Since the boats are used I would look at the upkeep and oil changes etc with
the engines. I would then look at engine hours. I would also ask the owner
at what speed and rpm's they cruise at. All trying to get an idea on how
hard the engines are used.

I would also look at the service centers in my area and who can I get to
work on the engines. Prices of parts may be of concern but probably not
since I would think them ~ equal.

Finally I would select a boat and recognizing that the engines are a
considerable investment I would pay a mechanic to check they out and have
him come on the check out cruise. Most surveyors don't do engines. I would
also add to the contract that anything he finds wrong the owner must fix,
reduce the price, or void the contract. In reality he must fix it since the
broker now knows that the boat needs engine work and must pass (probably
more like should) the info along to the next buyer.


"Scot" wrote in message
.. .
good input thank you.

"trawler_kid" wrote in message
...
In article ,
says...
Hello, I have a client looking a purchasing a Used Sea Ray 400DB. One
has
Cat C3126TA and the other has Cummins 6TCA. besides HP. What are
the
other feature benefits for both of these? Thank you in Advance

--
Scot
American Yacht - Ship - Sales - Management
www.americanyachtsonline.com
America's #1 Yacht Brokerage





I own a Grand Banks 46 trawler with 3126 engines at 420 hp. I have 1700
hours on each (purchased new) and have had not one second of trouble
with
either engine over 4 years. Engines in the early series had some
problems and had in-field modifications made, so I would check if they
were manufactured before 1999 to make sure they were modified. Mine are
NM3858 and NM 3860 so if the numbers are higher than this, you're ok.

The nice things about these engines a

a. they are inline 6's which occupy much less space in a boat which is,
after all, long and skinny. As opposed to the 3208s which are v8s

b. they have replacable cylinder liners which make a major overhaul a
piece of cake

c. they burn no oil. I change the oil every 250 hours as per cat
recommendations and rarely need a quart inbetween


rgds