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Older Hatt vs Older Sea Ray vs Newer Silverton

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Chesapeake, Feb 1, 2019.

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  1. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Everything about it is a pain. It severely limits your options when upgrading to modern equipment. Finding old equipment takes a lot of time and effort. Even things such as light bulbs can be a problem.
  2. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Thru the years many have said just this. It befuddles me every time.
    I shop and keep spares as you should for 12 & 24Vdc systems. Never had a problem.
  3. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I've managed 32 volt boats, I started with 32 volt boats, it's annoying as hell. Your options are limited, if you like 1970's technology and galley maid toilets, screw in filament light bulbs, a choice between a rule 2000 and rule 3700 bilge pump, and etc. and not much else. I'm over fixing 1970's junk such as galley maid saltwater flush toilets for example. I can retrofit a nice 24 volt Raritan new head instead of rebuilding a 24 volt galley maid head, that's reliable, less moving parts, less noise, and less water going into the holding tank, for less money. But everytime you do that on a 32 volt boat, you then need to wire in a converter to go from 32 volts to 24 volts which is another step and more cost and another thing to fail. You can't buy a 32 volt jabsco engine room blower for example, you have to buy the entire 24 volt blower assembly, then the 32 volt motor for it, then swap them in the blower assembly. Stuff like that. Can't find a bilge pump smaller than a rule 2000 for shower sumps.
  4. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    For 24Vdc, Tap off the third battery. My new windlass runs from there.
    Oh, I still have 32Vdc, 800 Rule pumps in inventory.
    You have to shop and stock.

    There are boats out there that still run 48Vdc. Now, there is the challenge.
    It's not on a nearby shelf, you have to shop and stock. Most of these spares come from Canada or Alaska.

    As I have commented on before, I planned on converting our Bert to 24Vdc when we purchased her 15+ years ago. Installed that 24Vdc tap. Tied a few electronics to it but really not needed.
    When we got our new anchor windlass last year, used the other banks third battery for it.

    Oh, our heads are Crown. I do really hate those Galley Maid head pumps.
    However, Raritan still supports 32Vdc for their new heads.

    If you must have a whole 32Vdc blower, buy the shells and the motor.

    The sad part of 32Vdc systems are battery chargers. I have been lucky in keeping my Crown chargers working. e-bay is my friend.
    Charles chargers sucked and because of the Charles chargers, the 32Vdc boats got a bad rap (IMO).
    Better 32Vdc chargers are expensive. This may be the only bad news of a 32Vdc system.
    The latter Newmar and Century chargers are great.
  5. ranger58sb

    ranger58sb Senior member

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    For me, only a couple non-technical things: first is that I'm just not familiar with it, and second is that it seems to me it would add another layer of complexity in several areas at once (service, replacements, wiring, etc.) and I'm just not up for taking some of that on. My preference is for just one DC voltage, even if it's not perfect.

    I see some of the other comments here do seem to support the theory that 32V brings more issues... not insurmountable but more work than I could "enjoy."

    -Chris
  6. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I would not call them issues, just may require some extra thought at first.
    Thru the years, It's so automatic to me I don't even think about it.
    I know where my spares are and what ever failed gets replaced.
    Same red wire goes to red. Same black wire goes to black.

    Hopefully you have a spare bin of lamps, switches and pumps also.

    Not trying to cram 32V on anybody, it's just not a bad set up as some folks think.
  7. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Holy cow! I just learned a Feadship load of info on the back and forth posts on this O.P. Thank You! All good to know for that next purchase, which is not soon.....:(
  8. ranger58sb

    ranger58sb Senior member

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    One man's issues can be another man's no big deal.

    But I started this whole boat thing with no background/experience on engines, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, etc... so almost everything is a learning experience... usually even starting with first having to learn the relevant jargon associated with all those areas. What's a flange? What's the difference between a plug and a cap? Et cetera. I understood most of the theory, of course. I knew what an injector pump does, and generally how, for example, but I didn't know what one looked like. And so forth.

    So I'm just managing how much curve there is at any given time in my learning chores. :)

    -Chris
  9. PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

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    While 32V can be managed with some effort, or possibly less for an industry insider, most 32V owners have long terms goals of converting to 24V. No one in this era would purposely search for a 32V boat today, everyone acknowledges a 24V system is the preferred set-up. The everyday owner doesn’t want the hassle of upkeep on a dated major system.
  10. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    So, Another one; Tell me what makes a 24Vdc system so great (preferred) over a 32V system.
  11. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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  12. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Even Scotty had to learn a bit when he started.
    There is a lot of stuff in our Aqua Space Craft.
    As Chris said above, almost everything is a learning experience.
    So I understand about not wanting to deal with a less used technology when your head is still on other topics.

    All I'm trying to say is don't be scared of 32Vdc system if it's on the ship you are interested in purchasing.
  13. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    OPTIONS. No matter where you're traveling you can find parts. You have a much larger variety in parts and many many places stock them. I can get Rule bilge pumps (for example) in 24 volts in every increment from 500-4000 GPH at any number of parts sellers. Same goes for batteries, I can find 12 volt batteries for a 24 volt system anywhere in the world and easily. If I want to change a toilet, I have a choice of over 2 dozen different brands and models, not 2 models. Battery chargers, I have dozens and dozens to choose from and in all output amps.

    Yes, you can keep a 32 volt boat going, but it takes an aweful lot of time to find the parts to do so and your options are very limited on which parts and variety you can buy. Like what's the smallest 32 volt rule bilge pump you can buy, 2000 gph…...well that doesn't work out so great in some shower sumps. Sure you can carry a lot of spares, but unfortunately the part you need in the Bahamas on a trip is the one spare you don't have. I'm in the yachting parts capital of the world, and whenever I work on a 32 volt boat, it's a pain in the ass even for me to find parts at times.
  14. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Walk into a small (Non-Hub) WestMarine store. There is not much 24Vdc stuff on the shelf. Certainly no 24V heads. You either have to drive to the larger store or order it.
    Even in the islands, a new head would be a tough order. BTW, I have 2 spare 32Vdc new crown basses, always one on board. As most of my spares, I shop and stock, These head basses cost a fraction of their normal cost when not needed than when needed.
    The same aweful time shopping is near the same anyway for 24Vdv items.
    I'm in South Georgia, I have to order most things anyway, it's the same for me on 24V and 32Vdc items.
    As all owners should do, have spares as they would for their 12 or 24 Vdc boat.

    On another thread we are talking about an old & dead 24Vdc Newmar battery charger.
    Number$ are staggering there also for a new charger. No woo there.

    Just more batteries and these 8V batteries are not stocked at Wally-World. Here is the rub that I'll tell you about. I go rite to my battery distributor for my 19"- 8V batteries.
  15. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    The 32v isnt a deal killer for me, like access to systems for maintenance, something sea ray is generally terrible with. I will aso take 32v for better seaworthiness or ease of boarding. Yes its a little harder to find parts but not a huge deal especially nowadays with online ordering.

    I converted my boat to 24v but only because i was repowering and replacing verything incl all pumps, heads, wiring, panels, chargers etc.
  16. PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

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    Look at it this way, you would not design your 40 - 60’ vessel with a 32V system today. It wouldn’t even be a topic or design consideration.
    You can keep a 32V boat going much like you can keep a carburated classic car going, but their are better options. You would only keep it that way to remain original.
    It would definitely be a deal killer for an average boater in my opinion. It would be a high ranked item on the list to replace/redo/rewire.
    I have no idea how 32V has better seaworthiness or ease of boarding, what does that even mean?
  17. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    It doesn’t, obviously. My point is that when you list the criteria in picking a boat, there are far more important things than 24 vs 32v (assuming the 32v system hasn’t been butchered

    Seaworthiness and the ability to handle a 4 footers on the bow without having to slow down to 6 kts is more important, to me, than worrying about waiting 2 days to receive a light bulb

    Being able to board the boat without acrobatics, like so common in Euro boats imported into the US is also more important.

    Accessibility is also critical. Ever tried replacing a bilge pump or a fresh water pump on a 46 Sea Ray when you can only reach it with one hand?

    The list goes on.

    And yes I love the 4 carbs on my jaguar V12 :)
  18. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I would not eliminate the 32V from my consideration but everything else being equal, I'd definitely choose 24V. There is always an advantage in being within the current mainstream. Wider selection and more choices of equipment and parts. There are plenty of captains and engineers today who have never been exposed to 32V. Yes, they can learn and can keep parts, but life is simpler with 24V. If the boat I felt I just had to have was 32V, I'd buy it. However, it is a factor I would consider in deciding.
  19. PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

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    Yes, absolutely, keeps the value of your classic at the right investment point.

    What year/model 46 SR has the offending fw pump?