Complete 53 Hatteras MY refit 2025 update

The difference in BSFC (fuel economy) between two stroke Detroits and modern four strokes like the 450 mechanical Cummins (let alone the newer common rail engines) is very significant and should be investigated if you rethink of rebuilding the Detroits.
 
I have decided agaisnt rebuilding rhe DD. The cost difference with the factory recon cummins with new trannies is too small to even consider it and the cummins have a two year warranty.
 
owned a pair of C series Cummins for 15 years. Since I did ll my own work I got to know them well. I really admire that design for its basic simplicity. Nothing weird such as injectors under valve cover, or weird IP, twin turbos, complicated intake and exhaust etc. Just basic easy access design. Would buy them again in a heartbeat. The 8.3l gives great oomph at low RPMs
 
A problem with owner rebuilt boats from an eventual resale perspective is lack of confidence in workmanship. The cabinetry will be obvious but wiring and plumbing are always suspect. If you can document the diagrams and proper materials used IMO that would add significantly to salability. Would also help any workers if in future you don't want to do everything yourself.
 
Everything is marine grade... Tinned wire, tinned connectors with shrink tube, blue sea panels, straight wire runs without splices etc... All correct colors including yellow for Dc neg.

I have been pulling out old yards of wires with dozens of splices, Non tinned wiring, cheap connectors and ridiculous amount of electrical tape!
 
quote:
Originally posted by realrez

I would to see plans for that pop up TV.

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Lol no plans... I made it all up after a quick sketch I didnt keep :)

It s basically just a couple of 1" square alum tubing with a board to hang the TV to. Then there are 4 sets of 3 casters to keep it lined up in a plywood box :) very red neckish but it works
 
I figured you have some servos wired up and a remote for nice affect. Maybe some better pics of your setup would help.
 
quote:
Originally posted by glenncal1

There was an article in Passagemaker (I think) about a couple that was doing a refit of a 56 or 58 Hatt. They were located n California and took the boat to Ensanada Mexico for the work. The results were great. They brought things like the fridge and ac units down from the states for installation.

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Here is the Youtube on the 53 Hatt refit/ repower.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqQPlavvD5I
 
Started work on the new master a couple of week ago. First opened th wall between the guest room and the back of the master closet, then moved the closet in the old guest room. Will build a vanity on the other side where teh drawers are piled up in the pictures.

Also gutted both old heads and removed the wall between the heads and the companionway. Final step to date last night was getting the tub in. Head is so big that we decided to put in a whirlpool tub instead of a shower.

The space partially visible behind the tub will be a pump closet where I am moving teh air con pump (and adding a back up), both AC and DC fresh water pump as well as, eventually a watermaker.

Updated timeline right now is to finish the master by the end of the month, at least the bulk of it, then in December start working a number of mechanical things I need to do before the engines are swapped like batteries, Chargers, fuel tank cleaning, new racors, etc...tryin to plan haul out in January for engine swap, new shafts, replace all thru hulls, etc..

Updated pics of the master in the FB album linked above
 
Seems that you do work single handedly faster than yards do it with a big staff.
 
:) I m not paid by the hour... And living In a dusty dirty messy boat is the best incentive to work fast...
 
Just uploaded a bunch of pictures of the new master head. Turning out nice... Tub enclosure is done (will finish trim today, the pieces seen in pics are just temporary left over bits I had), counter top is done, all new subfloor installed. Ready to do the plumbing and then finish the area between the countertop and the hull with medicine cabinet, shelves, etc,,,

Pictures don't really show how big the new head it, it s almost 6' wide and 7' long plus the corner where the Vacuflush will be

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/...542.1073741827.1452437519&type=1&l=26307af31d
 
Before ending my career in education as a middle school principal, I was, as they used to say, an industrial arts or shop teacher. Have thoroughly enjoyed following your build of the sailboat and now your retrofit. Always love your use of mahogany, one of my favorites. Will be spending the month of March in Fort Pierce, then a few days in the Keys beginning of April. Have thought about a visit to Key Biscayne. Who knows, maybe we will run into each other. Of course, that time of year you will probably be on Charmer in the Caribbean. Please keep the picts coming. Thanks for sharing.
Scott
 
I really like mahogany, it's a brighter alternative to teak, much cheaper too yet hard and fairly rot resistant, though it's becoming harf to find in wider planks so I ve switched to utile for cabinet doors, wider shelves or counter tops. Closer to teak in color and even cheaper than mahogany... Very stable and doesn't warp like other hard wood.

Very lucky to have a great lumber yard within two minutes of the marina which stocks just about every type of wood I can need... Also have a west marine and Home Depot just as close... Makes any project a lot easier...

Key biscayne is pretty nice and upscale, more like a village.only a couple of hotels (Sonesta and Ritz Carlton)
 
Finally got a chance to make some progress. Posted new pics on teh Fb public page

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/...542.1073741827.1452437519&type=1&l=26307af31d

New head is functional with the tub, shower, Vacuflush and sinks all hooked up and working. Tried the whirlpool for the first time last night, nice and relaxing after a full day of working on the boat!

Still quite a bit of cabinetry to finish obviously along the remaining of the ceiling panels. Floor will be teak and Holley ply as I am trying to keep the weight down

Whoever install the Vacuflush on the boat in the mid 90s thought it would be a great idea to out the vac tank and some hoses under the cabinetry in the master... Great idea from a smell point of view. Then they installed the pump in the engine room some 25' away even though the pump and tank are supposed to be within 3' of each other. Fixed that by moving the pump and twnk in the new pump closet between the head and the ER where I also installed the fresh water pump, plumbing manifolds with shut off valves, etc..

In teh master stateroom, I ve started work on the vanity and cabinetry on the port side. I am reusing some of the old drawers but reinstalling them on modern self closing ball bearing slides instead of the 70s vintage center tracks with plastic hook in the back. Big improvement.

I have also started installing new bilge pumps (3700 rules) They re mounted on brackets with their floats switches plus a high water alarm float switch above. The brackets (starboard) are attached high on bulkheads and can be removed as a complete unit for maintenance. Beats trying to remove screws in the bottom of the boat... Each set is powered by a new 5 wire harness going to the main pump panel at the lower helm with breakers, override switches and LEDs. Three will be 6 pumps altogether.
 
yea... and to think I`ve been showing off my biggest update... a bracket for the little flatscreen tv...I`m definatly not worthy
 
Color me green. That is all.

Seriously - excellent design, gorgeous work. If I get to Miami, I'd love to see it.
 
big undertaking! im currently reto all the canvas and upholstery on a 53 and a diterent guy who met on the hatt forum with a 60 a couple years ago
 
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