3 cylinder 30hp Perkins - looking for info

[mbertsche]

I'm looking at a re-powered 30 footer with a 3 cyl 30hp Perkins. Originally this boat had a 40hp. Are these engines known to leak oil or something. The bilge was loaded with oil. How reliable are they? How many hours do they average before rebuild?
I know the name has been around for some time, but any personally acquired knowledge would be most appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Mark Bertsche
P26 Trillium
Port Henry, NY

[anchorsaweigh]

My Nonsuch 30 has a 2004 Volvo/Perkins MD2030. I've had it for five seasons and 208 hours with no problems at all and not a drop of oil out of it.

Cheers,

Bob

[mbertsche]

Bob
Thanks for the reply. This engine has 400 hrs on the meter, but was used with unknown hrs prior to install. Am I safe to "assume" that all Perkins are Perkins/Volvo's?

[anchorsaweigh]

Nope, not all Perkins are Volvos or vice-versa. I believe that Volvo began using Perkins for their small Diesel inboards around 2002 but I'll have to get back with you on that.

Cheers,

Bob

[mbertsche]

Bob
Glad to hear the Perkins aren't known for blowing oil. I'm all new to buying a larger sailboat using a broker. I asked the broker if I could see & hear the motor run before making an offer on the boat. He claims that the industry standard is to make an offer and sign a contract prior to starting the engine or a sea trial.???? I thought that if I saw the motor run I could better judge where all that oil came from in the bilge. He claims all diesels puff smoke on startup. But I've seen some yanmars that don't puff anything when they start. I'm getting the feeling this yacht broker is the one blowing smoke. I already discovered a soft foredeck that he claims he told me about, but didn't.
Any advise on the process of making an offer when one has to go through a yacht broker would be welcome.
Thanks
Mark

[NorthUp]

He claims that the industry standard is to make an offer and sign a contract prior to starting the engine or a sea trial.????

Time to walk away from this 'broker' and a dodgy deal!

If you are really set on this boat you MUST get your own pro surveyor on your team to advise you, but if you cannot trust the broker to be honest, beware.

[Stillraining]

He claims that the industry standard is to make an offer and sign a contract prior to starting the engine or a sea trial.????

Sea trial yes...A dock walk through and a quick systems check..No..

However, most brokers are not going to start and run engines in consigned boats in my experiance...They are excepting liability by doing so..So generally the owner or owners hired captain preforms the sea trial and or any engine running.. and genrally will if asked Prior to sea trial and or offer if you request it.

But genrally speaking if a boat is indeed in good order and everything is expected to work ..he is corect in expecting an offer before getting real serious in fireing everything up You can't imagine how many fender kickers brokers go through to make a sale...I dont personally see anything wrong with his request but how he said it would be very inportant to me..Was he polite and informative? or condescending and irritable..if the later Id ..
1) walk
2) Go through another broker.. if you really like the boat and are really interested. ( I would do this anyway if I were buying )

A good listing will spell out what condition everything is in ..if after your offer there is discrepancy's in any of these they become negotiable..or they kill the deal..So your protected... but they also know they have a serious buyer whos not wasting their time....You cant blame them for that...Have you ever sold anything?..

In this current market you should be getting preferred treatment just walking down their dock IMHO cus they aint selling many boats..If you want treated like a serious buyer act like one..Know what you want and negotiate for it..It will change how your treated..Trust me..A broker can smell the difference. They want to sell a boat they just dont want to waste their time.

Last tip...Right now a broker is more apt to beat up a sellers price then your offer..

[anchorsaweigh]

Originally Posted by mbertsche

He claims all diesels puff smoke on startup...I already discovered a soft foredeck that he claims he told me about, but didn't.

Run away. It doesn't take a surveyor to see oil in the bilge as a potential problem and a punky deck as a disaster waiting to happen. A little moisture in the core is quite normal around deck fittings. But, a punky deck can turn into major $$$$.

Cheers,

Bob

[mbertsche]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I'll look for a surveyor in the area and low ball the boat. The spongy deck doesn't bother me. I can handle a router and fiberglass work to get the boat I want. The oil in the bilge on the other hand is extremely worrisome to me. An engine replacement would definitely be a deal breaker. The only reason I was wondering about a sea trial is that there is a world of difference between sailing a P26 with D/LWL = 237 compared to this 15,000lb vessel with D/LWL >500. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens. I understand the brokers position re tire kickers. It's just a very different experience than any I've ever had. I'll drop you all a line if I wind up getting this boat.
Regards
Mark

[anchorsaweigh]

...always remember my signature line.

Good luck!

Cheers,

Bob