Marlin, thanks for the reply. I assume that any boat that is 20+ years old will have a few screws loose. I am prepared to have to do a little maintenence on it. I am looking at the Hatteras. Very nice setup.
Capt Brian thanks for the reply also. I do know that they are a dry boat and the cockpit is tight. However I probably won't have more than 4 guys in it ant any given time. I don't know much about deisels but I am learning. I've always been a gas engine man. All my other boats had 454's in them. I can't take the fuel consumption anymore. What do you know about the CAT 3116 engines. Any feedback would be great.
Stay away, some very poor blocks out there, rods thrown at 1000 hours very common. Some are great, but too many defective ones to take a chance. Cat discontinued for a reason. Personally I love the 3208's. Heavy, yes. Economical, maybe not. But parts are cheap, and besides being generally bulletproof finding someone who knows how to work on them isn't too hard.
"If at first you don't succeed, don't try skydiving"
Join Date
Jan 2006
Location
Frederick / O.C. Maryland
Posts
129
I have to agree..We have 3208's on our 36'er..Great engines..Never a problem..Easy to service, find parts, and im sure if something were to happen it would be pretty easy to find a mechanic for them..Yes on the heavy side and not the most economical but there definately a trust worthy motor..
I did tons and tons of research. The 3116 with the problems are "short" blocks or "French" blocks. They are stamped and CAT knows them by serial number. Now you are correct that the French block models are crap but the others are just fine. I have 3126's and they also have a French block model. Mine are not because I did the research and knew what to look for......300+ hours of operation last summer with nothing more then oil changes. The boat next to mine is the exact boat and engines with 2800 hours and he has never had a problem.
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