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Ocean Yachts 40' Sportfish questions

Discussion in 'Ocean Yacht' started by Capt. Bob Huff, Sep 19, 2011.

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  1. Capt. Bob Huff

    Capt. Bob Huff New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2011
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    7
    Location:
    Apalachicola, Fl
    Been looking at these and wondered if there were any opinions here.:eek:

    On the boat:
    quality of build
    longevity
    potential problems
    good or bad features
    performance in rough water

    Engines, 3126 Cats;
    performance
    effeciency
    average rebuild hours
    service availability

    Thanks in advance for your opinions. Would really like to hear from people who actually have experience with this boat.
  2. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I am not too familiar with the 40' OCean SF. But Oceans were built lighter and came in a bit cheaper than say Vikings, Cabo, Hatteras' and Bertrams. I haven't seen any Oceans come apart and had extensive experience with a 1987 63' Ocean SF that sold about a year ago, we didn't have any structural issues with it....... Ocean was the first sportfish manufacturer where just about every size they built cruised at 30 knots.

    Figure 450hp 3126's should burn 45 gph at cruise (both engines) They're a good motor if they have the updated aftercoolers and such, and have been maintained. They'll usually go 5,000 hours or so between rebuilds. Parts are reasonable and CAT has the largest dealer network in the world.

    In a following sea Ocean's tend to be all over the place. In a head or beam sea they are a fairly good ride.
  3. PSW

    PSW Member

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    Have a 40 SS 1998 that we purchased off Lake MI in 2007. Have done extensive updates to the boat and had the opportunity to become very familiar with the boat. In the 40ft range it is a very good boat with a unique layout. Tons of interior volume. Overall build quality is solid but not over the top. This model is a new gen Ocean with 14 degree deadrise and has a good balance of Ocean capabilities and efficiency with the CAT engines. The 3126 TA are 420hp and will push the boat at a 23-24 knot cruise. I have learned that it is very important to achieve rated rpm when loaded for engine longevity so taking a 1/2 inch out of the wheels can be a smart move. Burn rate at cruise is 26-27 gallons an hour for both engines. Hard to find a 40ft class Convertible that can post those numbers. Boat is 30k lbs wet. I would use this boat as a combo boat that does a good job of cruising and fishing. If you want a pure fish machine I would look at something better suited and likewise for only a cruising vessel.

    Best,

    PSW
  4. Capt Fred

    Capt Fred Senior Member

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    Location:
    Long Beach CA
    I really like the 40 Ocean. I agree with all that is said above and will add that the windows are seated in wood and tend to leak. This is a common problems on many boats but perhaps a little more on Oceans due to the flexing of the hull ( lighter construction and fast speed) but is fairly expensive to repair. Check around the cabin windows for evidence or ask about the history.
  5. SHAZAM

    SHAZAM Senior Member

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    Somehow I've found myself owning four oceans over the last three years, a 46, 60, 42 and another 60 in that order. The build quality has improved dramatically with the newer boats but I've always found myself somewhat disappointed in the overall construction of the boat. Interior woodwork is laughable at best, the types of vinyls and the way they are applied throughout the interior is of extremely low quality and the rigging throughout is a nightmare.

    With that said though, there is no other sport fish boat that will give you as much bang for the buck, you just have to pick and chose what days you go out and what days you stay at the dock.
  6. PSW

    PSW Member

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    A little harsh but there is some truth to what you are saying. The foundation is solid but the finishing touches are sometimes lacking. With that said how many people who knock Ocean for not being on par with say a Bayliss then go jump in their Ford Explorer or GMC Blazer? I work hard to own the very best in almost everything I purchase but I just couldn't afford to do it when I was boat shopping last time around. Even if I could afford it I am not sure I would pay the addtl premium with the value Ocean offers compared to those few at the very top in quality and design based on the positive experiences I have had so far. They are so far ahead of so may builders in design and quality of product in the overall industry, just not in the top 5% that so many use as the only reference point.

    Even after owing this Ocean 40 for 4 years I would be hard pressed if moving up with a 525k budget to not look at the 50SS as an example. That is such a home run at that price point in my mind. Ok that is just my 2 cents and granted I am a bit defensive.

    Attached Files:

  7. Capt. Bob Huff

    Capt. Bob Huff New Member

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    Thanks for all the responses. Both the good and the not-so-good opinions were welcomed. I have looked at a lot of different boats and I too am having a hard time justifing the higher prices of the Vikings and so on. I have yet had anyone tell me stay away from the Oceans because of *&^*.

    I forgot to mention that I am looking at the 98 to 2001 used models. I like the fact that most have Cat power and will be sure to check for recalls and warranty issues. The speed, fuel economy and room are looking hard to beat.

    Thanks again guys, keep em coming.;)
  8. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Make sure the 3126's you are looking at have the updated aftercoolers.
  9. Capt. Bob Huff

    Capt. Bob Huff New Member

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    Capt. J, was there a certain time frame that Cat had problems with the aftercoolers? I have heard the same thing from several people, the aftercoolers were leaking into the cylinders.

    Thanks again.
  10. SHAZAM

    SHAZAM Senior Member

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    Understood!
  11. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I have never owned or run an ocean but Last two winters we were docked next to recent 60ish skylounge. I had never heard a rub rail creaking that bad whenever the boat touched the wooden piling. Twice the boat had rubrail damage from wind that was not even over 20kts in a fairly protected marina. We rubbed the same way, silently with no damage

    Not confidence inspiring.
  12. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    In the beginning they had issues with aftercoolers leaking into the motors on the 3116, 3126, and 3196. They came out with updated aftercoolers, I want to say sometime around 2000-2002. Do a search on the internet, and find out how to differentiate the different aftercoolers. There was also a batch of bad cylinder blocks (French castings were weak) with the 3126's way back when, again I think those were all remedied by now. I would think the defective ones would have long since been switched out. CAT was very good about doing complimentary rebuilds, extending warranties, and updates back then.
  13. SHAZAM

    SHAZAM Senior Member

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    Don't get me started as I'm in the middle of replacing the rubrail on my 60. The hull/deck joint and the rubrail they use to cover it is laughable. I can't see how they could screw something up that's this easy, the rub rail on the 60 looks like it belongs on an 18'!
  14. 42hatteras

    42hatteras New Member

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    Considering you say it is powered with CAT 3126's I presume it is a newer 40' Ocean. The older 40' SS Oceans were not very good boats in fact more than a couple sank due to the fact that the engine bed stringers were too short and they ended at the boat's sweet spot "where it rode at cruise" thus causing the cracks on the bottom when run too hard in a sea.Over the years Ocean has constantly improved their product since and as far as value,speed and comfort versus money spent they are a lot of boat for the money.

    I have made many long distance transits in Oceans and as long as whoever is at the helm realizes what he has under him in a big sea and throttles back instead of trying to keep up with better built boats an Ocean is just fine.
  15. Capt. Bob Huff

    Capt. Bob Huff New Member

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    I really appreciate all the responses. Let me throw a little twist in here though.

    Late 90's to early 2000's, 40' and 45' are about the same price. 45 has two heads and 6-71's, also weighs about 10,000 lbs. more. 40' has the Cats and only on head. Would require either to have low hours and a clean bill-of-health from engine survey. Speed is about the same for both. What could I expect to find different in performance, effeciency, and creature comforts.

    Boat will be used mostly for fishing but like to hang-out in the salon at the dock. Want a very dependable vessel but do have the experience to do most preventive maint. and upgrades as needed. Just don't won't to buy one and wish I had bought the other.

    Cockpit controls are a big plus too since I don't have a big crew going fishing all the time. Actually like to bottom fish by my self a lot.

    Thanks again for all the replies.

    Capt. Bob
  16. 42hatteras

    42hatteras New Member

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    Ocean has never gotten that hull to deck joint right.Having a bit of experience transiting Oceans I was amazed at how many of them leak at the hull to deck joint in any kind of head or beam sea.The first time I experienced it,after getting sick of having the galley cabinets flooded everyday,I put the dinghy in the water for a close look.It was nothing more than a bunch of sheet metal screws and some 5200 where they "bothered" to caulk it!

    If you ever come across a Hatteras undergoing a refit and you get the chance to see how they do a hull to deck joint you will be amazed.When they drop the deck it is screwed and thoroughly caulked.Then the entire inner joint is glassed all the way around before the interior is put in the boat. No leaks and a much stronger impact resistant rub rail area.
  17. kxp086

    kxp086 New Member

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    We were about to pull the trigger on a late model 46SS. When I looked in the anchor locker I was shocked to see sheet metal screws poking through on the deck to hull joint, FG matt that was glassed over to razor sharpness. Looked at a 40 Cabo FB, ended up buying her as she was the complete opposite of the Ocean quality wise.