Need info on 1994 Sport Fisher 32 "S" Type

[reefdrifter]

Hello All,

I am pretty new to this forum as I have been spending most of my time over at the other Trawler forum. We presently have a 34 Ft. 1983 Marine Trader Double Cabin for sale and I am looking at a 1994 Sport Fisher 32 "S" Type with a Cat 3116, 350 Hp with 1521 hours. I don't know much about the Albins but do think they are well built and have great lines. Does the Sport Fisher 32 have a keel running under the prop and rudder post or is everything hanging out looking for rocks and oyster beds to chew on? Is the Cat 3116 is any good? I don't know what transmission is used but are the "V" drives any good? What should I be looking for on this boat? Your information will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Bob Paxton
SW Florida

[Veebyes2]

Here is my 1996 S type on its way to Bermuda in 1999.



Can't comment on the Cat. Mine has a Cummins. Foot for foot a great boat for a couple who do some extended cruising & want the ability to do a dash of speed.

If the Cat is like the Cummins the V drive is not an issue. Tranny is directly on the back of the engine. No intermediate shaft alignment issues.

found a better pic

[jprohan]

Bob: sent you an email. If you did not receive, please send me your email address. Jim at "jprohan1@yahoo.com"

[ctlionsden]

Welcome, Bob,
Before buying our 32CB/SF, I was looking at Bertrams. I was told there were problems with some of the 3116 Cats. You might want to check out Boatdiesel.com as a source for info on everything diesel. Post your question there. Also check out Caterpillar Online Community & Blogs, and others if you run a Google search for Caterpillar forums. Check out Bertram and some of the trawler manufacturer forums.
If you think you'd like to buy the boat, definitely get a local diesel mech (preferably with Cat experience) to do a thorough inspection, complete with boost and compression readings. By the way, have you been on the boat with a warmed-up engine and run it under reasonably full-load conditions? Much blue smoke? Any heavy smoke on start-up? Note oil pressure and temp readings at cruising speed for later discussion with an expert. Also ask to see any service logs kept by the owner to document oil changes, parts replacements, etc.
I guess my last comment might be just to keep an eye out for another Albin with Cummins or Yanmar power, since both have been popular with Albin owners. Best of luck finding your "dreamboat". We love ours!
By the way, a heavy metal skeg extends from the keel to join the rudder post several inches below the prop.

[BlackWidow]

I have owned one since 1994. And mine has a CAT 3116. Please email me at blackwaterllc AT hotmail.com for more info. I have tales to tell.

Jim Burton,
"BLACK WIDOW"

[jcollins]

I have owned one since 1994. And mine has a CAT 3116. Please email me at blackwaterllc AT hotmail.com for more info. I have tales to tell.

Jim Burton,
"BLACK WIDOW"

Jim,
Is this you?

Whenever someone says "I have tales to tell" it makes me think there is something to share?

[Tuxedo]

If it is a 94, it likely has a "close coupled reversing transmission". Like Doug said, it it bolted directly onto the engine and is the same mechanically as a regular transmission. It simple has one gear reversed to reverse the direction of the output.

Conversely, a "V-Drive" would have a jackshaft coming out of the front of the engine to a separate unit that reverses the direction of the output. On the 32, the jackshaft was several feet long, so it should be easy to tell which the boat has. V-Drives were a little bit fussy with regard to alignment issues.

[mprice85]

Hi! New here and looking at a ‘94 32+2 with the 3116 Cat. Wanted to ask about any known issues with these boats that should have or will in the future be addressed. Also looking for a surveyor in the CT area with experience with the boat.

Thanks!!

[jcollins]

Hi! New here and looking at a ‘94 32+2 with the 3116 Cat. Wanted to ask about any known issues with these boats that should have or will in the future be addressed. Also looking for a surveyor in the CT area with experience with the boat.

Thanks!!

Hi MPrice,
Welcome to AOG. Consider starting a new topic with your questions rather than replying to old posts. This one is from 2012.

Thanks for understanding.