The 3208 Catepillar Marine Engine - History and Design

The 3208 Caterpillar marine diesel engine was originally designed for the various caterpillar trucks and machinery. However because of its popularity it was redesigned to power yachts and pleasure cruisers as a main engine and other marine applications such as auxiliary engines driving electrical generators. The engine puts out 225hp, has a 636 cubic inch capacity, water-cooled turbo charged and is built in a V8 cylinder design. Unfortunately due to new exhaust emission laws the 3208 was discontinued in 1999. However, many of these engines are still fitted to marine craft, some craft having twin engines fitted, such as The Mersey Class of Lifeboat for the Royal Naval Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) as proof of their reliability.