Very low hours on a 2000 trawler

H

HarlenW

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Mar 30, 2007
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25699
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I am looking at a 2000 single engine fast trawler from a well known company. The boat looks good but it only has 250 hours on the Cummins 450 engine and 50 hours on the generator. I have information that the boat has been very little used in the last 3 years.

From a surveyors standpoint, do the low hours and little actual use make the boat worth more or less than a similar boat with average use?

Would this boat be more or less likely to have problems with any of its systems than a boat with average use?

I would get a boat and engine survey before purchasing but wanted your thoughts before I consider an offer.

Thanks.

Also posted in ATC
 
We really would benefit from knowing the engine model but I suspect it is an 8.3l “c’ model. They are darn near indestructible,
Before spending money just do some simple tests. Does it fire up when stone cold on just a few turns? Does it maintain proper temp under load and that all without a lot of smoke. Will it reach idle max rpms when warm.
If so then just get a good engine survey ahd make sure you get proper rated rpms and performance check all zincs for proper maintenance and protection then clean all coolers and replace seawater pumps.
 
those sea water pumps are a common failure point, not a big deal just a pita. Any signs of a leak at the bearing vent is bad. After coolers should be taken apart and cleaned and greased. You can open the heat exchanger easily to check at least one end for corrosion and old zinc parts. Clean and dry fuel keeps them happy. Do not acid wash the coolers as their housing is aluminum.
Probably the best engine of that class installed back then. Less costly that Volvo, fewer problems than Cat but the quality of local service is always important.
With a stored boat polish the fuel or run the tank between 1/4 and empty several times with frequent filters changes especially in sloppy conditions to clean the tank.
 
If the engine and gen. havent been run enough, this could cause major problems. Have them both checked by a good engine surveyor. Ive seen where units had to be completely rebuilt. I also agree with Bruce when it comes to the old fuel in the tanks.
 
Thats a sweet Nordic Tug, I like the white hull, the colored versions fade bad. GL with her
 
I would not be put off by the low hours, if the maintance records and engine survey were good. But I would be more put off by the size of engine in that boat. Some of the 42's had a Cummins 5.9 B--rb2@gr5t 330 HP The latest boats have the 8.3 at 540 HP. The boat is basically an 8 knot boat. Having owned a boat about this size with 420 hp, I know it is really pushing to get this size boat beyond 12 knots sustained cruising speeds without going to much more HP--and you use a lot of fuel doing this. A smaller engine makes more sense. You will be running the 8.3 at lower speeds and not spinning up the turbo charger with the lower cruising speed.
 
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