Project advice 43 DC

[rwappleton]

It appears I may have missed my first choice for a 43 DC. I am now looking at the one in Pt Pleasant,NJ.

It has engine troubles with one(read overhaul) and the other has 1800 hours (6-71N's).

I am doing this project to be my last boat (It's not that funny!) and I would like it to be as trouble free as possible. I am planning on owning it 12-14 years.

What I would like from the great minds on here is do I:
a. Rebuild the one and press on
b. Rebuild both and do the trannys and running gear too.
c. Look for a serviceable unit and replace the bad one.
d. Look at newer repower.
e. Look for 8V71's that are serviceable.

I am going to do all the normal items, pumps, impellers,strainers and that sort of stuff. I am big on doing things right once and not over cause it cost's less the first time.

Many thanks in advance!

 

[TopHattandTails]

Keep looking for one with good bones. Better to spend more upfront than repair, rebuild, redo.

 

[Bill Allen]

Where in point pleasant mines in Brielle (back of the shipwreck grille) haven't seen any going up the river. Bill

 

[rwappleton]

See I already knew that. I have brought one back from the dead already! Got it out of a field 50 miles from salt water. I do most of my own work and that is entertainment for me.

I really have my heart set on a 43 DCFB (this is one). I am a newby to diesel power in boats. I have alot of experience with the 71 series in the trucking business. I owned several trucks with 12V71's in them.

Please for the process lets assume I already own the boat. I am looking for whats best in this situation.

I have been looking for some time and money does not seem to help. I am just finding boats needing other work than this.

Thanks again!

 

[SKYCHENEY]

If that boat is the "the one", then, make an offer based on the cost of overhauling the bad engine.

 

[rwappleton]

Bill,

It's in a yard there and has been for over three years. I do know it's on the south side of the inlet about 3/4 mile in. Boats name is ANN and MAX

Russ

 

[rwappleton]

Thanks SKY!

 

[Timeout]

OK, I'll answer - A

 

[Bill Allen]

Same boat as mine althogh gotta tell ya the flybridge is really tiny and you can see just as well from the lower helm. That boats been for sale for a long time if it's the one i heard about. You should be able to just about steal it. When I was agressivly trying to sell mine they always first called about that one then the broker offered mine. Don't know what marina as i'm in a mile and on the north side. Need anything up there, i have a good DD guy, generator guy etc. Mostly the high rent district if he's that close to the ocean. Must be paying a ton of money in storage. Just put mine back in the water from doing the bottom and stuff but I ran up the medeconk since it's quite a bit cheaper and the guy that owns it is very nice plus you can do your own work something thats not common in either the Point or Brielle. Headed to the keys in her end of the month anything I can help ya with give me a shout bill@northeastscubasupply.com

 

[rwappleton]

Thanks very much Bill!! I will keep you posted.

 

[rwappleton]

Thank you Timeout!

 

[Will]

Our 43DCFB has 6-71 turbos which is way too much power for an economical 9.5 kts. at 1200 RPMs. Fuel burn is about 1.5 miles/gal. I can crank her up to 2300 and do about 18 kts but fuel consumption is about .25 - .5 miles per gallon.

How do you plan to run your boat? 6-71Ns will bring you up to hull speed at 1000 RPMs which is economical. If you want to go faster and don't mind the dramatic increase in fuel costs, you can run them at 1,800 or perhaps more. I'm not sure 8-71s would do much in the way of a top speed increase but they'd sure empty your wallet and the fuel tanks faster.

If you want to repower, you only need about 120HP and should look at John Deeres. They seem to be reliable. I hear that parts costs for Cummins and Cats are pretty pricey.

6-71's and parts will be around for a long time and are pretty bulletproof if properly cared for. My own preference would be to stick with them.

Will

 

[SeaEric]

I know that boat from 20 years ago when she was a showpiece. I'm in the boat business and I would not buy her. She needs way too much. You can buy a nice one for a fraction of what that will cost to fix.

Since it sounds to me like you already bought it, rebuild the one engine and go from there.

 

[Boatsb]

Our 43DCFB has 6-71 turbos which is way too much power for an economical 9.5 kts. at 1200 RPMs. Fuel burn is about 1.5 miles/gal. I can crank her up to 2300 and do about 18 kts but fuel consumption is about .25 - .5 miles per gallon.

How do you plan to run your boat? 6-71Ns will bring you up to hull speed at 1000 RPMs which is economical. If you want to go faster and don't mind the dramatic increase in fuel costs, you can run them at 1,800 or perhaps more. I'm not sure 8-71s would do much in the way of a top speed increase but they'd sure empty your wallet and the fuel tanks faster.

If you want to repower, you only need about 120HP and should look at John Deeres. They seem to be reliable. I hear that parts costs for Cummins and Cats are pretty pricey.

6-71's and parts will be around for a long time and are pretty bulletproof if properly cared for. My own preference would be to stick with them.

Will

Hull speed for your boat is about 8.5. I bet you get alot better economy there that 9.5.

 

[jim rosenthal]

If you have already bought the boat, rebuild the engine that needs it and do all the necessary maintenance on all the other stuff. Don't bother with a repower. Certainly DON'T put in 8-71s, there is little enough room in there as is. Don't make it even more crowded.

With functioning 6-71s she will be a usable boat and you can concentrate on fixing the other things that will inevitably be wrong- the plumbing, the AC, the wiring, the cosmetics. If you want a boat with modern engines, then don't buy this one. I believe a 43 DC recently repowered with Cummins 370s sold in the Baltimore area in the low sixties or mid-fifties, not long ago. That ought to give you food for thought. That isn't even the cost of the repower.

 

[SeaEric]

The 1974 Hatt 43 DC in Baltimore had factory re-man 330 Cummins with 257 hours and sold for $46,000. this month. A situational bargain as the owner was transferred to the opposite coast and had to sell.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Well, someone got a hell of a deal, didn't they. Wow. You could barely get those engines and gears for that, let alone get them installed.