I haven’t posted any update on my project in a while so here it goes. Since it s been a while I ve included a summary of the work done to date... Here is a walk thru video showing the new layout of my 53 MY. It is far from finished... it s been an ongoing project for the last 4 years and I probably have another 2 or 3 years of work as I am doing most of the work myself. I have never liked the galley down. We love cooking and being down in a cave isn’t fun. I also noticed that many new boats in that size range have the galley aft, right by the aft deck. Down side is loosing some salon space but we still have seating for 5 if needed. I also redesigned the helm and saved almost a foot of space. Downstairs I combined both staterooms and heads to create a large master suite. Had enough room for a 5’ jacuzzi tub and a pump closet Forward I gutted the entire room and built a full size centerline bed. I am in the middle of building a new forward head where the dinette used to be. Much bigger than the old one and have room under the counter top for vented washer dryer combo The old galley is currently used as a workshop and will eventually be a small office with pull out couch. There is enough room for a third stateroom but we don’t need it Mechanically in addition to the Cummins C series repower (with new nibral props, one piece shafts and new exhaust) I have re wired the whole boat converting the house DC to 24 v. Some of the 1970 wiring I ripped out was downright scary ... not a single wire has been kept. New electrical panel as well. The only component of the electrical system I kept was a 2002 Norpro 18kW generator. New larger trim tabs have been installed to provide more lift. The boat can cruise 17kts and tops at 20kts I redid the air con with a new dual chiller system from Flagship Marine. Also installed 4 rule 3700s with new bilge pump panel at the helm. Eventually there will be a 5th one. Every single unused thruhull has been glassed and the remaining thruhulls have all new fittings and sea cocks Finally the old Vosper Mini Fins have been replaced with new Trac stabs. Hydraulics not connected yet... Still have a ton of work to do including wall panels, headliners, various interior trim, glass and at then painting the boat which still bears the scars of hurricane Irma....
CONGRATS Pascal! I am very impressed with your redesign of the original layout. The new Master suite is brilliant, and the head and shower look excellent! I have not seen anyone come anywhere close to making that many significant changes to the interior of a 53 Classic before. Keep up the good work, and please keep us posted on the progress. Best of luck!
Thanks guys. I ll confess some of the work is a bit crude like cabinetry glued and screwed but it’s all stuff you can’t see. I say that Boats are always a collection of compromises and when you redesign something this becomes very obvious. In my case the trade off for a nicer galley up and larger master suite is a smaller salon and a shared head for the two guests staterooms. I can live with that wspecially since we spend so much time on the aft deck. just like the 53 classic with side decks sacrifice interior space for wide side decks and better ventilation on the aft deck. personally it didn’t make much sense to spend all that money on a refit and keeping a 60s vintage layout it s far from being nice but another 3 years and it should be.... right now it s a sleeper. You wonder if she even runs but she’s as fast than most old hatts on the water
I got to appreciate your energy and vision, nice work and nice performance, you are quite the busy boat owner
Da Boot washer? I don’t speak red neck! If you mean washer dryer it will be vented combo under the forward head counter
You used 450hp Cummins for your repower and get a 17KT cruise. What HP would you guess it would take to get a 20KT cruise? Great work on your 53 !
I m not sure... I guess 500hp. The large fins probably cost 3/4 kt i really think the larger trim tabs and weight reduction help get boat on plane and lift the stern to a better running angle. I ll have to get some drone or tender video of the boat getting on plane but it doesn’t feel like the stern dig in as much as I ve see with other hatts. Since my boat had naturals I don’t have any reference point as she couldn’t get on plane before. I forgot the size of the original trim tabs. The new ones are 54x12. I also glasses the original cavity under the hull where the old trim tabs where and mounted them conventionally on the transom edge.
For the money and expected cruising speed for the bux, Pascal did great. If you need 20 kts and continued operation there. the Cunnins 8.3 would be great. Different tunes up to 600 hp. However, IMO 16-17 kts is probably the best speed for that hull. You would get minimal returns on just pouring fuel in to find 20kts in any engine. Open a new thread; Give us some ideas at what your really looking at / for..
Come on man! You're practically done! Looks good. Why are boats so much work?! Keep it going. You will get it done and it will feel great.
While I agree with this, I ran a 58' Yachtfish for a lot of years. It cruised at 14-15 knots. At WOT it did 21 knots and the ride was much much better at 21 knots. Cruising at 20-21 knots would be much more stable in a beam or following sea IMO.
How does the saying go , how much is enough ,just a little bit MORE ! Besides it is easy to divide by 20.