QSM11 maintenance cost vs. others (MAN)

[SeaNile]

OK, it's no secret I'm interested in a boat with MAN "preferred" engine package vs the QSM11. Yep, that's what every ad says.

Done a ton of homework and research and it's no denying the MAN is a a kick ass package. The one caveat is the A1 service which is required every 2 years. Pull injectors, test and most likely replace most of them. Then every 4 years is the typical coolant change, etc. Seems that all engines require a very similar heat exchanger and after cooler inspection and cleaning. Seems like MAN strongly discourages creating the loop and running barnacle buster through the system. Gasket failure?

Guess my question is as whether or not owning the same boat with the QSM package would be a significantly less expensive boat to maintain. I'm aware of the EGT and dry exhaust on the QSM but if they are propped correctly do these engines become inexpensive to maintain?

My reference is having 6BTA and 3126 which were extremely low maintenance to own and operate.

I'm thinking this MAN powered boat could be a great deal but not if it comes with a $20,000 maintenance bill every 2 years.

Trying to do a little mental math and see if the MAN boat is X is the QSM boat worth X+10k? 20k? 30K?? 50k?

 

[Jeremygavin]

I have QSM11s and have been happy with them. They are not the smoothest engine in the world but they push the boat nicley and I have not had an major issues with them. I did prop down when I bought the boat to get the fuel burn correct so that I don't have the exhaust manifold leaks. I really like the fact that I can get parts very easily. I buy most of them online but I have it isn't hard to find someone to work on them and in the end they just run well for me. I had the heat exchangers and aftercoolers serviced last winter by the boat yard and it was almost $20k worth of work. That number did include pulling the exhaust manifolds That being said I won't worry about it again for at least 4 years. My annual maintenance on these motors has been around $1200 per year. Other than the major service I do everything myself. Those costs are mostly oil changes and water pump impellors every other season plus a few misc items each year such as belts and hoses as needed.