Hatteras 43 Double Cabin

Built 1971–1984 by Hatteras Yachts

Is she right for you? Take the quiz Own one? Start her custom manual Looking at one? Sea-trial scorecard

About the Hatteras 43 Double Cabin

Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.

Illustration of a Hatteras 43 Double Cabin — **Illustration, not a photo of this model.** AI-generated illustration of a typical flybridge motor yacht.

Built: 1971–1984
Builder: Hatteras Yachts
Length: 43.08 ft
Beam: 14 ft
Draft: 3.42 ft
Displacement: 34,000 lb
Hull: fiberglass
Hull / keel: planing
Propulsion: inboard
Fuel: 375 gal
Water: 130 gal
Water heater: AC · standard
Generator: standard
Stern thruster: not fitted
Steering: hydraulic

Tank capacities — where the figures come from

Fuel 375 gal
The Hatteras owners' archive has no builder brochure for the 43 Double Cabin (the model is listed there for Nov 1970-Jun 1984 without a brochure).
Water 130 gal
“Water Hold (Gallons): 130” — search excerpt, boats-from-usa.com

One listing agrees with the 130 gal we listed before; no builder source was found.
Holding unknown
“90 gallon black water holding tank” — search excerpt, stevensyachtgroup.com

One broker listing only; holding tanks on early-1970s boats were often retrofits.
Water heater AC · standard
“This yacht has a hot and cold water pressure system consisting of fresh water storage tank, water pressure pump, water h” — owner's manual (AMF era, hull AE-290), uscgcaptains.org · “Figure 3.6, 43 Double Cabin Freshwater System (STANDARD ARRANGEMENT): 3. WATER HEATER & PRESSURE TANK” — owner's manual (AMF era, hull AE-290), uscgcaptains.org

The Hatteras owner's manual (hull AE-290), which covers the model's basic standard equipment, shows the heater in the standard freshwater drawing, not marked optional as the ice maker is. It's 120 V AC only; the manual warns never to connect fresh water to engine or generator water systems. The heater's capacity isn't given; the water tank holds 130 gal.

Tanks are often replaced or added on older boats — check the tank labels or a survey for yours.

Thrusters and steering — where this comes from

Bow thruster unknown
The AMF Hatteras owner's manual for hull AE-290 (systems, electrical, maintenance) never mentions a thruster. It isn't a standard and option list, though, so it doesn't prove none was fitted.
Stern thruster not fitted
Our earlier figure of none has no source; the builder's manual is silent.
Steering hydraulic
“The steering on this yacht is accomplished with a manually powered hydraulic system. This system consists of a helm unit” — owner's manual, uscgcaptains.org · “Figure 3.2 43 Double Cabin steering system: typical helm unit, reversible positive displacement piston pump, 2-3/4 cu. i” — owner's manual, uscgcaptains.org

The builder's manual (AMF Hatteras, hull AE-290) confirms manual hydraulic steering with a pressurized reservoir, one slave cylinder and a tie bar between the twin rudders. The helm-pump maker isn't named; the manual leaves the steering manufacturer blank.

Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.

Flush-deck motor yacht on a solid fiberglass single-chine hull with long keel and flat (8 deg) aftersections. Lower helm on the aft deck; small flybridge. Double berth aft from 1979; three-stateroom option from 1981. About 1 nmpg at 8-10 kt per owners.

Engines fitted

Detroit Diesel 6-71N — 285 hp, diesel, twin standard
HMY: 285 hp GM 6-71N diesels were standard in later years (about 14 kn cruise, 16 top); a 1976 owner quotes 283 hp each.

Sources: hmy.com · samsmarine.com
Detroit Diesel 6-71N (Johnson & Towers 310 hp) — 310 hp, diesel, twin factory option
Several owners on the Hatteras owners forum report 310 hp J&T-rated 6-71s, including 1972 and 1973 boats.

Sources: samsmarine.com
Detroit Diesel 6-71TI — 390 hp, diesel, twin factory option
HMY: turbo 390 hp versions cruise 16-17 kn, about 20 top; an owner reports 6-71TIs on a 1980 boat.

Sources: hmy.com · samsmarine.com
Detroit Diesel 8V-53N — diesel, twin factory option
An owner of a 1972 43 DCMY has 8V-53Ns. HMY's wording (6-71N standard 'in later years') suggests early boats used a different engine, possibly this one, but no source read says so outright.

Sources: samsmarine.com

Boats of the same model can differ — check which engines yours actually has before ordering parts.

Generator

standard

“The technical information contained herein covers the basic standard equipment supplied with each yacht of this particul” — owner's manual (AMF era, hull AE-290), uscgcaptains.org

The builder's manual shows one 7.5 kW Onan in its spares list and fuel, exhaust and AC-panel sections, and says it covers standard equipment; its owner record page has room for a second generator. An owners' association forum post mentions an Onan MCCK on a 1972 boat, fitting our earlier note that older Onans are hard to service.

Onan — 7.5 kW, diesel standard
The generator draws from the same diesel tanks as the Detroit Diesel main engines, per the manual's fuel system description; the exact Onan model isn't stated.

“7.5KW ONAN Generator [Parts for One] ... Fuel Filter Onan 122-0325” — owner's manual (AMF era, hull AE-290), uscgcaptains.org

Generators are often replaced or added — check the unit's own plate before ordering parts.

Manuals and brochures online

Owner's manual Hatteras 43 Double Cabin owner's manual (AMF Hatteras Yachts, hull AE-290; systems, tankage, spares) — uscgcaptains.org

Hosted by the builder or an owners' association; they own the copyright.

Known problems for this model

Leaking wet risers exhaust
Internal raw-water leaks in the exhaust risers can let water into the aft cylinders of the Detroits; inspect risers carefully.
samsmarine.com
Detroit 6-71 sea-trial checks engine
Owners suggest checking cold starts, smoke clearing, oil pressure (about 50-60 psi warm at cruise), gear oil pressure (about 300 psi) and steady 175-178F temps at near-WOT; occasional higher-rpm running helps keep airboxes clean.
samsmarine.com · samsmarine.com
Hard-to-service generator electrical
The generator location makes service awkward; older Onan units often need starter and pump work or replacement.
samsmarine.com
Fuel polishing on purchase fuel
Owners recommend polishing fuel when buying, and note an aft keel tank that should be checked.
samsmarine.com · samsmarine.com

Engines & parts

Detroit Diesel 6-71 (inline, N / T / TI) parts: good

Factory standard engine — you entered “Detroit Diesel 6-71N”

Two-stroke 71-series engine with a huge commercial, bus and marine population; basic engine parts and complete overhaul kits (liners, pistons, injectors, blowers, bearings, gaskets) are cheap and widely available from Diesel Pro Power, Highway and Heavy Parts and others. Some marine-specific parts (coolers, manifolds) are harder to find. Designed to be rebuilt in-frame repeatedly; naturally aspirated engines with good care have been reported past 15,000 hours, turbo versions more like 3,000–5,000.

Parts sources: Diesel Pro Power (Detroit Diesel parts), Highway and Heavy Parts (Series 71)

Common problems (2)

Oil leaks engine
Owners describe 71-series Detroits as habitual oil leakers; chasing leaks with the right gaskets and sealants is a routine topic even on freshly rebuilt engines.
trawlerforum.com · cruisersforum.com
Noise and smoke exhaust
Injector and exhaust noise is loud unless mufflers are well designed, and some smoke is typical of the two-stroke design.
trawlerforum.com

Maker’s service schedule (18)

Engine oil & filter change	150 hrs	“Industrial & Marine 150 Hours (max. engine oil change interval, fuel sulfur 0 to .50%)” — manufacturer, archive.org
Fuel filters & water separator	300 hrs	“Install new elements every 300 hours or when plugging is indicated (Item 13 fuel strainer and filter)” — manufacturer, archive.org
Coolant replacement & freeze-point test	1,000 hrs	“Clean the cooling system every 1,000 hours using a good radiator cleaning compound” — manufacturer, archive.org
Engine pencil zincs	500 hrs	“Every 500 hours ... remove the zinc electrodes from the inlet side of the raw water pump and the heat exchanger” — manufacturer, archive.org
Heat exchanger & oil cooler cleaning	1,000 hrs	“remove the retaining cover every 1,000 hours and inspect the heat exchanger core” — manufacturer, archive.org
Drive belts inspect / replace	200 hrs	“check the tension of the drive belts every 200 hours” — manufacturer, archive.org
Air filter / intake silencer dry-type air cleaner	1 yr	“Dry type elements should be discarded and replaced with new elements after one year of service or when the maximum allow” — manufacturer, archive.org
Transmission fluid change Allison Torqmatic M / MH marine gear	200 hrs	“Drain the oil every 200 hours and flush the gear with light engine oil (Item 41 Torqmatic marine gear)” — manufacturer, archive.org
Clean crankcase breather	1,000 hrs	“Remove the externally mounted crankcase breather assembly every 1,000 hours and wash the steel mesh pad” — manufacturer, archive.org
Inspect blower screen	1,000 hrs	“Inspect the blower screen and gasket assembly every 1,000 hours” — manufacturer, archive.org
Check / clean air box drain tubes	1,000 hrs	“check for flow of air from the air box drain tubes every 1,000 hours” — manufacturer, archive.org
Check thermostats and seals	5,000 hrs or 1 yr	“Check the thermostats and seals at 5,000 hours or once a year” — manufacturer, archive.org
Inspect all hoses	500 hrs or 1 yr	“all hoses should be thoroughly inspected at least every 500 operating hours ... and/or annually” — manufacturer, archive.org
Drain water/sediment from fuel tank	500 hrs	“Open the drain at the bottom of the fuel tank every 500 hours to drain off any water and/or sediment” — manufacturer, archive.org
Coolant filter/conditioner element (if fitted)	500 hrs	“the filter element should be changed every 500” — manufacturer, archive.org
Check emergency (air) shutdown	700 hrs	“check the operation of the emergency shutdown every 700 hours” — manufacturer, archive.org
Check engine and transmission mounts	2,000 hrs	“Check the engine and transmission mounting bolts and the condition of the mounting pads every 2,000 hours” — manufacturer, archive.org
Replace fresh-water pump seal	6,000 hrs	“Replace the water pump seal after it has been in service for 6,000 hours” — manufacturer, archive.org

Service part numbers (7)

Raw-water impeller Detroit raw-water pump with 2 1/2 in. impeller (pumps 5115396 / 23507971)	Detroit Diesel 5193602	“Impeller for Detroit Diesel and Volvo Penta Marine Water Pumps 5193602 Impeller with 10 Blades and 12 Spline Drive” — dealer, dieselpro.com · “Detroit Diesel Series 71 Raw Water Pump Impeller, New (5193602)” — dealer, highwayandheavyparts.com
Raw-water pump kit pumps 5115396 / 23507971 (2 1/2 in. impeller)	Detroit Diesel 5197224	“Detroit Diesel Marine Water Pump repair kit 6V53, 6V71, 6-71, 6V92 5197224P For 2 1/2" impeller height” — dealer, dieselpro.com · “A-5197224 1 1 1 Reconditioning Kit ... Pumps #5115396,#23507971” — dealer, interstate-mcbee.com
Raw-water pump kit pumps 5122599 / 23507972 (3 1/2 in. impeller)	Detroit Diesel 5197222	“Detroit Diesel Marine Water Pump repair kit for 6-71, 8V71, 8V53, 12V71, 6V92, 8V92 5197222” — dealer, dieselpro.com · “A-5197222 1 1 1 Reconditioning Kit Pumps #5122599,#23507972” — dealer, interstate-mcbee.com
Zinc / anode electrode assembly, 2 1/8 in., at raw-water pump inlet	Detroit Diesel 8517479	“A-8517479 1 1 1 Electrode Assembly - 2 1/8" L At pump inlet” — dealer, interstate-mcbee.com · “Detroit Diesel Electrode, 2.125" Long (8517479) - In-Line 71 Series Heat Exchangers” — dealer, powerlinecomponents.com
Zinc / anode electrode assembly, 3 3/8 in., in heat exchanger	Detroit Diesel 8515850	“A-8515850 1 1 1 Electrode Assembly - 3 3/8" L In exchanger” — dealer, interstate-mcbee.com · “Detroit Diesel Zinc Electrode, 3.375" Long (8515850) - In-Line 71 Series Heat Exchangers” — dealer, powerlinecomponents.com
Thermostat 173 F non-blocking type	Detroit Diesel 5172141	“57 5.2050 5172141 Thermostat Assy.” — manufacturer, tractorparts.com · “Detroit Diesel Thermostat for 371, 471, 671 5172141” — dealer, dieselpro.com
Thermostat 170 F full-blocking type (needs seal 5132155)	Detroit Diesel 23503826	“A-23503826 1 1 Thermostat 170° F Full blocking use seal” — dealer, interstate-mcbee.com · “Detroit Diesel Thermostat, 170 Deg. (23503826)” — dealer, powerlinecomponents.com

From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.

Model sources (5)

hmy.com · samsmarine.com · samsmarine.com · samsmarine.com · uscgcaptains.org

Other Hatteras models

Hatteras 37 Convertible 1977–1982
Hatteras 40 Double Cabin 1987–1996
Hatteras 48 Motor Yacht (1981-84) 1981–1984

Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.