Cats 3208T

Gazmo · Post by **Gazmo** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 7:50 am

Hello, I'm new to this forum,I'm in the process of buying a 33 Bertram 1988, with Cats 3208T, I need to move the boat to my dock about 380 miles (Jax to Miami) and I have a couple of questions: What kind of fuel burn should I expect at cruising? (the broker states a 24 knots cruising speed is this right?) What's the optimum RPM's for cruising What would be fuel burn at trawler speed, 7/8knots, and at what RPM"s Thanks in advance for all your info. F.Gazmuri

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 8:08 am

Gazmo, Welcome aboard and congrats on your selection of a great boat! If the engines are 260-270hp then the broker lied to you. At best you'll be able to cruise at 20-21 knots at 2400rpms. At that speed I think you'd probably see around 22-24 gph. Hopefully some of the Cat owners can chime in and give their opinions. Have you done a survey yet? Make sure the engines can turn 2800rpms+ at WOT. Also, check for soft spots in the cockpit around the ladder to the bridge and keep an eye out for rot at the bottom of the cabin's aft bulkhead. Not deal breakers in either case, just known problem areas for these boats. I just finished up my 7th season with mine and can't think of a better boat to own in this size range. Good luck and feel free to ask questions.

Gazmo · Post by **Gazmo** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 9:40 am

Thank you Doug for your kind welcome, I look forward to talk to all of you in the future. The engines are rated at 320hp, would this make a difference?

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 10:00 am

The 320hp 3208T's would allow a higher cruise speed (though I doubt 24 knots at 2400rpms which is the recommended cruise rpm for 3208's), but I'm a little skeptical that the engines are rated at 320hp. Are they original? I've only heard of one 33 that came from the factory with the 320hp 3208T's. That's Jose Jaens 93 (Blue Chip). Here's Bertram's spec sheet for 1988: [img]http://www.bertram33.com/images/uploads ... cSheet.jpg[/img] All of the other Cat powered 33's came with 260-270hp 3208T's because the only gear that would fit was the MG 502's and they have a max hp rating of 270hp.

lwrenn · Post by **lwrenn** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:47 pm

I won't even say I have one in Islamorada I want to sell! I do have the 3208s and at 2200rpms speed around 13 to 16 knots depending on seas. At 2400 rpms 18 to 20 knots. Wide open throttle 25knots, but why run her that hard. My wish list has 300 hp plus to get more speed but my budget will not allow. I do have generator that adds weight and a full tower so your speed should be a little faster. I have never figured a gph as it realy makes no differnce in the end. Good luck and enjoy the cruise to Miami. Captain Larry Wren 305-360-4900 www.apirateschoice.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... Choice.jpg[/img]

Gazmo · Post by **Gazmo** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 2:07 pm

Thank you Doug and Larry, sometimes is hard to believe what a broker tells you, I'm meeting the owner this weekend,maybe I'll get another history from him... Anyways, I'll keep yopu posted as to the trip. Thanks again for your help!

CB35 · Post by **CB35** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 4:01 pm

I have a 35B with 300HP Cat 3208T's. High cruise rpms 2500, normal cruise 3250, WOT 2850. Cruise on a flat bay is 22 kts at 2400, 28kts WOT. When it get hilly the speed drops fast. Plus load her up to an overnight canyon trip and you are looking at 18kts until you burn off some fuel. We put 75 extra gallons on the deck. Before you make a run of 380 miles make damn sure she has no overheat problems. Get a case of fuel filters for both the primary and secondary. Put a couple gallons of anti-freeze, fresh water and oil for both engines and trannys. Oh a couple gallons of fuel to fill the filters if necessary. You can probably expect 19-21 kts at 24 gallons an hour. 380 kt miles is around 20 hours running time. Expect to burn 480 gallons. Don't know your tank size; but you always need a good reserve just in case. It is possible someone turned up the pump to increase fueling to get to 320; but I think it also needs an injector upgrade. If she runs 24kts at 2400 RPMs she ain't stock. Bare in mind a light boat will run a couple of kts faster. Load her up with fuel, water, food, gear and friends and things slow down fast. Thank the deep vee for that. Good Luck

lwrenn · Post by **lwrenn** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 3:50 am

Also add two impellers for the raw water pumps or better change them before you leave. I also would check and change if needed the oil in the trans. I also would stay in the area where boat is located for a day or two and run her to see if there are any kinks. When I had my engine survey done they ran the living hell out of the boat. I got a great report card and I feel it was money well spent. Captain Larry Wren 305-360-4900 www.apirateschoice.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... Choice.jpg[/img]

CB35 · Post by **CB35** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 2:51 pm

Yes Larry a true Caterpillar engine survey calls for 30 minutes at WOT no turns. Just throttles forward. My Cat surveyor made the broker/owner agree or they would not do the survey. That ment i would not buy the boat. Cat guy said the engine is set at 3100 No Load so 2800 is no problem for 30 minutes.

Jose Jaen · Post by **Jose Jaen** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 4:28 am

Welcome Gazmo; here are the facts, no spin. I like to think our 320 hp rated are in great shape and this is how they perform. At the manufactureÂ´s suggestion for cruising rpm 2400 Blue Chip does 20 to 21 knots with fuel an water tanks loaded, crew of 4, with generator and fair conditions. Under those circumstances she delivers .78 to .81 miles per gallon or 12.6 gallons per hour per engine. These are Floscan numbers. At WOT 2900rpm will take her to 26 to 27 knots. I donÂ´t know if these numbers are atractive to you but I tell you this relieble vessel has provided many hours of joy to our family with minimal hassels and at reasonable costs for 9 years. As many hours of joy I have spent chatting with the wonderfull people who run this site and load it with vital information. J. Jaen Jose Jaen "Blue Chip" 1993 33FBC Miami FL [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... p_Jaen.jpg[/img]

Gazmo · Post by **Gazmo** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 9:36 am

Thank you all for all the great information and advice, last Friday I met the owner and just to show you how little the broker knows, the owner tell me that the engines are 270hp, not 320, doesn't know where the broker got that they were 320. Also (and this I don't understand) he says that he cruises at 3,100rpm and does around 18 knots.that he goes up 3,800 and does 24knots. Maybe he got confused and meant 2,100?

Post by **dougl33** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 10:06 am

I can tell you exactly where he got his info. The Powerboat Guide (PG). The PG mistakenly lists the 88 and up FBC's as having the 320hp Cats. His speeds sound close to what the other Cat guys are getting, but his rpms are way off. The owner must've been confused. Cruise should be between 2400-2500 rpms and the boat should turn 2800+ at WOT. You may want to call on this boat: http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/ ... 24664&url= I know the price is higher, but its been listed for a long time and will cruise at significantly faster speeds. Here's another one that's been listed for a while (too bad the jacka$$ is flying the ensign from the bow!): http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/ ... 59909&url= Another with newer engines at a great price: http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/ ... 74510&url= Having done a gas to diesel conversion, I can tell you these hulls love to cruise at 22+ knots.

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:23 pm

Gazmo... If you have any interest in the boat in Little River, SC, "Traveler" (the first boat Doug mentions above) let me know and I can check it out for you.. the owner of the listing brokerage (Cape Fear Yacht Sales) is my next door neighbor and a good friend. Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com The weak will inherit only whatever the strong are willing to let them have! "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Cummins 6Bs - 315HP Wilmington, NC

lwrenn · Post by **lwrenn** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 3:04 am

The props may have to be changed or re-pitched if the owner is turning up the rpms to 3300. Question, What temps do your 3208s run at at 2400 rpm? Captain Larry Wren 305-360-4900 www.apirateschoice.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... Choice.jpg[/img]

Jose Jaen · Post by **Jose Jaen** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 1:38 pm

They have cruised consistently for 9 years at 175 degrees. Jose Jaen "Blue Chip" 1993 33FBC Miami FL [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... p_Jaen.jpg[/img]