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Which Engine would you prefer... MAN V12 1360 or CAT C32

Discussion in 'Engines' started by CaboFly, Jul 8, 2021.

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  1. CaboFly

    CaboFly Member

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    Curious what engine you guys and gals would prefer for a Sporty between the V12 1360 MAN and Cat C32. I am familiar with the MAN engines of this engine and for some odd reason the big CAT just seems overkill in the 52 to 54 foot boats I am seeing them in where as the MAN seems a much better fit in boats that size. The CAT lineup has a pretty big jump between the C18 and C32. There are a number of things I like about the Cat C18 and C32 in the right size boat.
    From a cost of ownership and ease of maintenance given that both engines have been around for quite some time which would you prefer.

    I am still leaning MAN but am curious what others would choose. 2006 to 2010 vintage.
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2021
  2. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    If given a totally open choice, I'd rather go for the MAN 1550.
    Nothing particularly wrong with the 1360, but it's still based on the old block (stretched to its power limits), before they redesigned the engine with a stronger crankcase, new crankshaft with longer stroke, etc.
    That's the block which established the foundation for later further development, up to the current 2000hp version, which is more directly competing with the C32, while being much lighter.
  3. BigChief

    BigChief Member

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    I like the c 32 with the fresh water/antifreeze cooled after cooler.
  4. wiredup

    wiredup Member

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    Depends on the boat. I have had Cat C18's, and now C32's. Both very good engines. I understand the newer MANs, as mentioned, are also very good. C18's are 1000-1150 HP, C32's 1650-1925hp. 1360hp is right in the middle. So, depends on the boat. 1360's would be too small for my 60' Hatteras, as well as C18's, but the C32's are perfect.
  5. CaboFly

    CaboFly Member

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    To get that cooling system dont you need to find the prior generation engine of early 2000's vintage 3412E
  6. CaboFly

    CaboFly Member

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    I agree the C32 is perfect for a 60. I am targeting that smaller 3 stateroom Convertible in the 48 to 54 size. I like a comfortable 28 to 30 knot cruise. Seems this is pushing it for the C18 and obviously is hardly working the C32 but then the engine room is crazy tight.

    Budget keeps me from getting into the 1150 Cats or 1550 MAN's. Looking at boats in that 700k to 900k range.
  7. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Dealer / Service support. Is there a good shop close by your port?
    In our area, good MAN shops are still pretty thin, Cat shops are all around and responding well.
  8. CaboFly

    CaboFly Member

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    Cat would be industrial machinery dealer that knows the engines and parts can be sourced very easily but in my experience on previous boat not as experienced with marine service compared to MAN dealer which that is all they do.

    MAN dealer I have great relationship with and they are 23 miles from my marina. The service manager is incredibly knowledgeable about MAN engines and I believe he may have been born at the factory.
  9. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I think you just answered your original question then.
    Sadly, a different conclusion would result in our area.
  10. CaboFly

    CaboFly Member

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    I agree but the high prices for parts is somewhat of an aggravation although I do believe they have impressive engineering resulting in long life if properly maintained.
  11. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I know MAN had some H/E issues and cost. I hope they have been resolved by now.
    Once you replace a scheduled A/C on those Cats, your MAN cost may be lower in the long run.
    The Cat still uses that POS Sherwood pump. MAN uses Jabsco.

    Even without good MAN support in my area, for myself, I'd go with the MANs.
  12. yr2030

    yr2030 Senior Member

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    Both are NOISY and you'd better have it well insulated. I am not a fan of Acert engines, which is why they stopped building them for over the road trucks. I would rather have the older KTA series of Cummins engines or the newer Tier 4, QSK's. In any case you will need to address the EPA emmissions either now or later.
    https://www.cumminseurope.com/engines/marine
  13. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I can go there also, but that was not in the O P.
  14. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    As others have suggested, I would lean heavily toward whichever one you think you can get the best service and parts from.
    I went with the CAT C18s for my repower because 1) I have a long standing business relationship with CAT and I know they will answer the phone when I call and do what they can if I have a problem 2) The C18s have a great reputation for reliability.

    Do you have any reason to believe you would get better service from one vs the other? I do not believe MANs are super popular in Seattle. If memory serves their is really only one authorized MAN shop in Seattle. CATs are numerous in the area both in pleasure and commercial. The big CAT dealer is NC Machinery and lots of independent CAT shops too. I prefer the CAT dealer out of Portland so I bought from them. Fortunately, I haven’t needed any service since commissioning but they were great to work with from the start all the way through trials.
  15. CaboFly

    CaboFly Member

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    Yes there is only one MAN shop in Seattle but they also happen to be the West Coast Distributor for MAN and aside from MAN parts being costly they have been great to work with and I feel fortunate to have such a strong MAN dealer while small close by.

    I am not against a C18 by any stretch but the boats I am looking at are hard to find with C18's. The C32's just overwhelm me for a number of reasons. Some of the 2007 to 2009 boats I really like have them as their primary power source. If I was shopping 60 footers I would feel differently but that is just not the size I am targeting.
  16. CaboFly

    CaboFly Member

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    Ironic timing. TBD if this ends up being a positive or not for the owner operator like myself. I have had fantastic support from RDI the last 4 years of ownership.

    Screenshot_20210709-085507_Chrome_copy_540x1200.jpg

    Screenshot_20210709-085837_Chrome_copy_540x1200.jpg
  17. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    Northern Lights is great to work with.

    And I agree with your points on the gap between the C18 and C32. I really wanted to add some hp when I did my repower but the C32's are just too big. I could have physically shoe horned them in but future service would be a nightmare. And as it turns out, I'm seeing better performance than expected from C18's so it turned out good for me.
    What hull and year model ranges are you targeting?
  18. CaboFly

    CaboFly Member

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    48 to 54 feet Cabo, Viking, Hatteras.

    Just trying to find the right boat.
  19. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    Hard to go wrong with any of those. Good luck in your search!
  20. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    +1.