KAD32 Advice Please

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2001pt

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Hi All,

New to the forum....thanks for a wealth of info! I'm currently looking to change from a RIB to 30ft (ish) sports cruiser

I've just been to view a boat with twin KAD32's installed - 1998 vintage with 900hrs. I'd obviously have a good survery done prior to any purchase, but I ended up walking away on this one, however I would appreciate your opinion on if I've done the right thing.

Firstly, there was no service history prior to 2018

Secondly, the previous owner has spent circa 25k in the last couple of years. Both engines out, new turbos & superchargers on both sides. Heat exchangers cleaned. Head skimmed on one (overheated maybe?). Both legs rebuilt. The list goes on & on! And to be honest, has put me off the idea of moving from a 3yr old outboard a little!

So have have I found a boat that:

A) Has been neglected & I therefore risk throwing good money after bad

or

B) Some other poor sod has had all the expense & they'll be good for another 20yrs

Thank you in advance

Paul
 
KAD32's are pretty solid and I'd be inclined to say B without a survey from a marine engineer, however niggling worries and lack of confidence can gnaw at your pleasures gained from boating so on balance walking away is no bad thing. Anything else without a full survey is just supposition.
 
New Turbos are par for the course, as is heat exchanger cleaning. Replacing superchargers is less common and an expensive job (could have been down to poor maintenance). Head skim not unknown but unlucky (I'm not sure if an overheat could cause it).

Re-built legs could be anything. What parts were replaced?

As for future costs, there's plenty of other things that could break / require replacement or you could be lucky and enjoy a few years of cheap boating.

But you should never lose sight of the fact that they're high performance engines, in a hostile environment, lying unused for most days of the year and often driven hard when they're used so don't be surprised if the occasional or regular hefty bull comes your way.
 
I'd ask the question as to why the work was needed and who did it.
If well done, i'd veer towards 'B'

Our previous boat had had the engines and drives replaced 18 months before as a result of water ingress, I saw the bill for £55k!
My thoughts were that it was effectively a new boat at a lower than new price.
Ran really well for the next 13 years/ 1000 hours until i sold.
 
Thanks all, appreciate your feedback. Seems like the general consensus is that it's not a bad thing. You've certainly started a u-turn in my train of thought

To answer a couple of the points...

The work was carried out by Marine Tech Engineering in Gosport

As for the parts replaced, to be honest I can't remember, the biggest invoice was about 6 pages long! On the legs there was certainly some sort of shaft mentioned on top of the usual bellows etc

My gut feeling is still I've done the right thing walking away from this one (not just because of the engines). If it's still available in a few weeks/months & I haven't got myself sorted elsewhere, there may well be an opportunity for some strong negotiation on the price

Thanks again everyone, appreciate it
 
2001pt said:
Thanks all, appreciate your feedback. Seems like the general consensus is that it's not a bad thing. You've certainly started a u-turn in my train of thought

To answer a couple of the points...

The work was carried out by Marine Tech Engineering in Gosport

As for the parts replaced, to be honest I can't remember, the biggest invoice was about 6 pages long! On the legs there was certainly some sort of shaft mentioned on top of the usual bellows etc

My gut feeling is still I've done the right thing walking away from this one (not just because of the engines). If it's still available in a few weeks/months & I haven't got myself sorted elsewhere, there may well be an opportunity for some strong negotiation on the price

Thanks again everyone, appreciate it
Click to expand...
Outdrives have propeller shafts. These can wear with a groove forming that prevents a decent seal and in turn can let water in. The chances are that this was discovered and fixed as a result of water in the drive (emulsified oil). The shafts are an expensive part.

Many outdrives will have had some water in them at some point in the past. Not great but not necessarily a deal breaker as long as it was fixed promptly and properly and wasn't an ongoing problem that occurred year after year.
 
A friend just boat a boat with similar engine history
Not the same brand of engine.
He thinks the engine work is a bonus.

If you expect to buy a 20 year old boat with full service history and no issues you may have to wait a long time to find it.
 
Last edited:
If you are used to Outboards and their generally low 'service' cost and are now looking to go to a pair of inboards it is a huge jump in both real and potential costs and I think Worry.

In the end you will have to take a leap of faith and you will be very lucky if you find a 20 year old boat with full service History. Also remember Service History is generally only pieces of paper........ What does that actually mean !.

Re the boat you looked at I think B was most likely the case
 
2001pt said:
Hi All,

New to the forum....thanks for a wealth of info! I'm currently looking to change from a RIB to 30ft (ish) sports cruiser

I've just been to view a boat with twin KAD32's installed - 1998 vintage with 900hrs. I'd obviously have a good survery done prior to any purchase, but I ended up walking away on this one, however I would appreciate your opinion on if I've done the right thing.

Firstly, there was no service history prior to 2018

Secondly, the previous owner has spent circa 25k in the last couple of years. Both engines out, new turbos & superchargers on both sides. Heat exchangers cleaned. Head skimmed on one (overheated maybe?). Both legs rebuilt. The list goes on & on! And to be honest, has put me off the idea of moving from a 3yr old outboard a little!

So have have I found a boat that:

A) Has been neglected & I therefore risk throwing good money after bad

or

B) Some other poor sod has had all the expense & they'll be good for another 20yrs

Thank you in advance

Paul
Click to expand...
Would this boat be a sealine s28 ?
 
All great advice, thank you guys. You've definitely help change my view on the engines & given me a reality check!

This is the first boat I've actually viewed so it's given me a base point to work from & compare against

Thanks again!
 
2001pt said:
No, Swanwick but spent recent years in Gosport

If you're aware of a decent one for sale in Lymington I'd appreciate the details as I've not seen it advertised.
Click to expand...
I’ve a client mentioned one for me to possibly look over , thought it might be the same one , no point in wasting time on a dud .
 
I was in a similar situation and bought the boat. In this case the seller changed turbo, compressor, exhaust elbow, propeller and the typical normal. I think that's good because that's how I know since it won't fail in a while. The seller is an elderly person who I'm sure didn't force the engine. 26ft Kad32p
 
Sorry, I’ve only just seen your reply. No I didn’t go ahead with buying it. I keep on looking for an upgrade but never quite take the plunge! Hope yours have been trouble free since purchase :)
 
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