Dan Woodliff wrote: >What is the general hour life of a marine diesel before they must be majored >or replaced. >I am looking at a 36' Cat with twin 75HP engines. They have approx. 2500 >hrs. each. It's not uncommon for a well-maintained naturally aspirated diesel engine to last 15,000 hours before an overhaul is needed, but no one can say for certain what shape an engine is in without doing an oil analysis as part of a complete engine survey. Turbocharged engines will need attention sooner. How hard engines have been run is often more important than the hours on the clock. Of course, you know you should not buy a used boat without an independent survey of the boat and the engines, right? By independent I mean a surveyor other than the one recommended by the seller or the seller's broker. --Georgs -- Georgs Kolesnikovs Power Catamaran World http://www.powercatamaranworld.com

George, Thanks to you and all the responders to my diesel hour question. I will have an independent survey done before a final purchase. I do have another question. Can I handle a 36' cat alone? I had no troubles handling a 24.5 Four Winns through the Mississippi locks. Or maybe I should look at a 34' or smaller cat. I am sure you and the subscribers can spread some light on this question. Thanks, dan