Cummins QSC 8.3L

[Sticky Fingers]

Hi folks

I'm considering an early noughties boat that is fitted with this model engine with less 1000 hours recorded, I've not seen the boat yet and only have preliminary info. Broker tells me that regular servicing has been done but will need to see the evidence of course, and if I decide to proceed on it I'll get an engine tech survey done.

Cummins seem very well respected on this forum; any views good or bad on this engine? Known weak spots that I should ask about?

Also, can you recommend Cummins service agents on Central S Coast / Hamble / Solent area (ideally Chichester to Poole)?

 

[burgundyben]

I'd steer clear of Vasi marine.

Mike Wills in Poole is excellent.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

I think VaSi has closed down.

 

[burgundyben]

I think VaSi has closed down.

They restarted right away and emailed all customers to say so, managing not to bcc.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Oops.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Looking back through Forum posts, VaSi seemed to be well regarded, what's happened?

 

[Boat2016]

Looking back through Forum posts, VaSi seemed to be well regarded, what's happened?

The partnership has split up and David is now on his own, I would trust him and have never had any reason not to.

 

[kashurst]

Can we ask what make/model are you looking at?

 

[Portofino]

Can we ask what make/model are you looking at?

Best not to jinx it .

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Um. I'll reveal a bit more once I've seen it. Good or bad. The ask about the Cummins engine was to try and get some views about whether a boat with that model of motive power was a disaster or a gem, or something in between...

 

[Sticky Fingers]

The partnership has split up and David is now on his own, I would trust him and have never had any reason not to.

OK thank you. There seem to be at least 2 or 3 good independents about. Encouraging

 

[5teve]

For Cummins info the only place to go is sbmar.com forums.. Tony, although very blunt with his responses is very free with info and will help you to determine if the engine is likely to be good. If set up right they will outlast most engines.. but he finds they are generally not maintained, overpropped massively and working well past thir limits. He normally wants serial numbers and good photos of everything just so you know.. and fuel burn figures if available as that's key with the qsl I believe.

I went Cummins (older 6bta) overr anything else because as long as they are set up right they can last a very very long time..

Steve

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Hi Steve, thank you for this. I’ll take some time to check. I don’t have an info yet or seen it for that matter, I’ll collect the engine details when I go see.

 

[Ocean Star]

We had one in our Lochin for approx 10 years (sold boat, still running great). 500HP. Great engine for us and the torque at the higher end was unreal. Just seemed to effortlessly push the boat along regardless of the load we were carrying.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Hi Ocean Star, thanks that's encouraging

 

[Sticky Fingers]

For Cummins info the only place to go is sbmar.com forums.. Tony, although very blunt with his responses is very free with info and will help you to determine if the engine is likely to be good. If set up right they will outlast most engines.. but he finds they are generally not maintained, overpropped massively and working well past thir limits. He normally wants serial numbers and good photos of everything just so you know.. and fuel burn figures if available as that's key with the qsl I believe.

I went Cummins (older 6bta) overr anything else because as long as they are set up right they can last a very very long time..

Steve

Hi Steve

Just registered on that forum, it's a goldmine of fantastic info, what a resource, thank you for the tip.

 

[Ocean Star]

For Cummins info the only place to go is sbmar.com forums.. Tony, although very blunt with his responses is very free with info and will help you to determine if the engine is likely to be good. If set up right they will outlast most engines.. but he finds they are generally not maintained, overpropped massively and working well past thir limits. He normally wants serial numbers and good photos of everything just so you know.. and fuel burn figures if available as that's key with the qsl I believe.

I went Cummins (older 6bta) overr anything else because as long as they are set up right they can last a very very long time..

Steve

Ironically we'd ordered the 6CTA 450HP engine, but they somehow managed to sell that to someone else. The end result for us was the QSC at the same price point, although to be honest we still would've preferred the CTA for the simplicity of the installation if nothing else

 

[AndieMac]

For Cummins info the only place to go is sbmar.com forums.. Tony, although very blunt with his responses is very free with info and will help you to determine if the engine is likely to be good. If set up right they will outlast most engines.. but he finds they are generally not maintained, overpropped massively and working well past thir limits. He normally wants serial numbers and good photos of everything just so you know.. and fuel burn figures if available as that's key with the qsl I believe.

I went Cummins (older 6bta) overr anything else because as long as they are set up right they can last a very very long time..

Steve

Agree with this, great info.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Oddly, I can't post a new question on there.

 

[5teve]

Hi Graham

Forum can be a bit quirky sometimes... You can't find where to or you just can't? Assume it asked you to confirm your registration? If not maybe drop an email to someone about it.. I know I have a few issues sometimes... Cummins engines are Tony's thing.. not forums �� he only started it because boatdiesel who he was a massive contributer on, was charging more and more and he was of the opinion it should be free to all.

Steve