Sabre 330s

T

TonyGerrard

Active Member
Joined
30 Jul 2003
Messages
54
Location
Surrey UK
Visit site
Looked at an older 36' Sunseeker today, fitted with twin Sabre 330s. Boat's in excellent order and has clearly been enthusiast-maintained over the years but I don't have any idea about Sabres - any comments on this aspect? I'm interested in maintainability/reliability, any characteristics associated with this particular engine (I believe one feature includes huge clouds of smoke on start-up) etc etc.
330s seem plenty for a boat of this size but I'm assuming an over-engined boat is not necessarily a bad thing............
Cheers

<hr width=100% size=1>TonyG
 
Ford based engine, I think. They will smoke on startup, all fords do, but it disappears if they are in good nick, spares will be fairly cheap, no reason to not buy her for her engines, but I would advise an engineer has a look at them and an oil check would not go amiss.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
My last boat had Sabres 275hp and they were pretty smokey on start up. On the plus side they were reliable and parts/service was cheaper than Volvo.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
What sort of age is the Sunseeker?

Early Sabres were Ford based and smokey. Later ones are Perkins Sabre and not sure of basis, but nice smooth relatively smokeless engines.

I thought early Sabres went up to 275 hp and later Perkins Sabre to 300 hp.
Wouldn't swear to it.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
She's an '87 Rapallo.
What caught my attention is that the owner works for Sunseeker and has her berthed in the Sunseeker dock - very nice!
The boat is in really outstanding condition, although she's a good few years older than my target, and she's a good solid craft (7 tons) blessed with shafts.
Ideally I want a transom door for ease of access for family & friends who are not so mobile, and the Rapallo is not so good in this regard so it makes for a difficult decision.......
Cheers

<hr width=100% size=1>TonyG
 
At 1987 they will be Ford based.
Will smoke profusely on starting but should clear quite quickly.

With older faster boats check on past history. If you get as far as survey ensure surveyor pays particular attention to the results of abuse in heavier weather. (stress cracks in the gel coat and internal frames detaching from hull)

Sounds interesting. Good luck.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top