Need real good advice on a 1998 400 w/3116 diesels

I love the info everyone is providing. The gentleman installed 2 seperate engin gauges that runs with the gps, so you can monitor each motor by either GPH or MPG. Its pretty sweet. All the gound & positive cables were all replaced. He installed a sweet inverter with 8 bateries. He had an engineer do the install, its neat. He even installed a battery monitor to monitor all the batteries (shows how much you have used, and what is left in reserve) I do know about the port running gear, i am having it sampled as well (thanks FWEBSTER) once again i love the info. If all goes weell, is there a 400/450 thread? I know there is very educated boaters on this site, and im looking for some advice on not getting burned because i missed something because of my excitment.
 
Got an HIN for this 400 ?....I can eliminate a lot of discussion on coring if you wish. I can probably also tell you a thing or two about the boat, again if you desire.

I am of the belief that you are looking at a diamond in the rough.

Rusty
 
zielke said:
He installed a sweet inverter with 8 bateries. He had an engineer do the install, its neat.
Click to expand...

Did you notice where he put them? The factory position for the holding tank is slightly fwd of the midpoint between the bulkhead and transom, so moving the tank aft a bit would open up a lot of space...
 
SERF indicates Merrit Island and indicates solid bottom. SERP (Palm Coast) are the cored bottoms.

If you're talking about hull sides and decking, they are likely all cored, despite where they were built.


Frank, Rusty... correct me if I'm wrong.
 
I don't think it's as simple as which one is better.

Balsa cored allows for a lighter and potentially stronger design. But, it has to be cared for. Balsa core, or many other core types, can disintegrate if moisture is allowed to eat away at it. If that happens then there is possibly structural weakness. So it needs to be checked carefully. That's why it's such a concern for areas below the waterline.

Keep in mind that serious issues can arise from the decking as well. It's vitally important that all decking holes and fittings, etc. be inspected, installed, and repaired correctly.

These are the types of issues where if caught early are insignificant, yet if left unattended can be a disaster.

Could you respond to my PM when you get a chance - Thanks.
 
ttmott said:
If the hull number is SERF then the hull has no balsa and is solid, from what I understand so little worry about water intrusion other than maybe some blisters but even those are uncommon.

maintenance history on engines and running gear is important to both you and surveyor.

the Norcold refers are crap so plan to replace.

like someone said there are common problems with the water tanks so inspect carefully. The carpet in the mid cabin if stained is an indicator.

look carefully at the port gear as they have a history of failure. Take oil samples of both the gears. They are identical but as the port runs against the counter shaft is is stressed higher than the starboard.

the Westerbeke is bullet proof but if abused or not maintained is really expensive to repair

plan on a complete engine and heat exchanger flush and rod if not done in the last eight or so years. The coolant tends to gel and will inhibit heat transfer.

survey closely the grounding and bonding system, if in good maintenance will be a good indicator of the health of the wetted metal parts.
Click to expand...
Thanks TTMOTT. Simple answers, that I can understand.
 
Sea trial went very well. Brought along the FABCO field tech to ride along and take samples. Find out today if the samples pass (oil,tranny,coolant) both motors and genny. Thank you frank and rusty!! I'll post real soon!
 
Allowing for some wait time for others during the sea trial and hull survey, I have never seen a mechanical survey on 3116/3126's take longer than 8 hours. Your guy is quoting roughly 1.5 times that assuming a $125/hour billing rate. But it doesn't matter....it is what it is, and you don't need to by a bank owned boat without a mechanical survey done by a Caterpillar technician.
 
Prices are a little less over here....my charge was under $450.00. I am only 3 miles from their shop. He took oil & coolant sample on both motors,trannies & genny. Thats a seperate charge for all the samples. My total bill is still under $600.00. FABCO field tech was with us for sea trial (1.5 hrs) even climbed in the engine bay and took readings and watched and listen to everything. Nice guy, and said the 3116's sounded very healthy. Load test was very good, not to much black smoke, so the burn was constant. Test came back real good, signed papers last saturday morning with the seller.......I'm a new boat owner. Thank you Mr. Frank Webster & Mr. Rusty Higgins!!!!! I will post pics from this weekend.
 
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