Navigator with ,engine hours?

[CottageGirl]

Hello! We've been in the process of trying to buy a boat for a few months now. We've had 2 deals fall through: (1) a 2003 48' Navigator that upon inspection was nothing like she was advertised, not well maintained and not at cared for and (2) a 1999 48' Sea Ray sedan bridge that just underwent survey and has water issues in the hull.
We're back to square one - or rather back to another 1999 48' Navigator that we looked at in Chesapeake, VA. We looked at this boat a month ago and really fell in love with the layout & design. However, we walked away because of the engine hours - 2080 hours on twin Volvo TAMD-63D 370 HP's.
Assuming she surveys clean, including the engines, and we can get her for a good price, is 2000+ engine hours a non starter for buying a boat?

We're looking for a nice cruising boat for the Great Lakes area, maybe doing the loop someday.

Many thanks!

[Sailmonkey]

2000 hours, with proper maintainance, are nothing. We've got 1800 hours on a three cylinder Kubota and it runs fine, no smoke, etc....

Commercial use engines can go 10000 to 20000 hours with minimal fuss.


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[GRIT]

In a past life, I was a diesel mechanic. 2000 hours is nothing. We had gensets, and tractor trailers, that would get that in 6 months.

Get a mechanic to look at the engines, not the surveyor, unless he's qualified on diesel engines.

Cheers, and good luck.

Paul.

[CottageGirl]

Thank you for the input. If we decide to survey this boat we will definitely get a separate engine survey.

[StuM]

If they engines have been treated properly, 2000 hours is "just run in"

[DRS]

when you have the engines checked do and engine oil sample anaylsis it will tell yo if you have higher than normal wear or contamination from fuel water antifreeze. worth the 20 - 50 bucks per engine IMO

[Lepke]

If you use the boat about the same as previous owners, the engines will last a long time if ok'ed by a competent mechanic. Part of boat ownership is engine overhaul or replacement. Exhaust gas temperatures, EGT for short have a big impact on life between overhauls. Keep the throttles below 80% and you can just about double life.

[Scaramanga F25]

A 17 year old boat should have 2000 hours.
Average power vessel owners put on 100 hours a year.

[Cadence]

If the boat seems to be well maintained otherwise chances are the engines have also. I would guess an owner would have kept some type maintenance records. I don't think I would worry at 2000hrs but an oil analysis may ease your mind. If temp. and oil pressure hot are good , have at it.

Best of luck.

[Tom.B]

Contact Dick Vosbury at Vosbury Marine in Annapolis and talk to him about the motors. He is the premier Volvo expert out here. And get an oil analysis to set a baseline. The weak point on the engine is the mixer elbow. They can rust out, but if it is used regularly, that is less likely. But there are telltale signs they are going and Dick can teach you.

We now have a 2000 42' 'Gator' with the 63L motors (318hp) that have been well cared for and didn't think twice about the motors with ~about~ the same hours. Navigators are stout boats with thick hulls and good construction. After having a 80's far east trawler as our previous boat, and as I work my way around this one, I keep having to remind myself this is a boat built in the US. I keep finding things "overbuilt". Like things I have to drill thru are always three times as thick. Gators have their issues too. DC system design is poor, exterior finish isn't the best it could be, showers are small, but it is still a good solid boat that we will keep for a long time.