36 Convertible w/ 454's

[RyanB]

My wife and I are looking for our next boat to enjoy with our young family. With 3 kids all under 6, we need something with some interior room so we can enjoy our northeast summers. We want something that can fish (troll for salmon in Great Lakes), and fit us for hanging out on weekends and perhaps the extended week or so trip. The 36 seems like it'll work well for everything we're looking to accomplish.

One area of concern for me, it has '86 Crusader 350HP Big Blocks. This is a heavy boat for gas IMO. How "bad" will it be though?

We're not looking to go offshore, so to speak, fishing is at most 15 miles into the lake and you can start trolling within a mile or so off the shore. So, I'm really not worried about fishing fuel consumption. What I'm, slightly, concerned about is when we want to run her down the lake for a week or so trip. What are the cruise numbers as far as speed and mpg at a cruising speed, with big blocks? We're trying to see what our range would be to get from port to port.

What is the diesel repower option of choice for these models, if we end up keeping her and the motors crap out. Just trying to get an idea of what that surprise would cost.

Also, is there any areas that we should pay special attention to when looking at the mid-late 80's 36's? Fuel tanks with ethanol an issue with these at all? How hard are they to replace?

We're pretty excited about this model, but figured I'd ask the experts for some advice.

Thanks for any info you can share!

 

[Boatsb]

Go diesel.

 

[Eddieclemons]

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1988/hatteras-convertible-3707967/

This girl was posted yesterday and looks and sounds great. So many advantages over a Gas boat IMHO. Good luck.

 

[madhatter1]

Deleted, I did not see that OP is looking at 80's boats

 

[RyanB]

Re: 36 with 454's

That 38 in WI is great but more than we're looking to get into right now.

I just realized I made a mistake with my title, the boat is actually a 36 Sedan, not a convertible. Trying to look at the differences, but appears to me mostly cabin size/layout.

Any Sedan owners that have experience with this power set up?

 

[Toronto]

Your sedan is a better fit for family use. I am/was also a Great Lakes boater, and
yes the boat is heavy for gas. BUT not too heavy. For what you are describing as use, you should
be fine with gas. Maybe 4 months of use, weekends and not great distances. Diesels will be better, but a LOT
more expensive to look after. Don't bother. The seasonal oil changes on the diesel boat will pay for all
your gas for a season. You won't put on enough hours to get any meaningful benefit from the diesel.
For Great Lakes boating if gas works, stay with it. Least expensive way to go. And if you ever have a
need for speed, you have it. For an emergency, who cares about the gas cost, you can hurry to help.
Without doubt, the diesel model will feel better in the water with the extra weight, and run faster and
further. But be honest with yourself. How often do the conditions allow a fast trip, and getting there is
so much of the fun, not being there. Its a great entry to the Hatteras brand and a great trade when
you decide to move up. Enjoy this one, the larger ones definitely should have the diesel power.
Formerly 2 n Joy 52 CPMY

 

[jim rosenthal]

The 36 and 37 sedans and convertibles (I think there were both but check the brochure archive) had a choice of gas engines as you describe, which will drink a lot of fuel and not go very fast, or diesels, which will drink less fuel and not go very fast. The basic hull design of those boats, which were not drawn by Jack Hargrave, has a lot of beam. There is a lot of room in them but they aren't quick boats. The earlier 36, the Series 1, is smaller in all dimensions, but the hull is capable of much more performance.

I agree with Scott- find a diesel boat. But find one that already has diesels, which WERE offered in these boats back in the day. Unfortunately, they were mostly Detroit 6-71s- very durable engines, but heavy and not a great deal of power for their weight. I don't know if any other diesel options were offered.

I would not buy one of these with the idea of repowering it. That will just cost you a fortune and keep you off the water while you are completing a very expensive project. Find a boat you like, diesel if you can find one, and get a good hull surveyor and engine surveyor. If it all lines up, happy boating!

 

[Toronto]

You ae correct about the gas and ethanol. SKY can let you know what year the resin was
changed to allow the ethanol. It is a concern. and might/could require a fuel tank change.
Maybe the marinas have only ethanol free gas.

 

[RyanB]

You ae correct about the gas and ethanol. SKY can let you know what year the resin was
changed to allow the ethanol. It is a concern. and might/could require a fuel tank change.
Maybe the marinas have only ethanol free gas.

Thanks, Toronto. Sorry I'm new here, I'm assuming SKY is another user?

We're actually going to be across Ontario from you, in Wilson, NY. I agree with the diesel notion of it being the better power package for these boats, but also know what we're really going to be using this as. A lot of which will be trolling and slow cruises with the family around the lake, and maybe up to Erie for a little bit each summer. The longest trip would be to the canal system of NY or ON, and for those sort of trips, I'll just swipe plastic and let future Ryan worry about the fuel bill. It will likely not even be every year.

Longevity of the older 454's is a concern but they're also somewhat cheap to rebuild. I can do all of the maintenance myself, so not worried there. Just keeping them running as long as possible is the plan. I'm looking at a fresh water 36 with 1700 hours, figure a bit more than half worn out on motors, for low 30K's. To me that seems like a solid price, if it indeed is as clean as the pictures show.

Even at the crap mileage a run over to Toronto and back, something that we would do somewhat often when the world opens back up, will only be a couple hundred bucks in fuel for a fun weekend. Yes diesel would be ideal, but I'm shying away from the expensive with our limited use as of now.

 

[Boatsb]

I don't think you will get 3000 hours on those gas motors. 2000 maybe.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Its my understanding that mid 1986 was the switch to ethanol compatible resin in the tanks. If you call Hatteras with a specific hull number, they can confirm whether its okay.

 

[RyanB]

Called Hatteras, and as luck would have it, this Hull# missed the ethanol compatible resin by about 6 months. This boat was bought new in OH, the used in lake MI and Erie its entire life. The marina where it is at now, and was bought new from, "has never sold ethanol fuel". A lot of the marina's up here do not sell ethanol fuel, so I can only hope that its never had it in the tank in the past 34 years. Worth the roll of the dice?

I went to look at the boat Monday, ran my moisture meter all over it and was thoroughly happy with how solid the boat was. There was two areas that showed moisture. One was the support blocks glassed into the transom for the swim deck is mounted under the waterline to. Only the blocks pull an elevated moisture, all areas surrounding the blocks were dry as a bone. Also a small area underneath a port light window that pulled a higher moisture reading, but was only 3-4" long, and again dry all around it.

Question - Are the hull of these completely glass, including the transom? I wasn't too concerned with these small findings but please correct me if I'm wrong.

My area of concern is the motors. They started up instantly, actually surprised me how fast the cranked up. They sounded fine, no smoke, no knocks, very smooth. That said, they wouldn't pull the full 4400 rpms underway. I could only get the motors to 3350 rpsm. The odd part is that both engines pulled the exact same RPM, so I dont think they're shot (what are the chances of them both being equally shot??). It felt like they were starving, like they wanted to keep climbing but hit a wall. I stuck my head in the engine compartment and couldn't hear the secondaries whistling either. Carbs gummed up, fuel filters gummed up, bad/old fuel??? Thoughts?

The boat is owned by an older gentleman that doesn't use it, it simply sits at the dock. The gas tank is full and was filled 2 years ago. I pulled her out of the slip for the first time this year, two days ago. So I'm thinking I have some much needed carb work and/or cleaning to attend to should we still buy it. The motors ran flawlessly up to the 24-2500 mark where they started to struggle and she wouldn't get on plane at this full throttle RPM.

So, what to do? At the moment he will not budge on the price whatsoever, even with the low RPM's, he truly does seem to care. I think I can get into the boat for the low $30K's, and expect to do some tune ups, and normal TLC. Is it worth that number? I would love diesels, but can justify our amount of use for the amount a diesel will cost at the moment. I honestly feel as if i could repower with reman 330 Cummins for less than I could by a similar diesel powered boat. Doing the vast majority myself, of course.

We really appreciate everyone's input, thank you!

 

[Photolomy]

Regarding RPMs, if the boat is dirty on the bottom and especially on the props, that will lower your RPMs. Have you had it hauled out yet to inspect?

 

[JTS]

Transom is cored even below the water line. My '85 36C with Crusaders speeds 16 mph at 3300 and 27mph at 4200. Along with fuel system service or upgrades you could upgrade ignition system . Old distributors get rusty inside so the spark advance doesn't work. Great boat. $30k is a deal. Good luck.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Carbs could be all gunked up with resin seeping out of the tanks from the use of ethanol fuel, either now or sometime in its past.

 

[Flying Dutchman]

If the tanks are not shot already they will be. You need to add the cost of tank replacement to the purchase price. If that still sounds good to you go for it. Maybe you will get lucky and they will be ok. Many a boat that has had "only ethanol free fuel" have ended up with leaky tanks-

 

[RyanB]

Transom is cored even below the water line. My '85 36C with Crusaders speeds 16 mph at 3300 and 27mph at 4200. Along with fuel system service or upgrades you could upgrade ignition system . Old distributors get rusty inside so the spark advance doesn't work. Great boat. $30k is a deal. Good luck.

Thats exactly where this was at, 16mph at the 3300 rpms. It felt like it just wanted to plane but obviously couldn't. Were you able to push it up on plane then back it off, use the tabs, and ride on plane around the 16-18mph?

Can you recall what your burn numbers around these speeds? The floscans, were working when we pulling out of the slip but that too seemed to clog up when trying to get the R's up. Again, thinking part of crap fuel.

 

[RyanB]

If the tanks are not shot already they will be. You need to add the cost of tank replacement to the purchase price. If that still sounds good to you go for it. Maybe you will get lucky and they will be ok. Many a boat that has had "only ethanol free fuel" have ended up with leaky tanks-

I see that I'd have to cut the deck to replace the tank in this. Any ballpark idea of what that would cost? Seems like one hell of a job.

 

[Freeebird]

As the owner of a 41DC with 7.4 MerCruisers, I can assure you the 36C will be more than adequate in every comparison with the Crusaders. You will NEVER even come close to saving enough fuel to justify the expense of diesels in that boat, especially one that’s still running the original DD’s that came in it.

My guess is that your numbers would be even better than mine, so don’t let the anti-gasser crowd discourage you. The proof is in the numbers.

 

[Freeebird]

One other thing regarding the fiberglass tanks and ethanol. Yes, that’s a concern, but in the thousands of miles I’ve run up and down the coast, up and down the rivers including the Great
Lakes this year, there has been 100% gas available. Yes, I look, just because.