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Engines 101?

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by Dingus, Apr 22, 2019.

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  1. Dingus, Apr 22, 2019
    #1
    Dingus

    Dingus New Member

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    Hi all,

    I'm a newbie to the yachting world. I've been around wakeboarding boats for the past ten years or so, but looking at a "water condo" in the 50-60 foot range. I would have purchased at the last Ft. Lauderdale boat show if I could have convinced myself that I'd done enough research....but I hadn't.

    At the risk of starting a "tastes great" vs "less filling" thread, can anyone help pointing me in the right direction to begin understanding the differences in engine brands and other engine considerations for boats in this size range?

    If the resource is already available on the forum, I apologize - I'm just getting oriented.

    Thanks in advance,

    Dingus
  2. SeaLion, Apr 22, 2019
    #2
    SeaLion

    SeaLion Senior Member

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    You'll need to provide some information to get useful feedback...

    How are you going to use the boat?
    What are some examples of boats you like? don't like?
    What is your purchase budget? Annual budget?
    How hands-on are you?
  3. Pascal, Apr 22, 2019
    #3
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    50 to 60 foot is going to be diesel... cats, Cummins, MTUs, MANs or Volvos.

    Most will be conventional shafts, some will be Volvo IPS pods which offer better maneuverability and slightly better economy at higher maintenance costs

    Brands comes down to a matter of personally preference. For Instance Cats are low maintenance and usually very reliable but burns a little more than MANs and a little more noisy. Maintenance on MANs is a lot more expensive.
  4. SeaLion, Apr 22, 2019
    #4
    SeaLion

    SeaLion Senior Member

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    Diesel for sure. Also might be Yanmar, Deere, Perkins, Lugger, Lehman, VW, Scania or Gardner. Maybe even diesel outboards soon.

    Pascal raises an interesting question... I wouldn't call any marine engine "low maintenance" but can any brand be considered to need less maintenance or overall "better"? My impression is that the major brands have specific engine models that are highly regarded and other models that have poor reputations.

    ok... I guess an electric Duffy would be pretty low maintenance.
  5. Beau, Apr 22, 2019
    #5
    Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    I think we need a lot more info along the lines Sealion asked - basic stuff so we can model his needs? Doesn't sound like he needs a 54 Hattie.... might be needs a trawler. Just saying. Purchase and upkeep budgets are the big ones. If he is trying to avoid landside real estate costs, he's probably not going to get much of a newer, modern live aboard. IMMO.
  6. Pascal, Apr 22, 2019
    #6
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Yes if trawler then yanmars, Deere, lugger are a possibility.

    I don’t know of any US sold boats with Scania, VW or Gardner... even Perkins or Westerbeke... in a 50’ + new boat??
  7. Beau, Apr 22, 2019
    #7
    Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    Ah, didn't get it that he was looking at a new boat.
  8. Fishtigua, Apr 22, 2019
    #8
    Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    Ding, you have to sit yourself down ask 'How am I going to use my boat'?

    A quick blast over to the Islands for the weekend or a long old plod to the lower Caribbean, sipping fuel. Horses for courses when it comes to motors.

    An old Ford Lehman can use the same amount of fuel in a year than one day with a CAT/Cummins . Needs thinking about.
  9. cleanslate, Apr 22, 2019
    #9
    cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    One Ringy-Dingy, Two Ringy-Dingy....please correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you ask this same question last summer or so? I though you did Dingus?