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Old 06-27-2016, 01:03 PM   #1
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best trawler engine

I am a retired sailor 25 years and now looking for a trawler 36-41
with a good engine(s). 70,000 is my limit. I need some input.
Best boat best engine. thank you
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Old 06-27-2016, 01:25 PM   #2
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best trawler engine

One that has been well maintained, without too many coolers all over it.

In that range I would say a Lehman 120 or maybe a low power Cummins 6BT if you can find one.

Here you go:

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1985...s#.V3FwCfQ8KnM
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Old 06-27-2016, 01:56 PM   #3
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The Cummins started being installed in trawlers in the 90s. Even though it is a great engine for a trawler in its 6BT configuation, I suspect your budget will lead you to something older.


Lehmans have fantastic support from American Diesel, the guy who originally marinized the Ford.


But a normally aspirated Perkins would be a good choice also.


Both were installed in trawlers from the mid 70s into the late 80s, early 90s.


You sometimes see Detroit 8.2s in trawlers. It doesn't have a good rep. Detroit 4-53s were installed in the Hatteras LRC and while a very solid engine, are noisy and vibrate at low speeds.


Most other marine engines don't have enough displacement to go low and slow while pushing a 20,000+ lb boat.


So Cummins, Lehman and Perkins would be my choice.


David
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Old 06-27-2016, 03:43 PM   #4
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Lehman. 120 or 135. Standard engine in the Bedford double decker bus, Grand Banks, Marine Trader, and a host of others. Simplest to maintain, great parts and support.
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Old 06-27-2016, 04:06 PM   #5
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It may be a better question to ask which engines to stay away from.... In your price range some engines may be obsolete and parts tough to find and or mechanics that can work on them... Cummins 555 comes to mind as one that is getting hard to find parts for... Some engines parts are fairly expensive such as Volvo and Cat... My preference would be for 6bs also like Deere's 6068s
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Old 06-27-2016, 04:07 PM   #6
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Cat 3208NA is also a good machine in that vintage/price range. Agree with the others the Lehman/Ford 120/135, Cummins 6BT-210, Perkins 6.354NA or T are good machines too.
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Old 06-27-2016, 04:09 PM   #7
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Check Craigslist Fort Myers for a 36 Albin for 18000
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Old 06-27-2016, 05:52 PM   #8
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I pivoted into a 34 MKI Mainship because it had a 6BT Cummins. The other issues on the boat eat me alive. As another poster suggested, key on the engines, and models (200 Hp 6cyl Perkins for instance) to stay away from.

Soft decks, leaky Windows, moisture saturated bulkheads or sandwich hulls are far more to deal with than an engine that have readily available parts. Electronics are dated, so no worries, not much of an issue either way.. Add up all the other goodies. The engine, especially if serviceable ends up being the small potato.
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Old 06-27-2016, 06:09 PM   #9
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Part of the decision process will depend on how fast you want to cruise. Hard to beat a John Deere 4052 for 7 knot cruise. Probably won't find them in your boat price range.

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Old 06-27-2016, 09:36 PM   #10
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I have put 600 hours in the last three and a half years on my Californiain 34 with Perkins t6.354mgt 185hp engines and they seem like they will run forever, knock on wood. I would gues I got them with three thousand plus hours on them. Parts are not a problem and they are very simple and easy to work on.
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Old 06-27-2016, 09:48 PM   #11
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I would say Gardner, with Lehman or Perkins a distant second.
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Old 06-27-2016, 11:46 PM   #12
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Quote:
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I would say Gardner, with Lehman or Perkins a distant second.
Probably, but a Gardner would be a rare find. I seem to remember the Lehman and Perkins 6354 marinize the same block.
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Old 06-28-2016, 12:01 AM   #13
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Part of the decision process will depend on how fast you want to cruise. Hard to beat a John Deere 4052 for 7 knot cruise. Probably won't find them in your boat price range.

Ted
A 4-cylinder John Deere 4045 (80 horsepower, naturally-aspirated) engine comfortably moves my 14-ton boat at six-plus knots. And 200 RPM less of maximum effort (2200 versus 2400), can forward it at slightly over seven knots. (My engine mechanic likes servicing my four-cylinder JD.)

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Old 06-28-2016, 06:06 AM   #14
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Part of the decision process will depend on how fast you want to cruise. Hard to beat a John Deere 4052 for 7 knot cruise. Probably won't find them in your boat price range.

Ted
Brain must have been elsewhere. I was referring to the 4045. This has also been the standard engine in the Kadey Krogens for a number of years now. Mine is a turbo at 135 HP.

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Old 06-28-2016, 07:41 AM   #15
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If you plan on working on it yourself stay away from any of the new diesels with computer driven injection. There have been many suggestions for the older simpler diesels which will run forever!
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Old 06-28-2016, 08:11 AM   #16
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If you plan on working on it yourself stay away from any of the new diesels with computer driven injection. There have been many suggestions for the older simpler diesels which will run forever!
Uh oh... NOW you've done it.
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Old 06-28-2016, 08:53 AM   #17
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Detroit diesel is what I have. Easy to work on, parts are everywhere and cheep to rebuild.
Plus they sound good
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Old 06-28-2016, 10:15 AM   #18
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Avoid VOLVO, run from them as you would the plague; good engines, but no support from VOLVO on older engines.
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Old 06-28-2016, 10:39 AM   #19
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Quote:
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Probably, but a Gardner would be a rare find. I seem to remember the Lehman and Perkins 6354 marinize the same block.
Methinks the FL120 & Perkins 6.354 are unique.

The 6.354 Story: The Making Of A Legend - Noordeman Diesel - Perth WANoordeman Diesel – Perth WA
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Old 06-28-2016, 03:54 PM   #20
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Perkins 6.354 and the various Ford engines have nothing in common.

In my previous post I should have included Deere and Detroit as viable engines. Both make good machines. Detroit 53, 71 and 92 are two strokes, and can be rock solid reliable but in a trawler, usually noisy as heck. Deeres are four strokes like the rest, simple good engines.

Volvo seemed to forget that trawler engines often last well over 40years. Provided you can get the parts to maintain them. Which would be no issue if Volvo continued to MAKE THE PARTS. Duhh...

Just did an engine survey on a boat with Detroit 8v71n. 50yrs old. Engines never rebuilt. They ran perfect. Too bad various owners made a mess of the wiring, complete hack job. But the engines were fine. And yes, you can get parts!!
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