45C or 48MY

[Holiday]

Wrestling with boat decision.
Wife and I have only studied the 45C and 48MY from listings on Yachtworld and material on this forum.
Right now we like them both although they are very different boats. Ready to begin some in person inspections and that may quickly separate the two.
Your recommendations and opinions are greatly appreciated.

45C Series II 1984-1992 or 48MY Series I 1981- 1984

Both will be 30+ years old, but at least they are a Hatteras.
Both have DD 6v92. Old technology and less efficient, but for our slow cruising and occasional need for speed, the lack of efficiency shouldn’t matter that much.

We do not fish. We own a slip in Harbour Town, Hilton Head Island, which is approximately midway between Chesapeake Bay area and Fort Lauderdale. Our cruising grounds are the Atlantic ICW with an occasional run on the outside for fun. We only pick calm days to go outside.
40 years boating experience. Largest boat was 37 ft. Sea Ray. Last boat past 10 years was 33 Pursuit with twin Yamahas.
We have never owned a diesel engine.

We live in metro Atlanta GA area and travel to wherever the boat is. We never intend to live aboard. Our longest stay might be 10 days, but typically more like 3 or 4 days.
The bigger boats are very enticing, but we subscribe to the notion of sticking with a boat just big enough for the mission.

The mission is ICW cruising for us and an occasional guest couple or grandchildren.
We stagger our legs of travel, leaving the boat at an interim destination and return later to resume the trip. We can do Hilton Head to Fort Lauderdale in 4 days or stretch it out to a couple of months. We love that trip.

We are young 60s age, semi-retired business owner. Majority of all maintenance will be performed by others. We would rather write a check and enjoy our time on the boat.

The 48MY has that wonderful back porch and more living space, making for better dockside accommodations, which is something we cherish considering our prior express style boats.

The 45C has more speed and easy boarding/deboarding at the dock. Considering our frequent transient docking and desire for unassisted arrivals and departures, this is a consideration for us.

Stairs to bridge vs a ladder
The 45C is a really good looking convertible.
I believe acquisition costs are comparable.
I’m not sure which one has less maintenance cost. Initial condition, our use, etc. will be factors.
Are these 32V or 12V DC electrical? Brochures look like 12V to me.
After owning many smaller boats I’ve learned to think about an exit plan. One day we will want to sell it. Not sure which one will be easier to sell 10 years from now. Recreation is changing. Boating, golf, tennis, and others are going through a significant transition. Not confident anyone can guess the demand for any boat 10 years from now but interested in opinions?

The 45C is fishable; even though we don’t and probably won’t. We have occasionally chartered a big boat for a family trip when someone wanted to fish. Charter boats come with tackle and a crew that know what they are doing and they’ll even clean the fish too. That’s more fun than a DIY fishing day in our opinion.

We enjoy the serenity and nature’s beauty of the cruise and exploring the things of interest at various destinations. We’ve never been up to the Chesapeake Bay area by boat but that is a target destination for us.

[Fish Tales]

I just recently sold my series II 45c. Loved that boat. I cruised as much as I fished. Did alot of anchoring up with friends. Close friend had the series I 43c. Same boat, just shorter in the cockpit. We had a rib on the bow with a 15 Evinrude, so took off to see sights, and play on beaches. One friend had a trawler, one had a sailboat. We all tied off together. I enjoyed having the option of speed in case of storms, or going further distances on short weekends, or wanting to stay on hook longer, then pass them on the way home. I know some cruisers can scoot, but no friends had one.

I sold the 45 because I wanted a larger boat to do as above. I asked wife about interest in a motor yacht, but she, as I, were interested in the large cockpit in the stern, large fly bridge, speed, and fishability. Love trolling for dolphin and sails, and when snapper season comes in, hitting the bottom. Not to mention the entire family is dive certified. Put a ladder in the marlin door, and you have an incredible dive boat. (Not a fan of swim platforms). So we bought a 65c. Cruising, anchoring up, and off shore fishing and diving is more fun with a larger boat.

I know I will ruffle feathers, but in my opinion, a convertible is much more versatile than a motor yacht. Again just my opinion. This is my 3rd convertible, I have only been on motor yachts, not owned one. So, just works out for my family needs.

My 41c came from the Chesapeake bay where we cruised, fished, and crabbed every weekend. Up to the James River, over the the eastern shore, and out to the Norfolk Canyon for tuna and marlin. The convertible was perfect for my family use. Now here in Florida, our season is extended.

My two cents,
Tim

[Fish Tales]

Sorry, hit submit in error.

Mine had the 6v92's, and the motors were easy to maintain, and parts are available.
The aft ladder to the bridge is no big deal, unless a serving tray in one hand.
My boat was a 12v boat, so accessories have more options.
Cruising, they sip fuel, very good on diesel but probably the same as a MY.
Raise the bow on both, and you are going to burn about 40 gallons per hour.
As for guests, mine only had one head. Look for one that has the second head option.

And as you said, either are Hatteras' so you will be getting a quality boat.

Tim

[bobk]

I have a series I 48MY. It is a wonderful boat. At 8 knots, it burns about 5.5-6 gph. The enclosed aft deck is a real plus where you will most likely spend all your free time. It is a real big plus at dusk when the bugs come out when at anchor. We have run her between Baltimore and S Florida each season since 2006 with two exceptions when I was ill. The engine room is quite accessable.

Don't let docking a MY concern you. I mostly have my SO with me, but have single handed, anchored and docked her myself. It is a matter of practice and planning and set-up. For cruising, I find a MY style better than a C. and as you age (I'm 81) you will really appreciate the lack of ladders and steep stairwells.

I haven't pulled the trigger yet, but my 48 is going to be for sale. You can see pictures in my profile. Send me a PM if you want to have a look. I'm in SE Florida. She just had an insurance survey and passed with flying colors.

Bobk

PS, the 48MY has a keel several inches lower than the running gear. That's a real plus on the AICW. I don't know about the 45C, but hope others will weigh in for you.

[Boatsb]

I'm a convertible guy but the 48 MY is a great icw cruiser. If your not fishing, diving and doing watersports the extra space is just too much to ignore.

[motoryacht lover]

I have always been a Motoryacht guy but I have been eyeing the convertibles. My wife and I are in our low 50’s and presently have a 54 Viking Sport Yacht (MY on sportfish hull). We cruise with 2 small dogs. I am interested in the convertible primarily because I want a faster cruise. I presently cruise at 23 knots. Also using a dinghy is very important to us. So a convertible has that longer foredeck which can take a larger dinghy. My present dinghy is 13’ but I would like a bigger one as one of my daughter’s is a boat nut and comes with us as often as she can bringing her boyfriend. So the convertible to me offers the speed and big dinghy accommodations. Also like the salon up high. The reasons I don’t like a convertible for us is the dogs cant get up to the flybridge. My wife’s knees don’t like climbing ladders and I don’t like the idea of her going around the flybridge to throw lines from the bow. My dinghy is stored on the bow. Loading and unloading is a pain in the ass on the bow. I can only imagine it is twice as difficult loading and unloading from the aft deck hardtop. So the MY offers safer access to the bow and no ladders to climb except the transom boarding ladder. Also that aft deck on the MY is an awesome back porch. Good luck in your search.