52C or 53C refit, project thoughts or experience

[mwinget]

I have a 1984 52C with 550hp 8v92's (small injectors). The boat runs easily at 14.5/15kts at 1750rpm, steadily does .52-.54 miles/gal at that speed and will go 1.1 mpg at 9.5kts. It tops out at 22kts.
Given the choice between a 50 and 52, suggest you go for the 52. The cockpit area is great for fishing or just sitting around. We dive off it all the time as well. The boats been very very reliable, and we have been stuck in some heavy seas a few times. We often take it from Southern California to Brittish Columbia. I just can't say enough about the boat. If you find one in good shape, go buy it, you'll love it. At some point I will consider a repower as I am up to near 5000 hours and would like a little more speed at cruise, but it still runs like a clock so I've been putting it off indefinatly. These boats also have 1065gal fuel capacity so you can go a long way at slow speed...thats a real valuable point to me anyway.
The ER is roomy enough to work in but not great. You can get around both Mains easily enough buit again not great. Depends on what you are used to. I had a 37 that I hated (sorry-no e mails pls-just personal preference) so the ER in the 52 is a dream compared to that. Really big bridge area as well. try it you'll love it!
Mike

 

[nor'easter]

wing
Based only on the pics of the 50 and 52, I like the lines of the 52 more, and would like the extra cockpit space as well. That is an impressive trip to weather from so cal to BC!
Thanks. I may send you a pm as time goes on and I get more into the "looking" I have planned

 

[REBrueckner]

For exterior refinishing, if you can do the preparation work yourself, perhaps with an expert, or at least having an expert inspect/supervise your work, you can then hire an expert spray painter for the final painting. It's the preparation, including masking to protect from overspray, that's the killer in terms of manhours and costs. Outdoor spraying in good weather can yield high quality results but maybe not the flawless finish achieveable in an interior setting. Perhaps you can hire such an interior space after prepping at your leisure and choice of other location. My yard rents space in their building, but unfortunately it's a percentage of the job being done rather than a flate daily rate. Which is baffeling since the building is usually empty all summer.

 

[nor'easter]

I looked at a 1980 53 C today with 8V92s at 650 hp, with about 850 hrs since in frame rebuild by the previous owner. Like the ER, space. It could have been better used, but there was plenty of it. No obvious leeks, but owner said he heas a leak where the davit meets foredeck.
I agree with prior comments about buying at lowest price for most boats in the year range, especially with plans to do alot of work on the boat. There is one a little farther N that I may try and get a look at next week.
I git that feeling that you go look at a house and think.....maybe I'll take that wall down, move that door, paint etc. What a great boat.
I walked by a 52 a boat away and lked it too. The 53C has nicer lines IMO, but I love the 52C cockpit and wider side decks.
I think I'll be doing more of this looking stuff.

 

[nor'easter]

I am looking at a 52 C SUN am. I saw the boat todat while trying to look at a different boat. Looks well kept. 8V92s at 650. I cant wait. Even though I like the lines of the 53 better, the cockpit is huge, side decks wider, and she still has the classic Hatt look.
Any major leak or structural issues with 52C. I think all were Hargrave designed.

 

[rtrafford]

the davit install was done sandwiching coring, a bad idea. what happens is the foundation of the davit is weak as it passes through the deck allowing movement, although slight. if you end up with one that has an immediate need to "rebed" the davit, you'll be best served if you remove the post, cut the top skin off, grind out the coring, and lay it back up with solid glass using the bottom skin as a form. don't lay it up too think too quickly or it'll brittle on you from heat.

leave the glass a hair below the deck's finish plane, top it with a quality filler, drill out a new hole through the now solid glass, and rebed/remount the stand. same applies to the fuel/waste/water fills around the deck.

 

[nor'easter]

Thought i would breathe life back into this thread.
I looked at a 52 C today, galley up. It is nicely cared for and not molested by bad refitting in the interior. I still love this boat. I may be getting closer....it has been a while. I have hard a hard time getting past the ease of short-handing my express boat, but I think the cockpit controls would help solve that problem.
This boat needed a little shine to the woodwork, and the painted window frames are peeling on the exterior. I seem to remember some info on composite frames. Is that true? Are they available for the 52 and how hard are they to put in?
I have very little experience in refinishing wood work. What is needed to bring the shine back to the original wood? There is no water damage. It is just a little faded and dark.
Thanks

 

[rtrafford]

cockpit controls would certainly help that situation.

we stretched her legs this weekend for the first time! 3406E800's @ 1.72:1 spinning a pair of 29x35x4 with a full cup...

zero hours so i didn't open her up this run....just idled out, got her up to cruise, ran her for a few, then brought her home before further testing murphy.

1850 rpm showed 26.7 knots, a grrrreat attitude in the water, a very level acceleration and plane, gentle turning, and a girl that's crying for more deep blue... my guess is that full cruise of 1950-2000 will deliver 27.5. i'll have her back out there in a few days.

painters are starting the topside finish next week. interiors are coming along slowly. she's delightful. not a single second thought...

 

[BUSTER]

The engine rooms in the 50 and 52 are much larger than the 53. It seems you are not on a strict budget,so I guess the 52 would be a better choice for you,a fine boat that I have a lot of experience with.The only problem as I see it with the 52 are the dated and inefficient engines.I know how empassioned a lot of Skippers are about their 2-stroke Detroits,but remember the high hp,8V-92's were thirsty and shortfused,especially in hard-runned Sportfisherman.A pair of modern 12 to 15 liter engines and it would not only be faster but much more fuel efficient.