43' 1972 DCFB Hatteras, named HMS Adventure. If it is of adequate quality, please post it. We are about the 7th owners and very much enjoy and appreciate her. Her home port is Cheboygan, MI., while my residence is in Dayton, OH. We cruise the waters of Northern Lake Huron and Michigan, the Saint Mary's River, Detour Passage, and the Straits of Mackinac, including Mackinac Island. We will add the North Channel, Georgian Bay, and Lake Superior, in the next few years.

She has the original GM Detroit Diesel 6-71N's and Onan 7.5Kw Gen Set . She cruises at 16.7 knots at 2150 rpm, and tops out at 18.9 knots at 2400 rpm, GPS speed observed.

The right engine was overhauled before I bought her in 1995, including a new head, as well as the Gen Set, which was also bench overhauled in 1995. The right engine's oil remains clear between changes. The left engine is original with 2,000 hours, does not smoke after warmed up, and both engines use about 1/2 quart of oil in 10 hours. I always block heat the engines to 100 degrees before starting, as I added block heaters in 1997.

I am lead to believe that 8-10,000 hours is the life of these engines, subject to proper care, such as cooling, lubrication, and in the Great Lakes, I believe, pre-heating. Mobil engineering has cautioned me that the 2 cycle GM/DD's require their Delvac 1040 oil, rather than just any 40 weight or 10-40 oil. This is because their Delvac is engineered for the higher pressures inherent in the 2-cycle valve trains, while there are lower valve train pressures in 4 cycle engines. This oil is also packaged as Detroit Diesel Delvac 1040.

The bottom was barrier coated by Walstrom Marine of Cheboygan, MI, in the winter of 1999-2000, due to some gel coat blistering and general need for all new bottom paint. This included full nibble-machine strip and vacuum bagging of the gel coat, rather than sand blasting. Hatteras might like to know that Walstrom found that she needed little work of the main hull material, after the gel coat was removed. I have reason to believe she has been in fresh water most if not all of her life. This includes the Tennessee area, Chicago, at the Chicago Yacht Club, and now Cheboygan.

The Heat/AC heads were replaced in 1995 and the sea water pump in 1998. The Heat/AC system functions well. She received upgraded Raytheon electronics in 1995, including 24x Radar, GPS, Electronic Chart, and VHF. A Heart 2000 Inverter is being installed in the Winter of 2000-2001.

As an aside, the water level in the Great Lakes has dropped, since the picture, and she now rides 3' lower, so that the gunwales are level with the dock. However, the lakes cycle every 11 years, or as long as records go back, so they will come back up in a couple years. Also, please note that the State of Michigan is adding over 500 slips to the Straits of Mackinac area over the next 2-3 years. These are about 125 slips to St. Ignace, Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City, and Cheboygan.

I very much appreciate your prompt and knowledgeable response and service on the various parts I have purchased from you over the past 5 seasons.

Regards,

Quincy Leslie