Hatteras 45C or 46C for charter, preferred engine and operation cost

[Pearl Island]

I asked this in a existing thread but might be better to open a separate thread.

Hi all, I am new to the forum and would like some advise from all knowledgeable people around here. I am looking into purchase a Hatteras 45C or 46 C and bring it down to Rep. of Panama. I will run some charter, not for living but to cover operation cost (Slip and maintenance).
I calculate to make 500-800 hours/year between charter and personal use.
I am prepared to spend $100-150k in the purchase as long as I get good value for money, meaning no "project boat", preferable a boat were previous owner(s) spent the big money in repower or major engine overhaul, rewire, upgrades etc. I understand from other posts that even if you spend $300-400k in overhaul and upgrades it is still a $150k boat when you want to sell it.
My questions to start with:
1.- Checkmate seems to have been up for sale for years and the price continue to go down, is it still overpriced for today's marked or is there other issues, was it a charter boat? Tim can you add some information on this?
Any comments on the Checkmate Volvo TAMD122P-A 600 HP set-up? It say's 1 engine - 850 rpm - 7.5 knots 2.5 GPH, 2-engines - 925 rpm - 10 knots 5 GPH, Easy cruise 1800 rpm - 22 knots 38 GPH, Fast cruise 2000 rpm - 27 knot. Is this realistic figures? Checkmate is a 1979 and I understand that this year model is not factory set-up for this size of engine, any comments.
2.- Advantages and disadvantages 45C vs. 46C when it comes to hull, layout etc. Any specific year to avoid, specific critical points to be aware of? I found most answers in the thread "45C and 46C Comparison and History" you only need to add if something is missing in the mentioned thread.
3.- As I understand, standard power on a 45 or 46 is 6V92TA or 8V92TA and preferable re-power is QSM 11. Advantages / disadvantages? I understand sound level is much lower on the QSM 11 and I value this. Approximately yearly maintenance cost for the engines if I run 800hrs/year? At how many hours comes a major overhaul and what cost to expect?

The boat will run most of the time at trolling speed as fishing can start close to Panama City, higer speed only at the end of the day in order to clean out the sot. I look for fuel economy in preference of high cruising speed although I would like to have 20-23kt cruising speed.

I appreciate all thoughts and comments.

 

[capttonyf]

I know you mentioned that you read some of the 46C & 45C comparison threads and I've got into pretty good details about how my boat runs. I have a 1990 45C and our family loves it. We looked at 46C's also but we found our best deal in a 45 and thats the direction we took. I would've been happy with either but I'm glad we puchased the 45. It's a little newer design and even though Hatteras Yachts states the cockpit is only 10 square feet bigger, it seems much more than that. The 45C has a much Longer Cockpit, you can easily walk between the tackle center and the back of the chair. Even if someone is standing holding the back of the chair there's pleanty of room to get around. If you plan on chartering it, this is a major factor to consider. Some one mentioned in reference to galley layout kind of in the hall way. This is true but has never been an issue for us, and I love the fact that it creates a midship master with an angled fully walk around queen berth. AT 1950 we cruise 20 to 21 knots, at 2000 22 Knots and at WOT approx 26 knots everyday to 27 knots on a good day. The boat fishes great, travels great and does everything we ask it to do.

We fished last summer in the Keys with 9 people on board and had more than enough room on the bridge and in the cockpit. If you look at my profile we have tons of pictures you can use for comparison. If you have any questions and want to PM me or even give me a call I'd be happy to help.

Tony