3208's Cats

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 7:10 pm

Hi Bill, I'm not sure where you're at, but I just had my motors (3126's) rebuilt by T&S in Chrisfield MD. Though I don't have any hours on them yet, I couldn't be more happy with the work they did and the way I was treated. They do a lot of CAT work as they are popular motor in the work boats on the Chesapeake. Give them a call for some options. They also deal in cummins new and rebuilt (theirs). http://mysite.verizon.net/tandsmarine/ br, John D "Lady D" Bertram 35 Pasadena MD

sbeer · Post by **sbeer** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 3:55 am

quote:Originally posted by dougl33 quote:Originally posted by CB35 I would take a 3208 over a 6BT any day. Not me. I'd go with the motors that are still in production. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA The 3208's still have plenty of parts available. Cat will be supplying parts long after I'm gone. I like the weight and the power of a 3208. Very easy to work on, simple motor with no crazy sensors and brain boxes to mess with. Mike [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 5:00 pm

Are'nt the 3208s heavier than the Cummins?

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 5:51 pm

Yes. By about 1500lbs or so (around 750lbs more each). Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

sbeer · Post by **sbeer** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 8:44 am

Even with the extra weight of the motor with a full crew and loaded, I still turn 2400 at 23knots. I feel the extra weight gives the boat more stability. Just makes the boat feel more solid. I would be real worried about the lighter motors when you have less than a half a tank of fuel. With the set-up that I have it feels like your stern is lifted up real high. With the lighter motors it has to feel even higher. Walking in the cabin feels like the bow is down hill.Fuel milage is about 1 gal. per mile. So it seems that I am not loseing anyhting by keeping these in my boat. If I had to replace them, after alot of thought, I would replace them with the same motors but move up to the 375 h.p. Mike

mak6190 · Post by **mak6190** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 4:26 am

quote:Originally posted by billb does anyone know if 435 hp 3208's will fit in a sportfish without modifying the engine boxes..and what does the group think??? love cats, and have had good luck with them.....[:D] Bill Beeson 1983 33 SF RAZZMATAZZ Hello Bill, I would do my homework on the 3208 435 HPs before diving into them. From what I have heard from people that have owned them is that they are too tweaked out making them very them very delicate and unforgiving. I would go with the Cummmins even though I have Cats 3208s hp 275 in my boat. I like the idea of getting rid of the extra weight which translates into better range and a gain in cruise speed. I have read on the www.boatdiesel.com many opinions and I think that the way to go is with Cummins. People are claiming a 24-25 kts cruise with 330HP Cummins. I think the stright 6 has more more torque than the V8 at the 2000-2001 rpm in the 330-320 hp range. The only thing that I do not like about the Cummins is that they smoke in idle. With the new Cummins QSB series the smoke at low rpm has been resolved. My two cents. Mike Kohlhofer Tucuso

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 5:08 am

Mike... I won't get into the cat 3208 vs Cummins 6BT controversy.. they both are proven engines, they both are well documented here, and each has it's positives and negatives and it is the same as the Ford vs Chevy controversy in my mind. That being said, from what I read (including on Boatdiesel and in Pascoe's book) the 3208 should be configured to a max of 375 HP, and anything more is likely to shorten it's life. FYI: You will read elsewhere in this forum that those of us with Cummins 6BTs in the 300-315-330 HP range (which are all probably the same engine with some bolt on part dfferences), set up as mine are with 1.5 to 1 gears and props around 21"D x 23"P 3 blade no pitch, pretty much get 1 knot per 100 RPM.. ie: I get about 25 knots flat out at 2,600 RPM.. the absolute fastest I will run my engines. Tony Athens says 2,400 RPM will keep my engines happy longer.. which will make me happy as well! Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

Post by **dougl33** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 5:13 am

quote:Originally posted by IRGuy set up as mine are with 1.5 to 1 gears and props around 21"D x 23"P 3 blade no pitch I think you mean no cup. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 8:07 am

Darn.. I am getting weird in my old age.. Yes.. I mean no cup! I had no pitch props before.. engines ran like hell, but speed was way off! Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

Post by **dougl33** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 9:50 am

quote:Originally posted by IRGuy I had no pitch props before.. engines ran like hell, but speed was way off! Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC Must've been like sailing![xx(] Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 10:17 am

quote:Originally posted by IRGuy Mike... I won't get into the cat 3208 vs Cummins 6BT controversy.. they both are proven engines, they both are well documented here, and each has it's positives and negatives and it is the same as the Ford vs Chevy controversy in my mind. That's the best summary of the 3208TA vs. 6BTA issue I've ever read, I totally agree. By the way, Fords are crap. Chevy rules! Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... d_Time.jpg[/img]

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 3:39 am

Doug... OUCH! Please be gentle with me.. it takes a long time to recover from being a sailor! Sean... Thank you! Simply put.. you go to your boat.. you turn the key, you push the button.... If after 6 seconds your engines are running, you love them. If not.. they are crap! Now.. about Ford vs Chevy. I am looking at buying a new pickup.. Have looked at both.. will probably buy a Toyota! Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

billb · Post by **billb** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 5:10 am

John: do how did your boat come out with the 3126's...what are your speeds and what gears did you end up...I am thinking about 3126's in my 33 sportfish....I only fish like 200 hours a year and I could run them easy like Charlie said...what do you think??

buzzk · Post by **buzzk** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 5:20 am

On my old boat I had two cycle Detriots that were out of production. They ran great. Getting the main engine parts was easy but the bolt on items was getting harder to find. I know the Cats 3208's aren't as old so their bolt on parts will be around for a while. Most of the time things that go wrong are the bolt on parts. That's why I wanted Cummins or Yanmars. Cummins parts being cheaper than Yanmars is why I went with Cummins. I am satisfied with the performance of the 330 Cummins in my boat. Buzz

lwrenn · Post by **lwrenn** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 12:36 pm

Nothing is cheap for a Yanmarr, the starter for my genny was over five hundred bucks! If I need CAT parts phone call and they are here the next day. I am not a convert to the cult of Yanmarr Captain Larry Wren 305-360-4900 www.apirateschoice.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... Choice.jpg[/img]