380 sundancer caterpillar 3126

R

Rebbe

New Member
Jan 20, 2018
19
Boat Info
1998 310 Sundance
Alpha 5.7/250hp
Engines
5.7 alpha 250hp
So I found a very clean 2004 380 with the 3126 350hp caterpillar engines with 500 hours. I want diesels and usually would buy Cummins but this boat is exceptionally clean and mostly freshwater boat with only 3 years in saltwater. I know about the softblock and valve problems in the earlier 3116/3126 models but did the problems still arise in these later 2004s? Should I just keep looking for a clean Cummins? I will if I need to but just don’t know the real facts about these cats.
 
Frank Webster is your answer here. Contact him.
 
If it’s an exceptionally clean, 2004 380 with 3126’s it a very nice boat to own.

If the engines have 500 hours and are 2004 your likely beyond the point that the block is an issue.

Have the boat surveyed and have CAT do an engine inspection. They should be able to determine if the block were ever an issue.
 
CE8C4C06-E33A-4A2D-9A9A-4CC5EB3EB5DE.jpeg
 
Rebbe said:
View attachment 76186
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Wow, Clean is right!
There were three issues - the soft blocks, a valve material issue, and an issue with stainless steel risers; all resolved before these engines. Get an engine surveyor that is knowledgeable with Caterpillar and they can pull the service records based upon the engine S/N's. For something that looks this good full fluid analysis (especially coolant) is a must. Not running the engines over time tends to also extend service intervals and coolant can become problematic. Assume the generator is a Westerbeke?; they do not like to sit unused also, so make sure the survey takes a good look at it....
Fuel that sits and is untreated or fuel tanks not maintained full during layup may be the one major issue so it is essential a close look at the fuel, filters, and tanks be done; looking for algae, and water.
Be aware that these engines tend to eat cooling pump impellers which will require changing annually; check access to the starboard cooling pump on this boat as it will need to be changed as a part of maintenance.... It will be a serious pain; some pull the entire pump to change the impeller.
Tom
 
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Surevey by Catapiller is a must and make sure the gen is serviced should you buy.
Nice looking engine room
 
That engine room is impressive. Definitely a jewel. Good luck with the survey.
 
You don't have any reason to worry about the 350hp 3126 Cat engines.

History, because you mentioned worrying about self blocks: The history is that there were some vendor quality problems with the metallurgy on the 1995-2002 3126 engines in all hp ratings. Soft blocks and premature cylinder wear were the result. They also had some bad valves from TRW in the 1995 - 1998 3116 and 3126 engines. Both problems were warrantied and are long since out of use now because both problems surfaced at 150 to 200 hours of use. Then at the same time, the EPA tightened the emissions requirements and Caterpillar's fix was to de-rate the 3126 to 350 hp and change the fuel system to electronic controls to get better fuel control. In about 2003, Cat replaced the 3116 and 3126 with the 350 hp 3126.

There are a lot of 2003-4 350hp 3126 powered Sea Rays out there and none of the owners have reported any engine problems.

The original Sherwood seawater pumps tended to leak and go thru impellers rapidly. We had 20 something Cat powered boats at our dealer's Marins in the 90's and we found that replacing the seawater pumps with a new Sherwood pump solved the rapid wear issue. Mine have been on the boat about 12 years and I get 300 hours/2 years out of the impellers....and the impeller kit is $68 so it isn't a big maintenance hit.

The Caterpillar powered boat pictured above, if the inside is as clean as the engine space is one of those "Go buy it now's" in boating. The 350hp 3126 is extremely dependable, very low maintenance, smoke and odor free and very efficient engine and in the 380DA, it is a fast great handling boat.
 
Thanks guys...I’m feeling more confident today. I will know if my 310 is sold this weekend and will finally be able to pull the trigger on my new boat. I’ve always been a Cummins guy since I’ve owned 3 of them so this cat stuff is all new to me. Appreciate the information and I won’t x it off the list. And yes the entire boat is exceptionally clean!!
 
Our '98 was warrantied by CAT in 2003 with new blocks installed. We bought it in '07 with 600 total hours on the boat and just 300 hours on the new engines. For the past 12.5 years, she has run like a top. Do not be deterred by CATs.
 
I know this is a old tread but I fig let me give it a try... Just sold my 05 320 last year and was offed to buy it back this year.... Everything was a go intill I said I wanna move up to a 380/390... But I see the cats only came in pre 2005.... Then cummins.... Is the cummins a bad motor? This is my first diesel boat and a little worried about pulling the trigger... Any info would be great.. Even cruise speed and distance would love to hear....
 
Siboatguy

Cummins make a great marine diesel. It even has it's own thread on CSR. You will want to have a marine surveyor take a look and at this age most engines need hoses and clamps replaced. The one issue with the Cummins seems to be the aftercoolers. Read all you want at sbmar.com and Welcome Aboard!
 
If your going diesel might as well look at the 420/440 of that era. Cummins power, great boat, and more of them to pick and choose from.

Another great resource is boat www.diesel.com. I pay the fee every year and it’s worth every penny.
 
If the sentiment is true that there are boats too big for gas engines, would the inverse also potentially be true, there are boats too small for diesels?

Seeing diesels in a 380 is quite uncommon. I wonder if resale is tricky since they are so rare and so few shoppers in the upper 30' range are likely looking for diesels? I tend to agree with dtfeld. If you're going to focus on diesels consider pushing into the low 40's. Your shopping experience (and potentially future selling?) will be much less frustrating.
 
I owned an 2001 380DA w/ 3126's for 4 years. I had it trucked from FL to MD because there were only a handful of them on the East coast at the time. Resale was not an issue for me or the next owner. I will say though if I were in that situation again I would go with a 410DA instead.
 
Just curious why would u do the 41... Size or because of the engine's? looking at the 41/42 also.. but more money...
 
Does anyone know if the OP ever got this boat, signature is not updated to reflect that.

There is a 2004 380 with 3126 cats for sale with 500 hours seems like the same boat.

I would be a 380 with diesels purchasee over 40+. in that vintage the 380 is perfect fit for me and the admiral. Dont need the extra expenses for dockage and heated storage.
 
Siboatguy said:
Just curious why would u do the 41... Size or because of the engine's? looking at the 41/42 also.. but more money...
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At that time, the 410DA wasn't much more money so size would have been the driving factor for me. I believe you gained a foot in beam which would really have helped in the engine room. The 410DA actually runs as well or better than the 380DA with the same CAT power.
 
Siboatguy said:
Just curious why would u do the 41... Size or because of the engine's? looking at the 41/42 also.. but more money...
Click to expand...

I started looking at 380’s. They’re great boats. But once I knew I wanted diesels I shifted to a search for a 410 because diesels are a lot more common in them than they are in 380’s.
The bonuses, aside from the added length and beam, is a second head, slightly more comfortable aft cabin, aft cabin pocket door instead of curtain, a bit more room in the bilge, roomier cockpit and cabin feel because of the extra width.
Naturally, the 410’s are more money than the 380’s but they’re worth it if you can swing it.
Better still if you can swing a bit more and get a 420 with a hardtop. The amount of space on the 410 & 420 is pretty much the same, but that hardtop sure is nice.
The other thing I like about the 420 over the 410 is engine room access.
The rear cockpit seat and more cockpit floor open up on the 420’s giving you much better access.
Despite the added cockpit access, I wouldn’t spend the extra money on the 420 (over what a 410 costs) unless it had a hardtop.
 
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jzanthony said:
Does anyone know if the OP ever got this boat, signature is not updated to reflect that.

There is a 2004 380 with 3126 cats for sale with 500 hours seems like the same boat.

I would be a 380 with diesels purchasee over 40+. in that vintage the 380 is perfect fit for me and the admiral. Dont need the extra expenses for dockage and heated storage.
Click to expand...


No I didn’t...they accepted my offer but I backed out before we did a survey because the owner was very unreasonable once I started noticing things were not right with the boat. Example the boat was listed that it was immaculate with radar etc. Had someone go out there and check it out before I lined up a survey and noticed radar wasn’t working and the owner wasn’t willing to compensate or repair the radar. So I walked away before I got in to deep unfortunately. Not sure how he plans on selling it acting like a broke ass. Yet he is looking to upgrade to a 300k boat..makes you wonder why he just doesn’t fix the small amount of issues or make it right with a potential buyer. It was in Charleston sc. Plus it was used for bachelorette parties as he own a charter company... there is more to it that led me to pull out but it was mainly the seller was unable to do anything to help the sale.
 
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