2002 380 w diesels (CAT 3126) or gas (Merc 8.1)

Just an FYI,
Our 3126 are still running strong, the boat is now 23 years old even though she is with a new owner.You service her she will take care of you (-:
 
If I remember correctly diesel longevity is predicted by total fuel used. When you factor in the amount of idle time, time spent under 100% WOT, etc it is more than likely you will move on from the boat before the diesels crap out. Routine upkeep is vital, make sure the boat/engine is under propped meaning it's reaching slightly above rated WOT, keep the after coolers clean, turbos clean, adjust the valves when necessary, etc.

I absolutely loved having a diesel powered boat. It was faster, more efficient, rode better, easy to work on (oil changes and zincs) and safer.
 
The long ago history/reputation of the CAT 3116/3126 is well traversed territory, but almost all of those issues have been addressed. The current stock of these engines are running strong in a lot of boats and will continue to (with proper MX) for 1000's of hours and years to come. If you think you can avoid issues with other manufacturers, think again. They all have some achilles heel. Cummins for example, has their own set of issues with heads and dropped valves. Of course, the common thread regardless of manufacturer, is having the boat propped correctly and a solid MX regimen.

I for one would not turn down either if well cared for and maintained.

I excluded MAN because the Germans make the best diesel in the world, and I cant afford a MAN Man LOL!!!
 
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20k more for the same boat with diesels and a bow thruster is a deal worth going for.
I’d look at some diesel 410’s first though.
Almost the same boat as the 380 with a little more room. You’ll get a little bigger aft cabin with separate head and pocket door for privacy, a slightly bigger cockpit, and a little more room in the beam which is always nice. You’ll appreciate that extra room most when standing between the motors.
 
As someone said above, and no one else has asked, the decision kind of depends on how you are going to use the boat. If you are going to stay fairly close to home and just day cruise with an occasional long run with an overnight then the gassers will be fine. However, if you are planning longer trips with multiple cruising days per trip, you'll want the diesels. The extra money for the diesels and their elevated maintenance will buy a lot of gas. As for the thruster....you don't need them in a boat that size. I've had boats from 28' to 52' and never had thrusters nor needed them. Learn to handle the boat. You'll be fine. If you're coming from a single engine sailboat it's understandable that you might think you'd need it. Twin inboards are so much easier to handle....even the gas boats.
 
In a 380DA, a bow thruster just means more maintenance for me, I've run 5-6 of them, mostly diesel boats but one was gas powered and I never used a bow thruster on any of them or a 400/410. My 450DA did not have a bow thruster and that never kept us in the slip or prevented me from docking where I needed to. Don't over think the importance or value of a bow thruster in this sized boat. Caterpillar torque, either 3116 or 3126, will do more for ease of handling than a bow thruster.
 
Bow thruster or not, don't walk away from a diesel powered 380DA. They are not only rare, but you will always recoup your investment if you take care of her. If I could own a diesel 21 foot boat vs IO gasoline it would be a no brainer for me! But I've owned both and am rather meticulous on the routine and preventative maintenance; The Mercury gasoline Mercruisers are simply more complex and problematic than the simple mechanical diesels most obviously in a saltwater environment.
As validation go through the gasoline forum and consider all of the issues people deal with; even though there are much more gasoline boats you still get an idea of the complexity and recurring issues. Do the same on the Diesel forum then weigh appropriately your decision.
 
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Bow thruster or not, don't walk away from a diesel powered 380DA. They are not only rare, but you will always recoup your investment if you take care of her. If I could own a diesel 21 foot boat vs IO gasoline it would be a no brainer for me! But I've owned both and am rather meticulous on the routine and preventative maintenance; The Mercury gasoline Mercruisers are simply more complex and problematic that the simple mechanical diesels most obviously in a saltwater environment.
As validation go through the gasoline forum and consider all of the issues people deal with; even though there are much more gasoline boats you still get an idea of the complexity and recurring issues. Do the same on the Diesel forum then weigh appropriately your decision.

As an edit - my 3116 powered 400DA did not have a bow thruster. Did I think I needed one maybe once in a squall there I needed to keep the boat tracking to retrieve the anchor but I still got it done without issues.
My 52DB has a bow thruster and it simply does not get used; Ok once getting into a slip in St Augustine City Marina where the current was ripping....
 
Did you end up buying it? I'm curious because I found one I like:

https://www.boats.com/power-boats/2000-sea-ray-380-sundancer-8001030/

Id go get that boat under contract right now if I were you (and its what you're after). Thats a very good price for what looks to be a nice boat. The only red flag I see in the pictures is the port aftercooler cover is badly corroded. Its right above the engine hatch C channel so maybe water has been dripping on it? The cover isn't a concern (nor is the aftercooler itself really as its mostly stainless) but the turbo is right below it so you'll want a good look at that during the CAT survey among everything else they'll test for
 
As an edit - my 3116 powered 400DA did not have a bow thruster. Did I think I needed one maybe once in a squall there I needed to keep the boat tracking to retrieve the anchor but I still got it done without issues.
My 52DB has a bow thruster and it simply does not get used; Ok once getting into a slip in St Augustine City Marina where the current was ripping....
Having a 380DA with gassers and having docked my friends 410 with diesels I can say that there is a BIG difference between the way the gasser handles (docks) and the diesel boat. The props on the 380 gasser are small compared to the diesel. The diesel jumps when you put in in gear. In my river I can't even get my boat to turn in reverse with the gasser without throttling up considerably. So I have a bow thruster and use it mostly because the 5 knot tide is 45 degrees to my slip and I share the slip with another boat. It really all depends on the typical conditions you encounter.
 
Having a 380DA with gassers and having docked my friends 410 with diesels I can say that there is a BIG difference between the way the gasser handles (docks) and the diesel boat. The props on the 380 gasser are small compared to the diesel. The diesel jumps when you put in in gear. In my river I can't even get my boat to turn in reverse with the gasser without throttling up considerably. So I have a bow thruster and use it mostly because the 5 knot tide is 45 degrees to my slip and I share the slip with another boat. It really all depends on the typical conditions you encounter.

not sure if this is the same on the 380's but I was under the impression the 400/410 gas and diesels both ran the same prop but its the transmissions that are different meaning the gas prop is spinning much slower at any given engine RPM
 

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