Search forfirst Hatteras questions

[Modman]

I finally have started my search for my first big boat. I'm moving up from a 30ft cruiser and looking at several Hatteras convertibles. I've seen a 43, 46, two 1988 48's, and a 1989 52C. The first two were basically drive by's.....saw the exterior and did not need to see more (really bad shape). The first of the two 48's was nice. Lots of recent updates and ongoing maintainence. The second was just okay. The real winner was the 1989 52C. Beautiful, ultra clean, well maintained. The admiral even loved it.
Now for the questions.
1. The 52C had buttons on the helm next to the engine stop buttons labelled "Engine Prime". They looked to be original equipment. No other boat had them. What are they for?
2. All the 48's and the 52 had 8V92's rated 720HP. What is the no load and full load RPM for those engines?
3. The 52C shows about 1000 original engine hours (the genny shows the same). Is the relative low hours a concern and if so how much of a concern?
4. Can anyone recommend a good surveyor in the CT/Southern CT/NY area?
5. Same as #4 except for a good engine surveyor?
6. Insurance company says I will need a captain on board for 40 hrs (first big boat). Anyone have a recommendation for the CT area?

I think I have spent 50 hours reading old posts on this site to try to answer my own questions. There is so much information on this site it is remarkable.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Robby]

I finally have started my search for my first big boat. I'm moving up from a 30ft cruiser and looking at several Hatteras convertibles. I've seen a 43, 46, two 1988 48's, and a 1989 52C. The first two were basically drive by's.....saw the exterior and did not need to see more (really bad shape). The first of the two 48's was nice. Lots of recent updates and ongoing maintainence. The second was just okay. The real winner was the 1989 52C. Beautiful, ultra clean, well maintained. The admiral even loved it.
Now for the questions.
1. The 52C had buttons on the helm next to the engine stop buttons labelled "Engine Prime". They looked to be original equipment. No other boat had them. What are they for?
2. All the 48's and the 52 had 8V92's rated 720HP. What is the no load and full load RPM for those engines?
3. The 52C shows about 1000 original engine hours (the genny shows the same). Is the relative low hours a concern and if so how much of a concern?
4. Can anyone recommend a good surveyor in the CT/Southern CT/NY area?
5. Same as #4 except for a good engine surveyor?
6. Insurance company says I will need a captain on board for 40 hrs (first big boat). Anyone have a recommendation for the CT area?

I think I have spent 50 hours reading old posts on this site to try to answer my own questions. There is so much information on this site it is remarkable.

Thanks in advance.

Take a long look at the 43DCMYs.For 4 people they are great.Had ours for damn near 4 years and full time live on for a year.

 

[38 HAT]

Performance Diesel, Branford CT. Jim Mango 203-488-6044. He is an old school Detroit Diesel guy, leave a message he doesn't have a cell phone. He charges $85.00 hr excellent work and very fair. He does engine surveys. Good luck!

 

[Modman]

I have heard Jim Mango's name come up before (several times in fact). I think I need to put his number on speed dial if this all works out

 

[workingonadream]

Adrian Johnson for the hull survey 860-235-2990 very good. Jim Mango is the man for the detroits you wont find anyone as good as him in this area. all he does is the 2stroke detroits. 203-488-6044 he will call you back he is very busy right now so he may call you back at night. leave a message and tell him what is the earliest he can call in the am and the latest he can call in the pm. good luck

 

[mdshore]

x2 for a 43dc . look at many . once you narrow it down have a good diesel guy do a engine survey .
make a ridiculously low offer . you can always go up from there .

 

[Modman]

I appreciate the 43DC recommendations but right now my mind is sort of stuck on a convertible. It's my hangup. Anyone have thoughts on the 8V92 no load WOT and full load WOT rpm ratings?

 

[saltshaker]

Excellent choice with the 52C. No load for the 8V92s is 2500 rpm and full load is 2300 rpm. Those buttons are to activate the fuel priming pumps. Many late '80s and newer Hatts have them as factory original. There should be an additional set in the ER. 1000 original hours seems hard to believe. If that's all she's been run, I'd check all sytems with a fine tooth comb. Not as bad if she's been used lightly but somewhat regularly. Does she look like she has been regularly serviced? What's the condition of the ER and machinery? If she's been sitting unused for many years, I'd be a bit cautious. Don't skimp on the surveys and see if you can get any maintanance records. Do you feel you need a captain or is this solely based on the Ins. Co requiring one? Not an uncommon practice but not all carriers will require it for a boat that size.

 

[Modman]

All indications show that 1000 original hours is correct. The engine room is pristine and I could see evidence of regular upkeep (newer hoses on engines, at least one new starter, floscans, dripless shaft seals, new iso-boost isolation transformer, etc. Everything looked in really good shape. The boat is still shrink wrapped so I could not check to see that things were working (a nice shiny pig is still a pig). I am trying to get maintenance records and I expect they will be there based on all the other documentation and notes I noticed on board. It appears the boat has had regular use at least as of late. I plan on full thorough surveys.
As far as the captain on board it is solely an insurance thing (although I think it is not a bad idea to some extent). Basically they said it was because I'm going from a 33' to a 52' and have no experience on a boat that size. I called a few different insurers and agents and got the same story from all of them.

 

[saltshaker]

Sounds like a great boat and a good find if she's close to you. Is that boat at Norwalk Cove? I think the owner of the yard had either a 55C or 52C Hatt of that vintage.

 

[MikeP]

The insurance thing is pretty common. I ran into the same thing when we went from our 36 Mainship to our 53 Hatt. They told me that going up more than 10ft required experience in the size craft being considered.

But they were perfectly satisfied with a letter from me stating my experience operating a friend's 53 and another friend's 58LRC. There was no other "documentation" required or certification by another party. So if you have operated a boat in that size range, a written statement to that effect should satisfy the requirement. If you haven't…well, a written statement saying you have will still meet the requirement!