Cummins 903 operators

[gbharrington]

I'm trying to put together a list of 903 operators since there are so few of us. I have sent PMs and emails to the few that I was able to identify through previous postings. If any of you are, and I haven't contacted you already, or you know of any operators, Hatteras or not, please forward me their contact info or provide them with mine.

Thanks in advance,
Greg

 

[Electric Easel]

Put me on your list 1976, 42C with 903 turbo 400 hp. Located in Groton CT at Shennecossett Yacht Club.

Tom
Electric Easel

 

[gbharrington]

Will do. Thanks for responding.

 

[Juan Labrador]

1972 Hatteras Conv. Cummins 903-n. Marina Puerto Chico,Fajardo Puerto Rico.
Aguaviva

 

[Felicity]

I am not a Cummins operator yet. Looking at a Hatteras with Cummins 903's in it. Having a hard time finding anything good about them online. Can anyone give me any good news about them? Are parts available for them? What should I be looking for on these engines? Thank you..

 

[gbharrington]

While parts are not as readily or cheaply available as with a Detroit, they are available. The Coast Guard has been using them for 30 years and the Army uses them in the Bradley and the self propelled Howitzer. Like any engine, it's all about how you run and maintain them. If you go online you'll find plenty of complaints about every diesel ever made from that era. That's because they are older and have greater potential for being less well cared for and/or abused. To me, 4 stroke and 340 HP from 903 cubic inches, there's nothing to be afaid of. At the kind of speeds and loads that most of us run these boats, they will last longer than I will.

 

[Felicity]

Thank you so much for your comment!!

 

[cruisintoo]

I'm trying to put together a list of 903 operators since there are so few of us. I have sent PMs and emails to the few that I was able to identify through previous postings. If any of you are, and I haven't contacted you already, or you know of any operators, Hatteras or not, please forward me their contact info or provide them with mine.

Thanks in advance,
Greg

Please add me to your list. I have 903s with turbo's located in Ct.

 

[BUSTER]

Trained on 903's at the Cummins factory in 1968 and have run them with no major problems in trucks and boats over decades. I have made nine round trips from New London Ct to Abaco Bahamas in my 903 "original hours" powered Hatteras.The port engine still uses one quart of oil on each leg and the starboard engine still uses none.

 

[BUSTER]

Put me on your list 1976, 42C with 903 turbo 400 hp. Located in Groton CT at Shennecossett Yacht Club.

Tom
Electric Easel

Must be Lew's old boat aye? I knew it since it was new and have spent a few hours in that engine room.
Good Luck!

 

[Mel Tucker]

Put me on your list. My wife and I own the Taylor G, a 1976 43 DC with Cummins 400 HP Turbos and love them. Pictures in the owners gallery under Mel Tucker. Currently located in Beaufort, NC. They have 2500 hours on them. They start easy in all weather, no smoke, smooth, and don't burn any oil. Fuel effeciency is reasonable if I keep her 10 knots or less but 16.6 is where she wants to run....seems the smoothest.

Ran Detriot in a 32' Holland Lobster Yacht in a water taxi business for six years in Maine before moving to the Carolinas. 4500 hours and never gave me a problem either, although threw oil everywhere and I always had to pay attention to the oil level!!!

I change oil, filters every 100 hours, impellers every two years, coolant flush out and replacement every third year.

Mel Tucker

 

[Boatsb]

Sounds like a nice boat Mel.


Glad to hear she has been so reliable. keep up the good work she always seems to be looking better than the last time.

 

[Electric Easel]

Yes Tony it is Lew's boat besides full tanks of bad fuel she runs great and we love the boat

 

[BUSTER]

That's wonderful to hear and I'm sure Lew would appreciate someone having her that is enjoying her.It was a great boat for him and she served him well.With just normal care and good visual inspections those engines will last you as long as you want them to.The only thing I really ever worked on in that engine room was the generator several times and some minor peripheral stuff on the engines.

BTW/Lew and I were friends for many years and when he took delivery on that boat in "76" I was so impressed by the way it moved the ocean,not the ocean moving her that I knew right then and there I would own one one day.Lew always swore Lady Jane would one day be mine,but I couldn't wait so I bought Buster....Lew just wasn't wearing out and neither did his Hatteras.lol.

 

[lorimer]

Yes count me in. Alan Lorimer 42c FX VT 903 M 400 HP Just changed Stb. eng. Took out door & port bulkhead to do it used. Used hydro. crane with jib boom end, to fit through door with complete, Engine assembled with trans. Was easy done at Ventura Harbor Boat Yard. Best boat Yard. I ever used. Super professional, had the best help & all the equipment & parts needed. Could not ask for more!!!!

 

[mdshore]

is this thread born again? ... recently acquired v903 m engines in a 73 43dc. boat had not been run in 10 yrs. installed new batteries, splashed boat and ran it 20 miles to my homeport. so far so good!

 

[sgharford]

Greg - I know you have me on the list, but so its out there I have Cummins VT903 M1's @ 400HP each with Capitol Marine Gears 2:1 in a 1976 43DC, believe she's hull number 428. So far so good - prayers said and fingers crossed 7 years running!

 

[Lady Enna]

Please add me to your list also, we have VTA-903m's in our Hargrave designed Matthews 56 MY.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[whoover]

As long as you keep an eye on the temperature and dont let them get hot I am sure they will last a long time. I just re built my port engine, starboard has about 3000hrs on it and sounds and starts great. I know they perfer a steady RPM so are good for boats and are in alot of heavy farm tractors with far more hours than 3000. It was a bit expensive to re build but I think cheaper than a full repower.

Walt Hoover

 

[MATTHEW]

i have owned a 1976 42c with 903 for tht past to yrs and they run great water pumps were really exspensive hope to get alot of info threw the forum