Cat performance ??

Snoogs · Post by **Snoogs** » Fri Feb 26, 2016 4:13 am

Well I looked at a 1989 Sport Fish yesterday. It was in decent shape overall for the age no significant updates but well kept to a large degree... aside from needing a soda blast job and recoating the bottom. I saw a few other odds and ends needing attention but what do you expect for an old boat. My question is: what would be realistic performance expectations from the 3208 Cats @ 270hp ??? Solid cruise with a load ?? Anyone out there have this power option who could relate Thanks

PleasureBay · Post by **PleasureBay** » Fri Feb 26, 2016 4:33 am

I have an '82 SF with a tower and 3208 CATS 270hp. Top RPM is 2800-2850 with a top speed of 25 knts. This is effected by wind and current and be a low of 23.2 knts. I usually cruise at 2100-2300 with a speed of 16.5 - 19.8 knts. My engines have @ 1800hrs and run well. I purchased the boat in 2014 from the original owner, who added the tower about 8-10 years earlier. Mine was all original including Onan 7.5kw gen set. Only "minor" things needed fixing: a pump in the head, salt water wash down, fresh water leak, bolsters, etc. I also had to have it painted as it sepent much of it's life in the Keys and could not be buffed out. I know that this is more info than you asked for.

Snoogs · Post by **Snoogs** » Fri Feb 26, 2016 5:29 am

Thanks Jack, This one has only a Bimini as compared to your tower. Still I don't suppose a 21-22 kt cruise is in the cards with the 270hp @ 2400 rpm's ?

Post by **dougl33** » Fri Feb 26, 2016 5:58 am

Glen, A 21 knot cruise is doubtful as the boat sits right now. It is possible that the turbos may need to be rebuilt. If you do a search for Sean Burlingame (hopefully the posts are still here), you'll see that he has a late model SF with the Cats and his perf increased after having the turbos rebuilt. Also, you could make sure the boat is as light as possible (i.e. anchor rode is mostly line and not too much chain, don't keep a shit load of tools or spare parts on board, run with the water tank half full, etc...).

PleasureBay · Post by **PleasureBay** » Fri Feb 26, 2016 6:24 am

My figures were with a pretty full load: 3/4 - F fuel thank, about the same for water. tools and spare parts. I know the tower and bridge enclosure have an impact on the speeds as well.

Post by **dougl33** » Fri Feb 26, 2016 8:49 am

This only speaks to what Sean was planning on doing: http://www.bertram33.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1860 I know he went through with his plan, but those threads seem to be lost. Stupid fucking hacker.

Snoogs · Post by **Snoogs** » Fri Feb 26, 2016 9:25 am

quote:Originally posted by dougl33 This only speaks to what Sean was planning on doing: http://www.bertram33.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1860 I know he went through with his plan, but those threads seem to be lost. Stupid fucking hacker. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Cummins 6BTA's Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img] Good stuff there Doug. Too bad Sean didn't report back with his results on that thread...maybe he did elsewhere. But as you said S.F. Hacker. Pat

Post by **dougl33** » Fri Feb 26, 2016 10:40 am

Pat, I know he did, which is what burns my ass.

No Yacht Yet · Post by **No Yacht Yet** » Fri Feb 26, 2016 12:43 pm

I'd like to smash that ha hers fingers with a BFH. So much information was lost.

No Yacht Yet · Post by **No Yacht Yet** » Fri Feb 26, 2016 12:46 pm

quote:Originally posted by No Yacht Yet I'd like to smash that hackers fingers with a BFH. So much information was lost. Brian 1985 Bertram 42 SF Cummins QSC 600 HP Seahorse Ellisville Harbor, Ma

Chum Bucket · Post by **Chum Bucket** » Thu Mar 03, 2016 5:45 pm

Jacks numbers are in line from what remember in previous posts from Pdog, Sean B, Midnight, and a few others. I have 320hp Cats swinging 23 x 21, med cup Dynaquads. On a moderately med/heavy load, 5 persons, CLEAN BOTTOM, calm seas; I easily cruise at 2200-2400 at 22-24 knots. WOT at 2800 is a skosh over 28 knots. The 270 hp variants are okay for our boats, but you'd be amazed what an extra 100 hp (50hp x 2) will do for performance. If you want speeds comparable to the Cummins 6BTA powered B33s, there's no sub for horsepower. Here's a sweet deal on a boat in the PNW. If I had $75K to spend on a 2nd B33, this one would be mine! She was priced at $89K for a long time. My guess is he would take a little less? http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/5459733622.html Good luck on finding the right B33 or B35. Spend more now and refurb less later. I didn't do that, but wish I did.

Snoogs · Post by **Snoogs** » Fri Mar 04, 2016 7:34 am

Very Very Nice !!! Too bad it's so far away. I also like the dual station one in California (aside from the soft goods color scheme)... That could be easily changed, however to transport $ to the east coast would bend over a petrified cadaver.

Chum Bucket · Post by **Chum Bucket** » Fri Mar 11, 2016 4:26 pm

I spent $13,000 just for the truck NC to OR (long story, got screwed), another several hundred for the yard to load and unload, then about $8000 just to get it back into the water...in 2011.

PleasureBay · Post by **PleasureBay** » Mon Mar 14, 2016 6:57 am

I just went for a run Friday and with the current and curtains on the bridge closed I saw 19.7 Knts. @ 2300 agains the current about 15.5-16.0 knts.

franco · Post by **franco** » Thu Mar 17, 2016 8:13 am

I have always wanted to ask about engine access in the '89 sportfish with the cat 3208's in them. Easy? Difficult? I am talking routine maintenance. How do you get to belts etc? Franco