2003 / 2004 48 DB - MAN (2876LE4) vs. Cummins (QSM's 11)

[ImpulseIII]

What you buy is the least of my worries.

ImpulseIII out..

 

[Four Suns]

However, what you wear is something we are concerned about.

 

[jeljr]

So Gary, it's safe to say you are our resident fashion expert and Frank H. can be counted on for excellent feedback on his love for the CAT brand, perfecto! :grin:

 

[Four Suns]

Ahhh... Frank H. is a good guy... Don't read too much into that. Some people are just Cat people. I'm more of a dog person myself.

I've never been told I'm the resident fashion person. If old shorts, old t-shirts, and 7 year old topsiders that are usually wet more than dry are the fashion, I'm the man. Throw in the beer gut, receding hairline and farmer's tan and I'm the chick magnet and everyone knows it on this board... and both Franks are jealous because of that but they'll get over it.

 

[jeljr]

I am good with the forum and some sauce from all - I am a low key kind of guy.

Frank H., lets just be friends ok?

7 year old topsiders are the way to go man!!

 

[fwebster]

jeljr-

You have chosen to paint Caterpillar engines with entirely too broad a brush.......like most of the rest of the boating community. The Cat engine problems you mentioned had nothing to do with engine design, but were instead, a series of 3 problems with bad parts supplied by vendors, i.e., valves, engine blocks, and aftercoolers.

Caterpillar is certainly at fault for not having adequate checks and balances in place to prevent those issues from affecting us, the boating community. I can't and won't defend that. But, to say Cat makes bad engines is incorrect.

I like all diesel engines...own several from several manufacturers in different types of applications......and there isn't a single brand I would not buy if it fit the application correctly. I just see some significant differences in design choices between certain brands......Gary is replacing plastic belt guards on his Cummins; my Caterpillar belt guards are made of 1/8" perforated sheet steel. Cat uses mechanically driven unit injectors with no exposed fuel lines or pulse pump which means I have a simpler pump (but likely no cheaper) and fewer places for fuel leaks as well as individually adjustible injectors, Caterpillar uses a gloss acrylic enamel to paint engines; Cummins uses something like a satin industrial enamel that soils easily and will not hold up to a salt enviornment.

Gary- Rather than powder coating new metallic belt guards, consider having the shop make them from stainless steel sheet. They can be polished if you are inclined to do the work, and should be lighter because stainless is usually stiffer than mild steel so you can get by with thinner stock, and the same constructioin techniques can be used.....i.e. bending, welding, drilling, etc.

 

[jeljr]

Frank,

I agree with you! I for one know a LOT about the issues CAT faced in the late 1990's, my 40 DB had 3116's and I spent the better part of a year tracking down the exact issues...

Good idea on the SS belt guards, and yes the Cummins paint is not up to par!

Thanks!
Jack

 

[JC3]

Heck BOYS, If you dont have a CAT OR JOHN DEERE sticker on your truck here(Coal Fields of SE KY) you are without a doubt a CITY SLEEKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :smt043 JC
FrankH, I love to hear those CATS whine.
Got a SEARAY sticker on my Truck but nobody around here knows what its for.

 

[Skip]

Cummins Paint not up to par? Heck, I thought the forward edge of my aftercoolers was supposed to look like a marshmellow about to go into a 'smore. Isn't toasted burnt marshmellow the factory color?

I digress.

Cats, Cummins, MANs (never happen, can't afford a MAN equipped boat) it matters not to me, and I am merely happy to be running oil burners in the engine room.

Skip

 

[Capt. Rusty Higgins]

Afternoon guys, Gary I sure do enjoy reading your input and the color you add. I am going with Frank has he seems to have his finger on the pulse of our decisions and provides facts without the flare.
I will continue to monitor the dialog but if either of you wants to know the real inside story (facts) you know where I am at.
Take care and thanks to all of you for being loyal to the brand.
Great site with knowledgeable veterans....I've got nothing on you guys

 

[Petep]

Knowlegable Veterans ....That means we're old Rusty???? Good to see you Post - Hope all is well at the best boat builder around.

 

[osd9]

..... Gary I sure do enjoy reading your input and the color you add.

I've learned to put my coffee down before I open Gary's posts.....

..... I am going with Frank has he seems to have his finger on the pulse of our decisions and provides facts without the flare.
guys

Me TOO!

 

[Capt. Rusty Higgins]

Easy now Dominic, I am not busting on Gary as he is one of the best. Just trying to acknowledge and appreciate everyone's input. My place is to remain in the background and allow all of you old salts to hash the everyday changes, out.
But as always, I am here and more than willing to provide as much correct information as I can....just don't want to strum up more calls than I already field in the chair I sit. One may say that some post negative remarks while others say all comments are positive.
My positions is that we are ALL talking about great boats and the serenity we find when boating on a Sea Ray. If I can be of assistance to anyone, please feel free to contact me....if you do not know how....just ask Gary, he's on my team!

R

 

[Bottom Line]

My positions is that we are ALL talking about great boats and the serenity we find when boating on a Sea Ray. If I can be of assistance to anyone, please feel free to contact me....if you do not know how....just ask Gary, he's on my team!

R

Amen!!!

 

[Four Suns]

Geez... leave for a few hours to go work on the boat and look what happens.

I didn't say anything about Cats. The only experience I have is with the one upstairs and I had it's claws, teeth, and uterus removed and it doesn't even like me.

 

[Skip]

Rusty, great to 'see" you here.

When my family and I headed to Florida in February to escape the miserable mid atlantic winter/spend far too much at Disney World it was the redoubtable Mr. Higgins who offered us up a tour at Merritt Island. We were unable to make it work out based on my wife's schedule at NASA (a little work throwin in, always), but I am confident that when I call 1-800 SRBoats there is someone on the other end who absolutely, positively cares about me and my boat..and I did not even buy the 420 new.

Thanks, Rusty

Skip

 

[fwebster]

Rusty,

I'm glad you found us here at CSR....but I should have known you were keeping up with things!

 

[jeljr]

This site is AWESOME and to see the interaction by Sea Ray is fantastic. The color we all add is fantastic, we are here for one reason, we love Sea Rays, boating, and our boat friends!

 

[Four Suns]

I thought it would be appropriate to end this thread dedicating my favorite cat picture to all you cat people. :wink:

 

[osd9]

Here's my favorite CAT picture.....proof that marriage exists in the animal kingdom......