IS 600 HOURS A LOT FOR A 1994 BOAT ENGINES?

[penpal]

I am looking at a Nimbus 1994 with Twin Volvo TAMD 31B diesel engines of 130hp each, they have 600 hours on them. I am not sure what the expectations should be for normal use of engines, can anyone advise?

 

[Ballistix]

Not a lot. My 2001 Doral has 650 hours on it /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

As long as it is maintained properly throughout it's life I'd say that was pretty good hours...I'm no expert though. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

T

 

[peterandjeanette]

My "normal" use (for a private pleasure craft) is 120 - 150 hours per year.
600 hours in 15 years is small use. Remember that private boats tend to suffer from lack of use rather than too much.

 

[Peanuts]

Hi

This equates to 40 hrs a year, just below the average for a summer boatie which is 50 hrs. If this has been say on the Thames it would hardly be run-in!
As it has been mentioned a lot of engines just waste away through lack of use rather than being worn out. Using mine as an example, my KAD 32's have done 1060+ hours since March 2002 and (up to now) are running sweet as a nut.
If in any doubt get a qualified engine technician to give them a look over to give you peace of mind.

 

[Firefly625]

I know of a 15 year old Fairline with just 120 hrs on original engines bought recently that has been nothing but problems, so low hours is NOT always an advantage. 650 hrs is fine on well serviced engines and shows the boat has been used, but not over used. There's nothing to stop these sorts of engines going to 4000 hrs. My parents have had their yacht which is 15 years old has a 100hp Volvo done 1700 hours (no they don't motor everywhere. they just use the boat an awful lot!!) and its like new, but the engine has an oil change every 6 months.

 

[jfm]

Nope, not a lot. If it were a car/truck, average 40mph, that's 24000miles. Many weekend pleasure boaters do 50-100 hrs per season.

Have your antennae tuned in to whether they've been clocked. Or a period laid up. And anyway an engine survey/oil analysis is generally worthwhile when buying that sort of boat

 

[Pendana]

If you think about your average diesel engine in a car doing say 12000 miles a year at an average of 40 MPH equates to 300 hours per year. There are loads of 10+ year old cars with 3000+ hours on them running sweetly.
As long as they are serviced regularly 31 series are regarded as bomb proof.
600 hours is nowt!

Eddie

 

[Chill]

[ QUOTE ]

oil analysis is generally worthwhile when buying that sort of boat

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats a good tip who would be able to do the oil analysis and what info could this tell you?

Chill

 

[sailorman]

i re-engined 6 1/2 yrs ago & now have 700 hrs on the clock . why have a boat & not use it

 

[alt]

I do about 250 engine hours a year (leisure), so that's not a lot at all

 

[towzer]

I have twin volvo 340hp in my 1994 Broom done just under 600 hrs each.I have the oil changed and serviced every year.Engines are pefect. When i bought the boat had the engine oil tested , well worth having this done for 1. Peace of mind when test comes back good or 2. To know to steer clear if test bad. Personally would not worry at 600hrs or higher, would worry about an engine with less on as under used. Good luck with your purchase

 

[Cliveshep]

Mine appears to have done much more, see the post later on, I calculate in the hundreds of thousands but probably been rebuilt a time or two.

 

[Kawasaki]

The problems that arise with boat engines are normally associated with lack of use than over use, in the leisure sector.
The TAMD31's will run and run.
I would not be worried if they had twice the hours.
In fact I might be pleased.
As long as I knew they had been fettled properly and no electrolisis has been attacking them.
IE, the anodes have been changed regularly etc.
The Nimbus would have been wired up properly, origionally no doubt.

Heat exchangers and oil coolers etc can suffer 'rot' (electrolisis) and fester inside.
Get those areas of the engine checked.

Twins are not as common as singles, presumably outdrives?
What length is She?

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I've used THESE people to carry out engine surveys and oil analyses on my last 3 boats and, on one occasion, they saved me from making a very expensive mistake buying a boat with badly worn engines
But oil analyses are only worthwile if you know the number of hours and the length of time that the oil has been in the engines because the level of contamination is dependent on hours and time. It would be pointless, for example, analysing oil which had only been in the engines for 5 working hours. I am told that the oil needs to have been used in an engine for at least 30 hours to give a relevant analysis

 

[hlb]

It's age or neglect that will distroy an engine, not use.

600 hours is around zerro.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

[ QUOTE ]
600 hours is around zerro

[/ QUOTE ]

I guess I must have a brand new boat then /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[penpal]

Thanks for this, to answer a question, she is 31 feet and I believe shaft drive although I will check this.