Sad Day

Bob S · Post by **Bob S** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 5:16 pm

It looks like my engines finally gave up after over 2000 hours. Not sure yet but doesn't look good. Boat is 1986 33SF w/ Merc 340 7.4. I know that a deisel repower is the right move but 2 kids in college says no way. I am torn between a complete rebuild and new 8.1s. What do you guys think?

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 6:19 pm

If you look through the previous posts, you'll find that the 8.1's are not counterrotating. That means new trannys. The new trannys are about 6" shorter. That means new shafts unless you want to change the balance of the boat & move the engines back. I think you're up to about $26,000 or thereabouts. At some point the rest of us will be facing the same decision. Let us know what you decide. Al 1978 33 FBC NITES OFF

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 9:10 am

I've voted for the 8.1 Crusader all along. Unless you have $ burning holes in your pockets, and with 2 in college, I know better. Go with the new shafts and transmissons too. Basically it's a new boat! My 340's are about 2000 hrs now too, so let us know how you make out. E.W. Dugan

frank · Post by **frank** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 4:18 pm

Bob, Sorry about the engines. I have just repowered my '86 33 ft. Sportfish with diesels. I have a pair of 454 430hp Mercs. They are in excellent conditions. I have engines, gears, complete exhausts, instruments, etc. Engines run excellent. I had planned to put them up for sale this fall, I haven't gotten around to it yet. I would love to see them go back into a Bertram. Let me know if you are interested in talking to me about them. Frank

frank · Post by **frank** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 4:20 pm

Sorry about the typo in my last message! The engines are 454 340hp !

Bob S · Post by **Bob S** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 4:40 pm

Frank, Let me know what you want for the set up and where you are. I am in the Boston area and my set up is 340/454 w/ 2.5/1 gears. I haven't decided what to do but am considering rebuild or new gas. I wish I could do deisel but not now.

frank · Post by **frank** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 2:22 pm

" I am in the Boston area and my set up is 340/454 w/ 2.5/1 gears. Bob, Sounds like my engines would be a perfect fit. I am in North Carolina. We can talk price off line. Let me know how to contact you if you are interested.

Bob S · Post by **Bob S** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 4:33 pm

Frank, give me a call or email. Day phone is 617-357-7171, email is llesnats@aol.com. Right now I am leaning towards new 8.1s but would like to hear about your engines.

Bob S · Post by **Bob S** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 4:38 pm

Frank, I am interested. Right now I am leaning towards new 8.1s, but would like to find out more about your engines. Day phone is 617-357-7171, email is llesnats@aol.com

greysole · Post by **greysole** » Tue Nov 23, 2004 4:40 pm

Bob What did you end up doing with your repower? I have an 86 sportfish w 454 / 340Hp w @ 1200 hrs & have been going back & forth over the diesel / gas repower. An 88 sportfish at my marina had the yard install new Mercs 8.1 370Hp with ZF 10 degree trans & he raves about them. great fuel economy & speed / cruise increase. Also installed a westerbeek 3 cyl gas genset. I think the engines were @ 28K installed & the genny @ 7K installed. These numbers seem reasonable compared to diesels @ 20K per side plus modifications to exhaust & struts etc. Frank What did you put in your sportfish for diesels & how were the installation results etc? Gerard

Post by **dougl33** » Tue Nov 23, 2004 5:00 pm

Greysole, Any idea on what his cruise speed and fuel burn are? Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth

greysole · Post by **greysole** » Tue Nov 23, 2004 5:18 pm

Doug I don't have specific info, I'll try to find out. I don't think he had flowscans, but he said he was doing @ 25% better on fuel & said he was topping out at 36 KPH A 33 flybridge cruiser / convertible at my marina is also slated to get the same merc 8.1's over the winter gerard

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Tue Nov 23, 2004 5:27 pm

wow! is that knots per hour or kilometers? Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 3:57 am

I would have to think that its mph and not knots. Shoot, my brother's 30 Pursuit with the 8.1's tops out at 36 knots and that boat weighs half what ours weigh. Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 7:16 am

Bob, I repowered my '85SF in 2000 with 7.4L MPI Merc's, they came with the transmission and one of them runs in reverse to give the counter-rotation. Now have about 750 hours and other than going through a few fuel pumps before I realized they need 1/2" (boat had 3/8") fuel lines; so far, so good with them. I top out at 30 knots, cruise at about 20, which is about 3,400 RPM. I don't have a flow-scan so I can't give you actual numbers, but it's about half of what the beat up Cruisaders were burning. Easy out and in with those, but there's always days that I wish they were dielsels. Got kids myself, had to do the right thing. Choice was $22K Gas or $75K Diesel. $53K buys a lot of gas. Good luck, Rick