Thanks for sharing your story. I bought my Hatteras 11 years ago for the sole purpose of spending more time on the water with my family (after selling our lake house) and finally making the run to the Gulf I had dreamed about since I was a ten year old kid with a jon boat. Things didn't turn out like I had planned, but I still have some great memories. My son and I actually lived on the boat for a short time.
Here's my then three year old at the helm and at his favorite cruising spot watching the wake. He's now 14 years old, stands at 6'2", weighs 235 and wears a size 12 shoe!