1973 53c project for sale on Facebook, 3406E CATs zero hours

[Cricket]

Saw this add on Facebook. Don't know anything about the boat or seller.
Sure is interesting.................

1973 53' Hatteras w/ Caterpillar C-15s with ZF gears: ZERO hours. Engines were purchased new from Blanchard Cat in 2006. Motors were installed along with:
New aluminum fuel tanks
New cockpit
Slane vents
Faired and painted engine room
New stringers
New forward deck
New salon side windows
New Bridge layout
New shafts, struts & wheels
Over $200k was spend on the project before it was stopped. Boat is located in Savannah, Ga. Anyone interested can call or text Billy @ 912-660-3815, email bgroves@barrierislandent.com or FB message. Asking price is $50,000.00 obo. No reasonable offer will be refused!


https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/256591959262237/?ref=null&referral_code=undefined

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Wow! The really expensive stuff has already been done.

 

[Eddieclemons]

I saw it earlier, obviously there is some concern for the condition of the brand new engines or they would have been gone!!!

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I saw it earlier, obviously there is some concern for the condition of the brand new engines or they would have been gone!!!

What concerns? Why do you say that? Have you called Cat to see if they are still under warranty or if they were ever put into service?

 

[Cricket]

Doubt there's warranty at this point, but it wouldn't take the CAT guy long to figure out if they're any good or not.
Friend bought a Custom Carolina boat that had been tied up in litigation for 6 or 7 years, MAN wouldn't warranty the engines but he didn't care since he bought it for 20% of what it should have been.
Ran it for 5 years without issue before he moved up.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Typical Cat warranty would be 5 years, but its not uncommon for someone to buy an extended warranty. You just don't know until you get the serial numbers.

 

[Boatsb]

Engines will need lots of love if they were run then sat this long. If the coolers and heat exchangers have salt water in them.

Did they do anything to run them? They don't look ready to fire up at the moment.

 

[Bob Bradley]

So, do you think the Bird can get her to CT?

I wonder if those engines would fit in my 43?

 

[Eddieclemons]

What concerns? Why do you say that? Have you called Cat to see if they are still under warranty or if they were ever put into service?

Quote from owner on FB"Yes sir. They were bought new in 2006, put into storage, then installed in the boat 4 years ago. They were run on a bench just before install but they have never been run. They aren't wired or plumbed. "

 

[Cricket]

Rusty, this is the perfect next project since you're just about done with the 52. Only have to build some tuna tubes, bait wells, mezzanine, and drop down cockpit tv......

 

[bigbill]

why the aluminum fuel tanks? they will corrode and need to be replaced at some point

 

[jim rosenthal]

Agreed. That wasn't a brilliant move. Also wonder why the tanks needed replacing. Hatteras OEM tanks were very well made and this boat would have been diesel from new, so it isn't like they were attacked by ethanol.

 

[Cricket]

I can see replacing the aft tank under the cockpit if they were planning to add ER access through a mezzanine or lockers.
The original tank would have to be cut loose and moved a few feet aft, a new custom shaped tank could hold a lot more fuel than original tank.

Only reason I can see to remove the mid and forward tanks are if they needed/wanted to re-glass the stringers. And or wanted to make a stand up ER, but they didn't.

So curious???????

 

[GCSI]

I think the question on this particular boat is salvage. Given that the engines / gears are laying in the engine room and are not connected to seawater supply or exhaust, how does one evaluate condition?
If the engine can live again, 50k for the pair seems to be a deal. Cut open house, and have engines loaded on truck in 1/2 day with a lift and a crew of three.

Next question would be how much to return the remainder to a dumpster

Upgrade a cherry older 52 with 8-92s needing majors to Cats for around 100k....
.

 

[Eddieclemons]

Do you have a inside track on an Cherry 52c with 8v92s?

 

[Cricket]

Disagree with the salvage route, as long as the engines are good to go, and all of the fiberglass and core is okay..
Lets say purchase for $40k.
Complete cockpit mezzanine or lockers, $30,000
Paint boat $40,000
Wire boat, $40,000 including breaker panels
HVAC $25,000
Complete salon interior and appliances $30,000
No info on down below, guess at $30,000
Hardtop and frame $40,000
Electronics 30,000
Outriggers, fighting chair, helm chair $20,000
Other $50,000
Total of $375k for essentially a new boat

Thoughts???

It wouldn't surprise me if some commercial outfit grabs this and turns it into a commercial fishing or work boat of some sort, which would be sad.

 

[Eddieclemons]

Sounds exciting Holden, but Murphy lives in a spare bedroom at my place.

 

[Sadey]

Murphy is cheating on you, he shacks up at my place place quite often.

 

[krush]

Disagree with the salvage route, as long as the engines are good to go, and all of the fiberglass and core is okay..
..................
Total of $375k for essentially a new boat

Thoughts???.............

And have $100,000 boat if lucky. Or, somebody could spend 250-400k and get a newer boat with the new power already installed and modern wiring, hatteras OEM engineering, and not have a 50yr old boat.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

And have $100,000 boat if lucky. Or, somebody could spend 250-400k and get a newer boat with the new power already installed and modern wiring, hatteras OEM engineering, and not have a 50yr old boat.

But where is the fun in that?