38 Hatteras

CaptCrunch

Member
Member
Joined
May 27, 2010
RO Number
32171
Messages
766
Anyone have any familiarity with this boat, I looked at one this morning and really like they layout and size. it needs some interior updates and electronics. it has a set of 465hp detriot 671's and is a 1988 vintage
 
Power boat guide lists the standard engines as 485HP cruising at 22-23kts. The production run on this model was 1988-1993 and the hull is cored above the water line.

I have no specific knowledge on this model but can only advise that you get a good survey on the engines. How many hours?
 
The 6V71's are good engines but in the 465hp configuration they are pressing the limit. If the boat has been underpropped to slightly unload the engines and they are maintained well you will get a reasonably long life out of them. If they have been run anywhere near the top of their load then use full life between overhauls with be disappointing.
Much more information along these lines are available at boatdiesel(dot)com or by searching various other sites with "465hp 6V71 problems"

Good luck with the boat and the search
 
the hours have 1400 original hours on them and no overhauls the boat is mostly original but maintained. I really like the style and layout. Trying to find a boat I am happy with for many many years
 
Great boat, well built but at 465hp out of 426cid these detroits are well over the common sense hp/displacement ratio. 1400 hours and 27 years means they may soon need a rebuild deoending on how they be been used

First thing to do before a survey is cold start and check the initial smoke, engines need to be dead cold as in not having been started in 18 hours. A puff a grey smoke is ok but it should clear quickly and they should settle into a smooth idle right away, any lasting smoke, any unburned fuel on the water or any hunting around before reaching steady idle woudl be a red flag.

On the plus side, these boats are worth spending money on...
 
Pascal, that is my thought it is a boat worth spending money on and long term plans would include a repower three or four seasons down the road.
 
Just be aware and budget the cost of a diesel repower....not cheap... We re talking a lot money than a gas repower
 
Update, found out a lot of interesting things about this boat over the past few weeks. starboard motor was replaced with new, port top end was overhauled, sanitation system was overhauled and generator is new. Contract signed today, and working on survey and sea trial
 
Update, Survey was finally done this past Monday, appeared to be a very good and through job by steve maddock, and I should be a Hatteras owner tomorrow.
 
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