Hi from new member and questions about Superhawk 48

[FredBMOC]

Gentleman,

Great forum with lots of good information and fun characters! Congratulations on having such an active community of boating enthusiasts!

As the titles says, I would like to get some information from members who have experience with Sunseeker boats and especially with the Superhawk 48 or 50 models. I have just made an offer on a 2003 model with Volvo D6-310 DP engines and outdrives and have been researching as much as I can about the SS Superhawk in preparation for a sea trial and survey in the coming weeks. The information I am especially looking for refers to common issues with SS boats and especially with Super Hawks, common issues with the Volvo units, Items I should especifically look for during our sea trial, information about reliability, ride characteristics or any other information you care to share and that might be useful to me as I embarque in this exciting new adventure
I have literally scoured the internet and every possible boating and engine forum over the past few weeks but I am sure that the knowledgeable members here at YBW will be able to add considerably to the (very small ) amount of knowledge I have acquired thus far. Thanks in advance to all who reply.
Best Regards,

Fred
Fort Lauderdale, FL

 

[Nick_Pam]

IIRC, the triple engined Superhawks can suffer from a flooded centre engine air inlet/turbo because that engine is mounted low down in the boat (it has been known on twin engine installations if the legs are mounted too low on the transom.

Also worth a look for articles (this forum and others) about the steering rams on the DPH outdrive legs corroding away - there is a set of gaiters for retro-fit and a possible recall from Volvo (finally!!!) for a proper fix.

Don't know the Super Hawk well as never owned one, but my Carmargue 44 was pretty well built and handled very well.

Good Hunting

N

 

[FredBMOC]

Nick, Thanks for replying! I will include those items as areas to look out for during our survey.
I'm excited, my offer was accepted this morning!

 

[FredBMOC]

Morning Gentleman,
My offer was accepted (after some bacK and forth ping pong negotiation ) so sea trial and surveys are next. I would truly appreciate any information/ warnings other forum members could off on Sunseekers and Suoerhawk 48s.
Thanks again and safe boating!

Fred
Fort Lauderdale, FL

 

[EME]

Hi Fred

Little to offer other than questioning your 'specification'? By 2002/3 the boat was a "Superhawk 50" and mostly fitted with Yanmar 420s ... I thought the only D6-engined Superhawk was the 43. KAD 300 on early 50s.

I am probably totally wrong and will get corrected and havent added anything to your question anyway! Enjoy the boat.

 

[FredBMOC]

EME, Thanks for the heads up; I checked again and the boat is a 2004 built, 2005 model; I'll double check on the engine model tomorrow.

 

[MapisM]

1st of all welcome to the madhouse.
No specific suggestions on the boat you're looking at I'm afraid, but just one warning - with apologies if I'm stating the obvious.
You're aware that there's some truth in the old adage "3 engines, 3 problems", aren't you?
On a boat like that, for any given total power, twins would give you lower consumption/better performances and lower maintenance/better accessibility.
All the best for the seatrial and survey, anyway!

 

[MRC]

Superhawk 48 was possibly the best boat I have had. That could be due to the fun factor. It really is a big superhawk 34. Single forward cabin, saloon and a much bigger heads than on the 34.

Mk1 superhawk 48 1996-2001
Mk2 superhawk 48 2001-2004
Superhawk 50 2001 - 2004
Superhawk 43 - 2006-2010
All approx

Mk2 48 is facelift, externally looks prettier, nicer dash layout etc. 50 is same as the mk2 48 but extended platform and 3xyanmar 420hp with surface drives and twin speed gearbox.

50 is harder to Manourvre at slow speed, possibly not as good when it gets lumpy but it's serious fun for flat water blast. Keep toying with the one that's for sale un Christchurch.

Superhawk 43 is the current superhawk which has been in build since late 2006. Twin D6, triple Yamaha or twin surface drives all good foe 45-50knotts. Interior of 43 is a nice place, forward open plan bed, galley, heads and convertible saloon into Pullman berths.

Never heard of a 48 with D6s so could have been re-engined?

My 48 had triple kad300 and that performed better than a friends with triple kad43/44s

 

[EME]

Superhawk 48 was possibly the best boat I have had. That could be due to the fun factor. It really is a big superhawk 34. Single forward cabin, saloon and a much bigger heads than on the 34.

Mk1 superhawk 48 1996-2001
Mk2 superhawk 48 2001-2004
Superhawk 50 2001 - 2004
Superhawk 43 - 2006-2010
All approx

Mk2 48 is facelift, externally looks prettier, nicer dash layout etc. 50 is same as the mk2 48 but extended platform and 3xyanmar 420hp with surface drives and twin speed gearbox.


Never heard of a 48 with D6s so could have been re-engined?

In terms of "dates'' (and I appreciate it was not your point). From memory, the 48/Mk 1 finished c. 1999 , the 48/Mk 2 c. 2001 and the 50 c 2003/4 so very interested in the provenance here ..... and never heard of a 50 with D6s

 

[MRC]

Can you post up a link to the boat or a photo?

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

Those number are wrong the 48 Superhawk Mk.II started production in 1999, up untill 2002. In 02 till 2005 there was the 50, same in all areas to 48 Superhawk Mk.II with extra bathing platform, and option for big Yanmar with surface drives. I think they used the Buzzi surface drives series.

I once was a crew on a delivery Mk.II model with twin KAD43 2 x Volvo 231hp, smaller engine choice of the bunch altough it still topped 33/34 knots max.
The boat ran ok but to be honest I was dissappointed with her bow, bow quatering seas performance, as it slammed quite a bit in waves over four feet, Force four beaufort winds. I also did not like how she stayed on the water in the slow planning speed zone, 15 to 20 knots, but that is may be because of the small engines. Kinda never really up on the plane.

 

[FredBMOC]

Back from the sea trial!

Gentleman,
Thanks for all of the responses! First to clarify about the boat itself:
It is a Superhawk 48, year 2004, hull cast in June of 2004. It is a 48 and not a 50 for sure.
I believe the correct engines on the boat are triple Volvo KAMD300s and not D6s as I had understood before.
The boat in question is this one:
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/boatMergedDetails.jsp?boat_id=2413350&ybw=&units=Feet&currency=USD&access=Public&listing_id=2304&url=

Regarding the sea trial, seas were 6-8 ft and 15-20 knot winds. It was kind of nasty but still a good day to get an initial feel for the boat. The ride was Better than I expected in view of the conditions, mostly dry and flat but we really were taking it easy not wanting to launch the boat and damage something. I was mostly listening for rattles, vibrations and other strange noises but the boat was quite solid and overall I was very much impressed that it felt so solid; when coming over big waves I expected the bow to plunge into the water considering the low freeboard of the boat and the angles we were coming off of the waves but the bow remained well above the water. The engines were very quiet even at speed; we really did not push them hard getting the boat only to 25 knots while out on the ocean and 35 knots on the inlet while coming back into the ICW, we ran out of room to try to go faster and never even tried to play with engine trim or trim tabs but the speed and revs were still climbing. A few of the gauges, sucah as the engine trim indicators aren't working perfectly well so I am looking forward to survey and long sea trial on Monday when we will have more precise gauges attached to monitor temperature, et. overall for an 8 year boat everyting felt pretty good and I am really excited!
Thanks again everyone for the input!

 

[MRC]

Just perfect ... Very very nice.

 

[FredBMOC]

Mapis,

Maybe I should name her "Triple Trouble!"
I understand what you are saying but the middle engine is already there and I am bying a used boat so no way to change it; I have looked for other boats in my price range, and with the features we are looking for and the SH 48 is the one that has best fit the bill thus far...I truly appreciate the sound advice and warning you are giving me, Thanks,

1st of all welcome to the madhouse.
No specific suggestions on the boat you're looking at I'm afraid, but just one warning - with apologies if I'm stating the obvious.
You're aware that there's some truth in the old adage "3 engines, 3 problems", aren't you?
On a boat like that, for any given total power, twins would give you lower consumption/better performances and lower maintenance/better accessibility.
All the best for the seatrial and survey, anyway!

 

[FredBMOC]

MRC,

Looking forward to having fun with her myself!

Superhawk 48 was possibly the best boat I have had. That could be due to the fun factor. It really is a big superhawk 34. Single forward cabin, saloon and a much bigger heads than on the 34.

Mk1 superhawk 48 1996-2001
Mk2 superhawk 48 2001-2004
Superhawk 50 2001 - 2004
Superhawk 43 - 2006-2010
All approx

Mk2 48 is facelift, externally looks prettier, nicer dash layout etc. 50 is same as the mk2 48 but extended platform and 3xyanmar 420hp with surface drives and twin speed gearbox.

50 is harder to Manourvre at slow speed, possibly not as good when it gets lumpy but it's serious fun for flat water blast. Keep toying with the one that's for sale un Christchurch.

Superhawk 43 is the current superhawk which has been in build since late 2006. Twin D6, triple Yamaha or twin surface drives all good foe 45-50knotts. Interior of 43 is a nice place, forward open plan bed, galley, heads and convertible saloon into Pullman berths.

Never heard of a 48 with D6s so could have been re-engined?

My 48 had triple kad300 and that performed better than a friends with triple kad43/44s

 

[FredBMOC]

Superhawk 48 purchase is confirmed! During the hull and engine surveys some items were found that needed to be corrected and that took a while to accomplish but I am happy as everything that was a must fix has been done at the sellers expense.
I took the SH out today for the final sea trial post repairs, in 3 foot seas, and got to 43 knots before losing my nerve to play with the trims; speed was still climbing and the boat was solid and really rode smooth. Wife loved the ride at 3000 RPM and 30 knots! so I guess that is going to be our cruising speed... ;-)
Now I am going to have a list of items that were not repaired at the owners expense that I would like to do on my own so I will be asking lots of questions of forum members ;-), first one is: what spares and tools should I have on board to make sure that I always make it back home?
- spare impellers
- spare belts
- miscellaneous o-rings
- miscellaneous filters
??
Thanks for all of the help thus far!

 

[MRC]

Another friends called this week talking about his hunt for a superhawk 50.


Enjoy her. Where are you based?

 

[FredBMOC]

Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

There is a 50 for sale here; looks pretty nice. It is on yachtworld advertised by a company called fastboats if I remember correctly...