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Best boat/engine combo for mid-range S.F.

Discussion in 'General Sportfish Discussion' started by VictorK, Nov 2, 2012.

  1. VictorK

    VictorK New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2012
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    5
    Location:
    Tarpon Springs, Florida
    Single Dad (59 y.o.) with great fisherman son starting to look for a 42 to 50+ SportFish to be used as a live-aboard for Dad (with a purchase budget of up to 200K). Main use will be short fishing trips around Tampa Bay and local cruising plus a 3 to 6 month ‘no-schedule’ cruise to the Bahamas next year and another 6 to 12 month cruise through Panama Canal within 3 years. Many short-legged trips will be singlehanded.
    Am an inventor by profession and am mechanically inclined though am not looking forward to doing much more than 'easy' maintenance due to bad hip pain in tight spaces>>>engine rooms.:mad:

    I am considering Hatts, Berties, Vikings, Oceans, Post or any other of the well known SF. Plush interiors is not top priority for me but easy maintenance/easy living is. I have been boating all my life though on smaller craft with a 32 Silverton Convertible being the largest so far.
    This will be my first diesel boat and I am somewhat overwhelmed with the engine choices and the varying HP choices from the same engine block. Speed is not an issue for me but cruising economy is. Would not mind ‘cruising’ at trolling speeds while pulling a few lures while enjoying good music and a few friends.

    Have read many thread answers from many captains with thousands of hours of experience on all vessel types who have seen yachts fall apart from under them for so many reasons…your ‘real world’ experience is priceless…IF you could recommend ABC boat choices (length & year) with XYZ engine choices for whatever reasons, it would be greatly appreciated!

    Thanks to all and peace.:cool:
    Victor
  2. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Are you looking for an express or FB boat? One of my favorites in that size range is the Cabo 45' Express with Cats. I would also look at Cabo's to add to your list. 54' Hatteras FB is a good choice as well. The 50' Post SF is very roomy, economical, and beamy. I'd skip over Egg Harbor personally. The Vikings in your price range wouldn't be my favorite choice....I ran a 45' Viking Fb 1995, the boat was a submarine before they put spray rails down the entire hull side. A 50' Viking with 1050 mans 2001 that I used to run was crazy fast, like 37 knot cruise and economical, but never stopped rocking......
  3. Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    With your idea of a liveaboard that can cruise and fish, ease of maintainance and be handled sort of single-handedly; have a look at a Hatteras Yacht Fisherman 53'. With Detroit 8v71 engines this older boat is a strong, simple combo within your price range and a good size to live on.
  4. SHAZAM

    SHAZAM Senior Member

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    I know it's a little smaller than what you're looking for but I'd take a look at a 390 Bertram. There are several for sale right now that can be had for under $200. Great boat, very economical and probably the newest boat you could buy in your price range with 4 cycle diesels.

    Otherwise if that's too small for you, take a look at 43 Bertram's. Great boat,it's of room and if powered with 6v92's they're inexpensive to rebuild.
  5. PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

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    Your main issue is the up to $200K budget, but another question has to be asked is how much you are willing to spend in getting the boat ship-shape?

    With any used boat in this size or price range, you are looking at the potential of rebuilding an engine, let's say at $3K - $4k per cylinder, plus transmissions, another $10K - $15K and some generator work. Replace ALL hoses and make spares while you are at it. You'll have propeller/shaft work as well. Most likely require Electronics up-grades, and you haven't even touched upon cosmetics and interior goods. I would seriously factor all this in for piece of mind for you and your young fisherman.

    Luckily, it is a buyer's market and you can get a used 42 - 48' boat in the well under the $100k range (that needs work), just do your due diligence with a great BUYER's Surveyor and plan on spending the money to make her mechnically sound. Look at boats in this size powered by 6-71's as this will be an affordable re-build/operating option. 6V-92's and 8V92's are more costlier to maintain and will burn more fuel. 8V-71' require a little bit more attention to keep them going. Most of the boats in this class will ride wetter than today's designs, but that never stopped those of us who had them having a great time out on the water. Your cruise will be in the 18 - 22 knot range. Go to a sight like Yachtworld (sorry, can I say this?) to search listings and you my even find a boat that has been re-done and is available in your budget.

    The bigger boat you can find, the more you will enjoy your time living aboard. There are plenty of 52/53 Hatteras Sportfisher's to consider in this price range, and if you have $200K cash, you will be surpised at how many $300K boats you will be asked to make an offer on. A 54 Bertram is a stretch at this price range but is the best sea boat for the older SF's.

    There are a ton of 46 Bert/Hatt/Post's/Oceans/Vikings out there, and you have to decide what is the best feature you are looking for layout/fuel burn/engine room access or what? A 48 Viking would be a good choice although thirstier then the 46 footers above.

    Running at low (trolling speeds) for long intervals is not the best way to operate diesels in a SF and will decraese the time between overhaul, so if you are budget conscious on fuel and don't mind trollings speeds, your are in a different class of boat, like a 42 Grand Banks or 48 Hatteras LRC or even a 48 Navigator or 45 Bayliner, which all make better liveaboards anyways.
  6. dsharp

    dsharp Senior Member

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    I would look for something that had an engine room that you can stand up in, if your hip gives you a little trouble. That probably rule out a 40-50 ' sportfish though. Anything around 40' is going to be packed tight in the engine room. They don't have many trawler style boats in this area so I'm not sure how their engine rooms are laid out. I know there are some Bertram fans here but, I have never been a fan of their boats from a maintenance perspective. The deep v makes it a challenge to work on. I don't know if they still put the generator in the lazerette but, that's not the best location.
  7. VictorK

    VictorK New Member

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    Thanks to YF and to the great help

    Wow…this forum is fantastic! Great forum and great people.

    Thanks to Capt. J, Fishtigua, Shazam, PacBlue, dsharp…you guys are great and very helpful. Thanks again.

    I will reply to each of you individually now.
  8. VictorK

    VictorK New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2012
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    Location:
    Tarpon Springs, Florida
    Thanks Capt. J.

    Hi Capt. J, I am only looking for a FB due to them having greater enclosed space.
    I did not have the Cabo on my list due to perception of them being too costly...will look more serious now. Thanks.
    The 54 Hatt is on my short list and is a great boat with tons of space. Since I plan on doing much cruising, the real dinette and washer/dryer will be appreciated.

    Good that you mentioned the 'rocking' of the Viking (deep V) which was why I was leaning to the 'flatter' bottom boats. Since I plan to spend many nights at anchor, the 'rocking' of a deep V is of major consideration. Any thoughts on this and choice picks?

    Regarding the engines...any model/size/year(s) you would advise to avoid and any you strongly recommend? Thanks.

    BTW, I will be in Ft. Lauderdale/Weston this Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday...it would be a pleasure to buy you lunch.

    Thanks again.
    Victor
  9. VictorK

    VictorK New Member

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    Location:
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    Thanks Fishtigua, I will look into them but am very biased to to the SF fly bridge boat.
    There are many Hatts out there which is good for the buyer also>>>:)
  10. VictorK

    VictorK New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2012
    Messages:
    5
    Location:
    Tarpon Springs, Florida
    [/QUOTE]
    Luckily, it is a buyer's market and you can get a used 42 - 48' boat in the well under the $100k range (that needs work), just do your due diligence with a great BUYER's Surveyor and plan on spending the money to make her mechnically sound. Look at boats in this size powered by 6-71's as this will be an affordable re-build/operating option. 6V-92's and 8V92's are more costlier to maintain and will burn more fuel. 8V-71' require a little bit more attention to keep them going. Most of the boats in this class will ride wetter than today's designs, but that never stopped those of us who had them having a great time out on the water. Your cruise will be in the 18 - 22 knot range. Go to a sight like Yachtworld (sorry, can I say this?) to search listings and you my even find a boat that has been re-done and is available in your budget.
    [/QUOTE]

    Thanks for the great details...appreciate it.
    Your option above to spend under 100k for a boat that will need work is very sound and may be the way to do it though the down time hurts.
    Yeah, I remember never complaining about 'wetness' in the 70's when invited to pull some balihoos on a SF...good times.

    [/QUOTE]
    The bigger boat you can find, the more you will enjoy your time living aboard. There are plenty of 52/53 Hatteras Sportfisher's to consider in this price range, and if you have $200K cash, you will be surpised at how many $300K boats you will be asked to make an offer on. A 54 Bertram is a stretch at this price range but is the best sea boat for the older SF's. [/QUOTE]

    The Hatts are on the top of my list...good selection out there right now.
    Being raised in Miami I appreciate the Bertrams but am afraid of the deep V 'rock & roll' at anchor which is something I will be doing much of.

    [/QUOTE]
    Running at low (trolling speeds) for long intervals is not the best way to operate diesels in a SF and will decraese the time between overhaul, so if you are budget conscious on fuel and don't mind trollings speeds, your are in a different class of boat, like a 42 Grand Banks or 48 Hatteras LRC or even a 48 Navigator or 45 Bayliner, which all make better liveaboards anyways.[/QUOTE]

    I understand that 100% trolling speeds will cause engine problems due to not running at the operational RPM's...is it not advised to bring up the boat to cruising speed every X minutes/hours of trolling in order to avoid this?
    The GB and other class boats are not being considered...only SF.

    Thanks.
    Victor