Possible new owner

[Phasma2128]

Im looking at an older 56 Hatteras MY with Detroit diesels. 600 hours since last rebuild. My understanding is the starboard side smokes a little even after warming. I am requesting oil samples sent to lab for review during the survey. Should I be worried about the smoke? I have not personally seen the smoke as the boat is in storage. I’ve never owned a diesel boat. I’ve had gassers for many years.

 

[Photolomy]

Kind of depends on what "a little" means.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

And what color the smoke is.

If its white, it may just be a bad injector.

 

[oscarvan]

Welcome aboard.

Is there documentation ie what was their definition of a rebuild?

Like Skycheney said, a little white could be a rack adjustment/bad injector.

In any case, a mechanical survey on top of the overall survey may be money well spent. Oil samples only tell part of the story.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Seconding that. You would want a survey of the engines anyway, but now you REALLY want an engine survey. And the genset, too.

 

[Bob Bradley]

Oh, and define "older". Everything's relative here.

 

[Maurice]

Personally, I would not expect a bit of smoke to be a major concern, but needs to be verified.
- do engine survey - borescope, compression check, test the injectors;
- white smoke? blue smoke? black smoke? They all mean different things. How much?
- remove valve covers and take a look.
- What was the extent of the rebuild? Bearings, rings, valves, cylinders, injectors, turbos, etc.?
- Do a sea trial at full load and see if it meets the specified rpm and speed. Check the amount and color of the smoke while under load.
- An oil test is okay but one test has little value unless it is one of a trend over several hours; however, it should indicate significant water in oil, which would be serious.
These investigations should tell the story, and it must be told because you want to sure there is not a serious expensive problem. 600 hours is nothing. Has there been any work done since the rebuild ... get service history.
Worked for Cat for 30-plus years and troubleshooted many diesel engines over the years. My first 4 boats had diesels (not Cat), which I much prefer over gas (much simpler), but just bought my fifth and last boat that's gasoline.

 

[Photolomy]

Out of curiosity, how many here would allow a potential buyer to perform a borescope / compression test (assuming all cylinders both engines). Seems a bit invasive with possibility to throw some stuff out of whack.

 

[oscarvan]

Out of curiosity, how many here would allow a potential buyer to perform a borescope / compression test (assuming all cylinders both engines). Seems a bit invasive with possibility to throw some stuff out of whack.

My guy, their nickel? I'm OK with that.

 

[Phasma2128]

I am new to this forum. I’ve been a member of clubsearay.com for many years. I am impressed with the response to my initial question. Most of the questions given in replies I have no answer to as yet. You have all given me a lot to look into. Thankyou so much. If my decision to move forward with the purchase is yes....,I look forward to being a productive member of this forum

I am considering a 1981 Hatteras 56 MY. A lot of steps to be made until an actual purchase. Thanks once again

 

[JuiceClark]

I am new to this forum. I’ve been a member of clubsearay.com for many years. I am impressed with the response to my initial question. Most of the questions given in replies I have no answer to as yet. You have all given me a lot to look into. Thankyou so much. If my decision to move forward with the purchase is yes....,I look forward to being a productive member of this forum

I am considering a 1981 Hatteras 56 MY. A lot of steps to be made until an actual purchase. Thanks once again

I have to make my purchase decision on an '84 52C on Saturday...and plan to spend most of that day crawling through the boat with my ol' marine mechanic buddy.

Over the past couple weeks, I've spent free time reading through the threads on here. By doing so, I'm starting to get a feel for what Hatteras did correctly (a lot) and what could be a concern. Armed with this book of real info, I've created what I think is a pretty awesome list of things to check on Saturday.

Ya know, it's always the bus you didn't see! If I'm focused on the ER, it could be a rotten floor and bulkhead under the washing machine which ends-up being the nightmare. Or the wiring exposed under the sink...or a never serviced windlass. 32 volt?? <maybe I've read too much!>

 

[Phasma2128]

Update: The broker and seller both have indicated a full engine survey us acceptable on my dime. Full maintenance logs and rebuild records will be provided within days. Thank you all once again

 

[Sadey]

That would give me a warm fuzzy going forward. Good luck with the process and hope it works out in your favor!

 

[Photolomy]

Update: The broker and seller both have indicated a full engine survey us acceptable on my dime. Full maintenance logs and rebuild records will be provided within days. Thank you all once again

I would be specific about taking the engines apart. I did a full engine survey on my first prospective Hatteras, and it did not include taking the engines apart. It failed, but it even failed the sea trial, so I wasted money on the engine survey. On my second Hatteras, I did not order an engine survey, just the boat survey and sea trial. It passed an extensive sea trial with flying colors, so I didn't order an engine survey. Also, the original mechanic (as in been with the boat since the PO bought it new) was there to do the sea trial and the engines had been factory rebuilt recently and the genset was brand new. I learned a lot from the first Hatteras and if I had saw anything out of the ordinary I would have probably followed up with an engine survey, if I was still interested.

In any event, you should first examine the boat yourself, before any survey, get them to run it, and if you are lucky, even take it out (depends on the seller), before ordering any surveys. That was the mistake I made with my first Hatteras. No use getting an engine survey on a dog, unless the deal is very good and you want to know what kind of engine work is needed to get it running. But the boat you are looking at has only 600 hours on the engines.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

I would be specific about taking the engines apart. I did a full engine survey on my first prospective Hatteras, and it did not include taking the engines apart. It failed, but it even failed the sea trial, so I wasted money on the engine survey

Rather an odd way to view it I’d say. You saved a lot because you bought a survey.

 

[Photolomy]

Rather an odd way to view it I’d say. You saved a lot because you bought a survey.

It was wasted. There were enough visual clues (corrosion etc) that the engines were in troubled shape And the owner never mentioned (nor did my shitty broker ever inquire) that the boat hadn't been used in a few years. I was a newbie. I am not against engine surveys at all, and typically, you are right, it is the best money spent, especially when they turn up problems, but I will never pay for an engine survey first again. If anything, it was a $1,500 learning experience. Granted, I didn't know then what I know now, but still, I would take a good look at everything first and at least get them to start the engines, before I start spending on surveys.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

It was wasted. There were enough visual clues (corrosion etc) that the engines were in troubled shape And the owner never mentioned (nor did my shitty broker ever inquire) that the boat hadn't been used in a few years. I was a newbie. I am not against engine surveys at all, and typically, you are right, it is the best money spent, especially when they turn up problems, but I will never pay for an engine survey first again. If anything, it was a $1,500 learning experience. Granted, I didn't know then what I know now, but still, I would take a good look at everything first and at least get them to start the engines, before I start spending on surveys.

Ah, you didn’t mention not looking at the boat first. I agree, it was a waste. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[JLR]

I owned a 1981 56 MY. Great boat. As far as buying boats of this size and vintage, there is a fairly common chronology. Deviation from this chronology by either a buyer or seller is often a red flag. First, all offers must be in writing accompanied by a 10% deposit check. Once you have an accepted offer, it should be subject to a survey and sea trial. Any visual inspection should take place before the survey and sea trial. The survey will include a full engine survey and a mechanical survey of the boat. All are at the expense of the buyer with exception of the Captain to run the boat for the sea trial and any pressure washing on the haul out. There are usually limitations on how long the sea trial will be and how long the buyer can run the boat at WOT. All service records should be provided BEFORE not at survey so the buyer can walk before spending the money for the survey. Once the survey and sea trial are over, the re-negotiation starts. Assuming the seller and buyer agree on the exceptions and who will bear the expense of fixing them, you agree again on the final purchase price and set a closing date, usually within 14 days thereafter. In my experience, NOTHING gets turned on, no ride takes place and no engine inspections etc. are to take place until an agreed contract price with a deposit has taken place. There really is no secret to this sequence. Eric can chime in but in 40 years of buying and selling boats, this has been the accepted norm. Deviate at your own risk.

 

[edward]

For sure you can visit and go onboard before and offer is made !?

 

[luckydave215]

For sure you can visit and go onboard before and offer is made !?

Absolutely. You should be able to board, inspect, hang out (a little), look at the engines, electronics, bilges, open hatches, etc. in the presence of a broker, without obligation.
You cannot turn anything on, take anything apart, or get a ride without a signed contract.