Engine and transmission serial numbers missing!

B

Breal

.
Apr 21, 2009
43
H 31 Barnegat Bay, NJ
We made an offer on a boat. During the sea trial the surveyor asked the seller why the serial numbers for the engine and the gear box were missing. The seller did he didn't know.

The brokers said that it was probably listed in the prior survey. We got an email of a supposed serial number for the engine.

Question.
What questions should we be asking?
What if they can't provide solid proof of these serial numbers.

What should we be worried about as new potential owners?

If our offer gets accepted, are we on the hook for the boat or do we have the right to demand solid proof of these serial numbers?

Any insight is appreciated.
Thank you,
B
 
D

dlochner

.
Jan 11, 2014
12,715
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
What kind of engine? I doubt that there is much of an issue about the motor being stolen. Has the boat been repowered? Is the engine the kind that was used in the original production?

Breal said:
If our offer gets accepted, are we on the hook for the boat or do we have the right to demand solid proof of these serial numbers?
Click to expand
What does your purchase offer say about grounds for walking away?
 
kloudie1

kloudie1

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Nov 6, 2006
10,048
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
Those plates are attached with an adhesive.. could be PO took em off ? or they fell off after a solvent cleaning? Should be a 2GMF but a few early h-31's had the sea-water cooled 2GM.. Was it repowered with a recovered "Sandy" engine?
 
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shemandr

shemandr

.
Jan 1, 2006
7,469
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
I would think it would be hard to get parts if you do not have a s/n. Can't you check with the manufacturer and see what engine the number you have applies to, and if it corresponds to what is in the boat?
 
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B

Breal

.
Apr 21, 2009
43
H 31 Barnegat Bay, NJ
It's a Yanmar 3MG35F. Some think it's been repowered, Maybe rebuilt
there is a sight as do understand that can provide engine info from the manufacturer.
 
uralite

uralite

.
Apr 26, 2018
137
Catalina Catalina 30 Bayview
As an engine owner without serial numbers...definitely want them for ordering parts.! Couldn’t get replacement parts for damper plate since don’t know serial number.
 
Don S/V ILLusion

Don S/V ILLusion

.
Sep 25, 2008
7,338
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
Resale would be the biggest problem. If you ever anticipate selling it, you might be unable to find anyone willing to risk it.
 
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C

Calif. Ted

.
Jun 8, 2004
2,927
Catalina 320 Dana Point
If it is a Yanmar 3GM30F the only parts difference is between European and Japanese built engines, serial number for European starts with an "E".
Only purchase offers I've made specify something like "pending survey satisfactory to buyer" if you are "unsatisfied" for ANY reason.
 
kloudie1

kloudie1

.
Nov 6, 2006
10,048
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
Without the plate (or disassembly and micrometer measurements), ya really can't tell the difference between a 3GMF, a 3GM30F or a 3HMF.. Someone who's a Yanmar expert might.. but not normal folks..
I suspect the recover/rebuild/repower person/shop removed the plates..
 
Head Sail

Head Sail

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Nov 13, 2013
723
Catalina 34 Tacoma
The bad news is there is no good reason to remove serial numbers. The good news is no one can trace it.
 
jviss

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
I'm not familiar with Yanmars, but could it be that folks are just looking in the wrong places, and don't know where serial numbers are usually stamped on these? If it's a plate and it's been removed, yea, that's weird. But maybe it's stamped somewhere else on the block.
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,758
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
The Yanmar manufacturer manual says....
https://j109.org/docs/Yanmar_3GM30F3.pdf
It’s on the engine and the transmission. They will be needed to get the correct parts.
A 3GM35F numbered engine is not listed.
 
Scott T-Bird

Scott T-Bird

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Oct 26, 2008
6,240
Catalina 320 Barnegat, NJ
Breal said:
Does the engine SN O3765 make any sense?
Click to expand
Hey! Those are exactly the same numbers as my P.E. license, except the order is slightly off. :biggrin:
I think if you call Mack Boring, they will be able to answer any questions or concerns you might have about it. If you know the exact model, which it seems that you do, I don't know why you would need the serial number for parts. I never once looked at the serial number on my 1GM when looking for parts. How have you verified that you have 3MG35F?
As John points out … could it be 3GM30F or 3HM35F? (Maybe your SN does match my license #! :biggrin:)
 
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jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,758
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
That is a good idea @Scott T-Bird . But as we both know once you made an offer on a boat, you can already imagine being on the boat, sailing or motoring, enjoying sunsets, splashing in the water. It is hard to give all the ideas back.
It is a good and practical step for this offer at this time.
And it might motivate the seller/broker to resolve the problem.
 
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