Tell me what is wrong with this boat?

[Pascal]

I may have a problem with these 12V71TA-DDEC though.
I fear that so much has been added to the boat, the engines are not making RPM now.
I would like to see over 2350RPM @ WOT. Maybe closer to 2450.
Have the engines surveyed well.

Data from the web ad;
Performance
RPM GPH Knots Load Range
1900 85 18.7 75 352
2000 98 19.2 80 294
2100 110 20.3 87 277
2185 118 21 100 267

Are you these numbers are correct ? That s insane fuel for a 70 footer.

 

[Captain Ralph]

Are you these numbers are correct ? That s insane fuel for a 70 footer.

I'm not sure of anything. These numbers were posted in the sales ad.
That is why I was worried that the last numbers, 100% load were only at 2185 RPM.
No more RPM data posted past 2185 RPM. Helps me believe the boat is over propped from to much weight added.
A problem I am familiar with on many other boats, including mine.

 

[Pascal]

I used to run a Taiwan built 70 years ago which burned 72 gph at 20kts… that’s almost 40 USG less than this one. Even the Lazzara 110 I run these day “only” burns 105 GPH at 20kts… same as this. I know hatts are heavy but …

 

[Captain Ralph]

Finally found my old notes for a mechanical 12V71TA with 900HP tune;
48GPH @ 2300RPM (each).

Per the ad data, (IMO) she is over propped.
I don't think RPM Diesel would of allowed this during their rebuild trials.

So, a lot of weight was added or different (over pitched) props were installed after the rebuild..
How many of those 400 hours were run this way?

This is not a DDEC issue.

 

[ADOPO]

Thanks to all for the responses, some even hilarious that got a lol such as the batsh*t crazy. The boat has a reportedly 1.5mm spent on her a number of years ago, and yes, it is the by far the best yacht style interior are reranged cabin spaces I have seen on any Hatteras. It is on par or better than the newest large Hatteras yachts that were sold. The owner, since retired, was in the oil, gas business with engineering being his degree, Doctorate level, so he knows his stuff. He did all kinds of interesting things, such as when I asked him about all of the beautiful drawers and cabinates, how do you keep them closed? He said see that button, it is a magnetic lock. Very cool. He spent unlimited money on this boat, if it needed it he did it. All new through hulls, strainers moved to locations that are accessible, and on and on. If this boat had new paint, and a few other things, I would have agreed to buy it with no quibble about price. We are at he PBBS, and if you don’t have between 2 and 5 million to spend, you are not getting a nice boat.

Regarding the engines, I think he told me he had indeed changed something on them, I’ll have to ask again so I can post it. But after reading many of your replies, it is like what you read about pods, most say run like hell. Others, like the 48 Sabre owner I spoke to yesterday said he loves them, you just have to maintain them I asked if they are Volvo, he said no, Zeus Cummins. I told him I thought parts were hard to get that that marriage is over. He said, no, and just maintain them, you’ll be fine. But for the DDEC, I am listening to your advice, that’s why I came her with the questions. Thank you, I will post some pictures that were on my phone for reference.

 

[ADOPO]

Pictures would be fantastic! I wondered what they used to cut and if they sanded the edges. Thank you for the offer.

Dave
815-342-3754

Crap, I guess I am getting old. He showed this to me, but damned if I didn’t forget to take a picture. He had this professionally done, they were done well enough that they looked like they were machined from the factory, that’s the way he did things. Smooth and following the contour of the storage for the seats. I’ll see if I can get some pictures and find out where he had them done. I understand why you would want this is really opened up the space for storage.

 

[Sadey]

No worries, I’ve reached out to Richard twice about the info but so far no dice.

 

[jim rosenthal]

That is hard to understand.
I do have issues with some Cat models but most are bomb proof.
Some Cats require special tools to set up so the DIY guy is usually not going to do some work.
Can you offer any particular models or example issues?

I had 3116s which were awful- constant problems. A close friend with a similar 36 Hatteras had 3126s which were similarly awful. I sold my engines and got Cummins; he sold his boat... and replaced it with a 42 Duffy.. with 3208s, which have been very good engines for him. He charters divers out of Hatteras inlet and the boat and the engines have been very good for what he does. 3208s seem to be very reliable as long as you have the 375hp or less versions.

 

[ram]

I own more Cats than any other diesels and we work on them less than any other diesel.

I’m a 3208 TA owner and I totally agree. I was concerned about Cats prices for parts, just like I was worried about the price of fuel when I first started, trying to figure if I wanted to go slow or fast.
After serviceing my Onan generator I know I made the right choice. Almost four hundred dollars for a small hose that had go under the belts but wow. Mega $ here.
I can and have done all my work in thirteen years. Including changing a ring gear on Pussy, my starboard engine. She had prior over heat issue's before I got her, poor maintenance, blew head gasket. She ok now but smokes a little more than Charlotte.
That why I called her Pussy, see smokes more on startup, might use a little more oil, things like that.
But Charlotte, never an issue, runs like it’s brand new.
I absolutely love them both. I spent a lot getting to know them but now, change,
And am I ever glad I chose to be a speedy grandpa than a slow grandpa.
I spend peanuts on fuel because we are stopped more than we are moving.
After installing the new four blades we discovered the we need to go back for a small adjustment but the one thing that really stood out for me was the temperature difference..
I have the 195 thermostats so with the three blades I could watch the temperature gauge as it went through its cycle, which was a distraction watching and worrying about overheating constantly.
The boat has not run for almost two years and I’m thinking dirty heat exchanger or something is going to happen.
It was very windy and we had all the top up, serious current but that temperature gauge went around two hundred degrees and stayed there we could not see it move. It performed perfectly. One less distraction.
P.S. I couldn’t set my own valves but not many of us could. I paid For that and they were out of adjustment badly. After cat had done the head gasket repair. Go figure. Worth it and very important if you like to boogie.
P.S.S. I want to thank Dave at Boatdiesel. Or Cat Dave as I call him..bang on…my boat is running better than ever and it’s because of his advice that I have tried to follow religiously. Thanks Dave…I’m really missing you. I never doubted you. But because of where you got me and Pussy and Charlotte we are going to be fine from here on….Thanks again Dave…