CAT 3208 vs. 3126 in a 450 Sundancer approaching 30,000 lbs

[Maybe A Dancer]

I currently have a 1997 450DA under consideration.

She appears to be meticulously maintained, far and above the best I've seen (photos) and is currently priced above the market.

Her one and ONLY flaw is she is equipped with 3208 Cats @ 435 hp, not the 3126 engines

Apparently this boat ended up with a pair of soft block 3126's and they were exchanged for the 3208's currently at 1100 hours

I have 4 concerns:

dirtier engines - more smoke & soot

higher fuel burn

V8 vs inline 6 - how does this effect engine room access?

Finally, at 435 HP this engine is at the absolute top of her HP/liter rating. Will she become a hand grenade at 2,000 hours

Fully loaded the 450 DA is approaching 30,000 lbs

Even slightly overpropped would shorten her engine life

COMMENTS?

BEST,

RWS

 

[NotHerDecision]

The 3208 engines are rock solid power plants. I wouldn’t be concerned except for the engine room access as they are fat ladies for sure. Many over the road drivers have out 1m mikes on 3208’s and they are known to be reliable. I have serviced 2 boats with them recently and the coolers and tanks were bad in one of them, but parts were easily sourced.

I actually love the 3208’s, don’t let that hold you back.

 

[Golfman25]

With all due respect, you keep talking yourself out of particular boats. I think you should keep what you got. You know exactly where it has been and what to expect. Good luck.

 

[Juliery]

I currently have a 1997 450DA under consideration.

She appears to be meticulously maintained, far and above the best I've seen (photos) and is currently priced above the market.

Her one and ONLY flaw is she is equipped with 3208 Cats @ 435 hp, not the 3126 engines

Apparently this boat ended up with a pair of soft block 3126's and they were exchanged for the 3208's currently at 1100 hours

I have 4 concerns:

dirtier engines - more smoke & soot

higher fuel burn

V8 vs inline 6 - how does this effect engine room access?

Finally, at 435 HP this engine is at the absolute top of her HP/liter rating. Will she become a hand grenade at 2,000 hours

Fully loaded the 450 DA is approaching 30,000 lbs

Even slightly overpropped would shorten her engine life

COMMENTS?

BEST,

RWS

3208 is disposable - not sleeved. It's not one of Cats better engines... its old technology, overweight, underpowered, you wouldn't BELIEVE where the fuel transfer pump is located!!!!... Many marine diesel mechanics call them anchors. Your concerns are well-founded.

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

With all due respect, you keep talking yourself out of particular boats. I think you should keep what you got. You know exactly where it has been and what to expect. Good luck.

======================

I've owned this boat for 20 years, thought she would be my last.

at age 64 I am looking ahead:

> lifestyle changes - 2 head arrangement and privacy
> more storage for galley items
> twice the freshwater capacity
> dry shower
> swim platform/dinghy issues
> access/egress advantage with the transom door
> island berth so one doesn't have to climb over the other at 2 AM to pee

There are many things that CAN be changed or upgraded.

I recognize the things that CAN be changed and those that CAN'T

I'm happy to change/update/upgrade those things that I CAN

A very knowledgeable source here on CSR has advised that the 3208 may not be the best choice for the 450 DA

I plan on keeping this one for another 20 or more years.

Given what I have now, I don't mind waiting for the right one

My plan is to keep what I have until I find the right boat

Believe me, I really do appreciate the discussions here on CSR. Your collective voices have provided me an invaluable education which is truly appreciated.

BEST !

RWS

 

[carterchapman]

I

V8 vs inline 6 - how does this effect engine room access?

COMMENTS?

BEST,

RWS

I have V-8's in a 16' beam boat - it is tight on the outboard sides. I don't attempt to try to work out there at my age (75), I let my "MAN" men do the work out there. They sometimes have to use a mechanic in front and one in back, each reaching forward and aft with one arm and hand , to get two hands on a task.

So yes, V8's will affect your ER access. On my 8.1 powered 340, I could at least lay on the engines and work outboard side issues (cockpit hatch opened entire cockpit deck).

 

[SeaNile]

Not @ 435hp. I'd keep looking but that's me. Stick with the 450DA with either 3116 or 3126 options.

 

[Juliery]

Not @ 435hp. I'd keep looking but that's me. Stick with the 450DA with either 3116 or 3126 options.

The 3126 is the newer version with a bigger bore. I'd go with the 3126B/C-7....those are the electronic version of the 3126-TA.

 

[SeaNile]

What I wouldn't want is the one unique boat of a well documented winning combination. Why go for the one 3208 powered 450DA when there are dozens (hundreds, thousands?) of the 450DA with either the 3116 or 3126?

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

What I wouldn't want is the one unique boat of a well documented winning combination. Why go for the one 3208 powered 450DA when there are dozens (hundreds, thousands?) of the 450DA with either the 3116 or 3126?

================================

well, here's a good reason:

Used 1997 Sea Ray 450 Sundancer, 02852 Wickford - Boat Trader

i've been talking with the broker

above my budget

If she had the 3126, I'd just borrow the difference

No offense to anyone, but in my opinion, despite how perfect she is, She's WELL OVERPRICED with the 3208's at 435 hp

RWS

 

[SeaNile]

If your all in budget is under 200k stop looking for the perfect one. Don't buy a total POS but with that budget you should be able to find a nice, not perfect, 450DA and have plenty of money left over to make it your own.

You are looking for your last boat, your dream boat so I don't understand the mindset of being "under water" with your purchase. Hell, if the perfect one was available for 190k and you plan on keeping it forever....why sweat the small stuff?

If you were totally insane and bought a different boat every year, well then budget and purchase price is extremely important. If you are buying with a plan of keeping the boat 5-10-15+ years then eff it. Buy a good boat and slowly make it your own.

Aside from the 3208 boat being over priced you kind of miss out on the opportunity to jump on this site, ask a question and get a dozen or so replies that can help with your exact issue. Hell, Frank can damn near help anyone with any issue with any boat with any motor. Come on here with a 3208 powered 450DA and you'll get a lot of "I dunno...could be this, could be that" advice.

The right boat is out there for sure. There were 4 that I know of that would have been perfect for you relatively recently. Frank's, mine, the fresh water one in Michigan and the CA one.

Now comes the fun of weeding through the boats that are an absolute NO and look for one that you can make all your own.

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

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 1160 lbs MORE than the 3116

RWS

 

[Skybolt]

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 1160 lbs MORE than the 3116

RWS

No offense, but I believe you are over thinking all of this a bit. I definitely would take the 3126 engine over the 3116, but it's a toss up with the 3208. Sure weight can be an issue, but properly placed it can be a good thing as well. Get in a rough see and you'll be glad you have it. I always travel with full water tanks, that's 150 gallons @ 8lbs/gal so that's an additional 1200lbs, but I tend to keep my fuel tanks just over half, so I guess it works out. That said the right boat is out there and choose the one that makes you feel right with your decision. I will say this however, the right one may not always be the perfect one.

I have followed this thread and totally agree with @SeaNile. Good Luck in your search.