data plate which is usually on the valve cover. A wild guess is that the replacement was the 400 hp since it would be a drop in and probably wouldn't even need to have the prop pitch adjusted.

You would need an engine survey by a Cat dealer with the ability to search Cat records and to plug into the ECM to scan the data record for codes thrown in the past. The big thing on all diesel engines is proper maintenance done at the appropriate and recommended interval, The ECM data may tell you if the engine has had a temperature or other critical alarm code triggered. The owner's service record is about the only way to tell if the maintenance was done and when. With out that info, you just have to rely on the engine survey for guidance……which is why keeping a detailed service record is so important if you ever plan to sell your boat.

Engine oil samples are also critical to evaluating engine health. The samples cannot be done on new oil and must be drawn after and engine has been run at operating temperature under a load and must be pulled from about the middle of the oil level in the pan, not the bottom against the pan and not the top near the surface.

Hope that answers your questions………….
 
Frank - that was great data! - thank you so much. I have a few additional questions if you dont mind.

You mentioned that the C7 was a replacement for the 350HP 3126, then below you mentioned the 3116 being 350HP and the 3126 being 420HP. Would the C7's that were used in replacement likely match the original HP? In this case could i expect the C7's to be around 420HP?

Last question - if you were purchasing this boat would you suggest looking for anything specific (engine wise)? I have a local CAT dealer (Yancy CAT in GA) that will inspect the engines, but thought I would ask you as well!

Thank you so much for the reply

I recently bought a 400DB with the 350 HP 3116's in it. Only was on it for the survey but the 3116's got up and moved along pretty good.

Here is link to the Cat C7 page for more details.

https://www.cat.com/en_US/products/...ion-and-maneuvering-solutions/1000023967.html


Link has been updated to marine engine C7
 
Last edited:
That link is for the C-7 Industrial engine....for generators and other stationary equipment.

Search for Caterpillar C-7 Marine Engines instead.

Thanks Frank! I missed that but updated the link.
 
I recently bought a 400DB with the 350 HP 3116's in it. Only was on it for the survey but the 3116's got up and moved along pretty good.

Here is link to the Cat C7 page for more details.

https://www.cat.com/en_US/products/...ion-and-maneuvering-solutions/1000023967.html


Link has been updated to marine engine C7


Thanks everyone. I was able to get the serial numbers and called Ring Power CAT (my understanding is that they marinize (sp) CAT engines for Sea Ray) and they gave me the scoop. The original 3126B's had after cooler issues and after 3 or 4 major issues the original owner was able to get Sea Ray to fund replacing the engines. The C7's were the replacement. Thank you guys again for the information.
 
Almost looked at that boat! Good luck with the purchase.
did anything keep you from moving forward?

Also - dont know if this is against the forum rules or etiquette but I will throw it out there and delete if needed..

What have you seen these boats sell for? say the 2000 - 2003 variety? BUC says 136 - 159 - anybody with real data care to share?
 
No, never reached agreement on price. I was very interested but I live in Indianapolis and I wasn't willing to go see it until we had an agreement on the price.

I'd say that price range is pretty accurate. I met a guy in FL who stole one at 110, and I've know of people buying them closer to 200. It really depends on your own situation. Don't forget that the data probably has gassers included. I have a gas powered version and have been pleased with our purchase. Probably a bit higher than most gas powered but it was VERY clean and had VERY low hours.
 
No, never reached agreement on price. I was very interested but I live in Indianapolis and I wasn't willing to go see it until we had an agreement on the price.

I'd say that price range is pretty accurate. I met a guy in FL who stole one at 110, and I've know of people buying them closer to 200. It really depends on your own situation. Don't forget that the data probably has gassers included. I have a gas powered version and have been pleased with our purchase. Probably a bit higher than most gas powered but it was VERY clean and had VERY low hours.

Question on your gasser - how is it around the dock? You have thrusters?
 
kinda sucks if there's a decent breeze. No, I don't have thrusters. Where are you located?
I will be on Lake Michigan - Portage Indiana. There is a gasser for sale that is in really good shape in Grand Haven, MI - but no thruster and I am concerned about low speed maneuverability
 
I will be on Lake Michigan - Portage Indiana. There is a gasser for sale that is in really good shape in Grand Haven, MI - but no thruster and I am concerned about low speed maneuverability

Not sure about the gassers but the diesel version during the sea trial handled beautifully with no issues. The sales guy actually “walked” it close to the dock without thrusters.

I have been told that the 400DB hull is one of the best handling hulls Sea Ray made.

We will see as I can more experience on it.

I will be up at Northpoint in Winthrop Harbor IL after 5/5 if you want to come up and check it out.
 
Need some advice on tipping... I am not native US, so it's all a bit of a minefield to me... we have a seasonal slip on Long Island NY... rather than tipping every time we return, I understand it's customary to tip once per season... I just want to make sure I'm doing it right... there is a Dockmaster, Assistant Dockmaster and 7 Dockhands... I was thinking along the lines of:
  • Dockmaster = $120
  • Asst Dockmaster = $80
  • 7 Dockhands = $40 each
Does that resonate, of have I over/under shot?

Thanks in advance!
 
Need some advice on tipping... I am not native US, so it's all a bit of a minefield to me... we have a seasonal slip on Long Island NY... rather than tipping every time we return, I understand it's customary to tip once per season... I just want to make sure I'm doing it right... there is a Dockmaster, Assistant Dockmaster and 7 Dockhands... I was thinking along the lines of:
  • Dockmaster = $120
  • Asst Dockmaster = $80
  • 7 Dockhands = $40 each
Does that resonate, of have I over/under shot?

Thanks in advance!

Are they helping you dock and tie off? Or just because they are there? If I radioed to my marina management and had them come to my slip and help me dock I would tip them. But usually there are people on my dock available and we help each other.
 
So it looks like I’m moving out of my 400. I have a matched set of props that I will be selling. I will get the exact specs & pics on them tomorrow when I go to the boat. If anyone is interested in a spare set of wheels I’ll be looking for $2500. Never installed on the boat. Keiththecop@aol.com
 
Are they helping you dock and tie off? Or just because they are there? If I radioed to my marina management and had them come to my slip and help me dock I would tip them. But usually there are people on my dock available and we help each other.
They all help out over the season... I always radio when I leave (so I know my radio works and so they know they can use the slip for lunch dock and dine - just a courtesy) and when I return I similarly radio and they help with lines and electric... they are also especially helpful during storms, checking on the boat, tightening lines, emailing me updates etc... all-in-all a very good service for which I'd like to recognize them... I just don't know if I'm being over-generous, or the opposite?
 
I will be on Lake Michigan - Portage Indiana. There is a gasser for sale that is in really good shape in Grand Haven, MI - but no thruster and I am concerned about low speed maneuverability

Don't get me wrong, it's a gem in most conditions. It is very easy to handle but it is quite a sail up top. I maneuver easily through very crowded areas but putting her away in a stiff wind is puckering. I'm in a covered slip and it's only about 15'6" so it's a little tight. I'm not afraid of a windy day at all, it just requires more attention. If I had thrusters I wouldn't even consider it. However, do you really want to count on thrusters everytime or just learn to put it away without them? We brought her over from Chicago to Mich. City on a windy day and I didn't have trouble getting in to the pump out and then into our transient slip. That was the first time I drove her.

Long/short: Maneuverability is not really an issue. You may have to apply a little throttle which I was not used to but overall it's not hard to maneuver. I haven't docked a diesel so I can't compare them but I'm sure they're a little more predictable and authoritative.
 
They all help out over the season... I always radio when I leave (so I know my radio works and so they know they can use the slip for lunch dock and dine - just a courtesy) and when I return I similarly radio and they help with lines and electric... they are also especially helpful during storms, checking on the boat, tightening lines, emailing me updates etc... all-in-all a very good service for which I'd like to recognize them... I just don't know if I'm being over-generous, or the opposite?

We usually only tip once a year at Christmas time. But we only have A dockmaster and not assistant or dock hands. But when I tip him it's around what your estimate is. $120. Additionally, we don't usually use him for extra help - our neighbors all help one another.
 
IMG_1199.jpg
Out at the potential new (to me) boat today. Looks really good! Question - Does anyone with cabinets like these have this problem? It looks like it is delaminating around the corners. Not all corners of all cabinets but more than a couple.

Image is turned sideways...I will have to figure that out for future posting!
IMG_1199.jpg
 

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