New Member New Project

[geofish]

Hello All,
My name is George and I am Chief Engineer on ships in Alaska. I Rebuilt a 26' Alglas sportfish a few
years ago and I wanted another project an so I've been lurking here a while during my search for a boat, my choice was between a Hatteras or Egg Harbor and I ended up with A 46 Hatteras C High performance model.

The boat was unused for 12 years and the only maintenance performed was zincs & bottom service. It was assumed by the PO that the engines were seized and the boat sold for 18k. The engines were not seized and the cylinder liners looked real nice so we removed & serviced the injectors, after coolers & raw water pumps, pumped out the old diesel (which was surprisingly clear) filled the tanks with new fuel, change oil & filters for the engines & gears then fired them up. The amount of crap that came out of the exhausts was almost hilarious the floatsum made it look like a boat just went down, bottles, cans, plastic toys, birds, cups all kinds of stuff and just a little bit of smoke which cleared up quickly. Now the engines do not smoke at all under any conditions.
All of the instrumentation, steering and throttles worked so after a couple of short sea trials we took off and cruised 200 miles to Ensenada mexico (where I live) and had a fun, trouble free boat ride.
The boat is now being worked on by a trusted group of welders, carpenters, canvas workers and fiberglass workers.My to do list is; Check the 15kw generator to see if it's any good, refinish exterior teak, install new hard top and stratos glass enclosure, detail the engine room & lazzarette, rebuild/replace all sea water pumps, replace salon windows, install new out riggers, replace carpets and re upholster the sofas & chairs. The paint looks like it still has some life left so for now I am just going to buff & wax it then paint in early next year.

I was really amazed that most of the systems came back to life with just a little coaxing from me, 3 AC systems good, vacuflush heads good, F/W system Good, Deck Freezer good, Hot water heater good, Fresh water maker, good, stereo system good galley appliances Good.
The boats wiring and plumbing all looks very original and neat, I don't think that this boat was used very much the engines have 2000 hours showing on the meters.

I'll try to post a couple of pics of my project.
Regards,
George

 

[geofish]

Im trying to add a few more pics

 

[saltshaker]

Sounds like you got a good boat for a great price. You never know what will be OK with a boat that sat unused for that long. Go easy on the buffing. The paint may come back but if you're too aggressive you'll damage the paint. The 46 is a great boat, probably one of the best Hatteras ever built.

 

[geofish]

more pics

all of these pics were taken at the boats arrival, I'm waiting for updated ones that show some progress....

Geo

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Not bad. Are you saying that you paid $18K for this boat?

 

[rsmith]

What a deal. How many staterooms does it have? All the 46hp's Ive seen have the queen in the bow.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I think you hit a home run on this. Incidentally, it's one of the most original ones I've ever seen- looks a lot like the factory brochure. Does it have 8-92s? I think that is what the HP models had, if I am not mistaken.

 

[geofish]

Hello All,

Yes I paid $18,325.00 including Documentation paperwork.

The twin bunk layout was an option for the HP models, I have not been aboard one with the single but I have to say I like the space with the 2 doubles.

The boat came with the all the manuals, blue prints & Hatteras Owners books in the original box stuffed, really helped me out in the beginning.

Geo

 

[krush]

Usually any old machine that was unmolested (aka OEM) and just parked without leaking or crap allover will be fairly easy to get going again....as long as mice didn't eat up the wiring!

 

[geofish]

Hi Jim, Crush,

It has the original curtains, bamboo/wicker chairs and carpet in the salon and the original bedding with matching curtains & window dressings in the state rooms. I found some spare carpet that was marked Hatteras as well. It really does look just like the brochure but I'm going to update that stuff a bit.

The boat is powered with 8v92 TI 650HP each.

Rats & Mice.... The boat didn't have any until after I bought it, went to dinner one night and as we were leaving the boat my friend (a land lubber) thought he saw a "big Rat" on the bow which I dismissed as a bird so we went to dinner. The next day I noticed the Master S/R overhead screen was ripped, again I dismissed it thinking that I did not notice it before but a couple days later I found the bread bag was torn into.... loaded the boat with traps of all types and for 4 days nothing, went out drinking one night and when we came back my friend found a Big F-fing Rat on his pillow! we chased that sucker around all over the boat and finally got him out the door. later I found some chewed up black foam insulation under the guest bunk so I realize that they could wreck havoc. Glad he is gone I can see how they really could cause some damage, biggest one I have ever seen. ugh!

Take care,
Geo

 

[bigbill]

keep the traps set, they(usually more than one) may come back. you can use the poison, but if they die aboard, it will leave a foul odor. i am speaking from experience. bigbill

 

[rsmith]

Rats are like roaches if there is one there is more. I have had them on the boat several times. I have never had any luck with traps. I resorted to poision and located them by smell. One of the first signs of rats onboard are shredded foam drink huggies. They like plastic things for some reason. Ive never seen any chewing on my wiring but Ive heard horror stories.

 

[REBrueckner]

Hello George!! best of luck with your new baby..
always great to see a Hatt "rescued"...sounds like a dream purchase if ever there was one.....

How much does diesel fuel cost in Mexico?? Do you do imports???

 

[MikeP]

Looks like Whittier!

We had a 26' Reinell (probably one of the worst-built boats in the world) there for a couple of years. Lived/worked in AK for 8 years - 80-88.

Back then (Late 80's) there was no way to get to Whittier except via the train. I understand that now you can drive using the rail bed...

 

[geofish]

Hello REBruckner,

I know that I'm going to really enjoy this boat, hell I already am and all I've done is work & spend money on getting it going! I did manage to sneak one fishing trip in before I had to go to work for 2 months.

Presently there is only one place to fuel a boat in Ensenada and that is at Marina Coral about 4 miles north of Ensenada Harbor. If you keep your boat there you pay the same as car/truck fuel which I think is $3.17 gal for diesel, add 10% if you stay at a different marina. There is another large marina being constructed in Ensenada Harbor which will have a fuel dock as well.

Importing your boat (if thats what you were asking about) is very simple and costs 20-40 dollars. The Marina office people will help you with this. there are a few steps to get it done but everything is under one roof and it takes about 30 minutes to complete but when it's done it lasts for 10 years.

George

 

[MikeP]

Guess it's not Whittier!

 

[spartonboat1]

I think you hit a home run on this. Incidentally, it's one of the most original ones I've ever seen- looks a lot like the factory brochure. Does it have 8-92s? I think that is what the HP models had, if I am not mistaken.

I certainly agree! Plus it has a nice factory bow pulpit and what looks like a windlass, so that is probably factory installed as well. All in all, a very nice boat for the money(!!). Weren't the 8v-92's a little touchy if pushed hard all the time. Could they be babied a little to extend their life?

 

[Micky c]

Hi George,

That boat was a real bargain. I have just bought into a 46 convertible 78 series one with a mate. We are looking for some info on dimensions. I noticed you said you have the blue prints? Is it possible to get some info from you? regards Michael

 

[geofish]

Hi George,

That boat was a real bargain. I have just bought into a 46 convertible 78 series one with a mate. We are looking for some info on dimensions. I noticed you said you have the blue prints? Is it possible to get some info from you? regards Michael

Yes, what are you looking for?