[amajamar]

Hello to all,

This is my first post on this forum but have been looking around for a while.  We have found a local '98 that is in really good condition cosmetically and priced well.  It does have Cat 3208TA engines, and I do have some questions about them, and a bunch of other questions as well.

The boat is in great shape for its age, but I have been told that hull moisture issues can run rampant on these.  The swim platform is soft in spots, but no other soft spots that we can feel by walking around.  The broker helped the current owner find and acquire this boat a few years ago, and says that there was minor moisture issues here and there at the time, but the swim platform was soft then too.  

Have any of you repaired a soft swim platform?  How would the bottom be accessed? Is the bottom cover removable or do you have to cut it away to access the bottom?

Seems like outboard sides of the motors are pretty tight to the fuel tanks.  Anybody do their own work and can you get to what needs to be done?

Aftercooler and heat exchanger service is required every couple of years and it seems really tight to work on these motors.  Anybody have an idea of what premium i should expect to pay for this?

Is the access to the engine compartment only via the lift up seat?  Does some other hatch open for better access/engine service etc?

Beyond a thorough inspection and engine survey, is there any model specific things I should look for or pay attention to in the survey?

Sorry for the long post, but looking forward to hearing from you guys and will probably have more questions as well.

Cheers!