53 Motor Yacht

[Skip]

I am purchasing a 1981 53 ft Hatteras MY. Does anyone know the exact size of the two fuel tanks (approx 700 gallons), and two holding tanks? I would appreciate any help.
Thanks,
Skip

 

[MikeP]

As I recall, the holding tanks are 105 (bow) and 65 (genny room) I can't remember the individual fuel tank size but they total 702 gal per Hatt specs, or converted to modern (as of yesterday) measurements - $2317.20 worth!

I will look up the specific capacity per tank this eve on the boat but I'm sure by then someone else will have posted the answer. They are definitely different sizes and the genny feeds off the forward tank.

Good luck; they are great boats - especially if previous owners haven't messed them up with stupid wiring, etc!

 

[SKYCHENEY]

If you can find the original owners manual, it does have the size of all of the tanks. My 1985 has the following tank sizes: bow holding at 105, stb holding at 60, water at 285, fuel at 702 and I think that the two fuel tanks are close to the same size.

I have been working on a tank chart that shows inches to gallons for each tank. I have a Tank Tender system and it displays the readings in inches. So, everytime I fill up, I stop at 50 gallon intervals and record the inches in the tank. The chart is finally starting to look meaningful. Once I become confident in it, I will post it here for others to use. So far, I have not let either fuel tank get below 100 gallons, so the readings below that I am not sure of yet.

 

[MikeP]

Skip,

If you are buying the boat - that is you already have or KNOW you are buying this particular boat, contact Hatteras. Give them the hull number and they can send you a copy of all the original documentation for the boat. It will include all the info on operation, systems, wiring diagrams, etc. It usually runs around $75 and is well worth every penny. It will show you EXACTLY what the configuration of your particular boat was when Hatt sent it out and tell you how to service/adjust many of the components. Call them at: 252 634-4894
After you purchase that, buy the DD engine manuals for whatever engines are on the boat - I'd assume they are 8V71TIs. Purchase them here: http://www.marineengine.com/manuals/detroitdiesel/index.html?tp=CONTINUE+SHOPPING

 

[Nonchalant1]

Skip,

CONGRATULATIONS! It's an excellent boat.

My 1978 53MY has 550 gal fuel (I think it's 295 fwd and 255 aft tanks), 265 gal fresh water (in 3 tanks), 105 gal fwd holding tank and 60 gal s/b holding tank. It may have changed by 1981 though.

Doug Shuman

 

[spartonboat1]

To: skycheney, what tanks does your Tank Tender monitor? Thanks...

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Spartonboat,
I have 3 tanks hooked up to the Tank Tender, one water and 2 fuel. But, I think that when I replace the heads this winter I will add a line to my fwd holding tank as well (if that is possible due to solids in that tank--I'll have to check on that). This is our second boat with the Tank Tender system and it seems to be pretty accurate once you get the conversion chart completely filled out.

Sky Cheney
1985 53EDMY
Montaque, MI

 

[MikeP]

The fuel tanks on the 702 gal 53s (80 and onward) are: Forward tank, 340 gal; aft tank, 362 gal. The genny feeds off the forward (smaller) tank. The holding tanks are (as have already been posted) forward tank, 105 gal; starboard tank, 60 gal (not 65 as I had posted).

This info is per the Hatt original blueprints for the boat. As I said, be sure to order the original manuals from Hatt for your boat.

 

[Nonchalant1]

You might also consider the one that I have, which is an "Accu-8" tank monitor from Snake River that uses one digital panel to monitor up to 8 tanks of fuel, water, holding tanks, etc. with solid state rod sensors. The sensors are encased in PVC and are unaffected by waste, fuel, etc. To set it up, you just push a button once when it's empty and once when it's full. After that, it reads it constantly and shows it in tenths of the way from empty to full. It seems to be quite accurate for rectangular tanks, but I have to interpolate for the V-shaped holding tanks because each inch of tank holds much more at the top of the tank than an inch at the bottom. You just have to know that "6 bars full" is 33% and "8 bars full" is 60% full. But on all tanks, 10 bars is full to the top.

Doug Shuman
1978 53MY