Engine hours on Dutch cruiser

[rains808]

I have been looking to buy a Dutch steel hull cruiser in the Netherlands for summer cruising in French canals. Having located a 1980 boat that fits all of our requirements in terms of layout, clean condition, new topsides paint, etc. I am a bit hesitant since the recorded hours are 5,300 on the 6 cylinder 105hp DAF diesel engine. I hear that these engines can run 10,000+ hours if well maintained, given the low revs used when traveling the canals. We can have a survey of the engine that includes endoscopic inspection of the cylinders to check for excessive wear. This still gives me pause since 5-6 years down the road when I will probably want to sell her she'll be up to 7,000+ hours. Any thoughts about the advisability of going forward with this purchase?
All info appreciated...

 

[PCUK]

Make sure spares are available for the engine. Some early Dafs have nothing available anywhere. Hopefully this won't be one of them!

 

[Latestarter1]

Listen to PCUK you are looking in the wrong place, base motor is very sound and performance parts will not be an issue............

In 1993 DAF NV became insolvent, as part of the restructuring plan the marine buisiness was closed down. Engine in the barge is likely a DAF 615, very little in the way of marinisation components survived the slash and burn, manifolds are particularly difficult to source.

I expect motor runs like a top, engine survey is pretty pointless, marine parts situation is dire today, in 5-6 years wou will likely own a real sweet running liability produced by company wound up 25 years before.

 

[rains808]

Thanks for the information. The engine is a DAF 575. I can enquire about spare parts, but I see that the 575 is installed in a lot of Dutch boats of that era and hadn't heard there was a spares problem for overhauls.

 

[Latestarter1]

Thanks for the information. The engine is a DAF 575. I can enquire about spare parts, but I see that the 575 is installed in a lot of Dutch boats of that era and hadn't heard there was a spares problem for overhauls.

As I said in my first reply to your post "You are looking in the wrong place"

Base motor (very old, pre-dates 615) was close relation to Leyland engine performance parts (pistons, liners, camshaft) are NOT an issue when it comes to overhaul. The issue is the marinisation parts suffering from marine aging. Yes there are lots of DAF marine engines in fresh water operation which has tended to extend their lives and Dutch a clever bunch at fabrication, however they are motors held together with sticking plasters. I would suggest that past owners have had the best out of these motors.

You asked the question, now answer is not what you wanted to hear........