Seeking Bristol 1996-2000 450 Sundancer

endless seas said:
3208 are TANKS!!!
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AGREED - up to and including 375 HP

The question is about longevity and the 20% increased fuel burn at 435horse as compared to the 3126.

I'm a 20 year member at boatdiesel, but wanted the skinny from actual owners of 3208 @ 435 horse (this it's maximum rating) in a planing hull approaching 30,000 lbs

RWS
 
Maybe A Dancer said:
==================

AGREED - up to and including 375 HP

The question is about longevity and the 20% increased fuel burn at 435horse as compared to the 3126.

I'm a 20 year member at boatdiesel, but wanted the skinny from actual owners of 3208 @ 435 horse (this it's maximum rating) in a planing hull approaching 30,000 lbs

RWS
Click to expand...
Our 3126 were 420 hp and the boat used NO fuel (-:
 
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At first glance here, at Boatdiesel.com and from Mr. FW, the 3208 may not be the very best choice in terms of cold start smoke, transom soot, fuel burn, engine room accessibility, and at the 435 HP version, longevity.

I was going to make a run on the nicest, most magnificent, meticulously maintained, flawless 1997 galley to port 450DA, however the 3208's @ 435HP have taken me down a rabbit hole.

At this very moment however, the jury is still out.

BEST !

RWS
 
good luck in your search

if you come to New York ill be more than happy to take you for a cruise and let you run it for a while

i know in my area there are a few for sale on Facebook market place. They been for sale a while which kinda scares me.
 
Saverio said:
good luck in your search

if you come to New York ill be more than happy to take you for a cruise and let you run it for a while

i know in my area there are a few for sale on Facebook market place. They been for sale a while which kinda scares me.
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======================

THANK YOU

There were 2 in NY on Facebook Marketplace

I touched them both last week but have not yet received any replies
 
I’m a guy who’s not been in boats all that long but I’ve been around CAT engines for close to thirty years now. I’ve got friends who work and have worked at CAT. The 3208 is not a bad engine but I don’t know one of them that would recommend it over a 3126. The soft block issue is done and gone. Those engines if not caught failed almost immediately. In fact, my parents’ 450DA had both engines replace before they had 20 hours.
 
Nick 55 said:
I’m a guy who’s not been in boats all that long but I’ve been around CAT engines for close to thirty years now. I’ve got friends who work and have worked at CAT. The 3208 is not a bad engine but I don’t know one of them that would recommend it over a 3126. The soft block issue is done and gone. Those engines if not caught failed almost immediately. In fact, my parents’ 450DA had both engines replace before they had 20 hours.
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My concerns with the 3208's are:

  • 442 lbs (for twins) heavier than the 3126
  • 524 lbs more than 3116
  • this weight is concentrated in the a$$ end of the boat - will she ride bow high compared to the six cylinder?
  • reputation is bulletproof at 375 HP not so much at 435
  • fatter in the engine room - less space in between engines and LESS SPACE BETWEEN EHGINE & HULL
  • 4 total exhaust elbows & manifolds vs 2
  • doesn't burn as clean as the 3116/3126 series
  • how does all of the above affect value & desirability
RWS
 
OH MY !

I was mistakenly looking at metric data.

Here's the real data:

3116 weighs 1,500 lbs each

3126 weighs 1590 lbs each 180 lbs total additional weight over the 3116

3208 @435 horse weighs 2080 each or 1,160 lbs MORE than the 3116
 
UPDATE:

I was under contract on a galley to port 450.

Boat did not pass the the hull portion of the survey, as her transom, the port side hull side mid-section from the port side rubrail down and the bow area adjacent to the anchor locker drain were wet.

Surveyor performed hull soundings, and confirmed findings with infrared imaging.

At this point the survey was stopped, we never did the hull bottom, engine room or any sea trial.

I've included a photo of her transom.

Meanwhile, having poked around the galley to port 450, I am impressed with her layout and intelligent placement of nearly everything, with the exception of the cable winder.

Still have not had an opportunity to be aboard one while underway.

Meanwhile, THE SEARCH CONTINUES.

Seeking a DRY HULLED 3116/3126.

Would love to have an opportunity to spend an hour aboard one sometime.

I'll likely start a new thread NOT in the sea ray classifieds section, with this post as the thread starter.

BEST !

RWS
Transom_To_Share_1.jpg
 
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