Boat choice?

[caltexflanc]

I got the urban marina legend from watching boats with Detroits....in my marina....start up and me wondering where the fire was!!!!...

Now that is certainly a scientific sampling! I've seen Lehmans, Cummins, Yanmars, MANs, MTUs and Cats smoke heavily at start up, and many of them continued to while underway so should I suppose they all do? Not! There was a comment on here recently about Cummins requiring early rebuilds, I guess because some guy new a couple that did.

The problem with Internet forums is there is so much hearsay, or based on very limited observation, they are really only good for a small piece of the triangulation needed to get to the truth about a particular subject. I've learned a lot from some forums, but only when verified and coupled with verification from other sources that have the bonafides, not because they say so, but by references and direct experience with their work and/or their boats. And, ultimately, my own experience on my boats as in "how'd that work out?"

You've got a cadre of potential candidates lined up now. Time to see for yourself if any make sense for you, have to judge each actual boat on its own merits and how it fits you. As for the engines, don't make any generalizations, if you see a boat you like a sea trial and then a good engine surveyor will tell you if the engine is any good.

[timjet]

John, your familiarity with the boats you're considering far outweigh mine but in your price range and size I would seriously not consider any boat older than say mid 90's or engines with more than 1200 hours. I know these are just arbitrary figures and I know the condition and owner attentiveness is more important, but at your price and size range you can afford a newer boat and newer is always better everything else being equal.

When we were looking 3 years ago, I was impressed with the Mainship 34 Aft cabin. Inside it is about the same in size as my 355 and the one I saw had twin Yanmars. Access to the foredeck is through molded in stairs from the flybridge which makes it much safer and allows for a wider salon, but that design also eliminates the salon forward windows which ultimately reduced it's appeal for me. On the plus side since there are no fwd windows that space is used for storage, a big plus. I didn't choose this boat because I just liked the look of the 355 but the Mainship 34 ACMY was a close contender. I think Mainship also made this version in a 36,37, or 38.
This is probably a good example:
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1995.../United-States

But like the 355/356 your choices are limited in the diesel configuration.

[Baker]

Caltex, I did not mean to get into any extended discussion about a particular brand of engine. It is just part of my criteria in the original post. How bout if I tell you I just have an "emotional issue" with Detroits. And the real beauty of all this is that I have the choice of what I will buy. And there is a very high probability that it won't be Detroit powered. Just like it likely won't be Volvo powered. But you are ultimately correct. There is nothing inherently wrong with those two brands. And if the ultimate boat presented itself powered by Detroits, I would consider it...especially if DDECs.

The guy wondering about Cummins and early rebuilds was me. Again, not something I garnered from the internet(I guess actually it was). I just always see Cummins boats/engines with 1500ish hours on them with one or both rebuilt. That has always caused concern for me. I have since learned why and how it can be prevented. But guess what?....you won't see me buying a boat with "high" time Cummins engines in it because of this.... Just managing risk.

Tim, I am thinking exactly along those lines reference age of boat and time on engines. While potentially arbitrary, you are managing risk. I have looked at those Mainships and you are correct, they have tons of space for their size. I just have a hard time with their utilitarian styling. I have to at least get a little excited when I am approaching the boat in the dinghy or looking at it dockside. Mainship kinda lost their way styling wise in the early and mid 90s.... I know Carvers aren't style queens either but the 355/6 have a decent look to them. They at least look like a boat!!!

[FF]

I just always see Cummins boats/engines with 1500ish hours on them with one or both rebuilt. That has always caused concern for me. I have since learned why and how it can be prevented.

The time on the engine is of far less concern than the level of maint.

Both in use and out of use is usually covered in Da Book.

Few engines maintained by Da Book fail early.