1979 46C series 1

[nor'easter]

There is a nice looking (from exterior) 46 C coming to market soon with 871 Ts. I know the boat has a great reputation, and have searched through old threads, but had trouble nailing down cruise speed/top end for her. I assume 425-450 hp per side, but havent seen all the numbers on this boat yet.

If a repower to C9 cats or 8.3 QSCs on this boat was ever done, is that enough hp to get her squirrely? Would the keel have to be addressed? I saw a thread about one with a tower that had the keel deepened and mage handling worse.

Thanks all.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I think with those engines, the ones you mentioned, the boat would go a bit faster because of the difference in weight, but not much faster if any. The difference in weight might change the boats ride and handling, though, and maybe not for the better. Those seem like small engines for that boat- I think most 46s that have had new power installed have gotten M11s or C12s or something of that size.

I think with the original engines, if they are in good shape, you might have 18-20 knots at cruise, maybe 22 WOT. Several forum members own these or have owned them and can comment more accurately.

If I were looking at that boat, and the 8-71s were healthy on a survey, I think I'd leave them in there as long as I could. If you wanted to go fast, I think I'd look for a Series II 45C that's already had new power put in- they are out there. There are people who feel that the older 46 is a better sea boat than the later 45- I think it is heavier, for one thing. The later 45s will go pretty fast with modern power.

 

[nor'easter]

Thanks Jim.
I would not buy this boat with the plan to repower her, but I don't know much about her mechanically yet. She is in super cosmetic shape and has been restored well. My thought is that if it were a boat that would serve me well fishing and cruising size wise, she might be a good boat to hang on to and reposer if/when the need came up. I know the hull is not made for speed, hence my thought for the 8-9L engines, getting weight down and hp up from the 871s making her a little quicker and more efficient.

I saw what rsmith wrote about how she drifts, and that would make her a great boat for socal fishing.

I can't find the thread I referred to earlier where a member put in C9s and had handling problems, or know if it was ever resolved. I hope Jack and others chime in.

I am going to look at her tomorrow anyway.

Thanks
Paul

 

[saltshaker]

The 46 will run fast if properly repowered. The keel walking can be fixed and only an issue at 27kts and over. I would not put small engines like the C9 as it is removing too much weight from low in the boat. There are a few out there with C series and Yanmars. Not fast but no stability issues. I think the boat you referred to with C9 a had stability issues due to poor COG. They took all that weight out of the ER, replaced the deck with light weight decking and added a tower. The boat was having issues at speeds as low as 20kts. I don't think it was the keel. Keep in mind a repower to bigger engines may rrequire new larger running gear. If the boat is real nice and mechanically sound, the 46C is a great boat.

 

[workingonadream]

I have the same boat. cruising is approx. 17-18 knots it tops out around 22-23 knots. I have a tower with original keel and handling is not a problem. I would use those 8v71s until you have fix them. just remember, it has been my experience that in frame overhauls are usually less than repowers as there is a lot more labor involved due to preparing the boat to accept the new engines I would do a cost analysis between both options and compare that to what the boat is worth. either way its a great boat good luck and enjoy

 

[nor'easter]

Thanks all. I am going to take peek in the am. I will put up a link to the listing when it is posted. I really don't need a cruise speed over 25, and most days in the ocean I cruise at 19-21...easy on the boat, machinery, my ears and wallet.

This all said, am actually leaning post 1987 series 2 45C. Not much to choose from in CA, so I am browsing for now. I really love the lines on the 46 and 53, and I know they have a great reputation. 52s and 53s (45 and 46s as well) are slim pickings in the land of fruit and nuts.

 

[saltshaker]

Thanks all. I am going to take peek in the am. I will put up a link to the listing when it is posted. I really don't need a cruise speed over 25, and most days in the ocean I cruise at 19-21...easy on the boat, machinery, my ears and wallet.

This all said, am actually leaning post 1987 series 2 45C. Not much to choose from in CA, so I am browsing for now. I really love the lines on the 46 and 53, and I know they have a great reputation. 52s and 53s (45 and 46s as well) are slim pickings in the land of fruit and nuts.

Paul,
The 46C series I won't run that fast with the 8V71TI's. As stated above 17-18kts slow cruise. You can run those engines all day long at 2100 and she should run around 19-20kts. If you want more speed and the option to repower, look for a 46HP. They are very nice boats and already have the bigger running gear and shortened keel. These boats can run in the high 20kt to low 30kt range without issue. A factory 46HP with 650HP 8V92's will give you a low to mid 20kt easy cruise and near 30kt WOT.

 

[nor'easter]

Thanks jack. I was just sharing my preferred cruise speeds, noting that i sm not looking for high 20 or 30 kt cruise. Long runs to fish in so cal and low 20s is fine with me.

I havent seen a 46 hp for sale here in forever. There is a good looking 1989 45 that i might try and go see. Not much west coast inventory.

 

[saltshaker]

The 45C will be similar to the 46C with regard to cruise speed but a bit faster on top end or if you choose to cruise her harder. The 46C is a better sea boat, much better ER and a bit nicer interior layout. The 45C is still a great boat but I think the 46C offers a lot more for the same if not less money.

 

[jim rosenthal]

There are some decent repowered 45Cs on the East Coast, but they are (as he says) not nearly as common out on the West Coast. Pity.

 

[nor'easter]

Looked her over today. Nice boat. Full ext LP job, all ext wood in very good shape, as was the stainless. The interior was refinished original wood, with newer flooring. Engine room very good shape, the bridge was great, very original but restored. Cockpit controls, good size bait tank, nice cockpit. Not huge but certainly big enough. Newer genny, and an inverter, all done very well at first glance. Will post a link when it is listed.

No sign of synchronizers on the bridge. Did i miss them, orndid the 1979 871s not have them? Broker was nice but new far less about the model and mechanicals than i did.

Going to try and look at the series 2 45 in a week or so.

 

[jim rosenthal]

It seems that fewer convertibles have the synchronizer system than do MYs, which all seem to have them. But I may not have seen enough boats to have that opinion. Please post the listing when you get a chance; I'd like to have a look at it. I'm also interested to see what you think of the Series II 45, which is one of my favorite boats.

 

[nor'easter]

Didnt know that about the synch. Assumed they were all fitted with them.

Will let u know about the 45, very curious to see her. 46 not yet listed, will post when it is.

 

[Boatsb]

Synchronizes were options on both. Personally I don't like them on convertibles under 50 feet because I can sync by ear. On a motoryacht and larger convertibles there is often much less engine noise to sync with.

 

[capttonyf]

Not sure what year 45C your looking at but in 1987 they offered a 2 Stateroom two head version called the Palm Beach Edition. Then in 1989 I believe they updated the Layout again giving it an S-Curved companionway down below creating more room in the Master Stateroom allowing for an Angled Island Queen Berth and a 2nd head as opposed to the original 1 head design with the master bed tucked into the corner.

We have a 1990 45C and we love everything about the boat. Great overall at Sea with a heavy dry ride, nice stable trolling platform and although she's not a speed demon at 1900 to 1950 rpm she does 20 to 21 knts in just about any sea condition. She also has the largest cockpit of any boat in the class. The 46 is a great boat as well and you can't go wrong with either but I leaned toward the 45 because it's newer, still 2 Stateroom, 2 Head but also a much longer cockpit with a foot or two of extra space walking between the chair and tackle center. If you have any detailed questions about the 45 feel free to contact me.

Tony