Engine & Generator hours

[fsudelt]

Possibly looking at a 38-40DA. I’d prefer diesel for efficiency. We currently have a diesel motorhome which people say could run pretty much your lifetime. What about diesel boat engines & generators? Should I be concerned if some are in the 1,500-1,800 hours range? We are looking at 2004-2008 year range so some due have higher hours on them.

Thanks for any input!

 

[Robski97]

that's nothing for diesel boat. Just make sure u get maintenance records

Rob

 

[dtfeld]

It would depend on the condition and service history, and to a degree, the make/model/displacement of motors in the boat. In that size and years, you are probably looking at Cummins engines. Cummins makes a great engine, and I think they moved from a mechanically controlled engine to an electronic control engine about that time. I think Cummins has a 1000 Hrs service that might get pricey (there is a thread on that here on CSR). Beyond that, you need to research the weak points on the specific engine your looking at and see if the issues have been addressed. Things like after coolers, turbos or ECM's can get pretty expensive, just to name a few.

If they have been well cared for, 1500-1800 hours isnt crazy, but you may be coming up on some maintenance intervals that might have to be factored into the price of the boat.

I just purchased a 410 Sundancer with CAT 3126's but I love the diesels and efficiency for a boat this size. If you can find a well cared for diesel version, do your homework, have a separate engine inspection with oil anaylisis. Great boat if you can get a good one.

 

[fsudelt]

Thanks for the input. The one possibly I’m looking at is a 05 390DA. Has the QSB 380 Cummins engines (just over 1,800 hours & genny has just under 1,700 hours). It seems very well taken care of, the current owners recently completed the great loop in it & have done quite a few upgrades. I’ll still need to see it in person to see actual condition other than pictures. They are asking just under $160K.

 

[dtfeld]

Having completed the great loop would explain the hours on the engines, and since the boat has been used a lot, everything should be in good running order. There are are a several other boats in that price range with diesels with 1/2-1/3 the hours. They would be worth a look as well.

Hours are not a great indicator of condition, so you really need to look at each boat and the service history. However, its probably the first thing an average buyer looks at, so that might affect resalability, and more importantly, what your willing to pay for a particular boat.

 

[fsudelt]

Having completed the great loop would explain the hours on the engines, and since the boat has been used a lot, everything should be in good running order. There are are a several other boats in that price range with diesels with 1/2-1/3 the hours. They would be worth a look as well.

Hours are not a great indicator of condition, so you really need to look at each boat and the service history. However, its probably the first thing an average buyer looks at, so that might affect resalability, and more importantly, what your willing to pay for a particular boat.

That’s what I was thinking. We are just in beginning stages of browsing and probably won’t purchase until end of fall once we put our motorhome up for sale unless a great deal popped up. I saw this 1st as it’s closest to our FL house (Orlando). Will keep searching & maybe check this out in person. Diesel seem to be harder to find in the 380-400DA range.

 

[dtfeld]

That’s what I was thinking. We are just in beginning stages of browsing and probably won’t purchase until end of fall once we put our motorhome up for sale unless a great deal popped up. I saw this 1st as it’s closest to our FL house (Orlando). Will keep searching & maybe check this out in person. Diesel seem to be harder to find in the 380-400DA range.

For the 38-40 ft range I like the 8.1's, depending on your mission.

 

[fsudelt]

For the 38-40 ft range I like the 8.1's, depending on your mission.

Aren’t they thirsty engines? Maybe I read wrong but thought at cruise they burned around 30gph vs a diesel around 20-22gph? Most would be local boating (3-5 hour trips) with a trip to the Bahamas every few years.

 

[SeadawgVB]

For the 38-40 ft range I like the 8.1's, depending on your mission.

I wish my 360DA had the Yanmar option. The 8.1s cruise @ 31-3200 RPM = 19-20 MPH, burning about 30GPH. If you are just bar / marina hopping, no biggie, If you really wanna go somewhere farther......

 

[Robski97]

I would never touch a gas boat @ 40' ( if u like to travel )

And 1500hrs on a gas motor ?? NO TY !

Rob

 

[Stee6043]

I did some math regarding total cost of ownership of gas vs diesel for a "light user" when looking at buying a 400. I run the boat right around 50 hours per year. That's not much compared to you southern guys. At 50 hours per year, regardless of how far you go or how fast you get there, diesels will save you less than two boat bucks per year (in operating cost, using my '97 400 as a basis).

Not saying two boat bucks wouldn't be nice to have but you really need to drive a diesel to make the upfront investment worth it. Of course, boating is not an investment and diesels will provide more smiles per gallon with their superior handling and less frequent visits to the fuel dock.

So if you can afford it - get the diesel. If you're on the fence, gas is quite a bit more viable for us light users than this board may lead you to believe

 

[dtfeld]

Aren’t they thirsty engines? Maybe I read wrong but thought at cruise they burned around 30gph vs a diesel around 20-22gph? Most would be local boating (3-5 hour trips) with a trip to the Bahamas every few years.

They are, but as the above posts point out, it might not be as big a deal as you think. Diesels cost more upfront, more at the parts counter, but less at the gas dock. A good honest assessment of how much you will use the boat might give you better break even calculation. At 25 hrs a year, Gasser make sense, but at 100+ hours a year or more, you might want the diesels.

 

[ttmott]

Don't discount that the Diesel fueled boats are a safer and technically simpler boat to own, enjoy, and operate.
Everybody keeps throwing out that "they cost more to purchase" however they neglect to mention that diesel fueled boats retain more value when sold.

 

[Robski97]

I guess im the crazy one. Gas boat in the ocean with snot … Terrible ride. Same boat with diesel plows right tru.. none of that power loss climbing the swells. I guess its all how u boat and what u boat in....

Rob

 

[SeadawgVB]

I guess im the crazy one. Gas boat in the ocean with snot … Terrible ride. Same boat with diesel plows right tru.. none of that power loss climbing the swells. I guess its all how u boat and what u boat in....

Rob

I just discovered that on my last outing; coming around the bend to get into the Elizabeth river near the south end of the Chesapeake Bay, larger rollers on the bow, period just a touch longer than my boat. We had a pretty hard time climbing the wave to then surf down the back side almost burying the bow each time. This situation was never in my gas vs diesel calculus. Any worse and I would not want to be out in it.

 

[mtnandy]

Don't discount that the Diesel fueled boats are a safer and technically simpler boat to own, enjoy, and operate.
Everybody keeps throwing out that "they cost more to purchase" however they neglect to mention that diesel fueled boats retain more value when sold.

and don't blow up or kill you with carbon monoxide