New Owner

sla168 · Post by **sla168** » Mon Aug 02, 2004 3:48 am

Hey everybody, I'm the proud new owner of an 88 Sportfisher. God I love this boat! I am planning on repowering from gas to diesel. Any suggestions for size, type etc would be greatly appreciated. I have some idea of what's involved and the cost but more info can't hurt. Project deadline will be about two years. Feel free to reply with suggestions, stories, links, etc. Thanks[8D]

Post by **dougl33** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 4:40 am

Sla168, Welcome aboard. How many hours are on your gas engines? Where do you run your boat out of? Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth

TonyNJ · Post by **TonyNJ** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 5:36 am

Good luck with the new boat!! If you plan on repowering with new technology (electronic) diesels figure on about 70-80k depending on manufacturer. I would look in the 350 - 400 hp range for a 24-26 knt cruise. If you were thinking about rebuilt OLD technology (i.e., rebuilt 3208 Cats) I would take a hard look at the new Crusaders and the possibility of adding a bit more fuel. In my opinion (which is worth exactly $.02) the fuel consumption difference between old technology diesels and new Crusaders isn't big enough to justify the cost of conversion. FYI: 385 hp Crusaders are being quoted at $12,500 per side with gears and are supposed to be 20% more fuel efficient than the 454 / 350 hp Crusaders. Bets of luck with your decision...keep us posted. TonyNJ 1985 B33 "Wetted Bliss"

Post by **Admin** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 5:48 am

I agree with Tony 100% about the Crusaders. Plus EFI provides much better all around driveability as well as better fuel consumption. If I were repowering right now, I probably would just remove my generator, which gets very little use, and add extra fuel and go with the Crusaders. All that money I would save in the repower would buy me a heck of a lot of fuel. Anyway, congrats on the new boat, and welcome aboard! David Sumich Bertram33.com Forum Administrator

Post by **dougl33** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 6:53 am

I wouldn't be so quick to remove the gennie as I think the boat needs the added weight in the transom to provide the famed Bertram ride. Adding a fuel tank will, of course, keep weight there when its full, but would become lighter as the fuel is burned. I have a friend that has an old 41 Hatt. He moved the gennie to the salon and the boat is so bow heavy its ridiculous. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth

Post by **dougl33** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 6:58 am

Also, I second (or is it third?) the Crusader idea. My friend re-powered his 1987 35 Egg with the Crusaders this past winter. He's cruising at 22 knots and topping out over 30. Originally he had the same Merc 454's that we have and was slower than me. Considering that he gets these numbers with the that boat, which is lighter but wider than the 33's, I would expect to get at least a 22-23 knot cruise and a top end over 30. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth

sla168 · Post by **sla168** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 5:56 am

Hey TonyNJ / Doug33 - I did check out the Crusaders (price and gas vs diesel) I like them too... definitely more cost effective but MORE FUEL? Not that there isn't enough room but holy god! I run the boat out of Pompano Beach Florida and plan on trips to bimini, peanut island, possibly the keys and biscayne bay. The starboard engine was replaced and has about 600hrs, Port @ 800 (Twin 340 Mercs) Thanks for the replies guys...

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 11:19 am

sla168, It sounds as though you've got a lot of hours left in your 454's. I'd maintain them and run them until they stop. At that point you could decide what you wanted to do. As far as diesels go, I'd figure on at least 300hp a side. That would probably cruise you in the neighborhood of 21-22 knots. The fuel burn all depends on what you get for engines. Cat 3208's probably won't give you much better fuel burn that new 8.1's. They should, however, last forever. The 6 cyl Yammies and Cummins will probably burn much less fuel, but may not last that much longer than a set of well cared for 8.1's. Given that the 315hp Yammies were about $25K per engine at the last boat show I was at and the 8.1's go for about $12K-$13K, I'd stick with gas. It all depends on how you use the boat. If you need to go out 100 miles, troll all day, and come back, and do that 20 times per year, then diesels are the way to go. If you're just using the boat for island hopping and can refuel wherever you're going (granted at a much highr cost per gallon), then gas is the way to go. My 2 cents. (For what its worth.) Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth

TonyNJ · Post by **TonyNJ** » Sat Aug 07, 2004 10:28 pm

sla168: I don't know how far of a run that is for you as I'm not familiar with FL. The only reason I would consider diesels is for added range...If you need the extra range adding tanks is a lot cheaper than converting from gas to diesel. The Mercs still have a lot of life left in them, enjoy the boat. TonyNJ

frank · Post by **frank** » Sun Aug 08, 2004 2:33 pm

quote:Originally posted by sla168 Hey everybody, I'm the proud new owner of an 88 Sportfisher. God I love this boat! I am planning on repowering from gas to diesel. Any suggestions for size, type etc would be greatly appreciated. I have some idea of what's involved and the cost but more info can't hurt. Project deadline will be about two years. Feel free to reply with suggestions, stories, links, etc. Thanks[8D] sla168

frank · Post by **frank** » Sun Aug 15, 2004 10:47 am

Hi I have just repowered my 86 sportfish with 370 hp Cummins ReCon engines. I did all the work myself. We sea trials 2 weeks ago. boat runs unbeliveable. On my GPS speeds and Rpms. are 2400rpm 25kt. 2600rpm 27.5kt 2750rpm 30kt. Boat was full of fuel. I do not know what my fuel burn is but I think at 2400rpm cruise 18 gals per hour. I worked with a local cummins dealer. The engine installation is certifed. I used ZF gears 220A. 1.5 reduction 1.5 Aquamet 19 shafts. 22x25 3 blade props. The 454's that I took out are in excellent condition, low hours and are available for sale. Good Luck Frank

Post by **dougl33** » Sun Aug 15, 2004 11:53 am

Frank, What was the cost? Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth

frank · Post by **frank** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 3:57 pm

Doug, I did the work myself, but in parts etc my cost was about $54,000. Check out the resale difference between gas and diesel and I think you will see that the extra cost is worth it. Diesel is also safer than gas. Of course, the diesel gives better range as well. Frank

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 8:26 pm

Frank, I'm envious!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I did notice that you only have aquamet 19, 1 1/2" shafts. Everything I've read on the boatdiesel.com site says that aquamet 22, 1 1/2" shafts are marginal with 1:5 gears & using the 330 Cummins. Did the Cummins dealer make any comment about that? Al 1978 33 FBC NITES OFF

frank · Post by **frank** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 2:35 pm

Al, The aquamet 19 has more elasticity. The Cummins dealer was fine with the 19 1 1/2 shafts. Frank