[C320-list] Should I buy this boat?

[Warren Updike]

I agree, you should get a second opinion from another engine guy. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Fred Pot [mailto:fpot at comcast.net] 
Sent: Monday, March 30, 2015 8:54 PM
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Should I buy this boat?

I am about to buy 1996 C320 #381 with a Yanmar 3GM30F. 

My hesitation is as follows:

She cruises at 1700 RPM at about 5.5 - 6.0 knots, well below hull speed. 

The engine, I believe, should cruise at about 2800 RPM rather than 1700 RPM.
She has a MaxProp that allows the pitch to be adjusted.

PYI (MaxProp vendor) suspects the tachometer doesn't work.

At full throttle she only comes up to 2100 RPM. At that speed the
temperature rises from 155 to 180 Fahrenheit but there is no smoke. The
engine only has 1390 hours on it and starts easily.

The engine survey included a compression test. The readings were 310, 310,
320 psi respectively.

Yanmar tells me that a new engine should have 469 psi but that 398 psi is
acceptable.

A ring and valve job would cost about $6000 but the seller isn't inclined to
adjust the purchase price (asking price $55000).

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Best Regards

Fred Pot
206-850-7664 Mobile

Sent from my iPad