Looking at a 45

[Hookedup2407]

Hey guys, new member and first post. Im looking at buying a 1970 45 with 1997 6v92TA 550 (installed 2002).. listing says 800hrs with new gauges that read 5hrs on them.. cold start had almost 0 smoke.. .. my last boat was a 1976 46’ with Cummins 6CTA. The 46’ was a bit light with the Cummins.. i had to keep her full of fuel and fresh water as ballast for a better ride and stability. Curious how the 45’ will perform in comparison to my 46’. The keel was gigantic on my 46. Boat would catch and track in a following sea... Do the older 45’ have the same size keels proportionally? Honestly looks like the 45 may have a slightly larger cockpit than the 46’ am i wrong? Excited to sea trial next week.. the 6v92 isn’t my first choice for power but my beer budget supersedes my Champaign taste.. speaking with several mechanics on the topic of detuning or de-rating the engine with smaller injectors and different wheels to extend MOH times.. Both mechanics have said that it’s NOT necessary and i can get plenty of longevity out of the 550hp.. ‘just keep it under 2000rpms’ they both suggested.. in theory you are only using the HP you are calling for.. makes sense honestly.. Anyone want to chime in on what numbers i should see with this 45 with 6v92s at 2000rpm? Trolling fuel economy? Also i will post my plans for service before i start using her daily in another post. Just wanted to reach out and start using this forum.. RegardsCapt Chris

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Got over 5000hrs on my 465hp 6v92's before I repowered and they both still seemed healthy when I pulled them out. Just don't hot rod them and don't ever let them get hot.

 

[rsmith]

Series 1 45 and 46 are basically the same hull 46 they put another foot of flare on the bow. Typically repowers were 8/92’s. People and the MFG throw out these HP ratings but personally I think it’s a lot of hype. The original 8N’s in the 45 were somewhere around 350hp with the 8ti 435 or so. The N boats at 2100 were 16kt boats where the ti got it over the hump and would hit 20 at the same rpm. I would expect the 6/92 to be about the same. The 45 is supposed to be 1900 lb lighter than the 46 but I’ve run both fishing offshore charters out of Cape May Nj and never saw any difference other than the 45 is a wet boat and the 46 is dry. 92’s are wet liner engines and they’re getting long in the tooth if not recently OH due to the aging rubber cylinder seals. Your engines are 27 years old how long a cylinder seal lasts in the severe service like that who knows. But I’ve seen a lot of 92’s loosing coolant recently.

 

[Hookedup2407]

Series 1 45 and 46 are basically the same hull 46 they put another foot of flare on the bow. Typically repowers were 8/92’s. People and the MFG throw out these HP ratings but personally I think it’s a lot of hype. The original 8N’s in the 45 were somewhere around 350hp with the 8ti 435 or so. The N boats at 2100 were 16kt boats where the ti got it over the hump and would hit 20 at the same rpm. I would expect the 6/92 to be about the same. The 45 is supposed to be 1900 lb lighter than the 46 but I’ve run both fishing offshore charters out of Cape May Nj and never saw any difference other than the 45 is a wet boat and the 46 is dry. 92’s are wet liner engines and they’re getting long in the tooth if not recently OH due to the aging rubber cylinder seals. Your engines are 27 years old how long a cylinder seal lasts in the severe service like that who knows. But I’ve seen a lot of 92’s loosing coolant recently.

The cylinder seals have me nervous. The port engine was OH in 2013 (allegedly) so little younger on that side.. boat has sat for awhile (but started regularly allegedly) i do have an engine surveyor coming and of course, samples will be taken.. a MOH is not within my budget at the moment. But changing all the hoses, clamps and flushing the raw and freshwater cooling is. The engines fired right up with almost no smoke.. these seals go bad over time? Dry rot? I honestly never had a 92 series, only 71’s and Cummins never worried about a cylinder seal failing

 

[rsmith]

The cylinder seals have me nervous. The port engine was OH in 2013 (allegedly) so little younger on that side.. boat has sat for awhile (but started regularly allegedly) i do have an engine surveyor coming and of course, samples will be taken.. a MOH is not within my budget at the moment. But changing all the hoses, clamps and flushing the raw and freshwater cooling is. The engines fired right up with almost no smoke.. these seals go bad over time? Dry rot? I honestly never had a 92 series, only 71’s and Cummins never worried about a cylinder seal failing

Have you seen anything rubber last these days? Got any 27 year old rubber bands?

 

[Bob Bradley]

Keeping the throttles off the pins is a much more economical way of detuning the engines. I'm running an 86 45C, having moved up from a 43C. I also looked at the 46 and 50 while I was shopping and was of the opinion that the 45 has a much more functional cockpit for fishing. The 46 may have been a bit wider, but it wasn't much longer than my 43 (I had removed cockpit station and tackle center to give me more space). Nobody wants to buy a boat with a plan to do a MOH, but don't cut your budget too tightly. Something will go wrong and surprise you. But you've had boats before, so I'm sure you know that. My 43 had something like 650 original hours on it when I bought it in '03 and well over 3000 when I sold it in '21. I kept it tuned, kept the aftercoolers clean, and gave it regular oil changes and they treated me quite well. Just don't let anybody talk you into changing out the injectors as a preventative measure (or to detune it). If the ones that are already there are working well, leave them be. There's a lot of crap injectors on the market today. Good luck with her.

 

[Hookedup2407]

Keeping the throttles off the pins is a much more economical way of detuning the engines. I'm running an 86 45C, having moved up from a 43C. I also looked at the 46 and 50 while I was shopping and was of the opinion that the 45 has a much more functional cockpit for fishing. The 46 may have been a bit wider, but it wasn't much longer than my 43 (I had removed cockpit station and tackle center to give me more space). Nobody wants to buy a boat with a plan to do a MOH, but don't cut your budget too tightly. Something will go wrong and surprise you. But you've had boats before, so I'm sure you know that. My 43 had something like 650 original hours on it when I bought it in '03 and well over 3000 when I sold it in '21. I kept it tuned, kept the aftercoolers clean, and gave it regular oil changes and they treated me quite well. Just don't let anybody talk you into changing out the injectors as a preventative measure (or to detune it). If the ones that are already there are working well, leave them be. There's a lot of crap injectors on the market today. Good luck with her.

This 45’ has been completely re-fit. Interior is brand new. It’s one of the cleanest old hats’ I’ve been on.. The lack of smoke on start up peeked my interest enough for survey & sea trial.. wish my budget would allow a MOH right off the bat but unfortunately, it doesn’t.. i need to get a year or so out of her before i could afford that.. i hope I’m not wasting my time and money with this survey.. i ran a 46 with 892TA for a season and i was quite impressed with performance.. engines were fresh though. that’s all my experience with any 92 series..

 

[madhatter1]

I run a 46 with 8-92’s. Lower hours. Watch my coolant level and keep the HX’s, impellers, and such maintained. That said I built up the funds set aside in an account for rebuilding when the time comes. 650hp. Run at 1800-1900 RPMs cruise. Don’t think they will ever break but expect they will need to come apart when the seals start to leak.

RSmith is correct that quality has gone down and will probably slip even further. But compared to the cost of a repower I’ll stick with the old iron. 71 series dry liners more reliable between rebuilds but limited to number of time. That only matters for “oops” to many times. To me it’s a toss up. Bet a realistic number for a repower when it’s all said and done is $250K.

 

[Bob Bradley]

Oh, and post pictures. We all live for pictures.

 

[Hookedup2407]

Oh, and post pictures. We all live for pictures.

Will do if i purchase. This thread has made me nervous about 92’s

 

[Hookedup2407]

I run a 46 with 8-92’s. Lower hours. Watch my coolant level and keep the HX’s, impellers, and such maintained. That said I built up the funds set aside in an account for rebuilding when the time comes. 650hp. Run at 1800-1900 RPMs cruise. Don’t think they will ever break but expect they will need to come apart when the seals start to leak. RSmith is correct that quality has gone down and will probably slip even further. But compared to the cost of a repower I’ll stick with the old iron. 71 series dry liners more reliable between rebuilds but limited to number of time. That only matters for “oops” to many times. To me it’s a toss up. Bet a realistic number for a repower when it’s all said and done is $250K.

Thanks for the input.. but if you don’t mind me asking, what is HX?

 

[Captain Ralph]

Thanks for the input.. but if you don’t mind me asking, what is HX?

92s have wet liners. This offers a higher level of maintenance concern.
HX, Heat ex changer.
Never over heat a 92. Zero tolerance.

 

[madhatter1]

92s have wet liners. This offers a higher level of maintenance concern.
HX, Heat ex changer.
Never over heat a 92. Zero tolerance.

But forces me to stay on top of maintenance which is a good thing.

 

[Dominion]

I was speaking to my son about my present issue with 692's and he looked concern about water in oil. I was standing next to my friend who has a modified 33 Hyrda Sport I put 315 cummins in after throwing the OMC stern drives away. I told my son its an engine no matter how old or new, they all need or potentially will need repair, can't be scared of wrenches or the solution if you are going fishing. I also just watched my friend have his C32 Acert rebuilt ,he understood the process and the expense. So, My advice is stay with Hatteras and the ones that we can afford typically come with Detroits and wrenches! Good luck in your decision, where is the frsh Hatteras I may be interested? Only if your not of course!