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Detroit Diesel 8.2l  Four-Stroke

The "Fuel Pincher" Detroit Diesel 8.2l four stroke engine is an interesting engine on a boat. Very easy to service, easy to obtain parts, durable, and buttery smooth. They deliver power quickly but should be treated with respect and care, like any almost 40 year old engine. Both engine hour meters have about ~2900h on the clock, start and run like clockwork, and consume essentially no oil at all. Compare this to your average 2-stroke diesel.

One engine was replaced with a rebuilt unit in 1995. I can only guess but maybe someone pulled a gear out while it was under load. The other one is original and apart from very minor differences, they are identical.

Oil changes are trivial due to the on board oil-pump to empty the oil pan of each engine with ease. Refilling happens through the usual way at the top filler cap.

Engine Room

Starter Batteries

Both main engine 225Ah starter batteries have been replaced in 2020 and they are like new, constantly maintained by a charger for this AGM chemistry at 13.5V.

The GenSet starter battery is in great health and will last a long while longer before it needs to be replaced.

Onan 8KW Marine GenSet

The Onan MDKD 8.0 is a very reliable companion. We use it whenever we hang out at anker and would like to cook or refresh our 500Ah house bank for a few hours. It has never let us down apart from one worn out crimp connection and a blown starter fuse at anchor a few years ago. It always starts and has plenty of power to run the entire boat with ease. In fact, 8KW is more than what shore power can provide alone.

Both exhaust hoses have been replaced 2022.

I changed the main belt when we got the boat in 2019 and it is in great shape. I also added a 3d printed dripper pan for the raw water pump as it sits directly on top of the diesel pump which does not seem like a smart design. Regardless, any drips are now immediately guided into the bildge and won't cause any further corrosion.

Water Heater

The hot water heater is great. It provides a large enough volume to allow two people to shower in comfort without the need to rush anything. I replaced a bad crimp on one of the power supply lines to keep it in shape.
I also have a new spare emergency pressure relief valve as this one started dripping every few minutes at some point. I decided to let it drip and added a hose to the bildge instead, which was missing. The valve has since stopped dripping.
Even on day two at anker, the shower water isn't completely cold and still usable without making you freeze!

There are two Cruisair AirConditioning units on the boat but these are inoperable and not part of the deal!

Air conditioning needs replacement!

  • The central condensator/blow in the salon, mounted underneath the flybridge is functioning
  • The condensator/blower unit in the master statement is functioning
  • The condensator in the guest statement/office is functioning but the blower appears to be blocked
  • Both units have been refilled but leaked out after a few months
  • The main salon unit has degraded further and is now shorted internally
  • Both units need to be replaced if AC is desired (honestly, here in the Bay Area AC seems accessive these days)