Tollycraft vs. Hatteras vs. DeFever

44' Tollycraft CPMY with 6V53TI's. 2400hrs on both. Don't see these engines too often. Are they reliable pumped up to 370HP? Sounds like a lot for a relatively small engine. I imagine the answer is....it depend on how they were run and maintained.

48' Hatteras LRC with DD 453N's at 112HP, 600hrs port/300hrs starboard. Not many hours. It either sits on the dock or they were rebuilt. Seems a little light on HP but could be a great fuel efficient hull speed trawler. Appears to have had a complete retrofit right down to fresh paint not too long ago. Really like the layout on this one.

43' Albin with single Lehnam with almost 7000 hours. Has everything we're looking for, but still has original steel fuel tanks.

They all show well in photos. The Hatt and Tolly appear to be liveaboard and I've not yet figured out how often they leave the dock. Both have modern electronics ands that the first thing that gets neglected on a dock queen, so there is hope.

Locations are all the way from VA down to FL so it's a significant road trip to look at these. I'll know more after talking to the brokers.

Also found a 47' DeFever with 3208TA's, One is fresh with 40 hours. The other has 6600 hours. My spidey sense tells me that this engine is not far behind the one that just got a rebuild. Other than that, boat seems nice and not far away to go look at.

Leaning toward the Hatt LRC. Appears to a nice boat but it's also the most expensive, oldest on the list and furthest away. 1976 and $245k, but just about everything appears to be new or no older than 2016. It would be a fun adventure bringing it home.

Hatt is under contract. Survey on Friday. Tolly and Albin available. Also found a 84 DeFever with Lehman 135's. High time though. 9000 hours. They are asking 180k. It has a very roomy engine room. Looks like 5' headroom or so. Also looks like an in-frame on Lehmans isn't un unsurmountable task should they ever need to be done.

79 Hatteras 58 MY with 8V92TI's. This one one is close so might try and get on board tomorrow. How are the 8V92TI's on fuel if you keep your foot out of it.

So if I go much bigger than 40, I go on a waiting list for a slip. Insurance might also be an issue. I have owner 38 and 42. When I do an online quote with United Marine Underwriters I get a message saying that the quote was submitted for review. For a 48' it went right through and was cheaper than expected. Only $1200/year for the DeFever and no problem at the marina. They will only insure the DeFever up to 150K so I guess that's a good bargaining chip on price. I think 180K is high for an '83 with 9K on the engines.

Someone else. Here's the link.

https://www.curtisstokes.net/trawlers-for-sale-hatteras-48-black-powder-2799076.html

I was thinking $300K would get a decent boat. I called on the GB than had 3208TA's just out of curiosity. Other than the obvious, here's a short list of things that were not in the ad.

Original fuel tanks. Rusted on the outside but not yet leaking.
Leaking teak decks. Bungs missing. Loose boards.
4 Broken side windows.
Anything painted needs repainting.

Owner wants $249K because he just installed all new Garmin electronics last year, which I could do for around $6000.

If it's the right boat at the right price, it doesn't last long on the market. Honestly, we went from a budget of $100K to $300K and the boats in the 250-300K range don't look a whole lot better than ones in the 100K range. Very frustrating for me and the brokers. I wish I could drop $1M+ on a boat but that's happening. Probably have to wait a bit closer to fall. Boats get cheaper up here off season.

Might go look at a 2005 Heritage East 36. It's a little small and may not have enough storage for our toys. 4 scuba tanks and dive gear for 2. Other then the forward stateroom, I don't see where I could stash a few tanks.

The good....Nice moden electronics with chart plotters and integrated radar with MFD's at both stations. Appers to be in pristine condition cosmetically. Has Cummins 5,9 6BTA @ 200HP.

The bad.....Engine has 4800hrs (maybe not that bad). Northern Lights genset has almost 12,000 hours. They spent a lot of time on the hook evidently. Reviews say it should go 15000-20000 if properly maintained.