97 33 Sundancer Diesel upgrade question ?

[Davepnola]

Could a 33 Sundancer be upgraded to diesels using the same shafts and and struts ? Would the stringers have to be strengthened ? Are there any Diesel engines are out there cost effective ? Thanks

Also what is the range 20 knots on 97 33 Da 7.4Litre 310 hp v drives with 225 gallons of fuel ? Considering traveling in calm seas with no head wind ?

 

[never monday]

yes it can be done. Cost effective? mabey, if you boat lot 200+ hrs a year. Initial cash outlay is going to be about 50K fuel burn should be about 15-18 GPH at cruise.

 

[fwebster]

This is a lot more complex that "can it be done"? Lots of questions need to be answered before you jump in. Yanmar makes a great 4 cylinder diesel and is about the only alternative if you want to keep the same shaft size. Even then you have to figure transmission ratios and count on replacing the 3 bladed props with 4 blades ones pitched for the diesel torque and rpms.

The fuel system has to be re-plumbed to add a return system. And what about the gasoline generator? You would need to replace it. To keep the old one would mean adding a separate fuel tank for gasoline for the generator and why change over to diesel and forgo the added safety by retaining the gas generator?

The biggest question is a financial one....does it make sense to spend $35-$45,000 on a repower of a 10 year old boat? You would never recover the cost in the normal length of time one keeps a boat like this.

I think you would be money, time, and Prozac ahead of the game to just look for a larger diesel boat..........There are opportunities out there. You didn't bother to give us a location, but the Sea Ray dealer in our area just took a very nice and well maintained '96 400EC with Cat diesels in on trade and the asking money is in the $135K area......which isn't much of a push from where you'd be with a repowered 330DA.....

 

[never monday]

Frank,
I have to disagree with you. Keeping the gas generator is not an option. It has to be replaced. Diesels are not ignition protected and can not live in the same engine room with gas appliances.

Now, as far as repowering. Yanmar makes a 6 cyl 315hp engine that is a better replacement for 7.4 or 8.1 gassers. When the package is purchased they come with transmissions, panels, harnesses, gauges.
This unit with 1.25" -1.5" shafts works well. Reproping will be required but as the 315's torque is nearly similar to the 7.4 it is possible to just repitch in some instances.
We can drag this out to the last nut and bolt required if you like. I've done a few of these and have my parts lists.

 

[fwebster]

Pat,

Re-read my post.....I think I said:

"And what about the gasoline generator? You would need to replace it."

 

[never monday]

my bad inference, sorry

 

[Davepnola]

this boat is on Clearwater , Palm Harbor and I think I am getting a good deal? Since it is my first Searay, maybe I should start with this boat and then upgrade on my second boat? The boat is a 97 33 and has 800 hours on the motors. I am buying the boat in the low 50 range . The boat has extensive maintenance records an is very clean . Here is the link tell me what ya think. Thanks, I am think I driving the boat back to Louisiana by water. Let me know. The advise really helps. Ps: my background is mechanincal, boat and automobiles , so doing anything myself really is no problem at all !!

And what kind of range will this boat have ? Can I travel 200 miles on 1 tank of fuel ?

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...=0&n=22%3A1%3A51673%3A51694%3A983&searchtype=

 

[fwebster]

Pat,

No problem.....I get in a hurry sometimes too..........



Davepnola.

I hope you have made your offer contingent upon a both mechanical and hull surveys. The mechanical survey on a 900 hour 7.4 should include compression checks, leak down tests, oil analyses and removing and checking the risers.

I'm not sure I'd try to bring this one back by water. Range bothers me.........you said 200 gal of fuel divided by 115%= net useable fuel of 173 gal......... 173 gallons divided by 27 estimated gph =6.4 hours of running time x 20 kts = a range of 128 miles.......I run from Clearwater direct to Panama Cityand its 168 miles from Clearwater pass to the PC sea bouy. You would have to come way up the coast to refuel before leaving central Fla then head into Carabelle or Apalachicola to refuel and even then it would be close.

My other concerns are the sea worthiness of a recently purchased boat. What about water pumps, circulating pumps, fuel pumps, ignition modules, thermostats, and a whole host of other stuff you cannot run without. The middle of the Gulf of Mexico is not the best spot for repairing a boat even if you do have adequate spares along. You lose one engine and your trip gets real long since you'll be cruising at 7-8 kts instead of 20.

If you left the boat in South FLa for a few weeks and ran it enough to get confident and take care of the needed maintenance and then carefully planned your trip and fuel stops it would be different. I guess I'd be too conservative to write a check, jump in and go.

 

[Davepnola]

I agree . I have chart plan that tags me along the coast. Stopping between Carabelle and Palm Harbor to fill up again. The boat is supposed to be in excellent running condition. I will get a mechanical survey on the boat before I write a check. The fuel on this boat is 225 gallons. I guess fuel consumption these boats are terrible ! I would like to drive the boat back just to enjoy the trip. But I will have the boat checked extensivley before taking possesion. My agreement with the owner is not to complain about any small stuff found in the survey, but the big cost items are negotiable. Anyway I would rather diesel boat , but just not in my budget at the current time.

From the pics does this boat owner look like he takes good care of his vessel ? Its kept under a covered slip, pretty expensive monthly slip charge.
I am getting the maintenance records faxed to me tomorrow, supposedly the manifolds are less than 2 years old.

We shall see.....

 

[Asureyez]

My Eye

The boat being kept under cover shows very well, bright clean and shows routine physical care. The helm sports a fine array of gizmos and I'm a real fan of Brookes and Gatehouse which is top end stuff.

Given the vintage of the boat, listen to Frank closely. Don't buy this boat without a hull AND engine survey.

The survey will cost you at least a day and 600-700 bucks but you will save a huge mistake if the engines are run out and ready for re power to to some hidden catastrophic malady. By order of magnitude a re power situation would exceed half the value of the boat!

As for buying and making a long journey , I wouldn't do it. Better you close on the deal, and take a few days dockage close to a repair center and go use the boat daily ... and:

• stock up on spares,
  check out all the safety gear, update the flares and safety equipment,
  fill in the gaps in stores,
  make suitable arrangements to carry some deck fuel safely,
  update the charts and navigation tools,
  shake your self down on the electronics so you can use them confidently,
  undertake some minor maintenance ...
  clean the strainers,
  change the water pump impellers,
  change the oil and filters,
  address coolant and fuel related filtration issues
  make sure all surveyors recommendations are addressed,

If you lack enough time leave the boat in Clear water and get it right, THEN return the following WE and make the cruise to your new home port confident that not only have you bought a great boat, but she's sea worthy and prepared to go where you want to go.