1973 38Ft Double Cabin For Sale Near Chicago - Anyone Got Any Info?

[miboatnutz]

Hoping the Grapevine here might be a little better than what was depicted in the movie Johnny Dangerously (Youtube - pretty funny)

Been looking at a 38Ft Double cabin that's been for sale for quite awhile on Yachtworld and was wondering if anyone might have any info? It's got Detroits with a couple thousand hours on them and appears to be reasonably clean from the pics. Relisted several times with price drops over the last six months - at least.

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/1973-hatteras-38-double-cabin-8972441/

Also I'm interested in any general feedback on this particular model. I like dual stations so we can get a little more cruising out of the Michigan boating season as well as the general layout. Wondering about ride, fuel burn and low speed maneuverability. Looks like all of them swing four blade props regardless of gas or diesel power.

Thanks in advance for considering this info request.

 

[UNIQUE_NAME]

looks to be pretty original and in very good shape from the pics. one of the benefits from living in fresh water vs salt water i guess.
cant speak to the fuel burn or speed with diesels but i have 427 chris crafts and cruising is 15-16 with a little trim, top end is 20 with 4 blade props.
i was surprised to see front and rear thrusters on it, boat doesnt really need them. big ass keel to offset the windage but i guess good the have in an emergency.
the lower station can really only be used at hull speed, you would hit a bridge before you would see it on plane.
we like the layout. lots of usable storage and comfortable. there are a lot of stairs, if thats a concern to you.

heavy boat, handles anything coming at it but doesnt like following seas.

the original 16k salon a/c she has struggles in the summer with that original layout, at least in ny it does.
behind the salon aft bulkhead picture is an access panel to where the electric comes into the boat. the lines have shotgun fuses. replace them with breakers.
i cant tell from the pics if the boat has 2 a/c units or what electric connection she has. standard was 2 30a/120v.
mine has 2 16k units which strained the 1 30a leg and aforementioned shotgun fuses. i breakered and rewired the incoming to 50a 120v to the panels.

the aft bilge pump is under the dresser in the aft cabin. not fun trying to reach it.

 

[miboatnutz]

Jim,

Thanks for the response as well as the info! This was exactly the kind of feedback I was hoping to get.

I don't really understand the thrusters on that boat either given the size of the vessel and the propulsion system, but can't hurt to have them in certain weather.

Interestingly there are three on the market right now. This one in Chicago, one in Windsor, Ontario and one on Florida. The one in Canada appears to be extremely clean and well cared for but it's got the Chris Craft engines with about 3K engine hours. I've got tons of experience with the 427 Fords and in my opinion, probably one of the best marine engines ever produced.

The boat in Chicago has diesels (albeit Detroits which smoke and leak on a regular basis) but lower engine hours, AC and the thrusters. We'd most likely replace many of the interior soft goods anyway, so not terribly concerned about carpet, drapes, etc so long as the woodwork, plumbing and electrical are in decent shape.

The boat in Florida needs a lot of work and then there's the issue of getting it back to Michigan. Plus not sure how long it was in salt water as hailing port is listed as someplace in Ohio but who knows how long it was down South.

Other than replacing the shotgun fuses, is there anything else you'd want to change on your boat that I should consider?

Thanks again for the response.

- Brian

 

[UNIQUE_NAME]

agreed on the 427's, they are beasts.
i never would have purchased it pre internet though. finding parts or others with them was key taking that step.

gas engines open you up to the fuel tank spector.

ive owner her for 20+ odd years so there is a long list of things ive added or improved.

top 4:

-electronic distributers for the 427s. a whole different world from the crab caps and nonsense that comes with them.
-vacuflush
-changed 2 30a inputs to 1 50a
-when i had to replace the salon air handler i rerouted the output to the top of the lower station bulkhead, where the straw basket is in your picture.

 

[miboatnutz]

Jim,

Thanks again for the response.

Just two quick questions. What do you mean by "gas engines open you up to the fuel tank spector.".

Also where did you get the distributors for the 427 Fords? The rotors for the original Mallory distributors are no longer available so replacing the entire unit is about the only option depending on what was from the OEM. My family's got a 42Ft Chris Craft and I'm sure the distributors are going to need replacement. Currently have Pertronix conversions but still have to deal with Mallory crabcakes and rotors.

 

[UNIQUE_NAME]

the gas tank spector is the result of ethanol in the gas from our forward thinking epa.
hatteras made fiberglass tanks.
the ethanol dissolves the resin in the tanks and creates a world of pain for the owner.
there were lengthy discussions back in 06 when it happened.

later models appeared to use ethanol resistant resin.
i dont remember what year it was finally decided they started.
i can tell you 73 74 were not those years. this took out many older betram boats too.

the solution was new tanks.




i had the pertronix kits too.
it was all the other ignition crap that was finicky, external resistor, cap clamps/springs the cap itself and the rotor.

these are a whole different animal. all the crap goes away.
i was on another forum with a number of commander owners who did it and had nothing but raves.
i pulled the trigger back in 2015.
it aint cheap, but i would say it is the single best improvement i have made in the boat.

the distributers are not listed on the website.
you have to call them, give them the engine/boat specs and then they build it.
if you do it, get the wires from them too.


Performance Distributors (DUI)
2699 Barris Drive
Memphis, TN 38132
901-396-5782
www.performancedistributors.com


with the glowing review
i should add i have no affiliation with performance distributers in any way. just a satisfied customer

 

[miboatnutz]

Jim,

Great info. Thanks!

Never thought about the fiberglass tanks and the ethanol issue for gas powered boats. Were your tanks replaced or do you just watch what you put in them closely?

That almost makes the case for the diesel powered ones for sale right now. May also explain why the gas powered one has been on the market for so long.

Distributor info is very helpful. I'm going to contact them this season.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

The shotgun fuse holders are just fine as long as they are maintained. Pull out the fuses and lube them and the threads with dielectric grease. Especially in fresh water, you shouldn't have any issues. Mine are just fine after 38 years.

 

[UNIQUE_NAME]

Jim,

Great info. Thanks!

Never thought about the fiberglass tanks and the ethanol issue for gas powered boats. Were your tanks replaced or do you just watch what you put in them closely?


That almost makes the case for the diesel powered ones for sale right now. May also explain why the gas powered one has been on the market for so long.

Distributor info is very helpful. I'm going to contact them this season.

i didnt have any options in NY back then, you couldnt get gas without ethanol, so i replaced them.
its not necessarily a bad thing for it to be gas, just have to ask the question.

 

[UNIQUE_NAME]

The shotgun fuse holders are just fine as long as they are maintained. Pull out the fuses and lube them and the threads with dielectric grease. Especially in fresh water, you shouldn't have any issues. Mine are just fine after 38 years.

true, a friend of mine does just that and is fine.
what really forced my hand was trying to run 2 16k a/c's on the 1 30a leg at the marina we frequent.
even the slow blow fuse would pop more frequently that i wanted to change it.
he runs 2 smaller units.

 

[miboatnutz]

Sky,

Thanks for the info. Hope you're enjoying those new Cats!

Jim,

Couple other questions. How difficult was it to replace the fuel tanks on that boat and did you use aluminum tanks? Also, did you mount the new tanks inside the old ones or did you have to cut out all of the fiberglass tankage down to bare hull, put in new tank beds and mount accordingly.

Lastly, how did you get the tanks into the cabin and below the sole? Did you have to cut a large hole in the deck to get the tanks installed?

 

[UNIQUE_NAME]

i did use expoxy coated aluminum.

taking apart the aft bunks was required to install new tanks. sounds worse than it is.
there are screws and cutting involved to get the bunk top off. you dont have to save the bunk top when removing its just plywood.
once you do that, you can see how the corners are fastened and take them apart.
the tanks are separate structures from the hull. there are glass tabs holding them in place. once you break them you can move the tanks.
the glass tanks turned on their side with the fittings removed fit out both doors to the back deck.
make sure the new ones have the same measurement depth and they can go in the same way.
the tanks are not true rectangles. one end is shaped more like this
_
/ \

 

[miboatnutz]

Thanks Jim!