jmagel
Active member
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2012
- Messages
- 176
- Status
- OWNER - I own a Hatteras Yacht
- Hatteras Model
- 48' MOTOR YACHT-Series II (1990 - 1995)
So I've been waiting for this day to come since we bought this boat 4 years ago and it finally happened a few weeks ago. The starboard gear actuator (our boat has DDEC controls) failed -- luckily, right before we pulled through the breakwater of the 79th St boat basin in NYC. I switched over to the manual backup system, but as expected, the cables were extremely stiff (this was discussed once in an old thread, but i couldn't find it). While trying to work them out a little, the port cable bent and failed (also ultimately damaging the port actuator) — starboard side would barely move. I will continue this story below for those looking for some entertainment, but I’ll get right to the useful information here for fellow DDEC users:
- The manual backup system really should only be used in it’s default state if you are in danger of collision. Otherwise, the electronic actuator should be disconnected before manual control. With the actuator arm disconnected and moved out of the way, the manual control was much easier to move. Also, as mentioned above, we damaged our port actuator by using the manual control.
- Anyone with this era DDEC system should seriously consider purchasing a spare actuator assembly. I dealt directly with Sturdy (the manufacturer of the part for DD), and they informed me that, of the 2 models they built for DD, one is completely obsolete (they are unable to source replacement parts for repairs) and the other (the one we have) is near obsolete. He guessed within a couple of years. The experts here can weigh-in, but in his opinion, as the DDEC system is completely integrated, a complete overhaul of the engine control and monitoring system would be required if a replacement actuator couldn’t be sourced. You can’t just switch these engines over to mechanical control. I ultimately had to replace both of mine and just finished having Sturdy repair my original set. DDC part number is 23508958 and I think he has a couple of rebuilt in stock @ $1300 (which is kind of a bargain). I am also debating whether I need 2 spares and might throw one up for sale if I decide 1 is enough.
Here’s a used one listed on eBay for reference:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Detroit-Dies...6v92-DDC-No-/302053879982?hash=item4653d070ae
- This one is obvious, but… check and replace all mechanical cabling on a regular basis!
…..so the rest of the story goes like this… I was unsuccessful getting either transmission system to work in a reliable manner so decided it would be best to get a tow down to Liberty Landing in Jersey City. Dropped anchor and after an hour and many phone calls later, NO tow service was willing to come get us and we were advised to call NYPD marine patrol for assistance. These guys were great and had a boat up to us in about 30 mins and agreed to tow us the 7 miles down river! But things went from bad to worse when the NYPD boat ran over our anchor chain while attempting to tie it off for the tow — snapped our anchor snubber in the process. So now both of us are disabled (attached) and drifting up the hudson. Their anchor was poorly set and only slowed our drift. 2 hours later — 5 NYPD boats were on the scene and they finally brought in the divers. Only took about 15 mins at that point to unwrap our chain and anchor (they were going to cut it, but were able to keep everything in tact). It was dark, windy and they didn’t want to tow us at that point. They pulled us out of the channel and left us on the hook near the 79th st mooring field. Had a long sleepless night watching the gps and running down the ER to trouble shoot. Removing the actuator arm on the starboard engine loosened up the manual cable enough to feel like it wasn’t going to snap. So we left at sunrise and made it down to Liberty Landing on the one engine under the manual backup control.
Quite an ordeal to say the least. Very lucky it ended up with no damage to us (or other boats) and very lucky I have a cool, calm wife who never lost her composure and was able to make dinner for our kids and keep them from getting scared despite it looking like the scene from an action movie outside.
- The manual backup system really should only be used in it’s default state if you are in danger of collision. Otherwise, the electronic actuator should be disconnected before manual control. With the actuator arm disconnected and moved out of the way, the manual control was much easier to move. Also, as mentioned above, we damaged our port actuator by using the manual control.
- Anyone with this era DDEC system should seriously consider purchasing a spare actuator assembly. I dealt directly with Sturdy (the manufacturer of the part for DD), and they informed me that, of the 2 models they built for DD, one is completely obsolete (they are unable to source replacement parts for repairs) and the other (the one we have) is near obsolete. He guessed within a couple of years. The experts here can weigh-in, but in his opinion, as the DDEC system is completely integrated, a complete overhaul of the engine control and monitoring system would be required if a replacement actuator couldn’t be sourced. You can’t just switch these engines over to mechanical control. I ultimately had to replace both of mine and just finished having Sturdy repair my original set. DDC part number is 23508958 and I think he has a couple of rebuilt in stock @ $1300 (which is kind of a bargain). I am also debating whether I need 2 spares and might throw one up for sale if I decide 1 is enough.
Here’s a used one listed on eBay for reference:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Detroit-Dies...6v92-DDC-No-/302053879982?hash=item4653d070ae
- This one is obvious, but… check and replace all mechanical cabling on a regular basis!
…..so the rest of the story goes like this… I was unsuccessful getting either transmission system to work in a reliable manner so decided it would be best to get a tow down to Liberty Landing in Jersey City. Dropped anchor and after an hour and many phone calls later, NO tow service was willing to come get us and we were advised to call NYPD marine patrol for assistance. These guys were great and had a boat up to us in about 30 mins and agreed to tow us the 7 miles down river! But things went from bad to worse when the NYPD boat ran over our anchor chain while attempting to tie it off for the tow — snapped our anchor snubber in the process. So now both of us are disabled (attached) and drifting up the hudson. Their anchor was poorly set and only slowed our drift. 2 hours later — 5 NYPD boats were on the scene and they finally brought in the divers. Only took about 15 mins at that point to unwrap our chain and anchor (they were going to cut it, but were able to keep everything in tact). It was dark, windy and they didn’t want to tow us at that point. They pulled us out of the channel and left us on the hook near the 79th st mooring field. Had a long sleepless night watching the gps and running down the ER to trouble shoot. Removing the actuator arm on the starboard engine loosened up the manual cable enough to feel like it wasn’t going to snap. So we left at sunrise and made it down to Liberty Landing on the one engine under the manual backup control.
Quite an ordeal to say the least. Very lucky it ended up with no damage to us (or other boats) and very lucky I have a cool, calm wife who never lost her composure and was able to make dinner for our kids and keep them from getting scared despite it looking like the scene from an action movie outside.
