Close to purchase of 31 Tournament Express with twin 3116 Ca

[dinkinsranch]

Hello members,
I'm close to purchase of a 1998 31' TE with twin 3116 Cats (1,100 hours). The boat is well maintained by a very fussy owner and located in Mexico where we plan to keep the boat as we have a home in that area.

Here are a few questions for you experienced Albin owners:
1.) The 1998 model year used a balsa cored hull. I'm not finding much in AOG on problems with the balsa cored hulls - any thoughts on this? Would you pull the boat to survey and do test drilling of the core?
2.) Cat 3116 twin engine configuration - Both engines were built in Des Moines (not France) and only single grade oil has been used (known problem when using multi-grade gumming up the after coolers). Engines are clean, no smoke, and cruise the boat at 22 knots at 2,200 RPM. Also have new stainless risers. There don't seem to be many 31 TE's with this power configuration and I'm told it was a rather expensive upgrade. - any thoughts on this power configuration?
3.) Operating economy - we will primarily fish this boat and I'm told between cruise to fishing grounds and trolling and cruising back the boat achieves an average of 2 nautical miles per gallon considering a 6 hour day and 40 miles round trip cruising with the rest trolling - hard for me to believe and I hope to confirm this during upcoming sea trial.
Summary - I like this boat and a big part of the appeal is that is is located in my home marina in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico. Also, the current owner is known to be very detailed in his maintenance and care of the boat. They want to go back to a 28 TE. I like the room on the 31. It's a lot of boat for the length.

Any thoughts on this boat and configuration and things to consider would be appreciated.

[whwells]

For starters I love the 31 models. As you point out they have lots of room. I have not seen anything other than the Cummins , Yanmars & Pennisualrs as twins in the 31. The Cat engine has a great reputation in many motorhomes. In fact I had one in a Foretraveal in 1989. Very dependable engne. Seems to me there has been discussion of the Cat. single, but just don't recall twins Cat in the 31. If you know the owner/ and the boats history that is more important than any single thing.
I have heard Cat. is getting out of motorhomes and boats and will do only industrial in the future. Doutful that is a big deal as their are lots of engnes out there for then to continue to supply parts and service.
If you like the boat and it's location is important go for it. By the way there is a 31' in perfect condition in the Channel Islands Ca. with low hours on twin 315 yanmars. Tried to buy it myself- but it did not work due to a trade issue. The boat has AC/ & Gen set as well. Year model is 2004 and very failrly priced.
whwells "Howard"
2006 35TE Sportfisher/Conv.
"Nbbles" Anacortes, Wa. Home Port
Home: Trinidad, Ca.

[Russell]

Although I am not an expert I think the concern over balsa cored hulls is way overblown. I have owned boats for 30 years with cored hulls with no problems. The one boat I was considering buying without a cored hull failed the survey because the hull had delaminated. You should have a complete survey for your protection and the surveyor should check the bottom with a moisture meter and by tapping with a hammer. I would not drill a hole in the hull because it will only tell you about that particular spot and it could be a potential problem if it is not sealed correctly. Check carefully around all the thru hulls. That is where problems are most likely. This sounds like a good opportunity since you know the owner and the care he took of the boat.

[dinkinsranch]

Thanks guys for weighing in. I have run into a snag. I need to register the boat in Colorado. Colorado won't register the boat because they say there is a discrepancy in the Hull Identification Number format. The last 4 digits of the HIN are H598. The H is for the month (August); The 5 is for year build (1995) followed by the 98 which is also the year built and the discrepancy. If I can show that other Albins have the same HIN discrepancy, it will help my case. Thanks for checking.