CAT 3126

[Craig Mac]

I didn't think they would fit:

http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/boa/4895879385.html

[bob lico]

impressive!! best power in best boat ever built perhaps 385 HP would have better economically but you could prop that massive torque to pull those throttles all the way back to 2100 rpm cruise.this is a great boat!

[Tony Meola]

Bob

By the asking price they think so too. But after seeing the price on 30 foot center consoles, with big outboards, this is a deal.

[Carl]

A tank.

Kinda funny, all that engine and power and she'll cruise 26knots.
True, this thing is gonna cut thru rather then go over...that comment answers a conversation going on in my head.

pretty boat...189K you get a new classic boat.

[Bertramp]

gorgeous !!
pricey, but how much is a 32 Regulator ?

[Bruce]

I think the term your looking for Carl is "all show and no go".

[bob lico]

when reality sets in he would be real lucky with a offer of $125,000 however i just disregarded price and just gave the marine mechanic a "atta boy" for getting that 3126 into a OEM. engine compartment.must have relocated starter motor and electrical controls from rear of engine.quite a difficult installation using a B 3126.there is also a height problem. due to piston diameter and displacement there with be a substantial vibration in cockpit even at cruise speed.excellent rough water boat at 26 to 28 knots.

[Carl]

I think the term your looking for Carl is "all show and no go".

26knt cruise is plenty of go in my book for these boats...but you are quite correct and hit the term right on the head.
It is alot of extra hp not doing much but carrying its own load.

[bob lico]

opps! engine compartment is made to look stock but extended into cockpit sole to accommodate electronics,starter motor.he had a custom engine box made or extended old one.at 420 hp this engine was at the top off it`s game and if pushed in heavy boat might show a few problems but in a 31 Bertram you would be wasting a lot of power due to wheel diameter restrictions.interesting find Craig thank you for bringing it to our attention.

[Pete Fallon]

Bob Lico,
I agree with what your saying about wheel restrictions, they did extend the engine boxes and cut into the cockpit sole. Also look at the wear marking on the top of the exhaust, it looks like it's been rubbing on the engine box, a built in vibrator when you sit on that box. I wonder if they checked for termites on the inside, the last 2 31's I did in Miami were loaded with termites, especially in the area of the galley cabinets and under the refrigerator. Nice looking boat for the money, big center consoles are now going for over 350K.
Pete Fallon

[Craig Mac]

Would like to see some interior pics---see if it was updated as well.

[Tony Meola]

Peter

That is why I say, when I saw the price on these 30 foot outboards, this one is worth it. Maybe not with the Cats but worth it.

[bob lico]

however tony if you want to blow the doors off those $300,000 center consoles that absolutely must be sold in 2 years and 10 or so months or they are out of normal warranty and becomes slugs oh yea extended warranty at another 9 grand.we can prop her for top end and go with ZF two speed gears .A 40 knot cruise with a wild wot i promise you.definitely a sit down bridge situation!!!!

[Craig Mac]

Reminds me of the 37 Merritt that was re-powered with big diesels that required additional flotation----owner (Pope-National Enquirer) dumped big $$$ but boat never ran right.

I think all 37's were built with gas --later updated with various diesels ----I think Do Stay out of Jupiter is the only one still gas and operated as a charter boat.

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1961/Me ... OXpbi5Xq_g

[wmachovina]

What they did to the hull of that Merritt was criminal. Thers one in Stuart with 450 c cummins and while they had to do blisters they didn't make it look like an inflatable. No wonder they're asking 199. Like putting 38EEs on the Mona Lisa

[TailhookTom]

That boat is appropriately named. Shameful. I've fished on both Norther Lights (I'm not sure what Kevin Nakamura calls it now that he runs it) and Finest Kind. Both of which are the exact same age as me -- 1961 models. They have keep their looks and lines a lot better than I have and one is on Hawaii and the other on Maui -- not exactly close to Merritt.

Tom

[Bruce]

2 speed gear boxes are for slugs who have issues getting up on plane due to turbo lag/rpm issues on mechanical engines. Thats why zf came out with them to my understanding. I don't think the ratio difference on those boxes will allow full use of the hp. Every install I saw over the years was for this reason.

[bob lico]

bruce there is a boat builder close by your old building that build a catamaran very much like a skater cat.i believe 32' anyways he installed a pair of those lightweight 480hp "grey painted diesel motors" we reprop her and had her at 72 cruise and 98mph at wot.shifted at 30mph or so very impressive with no problems .i saw it again on a over powered sport fishing boat it also worked well aside from cost of two speed gears he was able to idle and maintain 3 knots and cruise at 32knots .Cabo use them some years back but the cost was to high for full scale production.