45 Under Contract

[JimmyB]

The search may be over.
For those that may not remember, I have been looking for a Live-Aboard for some time now.
Big Bill located one in Alabama and He and Captain Tobb looked it over, and as a result I put in an offer. After negotiation I now have a 1972 45 under contract. Gulf Coast Hatteras has the listing and it can be seen here.

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...nits=Feet&access=Public&listing_id=59972&url=

It is in Gulf Shores Alabama at LuLu's Marina and has 871 TI's. It has a low hour Northern Lights Genny and seems to be in good condition. There is a possibility it will be at the rendevous this weekend. Now comes the important part.

Any and all opinions are solicited

As the ad states both engines have had rebuilds less than 500 hours ago. I plan to run at hull speed for 95 percent of the time. Both for relaxation of the mind and wallet. My biggest concern is obviously about the engines. In that regard, can anyone recomend surveyors in that area? I have spoken to a Kris Diehl from Slidell, LA who is certified and came highly recommended for a hull survey.

My biggest question is how important is an engine survey. Would a sea trial at rated rpm for 30 minutes tell me anything. If it can run and hold temperature how valuable is that information. When Bill and Tobb started the engines they came up with little smoke and ran cleanly.

As an aside it is missing a Transom door which was on my wish list. Has anyone retrofitted one? What would a ballpark price be if possible.

This site has been a great source of information and has helped me get to here. In the 70's I had a 30' gas sportfisherman which I repowered with the help of 2 12 year old boys. I shudder at the thought of how much I did not know and lucked out on the install.
Anyway I look forward to seeing everyone at the rendezvous and a lot of discussion over adult beverages.

P.S. I think that after 40 plus years in the TV business at Channel 4, my boat name may be 4Play.

Jimmy

 

[SeaEric]

She looks like a handsome boat for that $$. My advice: Don't skip any steps in the survey process. Get a Detroit guy to look at the motors for sure. That is almost more important than anything else. Good luck with her.

 

[Bayside Bert54]

The guys at Saunders Yachtworks (Orange Beach Marina) have been working on my Bertram 54 since January 1st. They have some great detroit guys ... rebuilt one of my 12V71TI engines, replaced all belts/hoses etc - rebuilt one of the twin disc transmissions. You can give Mike Dunlavy at Saunders a call ... he participates in "The Hull Truth" website too. 251-981-3700 mdunlavy@saundersyacht.com

Regarding the transom door ... no big deal. Just think of what a fair price might be to do such a thing and then multiply by 250%. So ... $12k-18k might do it! Do you need a sicky bowl?

Congratulations ... let the spending begin!

 

[OBXTucker]

Don't skimp on the engine survey, even if its not a contingent piece of the sale. Its cheap insurance. And have them check all components, especially the exhaust elbows. Your insurance company will probably require one anyway to assure seaworthiness.

Congrats on the purchase!

 

[habanero]

Get the receipts for the major overhaul. Have the engine surveyor look at them before the survey to confirm how much was done. Some majors are really minors.

Mike
"Habanero" 55'C

 

[holtcl]

recommend Diesel Don for the engine survey (256) 259-7728

best of luck with the process!

Mike & Cheryl

 

[ThirdHatt]

Diesel Don os very good, b ut not local to South Alababa. There is no reason to have someone travel when the best guys around are Saunders Yachtworks. They are excellent, and have a yard here in Orange Beach.

Definately get copies of the rebuild records to show Saunders. This will help them to know what they are dealing with.

The boat just arrived here at the Wharf, and she looks like ALOT of boat for the money!

 

[REBrueckner]

Boat appears in good condition from the photos....looks like a good find. Price is about right as, sadly, prices have declined over the last few years.

Looks like a bit of oil on the stbd exhaust manifold...would be a good idea to check and see if it's coming from the exhaust manifold gasket...where the exhaust manifold bolts to the engine....it's no big deal to fix it, but one of mine had no gasket, never did, and the crazy surveyor found a bit of exhaust emission there....so he claimed it was a "safety hazard"....stuff like that is good for the buyer as a "must fix" item for insurance....

I see typical burned paint on the exhaust manifolds at the point of cylinder exhaust....before the water cooling....if you care, you can clean that up and spray with 1500 degree white cast iron stove paint...it will yellow slightly but I had good luck using it and keeping specks of rust from falling down to the engine room floor...and then tracking it around....seemed to last about 200 or 300 hours before needing a touch up....don't use rust preventative primer right there as it cannot take the heat....guess how I know....it works GREAT on all other engine parts.

Positively have a hull, equipment and engine survey as others have noted....the amount you save with only an insurance survey is NOT worth the risk unless you really know Detroits.

Easy things to check yourself:
If possible, be there for the survey so the surveyor(s) can comment directly to you...you'll often pick up tips and insights they might not be willing to put in writing. A half hour run at WOT is exactly what the surveyor did when I sold my 1972 YF (also 8V71TI's) last year....it IS very worthwhile. I know he took infrared thermometer readings but don't know what else he did as I was on the F/B running the boat. Check all oil (genny, trannies, engines) for proper color and smell ...no "milky " color indicating presence of water, no burnt odor.....

Most likely if both engines turn rated RPM and stay about 185 or 190 degrees in warm southern waters for a half hour you'll be ok. (Depends on what thermostats are installed 160's,170's or 180's. I like the 170's.). Another trick before starting the engines and genny is to remove each coolant filler cap, and stick your finger inside and wipe the upper inside surface....rub it and then look...if there is oil residue there BEWARE. Also, a coolant, tranny and engine oil analysis is WELL worth the money.....maybe $30 each, and good for price negotiations if anything is out of specs.

Check the exhaust blankets for any oil...they appear original....if clean likely they'll be ok....and they mean you have dry cast iron risers which was standard about then and in my mind VERY desireable...no possibilty of any raw water getting into aft end cylinders if a leak develops as will happen with wet risers.

There have been posts about transform doors here, so do a search. I don't remember any details because my YF already had a door witha HUGE stainless steel hinge and I loved it for easy dingy access and LOTS of dog walks...

good luck, the 45's are a great looking classic boat.

 

[lumina]

Hi Rob,

I always learn something from your posts I appreciate the knowledge sharing. In this last post you have a sentence trailing off ie "no burnt odor",,,,not that I have it but now I have to know why it's bad....thanks