High Performance motors
Meg, Just want to briefly share my experience with Yanmars. I converted from big block Crusaders to Yanmar 350's. I just completed my third season. These motors are meant to cruise at about 3,200 rpm's. I have not been able to run them anywhere near that high. On a long offshore trip my experience has been that 2,500 - 2,800 is about tops. At 2,800 I'm moving at about 25-27 knots, therefore unless it's flat calm no way could I run that fast. Most of the time in a 2-4 foot sea I run at about 2,200 - 2,300. In your opinion, would the fact that I run the motors well below cruise speed extend their life or is this fact only marginally relevant to maintaining a longer life? I have always maintained the motors properly. Also, the running temperature If I recall correctly is not much higher than the Crusaders. I considered the 3208 Cats but found that they are about 500 pounds heavier thus adding about 1,000 pounds of overall weight to the boat so decided against them. No other manufacturer makes motors that would fit in the compartment without major renovations so really did not look at Cummins or Detroits. I've got about 400 hours on the Yanmar's and have been very happy with the decision. One problem I did have was blown gaskets in the exhaust system. Don't know if this is common or not. Thanks.
