46 Ocean SS 1983

IMHO, The sportfish market on the older boats seems really depressed. At the current bargain prices, you can likely buy a better quality boat than an Ocean Yacht within a similar price parameter. If you heart is set on the Ocean, and she's a moviestar and priced right - go for it. If not, perhaps you may want to look at an older Viking, Hatteras or Bertram. There are deals to be had, but you have to do the legwork. As always, YMMV.

If the Ocean is the target, survey thoroughly and go from there.

It is still a buyers market, but for how long, I don't know, take your time, look at as many boats as you can, and make some offers........you might be surprised when the broker calls you back after you gave him a "leave me alone offer"...........

Oceans can be great boats for the right number......


Btw, a lot of traditional SFs are being used as cruisers while the money crowd dumps crazy money into big CCs to race to the canyon and back with quad
OBs......l

i think you are correct....

Berean

I assume you are talking about a standard SF and not the aft cabin Ocean also made. Oceans are a "Jersey" style hull - good forward dead rise, tapering to a flatter bottom toward the transom. Hence the speed and economy. Oceans are also light. Oceans will be more stable at anchor than the traditional deep vee, eg Bertram or Viking type hulls with their 16 degree plus dead rise to the stern. Those boats will take heavier seas, though. Ocean fixed most of their boats with keel problems, but check what era that occurred to be sure your target isn't one of them. The Oceans I've been on had nice fit and finish inside. Look for one with a mid ship master for a little more comfort at night. You're going to get some hull slap on the chines that you probably didn't notice in your GB. Also check out the engine space to be sure you're happy with the tight spaces. No matter what boat you select have it thoroughly surveyed, and happy hunting

In the same category, The 48 Ocean is a nice boat also.

After 20 + boats over the last 18 years, I can say that fuel economy should not be the deciding factor in your choice of a boat.
Consider the entire combination of machinery, design and importantly the quality of workmanship. Especially coming off a GB.
If you are reading regular negative opinions on a boat manufacturer, take heed and don’t talk yourself into the deal just because comparatively sized boats are more expensive, there is a reason and it will show up in the number of days you miss out on enjoying the fishing/cruising and when it comes to resale.

We love our 1982 42' ocean, the interior is really roomy and on deck plenty of space to entertain. We watch the other boats at our marina bob and weave and ours barely moves. We have 471Ti's and fuel economy is really good also especially at low speeds. I have had plenty of old time boat guys tell me how well and thick they built the hulls back then, mine is solid as can be.

My survey states they are 285hp. They run wonderfully I've played with different rpms and checked out my speeds ect...
What I have found is we can travel at 9 or 10knts at 1200rpm and burn about 3gal/hr per engine or jump up on plane at 1800rpm then back it off to 1500rpm to stay on plane running 13knts or so. But we do have 22knts in our pocket if we need them running around 2500rpm. They are true iron horses!! no trouble what so ever and in my case they use almost no oil. We traveled 400 miles from Oriental NC up the Elkton Md and needed to add 1qt of oil per engine and haven't added any since may this year.

Many mechanics told me how 3208's were not very reliable when we were boat hunting I am glad we went or were able to find what we have now.

Having said that the new diesels are fantastic in the new boats.

Hello Berean: I've owned a 46 Ocean SS for some 10 years and found that the myths started by a rival boat company about Ocean Yachts are just myths, Flexible flyer, etc are just untrue myths that stuck, talk to owners of the 46, don't listen to hearsay (for any boat or engine). Three years ago, my Detroits needed major overhaul, and after a laborious decision, I repowered with a pair of 450 HP Cummins with new transmissions. The boats tops out at a little over 29 knots with a comparatively economical fuel burn rate, and certainly less fuel than the Detroits. It's time for me to move on, so if you still have interest in a 46 SS, I suggest you look at my brokers listing (holiday harbor yachts sales in NJ). I don't think you will find a better deal ona 46 SS. The asking price is much less than the amount I put into the engine room. Good luck in your adventure.

I can say the flexible flyer thing is not a myth. I maintained a 1987 63' Ocean SF, which we never had any structural issues with, from about 1997 to about 2009. The owner and his brother both owned 63's but his brothers had a tuna tower. Needless to say when the boat was hauled, the foward slings would bend in the entire rubrail area of the boat about 9" on each side and crack the varnish down the entire toe rail on the bow. His brothers boat did the same thing. Then later by putting 8x8" blocks underneath the rubrail, it stopped cracking the varnish everytime it was hauled.

I also worked as a mate on another Ocean way way back where the owner had 12 cylinder MAN's crammed into a 53' Ocean SF (new), I think the boat was a 1993. The boat cruised at 37-38 knots, back then. At cruise the engines tweaked the stringers over so much the engines were in the middle of the aisle and 2" apart (almost touching each other), when at the dock you could fit between them.

This being said, I've never seen any Ocean's come apart or have major structural issues, personally.

Below the rubrail, and between the hull and the slings. If you use 4 or 6' long blocks they'd help dissappate the stress along a longer surface and the straps wouldn't touch the rubrail itself and press against it. Similar to hauling a boat with spray rails