Any 3780 owners?

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MrsRobinson

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We looked at a 2001 3780 yesterday and love it. The layout fits us well. The only concern is it has gas engines and we really wanted diesels in the next boat. It's the 7.4 upgraded 380HP engines. Low hours. We had these engines in our last boat so I know them well.

We boat 50-100 hours a season. Nearly all of the service folks we talk to tell us at 50 - 100 hours a season we will never recoupe the investment for diesels.

Any idea what this boat will cruise at, RPM and GPH, with those engines?

Thanks
 
I have the 4080 and I was torn b/w gas and diesel as well. I finally ran all the numbers and found the diesel was not worth it for me. Like you I am lucky if I do over 50 hours. The extra bucks in diesel buys alot of gas. This is not my final boat, so the next boat will be diesel because that boat will run the coast and do alot more than 50 hours.

In my opinion, if you don't do at least 75-100 hours a year, diesel will not pay you back.
The other big plus is the torque factor with diesel but there again, the money saved can buy you a stern thruster if needed. I have just learned to power up when needed. Plus my 8.1's seem to bite pretty good around the dock, but to be honest, diesel or not the 3780/3880/4080 is a sail in the wind, so you just gotta work that.

Like you, I found this boat to have the best layout and a great compromise for us since I didn't want a flybridge boat.
The biggest complaint is the starboard corner, you can't see a thing, so I may add a camera.
Good luck!
 
This will not be our last boat either. My guess is she is a 5-10 year boat for us. With working full time we are limited to 1, maybe 2 big trips a year and weekends where we may go 1-2 hours. It's usually a 30 - 40 minute hull speed cruise to a local watering hole to anchor out.

What's your fuel burn at cruise and what RPMs does she like at cruise?
 
I have the 8.1's, so my #'s can't be used.
I cruise at 23knots at 3800 rpm's
Burn, I don't know and I don't care.
My average using math is about 23gph but that includes slow and fast cruising.
Its a very efficient boat and it sits well out of the water, but that also gives you a more unstable ride.
 
Just remember that the assumption that you will "make up" the price difference between gas and diesel assumes both boats are worth the same amount when it is time to sell. This is not true as all other things being equal, the diesel will re-sell for more.
 
Agreed

We went through this same kind of decision when we purchased our Sea Ray compared to a similar Maxum.

Trust me, all else equal price wise we would love to have diesels in the next boat. But we are not finding ones we like within our budget. We are having to go to mid 80's styles to find one within our budget, which we are not fond layout wise nor do we want an older boat...been there done that with repairs and up keep.
 
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