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Ocean 56SS: need input

Discussion in 'Ocean Yacht' started by MadDoc, Jun 3, 2012.

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  1. MadDoc

    MadDoc New Member

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    I am considering buying an Ocean 56SS, there are a number of boats on the market, engine choices are 800hp Cats, 825 Detroits DDC's and Mann 1050's. I've had good luck on my current boat with Detroits but the boat seems underpowered at 800 or 825hp. I'd greatly appreciate hearing from someone with experience on these boats, also comments about their seakeeping. Thanks
  2. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    If the boat feels underpowered with 800 or 825hp, then go with the Man 1050's...... Of the 3 choices, the 800hp CATS would be my first choice due to reliability, cost of parts and service, and cleanliness of exhaust especially at trolling speeds. However, if you feel it's underpowered then go with the 1050hp Man's, which are a good motor but I'm not a fan of them running on one bank of cylinders underneath the turbo's and the vibration and smell/smoke they make at trolling speeds.........but running at cruise they're smooth, quiet, and fuel efficient.
  3. MadDoc

    MadDoc New Member

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    perhaps I should have stated that it sounds to me that 800hp engines in any 56 foot boat would be underpowered! I'm running Detroit DDEC's at 700hp each in my 48 ft Ocean now, getting a 24 kt cruise loaded w full fuel. If the 825 Detroits were enough to run the boat at at least those speeds, I think that would be my first choice. But the Mann's are a total of 500 more hp! I've been told they are quite a bit more expensive to maintain but Viking put them in their 52's for years, how bad can they be?
  4. SHAZAM

    SHAZAM Senior Member

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    The 56 and the 60 are virtually the same boat with the extra length in the salon and in the cockpit. I've owned two 60's, one with 3412's and the other with 12V2000's, I couldn't imagine the 56 being anything other than a pig with the 800 hp cats. Go with the bigger motors for sure.
  5. MadDoc

    MadDoc New Member

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    @Shazam: could you comment on how the 60's ran?
  6. SHAZAM

    SHAZAM Senior Member

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    First one was an enclosed bridge 3412 boat while the second was an open bridge 12v1200 boat which I'm told was the only one ever built with the 2000 series engine as it was MTU's company boat. IMO, the bigger oceans (60'+) don't have the negative ride characteristics of the smaller boats. At first I didn't believe that the 56 and the 60 were the same boat till I saw them side by side, same beam, same lower cabin arrangement but smaller galley, dinette, main salon and cockpit. The 60 feels right space wise while the 56 feels a bit tight, especially in the engine room

    Regardless, both 60's I had got on plane effortlessly and could cruise comfortably anywhere from 18 to 30 knots. I've seen 35 knots wot on the 3412 boat and 37 (just for a brief second) on the 12v2000 boat. They both handled great, fantastic turning and good in a head sea. While neither had the ride of a "deep V" of similar size in the rough, I still think they're great boats and offer tons of value for the money.
  7. BJG

    BJG New Member

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    I own a 63SS powered with 1292's. While they may not be as efficient as some of the newer electronic engines, the boat still gets up and cruises at 25kts very comfortably.

    I would stay away from under powering a boat. what you will find is that you will tend to push the engines to perform, and this will just add undue wear and tear to the engines. Get larger engines and let them do less work... you will have less cost over time, with more uptime.
  8. MadDoc

    MadDoc New Member

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    if I go with the 56, it will be with the big engines. Got a very negative report from my broker's delivery captains who said they just chopped the 60's hull, aft was very flat...wouldn't ride much better than my 48 inspite of the added LOA
  9. SHAZAM

    SHAZAM Senior Member

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    Exactly my point. Go sea trial a 60 and I promise, you'll forget the 56.
  10. MadDoc

    MadDoc New Member

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    would buy a 60 but I have a 55 ft slip, they will let me go 56-57 but not 60 and since I own the slip...
  11. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    On that note, albeit with smaller accomodations, the mid 2000's 54' Hatteras SF are an EXCELLENT riding boat.
  12. MadDoc

    MadDoc New Member

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    have a contract on a 57 Ocean with big MTU's; thanks all!
  13. SHAZAM

    SHAZAM Senior Member

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    Congrats. Make sure the engines service history is up to date otherwise you're going to spend big money bringing them up to date.
  14. MadDoc

    MadDoc New Member

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    it appears I'm going to be spending signifigant money on those engines just on maintenance, much more expensive than my series 60's on the smaller boat