| Vessel Make: | C. Raymond Hunt Fisherman 41 |
|---|---|
| Vessel Length: | 41 Feet |
| Old Engines: | Cat 3208 |
| New Engines: | FPT NEF 400 |
| Fuel Consumption: | 30L/engine at 2000rpm |
| Cruise Speed: | 18 knots @ 2000rpm |
| Max Speed: | 28 knots |
Full Repower & Vessel Rebirth
This project centered around a C. Raymond Hunt Fisherman 41, a 45-year-old, one-off custom vessel originally designed in the US and built locally in 1980 by Dave Richards, Shipwrights of Deloy, Fremantle WA.
At 41 feet, this Raymond Hunt is a true sportsfisher classic – but age had caught up with it. The brief wasn’t just to replace engines; it was to future-proof the vessel with a complete overhaul across the engine room, systems, interior and exterior, while respecting the pedigree of the original build.
The Challenge
The vessel was previously powered by twin CAT 3208 marine engines, producing 260HP each, paired with Twin Disc gearboxes (1.97:1).
After decades of service, the engines were:
- Tired and inefficient.
- Smoking heavily.
- Increasingly unreliable.
- Effectively “on their deathbed”.
The owner wanted reliability, efficiency and performance – with the soul of a classic game fishing boat.
The Solution
To give the vessel a new lease on life, we at THT carried our a full engine repower, selecting twin FPT NEF 400 marine engines as the heart of the upgrade.
Why FPT NEF 400?
- 400HP per engine (an increase of 140HP per side).
- Inline 6-cylinder design, replacing the old V8s.
- Lighter overall package.
- Significantly more space and access in the engine room.
- Modern efficiency, reliability and serviceability.
The engines were paired with new:
- ZF 85A gearboxes (1.962:1 ratio).
- New shafts and propellers.
- Rated for 400HP @ 3000rpm.
A custom 5-inch exhaust system was designed and installed, perfectly suited to high-performance game fishing and sportsfisher platform like the Raymond Hunt. The result is one of the cleanest, most accessible engine rooms you’ll see – built to modern standards while housed in a classic hull.
When a vessel is built this well, investing properly in a repower makes sense.
Controls Upgrade
To complement the new power package, Flexball Tournament Throttle Controls were installed.
Key features:
- Electronic actuator system controlling 2 engines and 2 gearboxes.
- Clean, surface-mounted control heads.
- Single-lever operation with engine synchronisation.
- Smooth, precise control access the full RPM range.
This setup dramatically improves drivability, especially at cruise and during manoevuring.
The Results
The transformation speaks for itself:
- Previous cruise speed: 19-20 knots at 2500rpm.
- Previous top speed: 23 knots at 2700rpm.
- New cruise speed: 18 knots at 2000rpm.
- New top speed: 28 knots.
- Fuel burn: 30L per engine at cruise speed.
- Planing as low as 1600rpm.
- Noticeably quieter, smoother operation.
- Rapid acceleration – the vessel now jumps out of the water.
What was once a tired 45-year-old boat is now a modern, high-performance sportsfisher, ready for many more years on the water.
Ready to give your vessel a new lease on life?
Contact THT today to discuss how we can repower your marine engines for modern performance, reliability, and efficiency.
📞 Call us (08) 9344 4844 or 📧 email sales@thtsales.com.au to get started.
