Tollycraft vs. Hatteras vs. DeFever

After going over photos, seeing these in real life if like a kick in the nuts, but this one looked good. I was going to send a refundable deposit, but was told it was scheduled for survey. Not sure I'd want to pursue it if it fails survey.

What I'm finding it that I can spend a ton of money on a late model boat with issues, or I can buy an older boat with the same issues for a lot less. For instance....A newer GB with 3208's or an older GB with leymans or possibly 453's (rare). Both have the same inherent flaws. The clock is just ticking a little faster on the older one.

I've not seen one good comment about 3208TA's in a displacement hull, but a mid 80's - mid 90's GB will likely have them. Many other boats in the same era also have them. Cat and Cummins become more prevalent as you approach 2000.

And being a '76 buyer might have insurance or financing issues, unless paying cash. From what I've been seeing though, when they walk away after a survey, it's usually pretty bad and the owner is not willing to concede on price or make repairs.

I've looked at a few with 6BTA's CTA's. A few with Cat 3126's. A few with DD671TI and TIB. I would probably consider a 3208 natural. Off the list is Volvo, DD671TIB and 3208TA. On the fence on 671TI. It would depend on the rest of the boat the price. Problem right now is finding a seller that's not hitting the crack pipe. Boats priced at the top of the market with long, LONG lists of years worth of deferred maintenance. A lot of it small items that turned into big items because it wasn't dealt with when it was small.

The right one will come along.

Wife found a 42 Azimut flybridge she likes with 3126's. I'm on the fence. It would suit our needs, but I think a trawler is a better fit for us. Seller is high. I've seen 46's for less.

There is the Albin with a single Lehman 2728T. Nice looking boat. Not a dock queen. Has bow thruster, water maker, stabilizers, new canvas, decent electronics but original fuel tanks. I think it can be bought cheap enough to justify tanks and/or engine should it become a problem. I could spend 4 times as much for something similar with the same potential issues.

36' Heritage East. Nice boat. Modern electronics. Mid/High time Cummins. High time genset. Might be a bit small but worth checking out. Boat is evidently made by DeFever who never figured out that steel fuel tanks were a bad idea. A 2005 boat should have a number of years before worrying about tanks, but it there.

I think the DeFever 44 is off the list unless the seller comes to his senses. Not likely this year. Not worth looking at with the current price.

2005 Atkinson Cape Islander. Nice turn key boat but a whisker above our price cap. Might make an exception after seeing it, might not.

There are a couple of Tolly's with DD 6V53TI's that we might look at.

We looked at a 97 Hatt CPMY 42 with 3126's last week. Not a bad boat but the engines are shoe horned in and only has fly bridge controls. I really liked the stand up engine room in the DeFever 44.

Going to road trip down to Savanah, GA next week and look at as many as we can that check enough of the right boxes.

I'm looking at everything. Which one do you consider a mut? The Atkinson is nice and has Nordhvn vibe, but has QSM11 at 660HP. Seems like a lot of HP and fuel for a top speed of 12kts, so that one is off the list.

Never said I would buy it, but sometimes we do things just to make the wife happy. Pretty sure she will talk herself out of it after seeing it.

Thanks guys. I really am looking at everything that fits less than 300K within a days drive. I agree on the engine room. Most of these boats, especially the MY's have very tight engine rooms. I wouldn't even call it a "room". More like a compartment. I wouldn't rule out a nice boat because of it, but it is a consideration. I'm not a tiny guy and I like to be proactive on maintenance and will be spending some time in the engine room.

I'm pretty open to most brands and engines, but not crazy about overpowered trawlers. 3208TA's in a 42GB burn around 10 GPH at 8kts. Same boat with Lehmans or DD 453's is 4-5 at the same speed. Also don't like that the 3208 can't be rebuilt in-frame. The Atkinson is a cool boat but ad states max speed of 12kts with 660HP. That doesn't sound right. My grand parents 48 Alaskan Pilothouse had 135 Lehmans and did 8kts all day long.

Some of this has to do with the available inventory and my patience to wait for the right one to come along. I'm hoping some of the ones on my short list that went under contract back out. A broker said that it is definitely possible. They are seeing people back out because of financing or insurance issues and just getting cold feet because of the economy.

Guys....Any serious complaints about DD 6V53TI's? I did a forum search and this thread is the only one that came up. Ad says they are rated at 370HP. The 2 Tolly's on my short list have these engines. Both with around 2500 hours. Just a guess, but probably run more like a trawler than a flat out sport fisher.