engine hours

[ralphmacey]

I am thinking of buying a used sailboat, say 34 to 37ft. How many hours on the engine is ok before I need to be worried about its useable life?

[sck5]

get a good diesel mechanic to look at it, test the oil, compression, etc. then you will know. otherwise you wont.

[Tempest]

When I purchased my boat the hour meter on the tach was not working,
I installed a seperate electronic one.

I guess the point is: anyone can disconnect an hour meter or replace it.
It's not prudent to rely on the hours shown, alone.

As Sck5 says, a good mechanic is a better guide.

[Superpickle]

Besides all That, it depends a great deal on How well it was maintained..
I know in Trucks, A cummins engine well maintained can go Over 600,000
But, it may only last a couple hundred grand if poorly maintained or less..

[Sitaram]

Many desiel engines can get 6-10,000 hours if well mantained, that said if negleted less than half of that.

[Maine Sail]

Yes it totally depends on how it's maintained. I would much rather buy a well run and maintained engine with 3k hours than one with 400 hours that ran in 15 minute intervals...

This one has 3000 hours on it but has had way over the top maintenance. Oil analysis is spot on an she runs like a top. I'll still take this over a 300 hour engine that has been neglected and run poorly..

[carl762]

Wish the motors in my cars looked as good.