Buying a -84 48MY with 6v92 - what to look for?

[kflod]

Hi,
Being a fan of Hatteras for years, I finally may be an owner as I look to buy a 1984 48MY with 6v92's.
However stepping up from a Princess 330 with Volvo Penta 41's it will be a quite a difference. Although the reputation of Hatteras quality is well known, these are complex and expensive boats, and I would guess no less expensive to own and operate as they grow older. So I ask humbly for the expert advice so often shared on this forum; what to inspect and look for when I will visit the boat?

I've read about the 30 seconds startup test, and a few other interesting posts here, but I hope to get a few more inputs. What are usually things that breaks down, needs service or replacing etc that I should pay special attention to? Both on terms of the engines, transmissions, electrical and otherwise mechanical/technical issues.

I am told the engines are at aprox 1000 hours, however I still await service records and receipts. And I am told the boat has been used very little the last few years. Rarely a good thing when it comes to the boats...

I will perform a sea trial during my visit.

I look forward to your help in expanding the Hatteras territory to Norway

Thanks,
Kristian

 

[Bugsy]

What do you know of the boat's history?

I owned a 1984 MY with 692's which I sold in 2000. A few years later, I saw the boat at the Miami Beach marina. It had sat for awhile because my purchaser was diagnosed with a terminal illness not long after closing.

By the way....we LOVED that boat and she served us well. It was only sold because someone came down the dock and said; "Would you sell?" They were serious so, of course, we HAD to!!

Never----never--a problem with the engines and we traveled many miles in offshore waters.

 

[Fanfare]

I have had 6V-92 TA engines, 550 hp, for 20 years now and have had no mechanical problems whatsoever. I bought them new and never run them over 2100 rpm and usually less. No smoke, no oil burn. Great engines.

 

[Paul Gwiz]

It's a boat ! It will break ! A good survey will get you a fair list of stuff. The regular stuff is all semi simple , just time consuming. We went thru all the running systems & brought them up to snuff. Brought the boat home & had the best days of my life.

The biggest job we had was getting all the bonding correct in the electrical system. some were just gone & never replaced. others were just corroded & needed replacing... We have the DD 671N . They are just about as bullet proof as you can get , I haven't heard much on the 6v92's

These boats were well built & hold value if correctly maintained. I would look for the leaks & check it out on a rainy day. Chances are it has a leak or two...... not a deal breaker just a pain to chase down....

Good Luck

 

[MikeP]

"These boats were well built & hold value if correctly maintained. "

I agree with the first part of that sentence but the second part … not so much.

53 MY Hatts that easily sold for 300+k when we were shopping (2004) are now "overpriced" at 150k. So don't buy one of these boats thinking that the value won't drop or that "the depreciation has maxed out." That's what they said when we were buying but they are continuing to be "worth" less and less.

 

[fissioneng]

I have had 6V-92 TA engines, 550 hp, for 20 years now and have had no mechanical problems whatsoever. I bought them new and never run them over 2100 rpm and usually less. No smoke, no oil burn. Great engines.

Have a good engine survey. I know someone that had one or the other 550 hp 6V-92 TA engines fail twice over a 10 year period. They're pretty juiced up at that HP.

At this age, all sorts of things start to fail like battery chargers, AC units, AC pumps, head pumps, FW pumps, bilge pumps, water heaters, CO2 systems need re-certification, rudder shafts can be worn.

These usually cost less than engine problems, but if you notice that some of these have been replaced, IMO it's a sign of diligent maintenance.

 

[SeaEric]

The 6v92's in the mid 80's 48' MY's are typically rated at 465 HP, not 550 HP.

 

[Bugsy]

Correct. Ours I think were 450 hp. Covingtons. We typically cruised at 10 kts. which was around 1050 RPM.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I have owned a Hatteras with a pair of 465hp 6v92TA's for the last 10 years and put over 1000hrs on them. I have replaced two turbos and put a new seal kit on one alternator. The rest was just regular maintenance stuff like replacing thermostats, hoses, impellers, changing oil and coolant, etc.

Take a good look at the exhaust where it hooks to the turbos. I have had to reseal mine there twice as they will leak if not firmly supported. If they did leak, you may find evidence of soot in the engine room.

Also take a look at what antifreeze is in them. The 92's are wet liner engines and you need to be careful to keep the additives in the coolant at the proper levels to avoid damaging the cylinder liners.

These are good engines at the lower hp ratings. And if they ever do need overhauls, you are only paying for 6 cylinders per side vs 8 on many of the other Hatts in this size range.

 

[bobk]

I'm a 1981 48 MY owner. Here are some things to look for. Be sure either you or your surveyor uses a moisture meter.

Check the bow area. Moisture is often found in the core. $$

Check the cat walks and area beneath the windshield.

Check the hard top. There are design defects in the hard top that will allow moisture intrusion and rot.

Check the hull side around the waterline rub rails. Also look or probe the rails for rot.

Do a full engine survey, including a look at the cylinders via the air box covers.

Batteries.

At 3000-4000 hours expect transmission issues. The seals go bad.

Enjoy the boat if you buy her. I've had mine nearly eight years and think it is the best layout going.... except for lack of a centerline berth forward. I've put more than 3000 hours on her and live aboard half of the year. Feel free to PM me with specific questions.

 

[kflod]

Thank you all for good tips and information, and sorry I haven't replied earlier. I'll perform the sea trial this Saturday so fingers crossed. The boat is in Alicante, Spain, and unfortunately I was unable to get hold of a surveyor. Thanks again for the help!

Best regards
Kristian

 

[bobk]

Good luck with the survey. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[kflod]

Good luck with the survey. Let us know how it turns out.

Hi Bob,
The 48 I looked at was sadly miserably neglected - and I had to let it go. But - today I ended up buying a Hatteras 42 LRC So at least I'm a proud Hatteras owner now! Thanks again for your time.
Kristian