[Hermen0311]

Hello all, I am Hermen and do all of my boating in South Florida.

I recently lost my 87 40 Luhrs with cat 3208 to hurricane Irma and have already given the deposit for a 1990 4300 Tiara convertible with 6v92.

I guess any info I can receive about this boat and engines as I feel I am going from one end of the spectrum to another.

I am not familiar with these engines as my first diesel boat was the cat 3208 which I will miss dearly. The engines aren't worrying me as much even though one has 4200 hours and the other has 700 (not sure if it was a full or just top overhaul), the owner will provide me with all paperwork, receipts off all the work done to the engines. The owner is the second owner has had it since 93. I am getting the boat at a good price I think for the year engine, and it is in great condition for its age this boat was the owners baby.

Also has a luger generator which was new in 2014 not worried just don't know any info on this particular generator.

Again any information or input I can get reference the boat and engines would be great. I have the survey and sea trial next week.

[jclark003]

Can't help you too much with the boat other than recommend getting a good surveyor. I currently have a 43 open which I believe has the same bottom. It is without a doubt a great running and well built boat that can safely handle a pretty aggressive seaway with a comfortable ride. All things considered it is the best boat I have ever owned.

Regarding the engines my last boat was a 43 Bertram with DD 6v92 550's, very similar setup to what you are getting into. Generally speaking they are good reliable engines. 4000 hours is a lot of time for a high output Detroit (assuming yours are 550hp) so you may be looking at overhaul in the not too distant future. most DD techs will tell you how the engines have been run are more important than the number of hours so depending on the previous owner you may get lucky. I would highly recommend an engine inspection but if not here are a couple of things to check:

1- cold start (engines not run for at least 24 hours) the engines should light immediately to a smooth idle with no hunting after the first few seconds. Smoke is ok, expected and should clear within 30-45 seconds. A little sheen on water normal but should immediately clear as well.
2-these engines do not like to be over-propped/over-loaded. at wide open throttle the boat should exceed rated RPM by 20-50 RPM so look for 2320-2350 after 30 seconds or so WOT.
3- engines should not smoke once warm, other than maybe when pushing up over the hump. Steam at cruise speed will dissipate quickly and is ok. Continuous Blue, black or white smoke not good.
4- gear oil should be clean. Dark oil could indicate a rear seal leak which is an expensive fix.
5- look over past oil samples and maintenance history if available.

if you go onto boatdiesel.com there is a wealth of information that may lead you to other things to check.

Good luck and hope you become a 43 owner.

[Hermen0311]

Thank you the information. I will definitely look into that. I only started the boat once and it hadn't been started in over a month and everything you said that's good it did. The surveyor I don't know much about due to me living in Miami and no surveyor would drive 2 hours to survey the boat. I was recommended the current surveyor and it will happen next week Tuesday. From what the survey company told me sound like a good survey company, they are doing everything. To be honest its been over 9 years since I purchased a boat so don't remember how surveys go but everything that's going to be done sounds like I'm getting a good survey done. Will see Tuesday.

I will update on the sea trial and survey and hope I can become a 43 owner. Yes I am assuming the engine is going to need an overhaul in the near future especially as much as I use the boat. But fir the price I am not complaining.