Maintenance Recommendations for the Chesapeake

[REBrueckner]

[I'm back again for a visit. I do miss messing with boats, but being without is way cheaper.
My health is fine. And I've even made two trips with Bill Allen, from NJ to Fla keys. [Pity Bill with me
as crew! ]

The current owner of my former 1972 48 YF 8V71TI's is buying another boat on the lower
Potomac. [Anyone interested in this boat e-mail me.]

Before we bring his 'new' [used] boat back, he'd like to get some new Cruisaire a/c installed, a
diesel heater [like a Webasto or Hurricane Heater] installed [ plumbing system is already complete, old heater has been removed] and possible work on 903 Cummins 450HP engines and possibly fuel
polished at dockside. Any recommendations on a/c and heater brands welcome. I suggested a Hurricane heater.

Any yard/personnel recommendations from Potomic/Chesapeake area and north welcome as we'll
be returning up the Chesapeake and through the Ches-Del canal.

PS: Anything special to check on 1976, 4300 hour, 903 Cummins and twin Disc MG5111 2.542:1 ratio
transmissions during survey/sea trail ?? Thanks!!
.

 

[av8torrich]

Hi Rob:

You may want to consider pulling into Solomon's and checking out Washburns, or Spring Cove. Solomons is about 15 miles to the north of where the Potomac meets the Chesapeake.

I know of virtually no boatyards which could accomondate all of the request you have in the southern Potomac. If you come North towards DC on the Potomac, there are a couple of places, but be prepared to pay "DC Prices". I think the same goes for Harrington Harbor North with regards to pricing. Harrington North is about 26 Miles up the Chesapeake from Solomons. When I compared the prices of Harrington to Washburns, the descrepancy in cost is pretty staggering.

Maybe there is someone here who can point you to a closer more econimical boat yard. I do not recall seeing any down that far in the Potomac, but then again, I was not looking for them either.

Rich

 

[PeterK]

Rob, if you are heading north from the keys, I would recommend stopping in Beaufort NC and having Bruce Morrison doing your work. I had Burt Ferrebee (not sure on spelling but a Hatteras alum of Bruce's) do AC, stabilzer and some refrigeration unit work while Bruce was doing the "Hatt" work for us. Also cannot say enough about how great Kenny and Nancy Bock of Bock Marine were.

 

[gbharrington]

On 903's the raw water pumps will eventually leak and if not taken care of will extensively corrode the front of the engine. Also the front main crankshaft oil seal has been known to leak. Other than that they are great engines if properly maintained.

 

[GJH]

The PO of my boat was docked right next door to Washburns, at Calvert Marina. He ended up having all his work done at Anchor Bay East up in Dundalk (Baltimore), which is where the boat was when I bought it. I subsequently had Anchor Bay do quite a bit of work for me as well, both right after the sale and on subsequent trips through the area. . The owner is Art Cox. They are quite familiar with Hatteras, and I know they at least repowered another boat with Cummins engines, Art would certainly know who to have work on them.

In the southern Chesapeake there is Atlantic Yacht Basin in Great Bridge, really a top notch operation.

Peter K why could you not recommend Bruce Morrison? I think he is outstanding and nobody knows these boats better (or is this not a Hatteras?). Bert Ferebee is an excellent AC, and stabilizer guy. There is an independent young guy in New Bern/Morhead, who worked at Hatteras and who was a lead tech at Jarrett Bay for awhile, did a lot of work on my boat there and subsequently when he went independent with in affiliation with Bruce. His name is Billy Galloway and is also very good at AirCon, basic stabilizer work and electrical. Very reasonably priced as he starts to establish himself. I can provide his contact info.

 

[PeterK]

The PO of my boat was docked right next door to Washburns, at Calvert Marina. He ended up having all his work done at Anchor Bay East up in Dundalk (Baltimore), which is where the boat was when I bought it. I subsequently had Anchor Bay do quite a bit of work for me as well, both right after the sale and on subsequent trips through the area. . The owner is Art Cox. They are quite familiar with Hatteras, and I know they at least repowered another boat with Cummins engines, Art would certainly know who to have work on them.

In the southern Chesapeake there is Atlantic Yacht Basin in Great Bridge, really a top notch operation.

Peter K why could you not recommend Bruce Morrison? I think he is outstanding and nobody knows these boats better (or is this not a Hatteras?). Bert Ferebee is an excellent AC, and stabilizer guy. There is an independent young guy in New Bern/Morhead, who worked at Hatteras and who was a lead tech at Jarrett Bay for awhile, did a lot of work on my boat there and subsequently when he went independent with in affiliation with Bruce. His name is Billy Galloway and is also very good at AirCon, basic stabilizer work and electrical. Very reasonably priced as he starts to establish himself. I can provide his contact info.

Fat finger typos now corrected!!! Thanks for pointing them out!!! I am Bruce's biggest fan and will forever be indebted to him for all the help he has given us! Billy also did a lot of work for us in Beaufort including the installation of our new electronics. Bruce told me he was called back to Hatteras when they started building the plant personnel back up.

 

[bobk]

Woody Sherrod is our go to guy for AC in the Baltimore area. 443-831-0556. He can recommend a yard to bring it to. He will be headed to the Stuart area in a month or so.

Anchor Bay has worked on my boat for me and the PO. I'd go there over Washburn's. PM me for info if needed. Depending on the job, Rob Sloan in Baltimore is a great generalist. 410-274-4821. He can work out of many of the area marinas.

Bobk

 

[REBrueckner]

Thank you SO much for the recommendations. Any and all welcome.

I have never had stabilizers so I wanted to get some insights here and have been reading...
as always there was a great discussion....with wonderful pictures:

http://www.samsmarine.com/forums/showthread.php?11395-Naiad-lower-seal-replacement

Reading the discussion, it becomes obvious the lower seals on Naiad stabilizers [aboard his new purchase] are a 'mission critical' maintenance item keep bearings and salt water separate. I'm recommending to my buddy he get that done immediately if possible.