43 DC Boating Magazine Test

[Vincentc]

I've subscribed to Boating and read most of the boat tests since the mid 60's and seriously want a copy of their boat test for our boat, 43 DC with 671's. I've searched the inet (not all in vain, I found and purchased an early 60's brochure for the 28 Chris Craft Sea Skiff we had) but cannot find a copy of a Hatt 43 DC test. I understand it exists, and I want one, it does not have to be an original, a photo copy, pdf, or inet site I can access, would be just fine. Sam's brochure is nice to look at, but I want to have the Boating Test.
Can anyone help me with this quest?
Thanks,
Vincent

 

[sgharford]

Ditto Vincent! Been looking for rag reviews of 43DC for some time. It's one of my daily search list items on ebay! Searched as usual about 20 minutes ago this morning on top of my usual search of "cummins 903, Hatteras 43, and bmw R100". If anyone has it would really love a copy too.

 

[Carver370]

I don't have the boat test but I do have a price sheet from 1978 with the base prices of all the models that year.

A 1978 43 DC with 903 Cummins was $146,900, and with the 671's 139,400.

A 53 Motoryacht new with 871's for 243,900!

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

Well now you have me fully interested.......

But I do know what my boat does now....D.D. 6-71N's...which I guess is the most important thing....

 

[Vincentc]

Charlie,
I doubt that a boat test will tell me more than I've learned in the almost 2 years of living with the boat (wife's words, sort of). Likewise I don't expect any real reliable data from Boatin as I remember reading a Boating test of a 43 Gulfstar trawler with twin perkins 354's. Boating said it would do 16 kts, I ran one of those for over 20 years and never saw 11 kts.
I cannot say just what it is, but I want to have that boat test.
Regards,

 

[spartonboat1]

I've subscribed to Boating and read most of the boat tests since the mid 60's and seriously want a copy of their boat test for our boat, 43 DC with 671's. I've searched the inet (not all in vain, I found and purchased an early 60's brochure for the 28 Chris Craft Sea Skiff we had) but cannot find a copy of a Hatt 43 DC test. I understand it exists, and I want one, it does not have to be an original, a photo copy, pdf, or inet site I can access, would be just fine. Sam's brochure is nice to look at, but I want to have the Boating Test.
Can anyone help me with this quest?
Thanks,
Vincent

Yes, I have one such test (43DC). Will need to scan and post on HOF....been having trouble with the posting tho...

 

[spartonboat1]

Yes, I have one such test (43DC). Will need to scan and post on HOF....been having trouble with the posting tho...

Ok, found several legacy Hatt sales brochures, plus Hatt 43'DC Boat Test #281 from the Boating Magazine, Sept 1979. As tested was 6-71TI's at 390hp, hit 17.6Kt at 2,000 and 20.31kt at 2,200. Testers liked it.

If that will work, I will see if I can scan.

 

[Vincentc]

Thanks,
Test #281 sounds like Lilly Marie (in part), same engines and rated hp; only differences: 1983 vs 1979 and I have never seen 20kts. I might have almost gotten to 18 a few times, 16+ is more like it.

Hope you are able to scan the test. I wonder how you could post it considering the size limits of the forum. If you can't post, perhaps you could email it to me. I'll be glad to forward it to any interested persons.

 

[spartonboat1]

Trying to get them up on Picasso album, then link. WIP....

 

[sgharford]

"Boating" magazine - December 1972 has review of 43DC (Test No. 206) with no flybridge and GM (Detriot) 8V53N's at 283HP each. Good 9 page review (better then reviews by today's standards), although test waters were flat. PM me with your email if you want a scanned copy.

 

[Walter P]

Vincent,

Be aware that the 1979 43 dc with 6-71ti's were rated at 390 hp. In 1980 with the layup schedule changed (less material) the 1980 and newer models were much lighter and therefore faster, actually too much faster and considered by the legal and engineering depts to be too risky for the average new boat owner to handle. Subsequently Covington Diesel was asked to reduce the available HP down to 325 from 390. This was done and as a result of HP reduction and smaller trim tabs (to reduce the possibility of broaching in following seas), the 1980 and newer boats with the TI option was not too much faster than the 310 HP JT powered version. Marketing was OK with it since they could still hawk it as TI powered.

How do I know all this you ask..... I owned a couple of these old girls over the years and was told by Hatteras engineers and Ray Meyers about it and they suggested I talk to the folks at Covington, which I also did. All confirmed everything I wrote above. Shortly afterward, I called my local JT guys and asked to have the governers reset and whatever else necessary to give me closer to the 390 version. The folks at JT said that I probably had the equivalent of right around 400 HP when they were done and after replacing the small, undersize trim tabs to substantially larger size, the boat actually ran at 23.5K average of a two way run. To be fair the boat was not all loaded up with a bunch of groceries and other household goods but it was a thrill. Actually a bit scary at times. I don't recommend too much HP for the 43 DC unless you like to live on the wild side. By the time we loaded all the usual stuff incl full fuel and water etc., it settled down to about 20.5 - 21 K..still a little much but controlable to most experienced HOFers.

Walt

p.s. Sorry for going on and on about the 43 dc everytime someone asks about them. I obviously am a great fan of the model.

 

[Finalee]

Talking about quick 43DC's. My 1971 was rehabbed by the Hurley yard in 1995 and at that time they installed a pair of 450 or 475 hp 6V92"s. With a clean bottom 1/2 tanks of fuel it has hit 24.5 knots. Now with it loaded and some growth it cruises effortlessly at 17 knots and will top out 20-22 knots. It will get a bit squrrely but very manageable over 19 knots.
Typically hull speed is where we run 8-9 knots with ocassional runs at 17 knots. Its the only 43 i have been on and this just seems normal.

 

[fissioneng]

Fred,

You need to change your tag line to "Hurley Hatt Hot Rod" !!!!!

 

[Finalee]

If only fuel were cheaper, or better yet my pay higher.