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  1. #1

    Handling a 60-70 ft Hatteras Motoryacht

    I am interested in purchasing a Hatteras MY in the 61-70 ft range. Year model 1980-1990<br><br>Keep the boat in Florida and cross over to the Bahamas.<br><br>Questions<br>1# One person operating the boat? I am 54 years old and in good health.<br>My wife has some disabilities and would not be able to help much at all.<br><br>2# Bow thruster?  How well do they work?  Is this a must have? <br><br>3# NIAD stabilizer how well do they work? or any other brand?<br><br>4# Does the stabilizer help crossing big water? or does it help just when you are anchored?<br><br>5# Crossing over from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini what seas would you say are a no go?<br>I realize the yacht will handle a lot more than I can but what seas are just not comfortable to be in while crossing?  I guess wave height would be the best way to look at this.<br><br>I would definitely hire a captain to train me and log a lot of hours with him or her.<br><br><br><br><br ><br><br>

  2. #2

    Re: Handling a 60-70 ft Hatteras Motoryacht

    Not sure why post got all those extra stuff added to it.

  3. #3

    Re: Handling a 60-70 ft Hatteras Motoryacht

    I am interested in purchasing a Hatteras MY in the 61-70 ft range. Year model 1980-1990

    Keep the boat in Florida and cross over to the Bahamas.

    Questions 1# One person operating the boat? I am 54 years old and in good health.
    My wife has some disabilities and would not be able to help much at all.
    Can one person dock?

    2# Bow thruster? How well do they work? Is this a must have?&amp

    3# NIAD stabilizer how well do they work? or any other brand?

    4# Does the stabilizer help crossing big water? or does it help just when you are anchored?

    5# Crossing over from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini what seas would you say are a no go?

    I realize the yacht will handle a lot more than I can but what seas are just not comfortable to be in while crossing?
    I guess wave height would be the best way to look at this plus the wind.

    I would definitely hire a captain to train me and log a lot of hours with him or her.

  4. #4

    Re: Handling a 60-70 ft Hatteras Motoryacht

    1)- yes these boats ar very easy to single hand since you can dock from the lower helm and have doors on each side putting you within a few steps of your spring lines. Visibility aft from the lower helm to back into a slip vary depending on layout. Aft deck engine controls are a plus and/or stern cam at the helm

    BUT... it all depends on your experience. That said once you get over 50/60’, boats are too heavy for a crew to be able to do anything beyond securing the lines. You just don’t manhandle a larger boat like you may a 40 footer

    2)- bow thruster do help in some situations but have their limits.

    3)- Naiads are good. I also like Trac which I m putting on my 53. Trac makes zero speed stabilizers which will work when anchored. And alternative that works both underway and anchored are gyros. Space can be a problem and costs ...

    4)- yes they help a lot but have their limits? Just like bow thrusters. 4 to 6’ on the bean and you ll still be rolling the motion will be dampened though

    5)- it s hard to answer as many people tend to over estimate wave height. Anything North of due east over 10 to 12 kts wind is usually a no go in the Gulf Stream as wind against current cause steep tall short waves. With a southerly component, winds up to 18/20kts may be ok. Hatteras MY have a fine entry and cut thru waves better than most boats that size
    Pascal
    Miami, FL
    1970 53 MY #325 Cummins 6CTAs
    2014 26' gaff rigged sloop
    2007 Sandbarhopper 13
    12' Westphal Cat boat

  5. #5

    Re: Handling a 60-70 ft Hatteras Motoryacht

    There are a whole lot of questions here, but I would first ask 'what is your level of experience with the sea and motor yachts in general.' It will take more than logging some hours with a captain to know what to do when three things go wrong at the same time - either in the middle of a crossing or some out-of-the-way anchorage and essentially being single handed. Then there is the issue of your insurance carrier who will likely require at least one competent crew member on board while navigating.
    1. One person can dock, anchor, or pick up a mooring ball under ideal circumstances, but those seldom happen. Picture yourself backing into a narrow slip with a cross wind and tossing bow and stern lines to a dock hand who was hired last week.

    2. Bow thrusters can be a life saver (cross winds) especially for a 'newbie' with a 70' beast.

    3. and 4. NAIAD stabilizers work well especially if well maintained. They do NOT work at all when anchored. They need water passing over the fins at cruising speed to help keep the vessel level. By 'big water' I assume you mean steep, not deep. They are less effective in following seas.

    5. From FL to Bimini in the gulf stream, the issue is wind direction as much as wave height. North wind with south swell equals washing machine seas. You can test the Hatteras strength or just turn back (no embarrassment there) and wait until the feeling passes.

    I would suggest that you take a bunch of rides as volunteer crew (or even share expenses) and spend time in the engine room on a similar vessel, in varying weather before writing the big check.
    Summer Star II
    1986 Christensen 70'
    Ensenada, MX

  6. #6

    Re: Handling a 60-70 ft Hatteras Motoryacht

    With a partner with limitations that's allot of boat to run by yourself!! The only chance I see that you could pull it off is with one of the wireless systems controlling gears, bow thruster and a stern thruster hanging around your neck. You will need camera's at the stern on each corner for sure for docking. First on the list is can you even get an insurance co to write you coverage! On a boat that size you will need to prove years of experience on something in the 50 ft range. I had and ran a 70 by myself a few times but I don't advise it even if you are very experienced. To the gas dock or the pumpout is one thing but beyond that your asking for trouble IMHO. With a boat in that age range you also better be very mechanical, they have allot of systems that will need your attention at the worst possible moment! I went from a 53 to a 70 and there is a BIG difference from one to the other. Keep in mind as well that with a boat of that size and age you will be buying yourself close to a FULL TIME JOB to keep it maintained.

  7. #7

    Re: Handling a 60-70 ft Hatteras Motoryacht

    Not to discourage you.... but if you come here to ask these questions the answer is "No". You're going to need that Captain aboard for years to, in my humble opinion, safely and reliably solo that size of a boat.

    And it's not even the size of the boat. There's just a LOT to learn, starting with knowing what you don't know. There's a reason they pay competent skippers good money. Rookie mistakes become big problems quickly, especially if you're going in bigger water. (The Gulfstream can BITE). And then there's the systems. A simple failure can compound if you don't know the systems and don't know how to regroup and work with what you have.

    You're asking whether brand "x" hiking boots are suitable to climb a 12000' mountain.

    The sea is very unforgiving of negligence and/or incompetence.

    Rent, take classes take tests..... rent some more. Get sea time.... hundreds of hours, hundreds of dockings. Then you will KNOW what you know and don't know, and what kind of boat YOU need to do what you want to do. And you won't be asking here......
    1978 53' Motor Yacht "LADY KAY V"
    Hull number 524
    Chesapeake Bay

  8. #8

    Re: Handling a 60-70 ft Hatteras Motoryacht

    Thank you for the truthful answers.

  9. #9

    Re: Handling a 60-70 ft Hatteras Motoryacht

    Quote Originally Posted by oscarvan View Post
    Not to discourage you.... but if you come here to ask these questions the answer is "No". You're going to need that Captain aboard for years to, in my humble opinion, safely and reliably solo that size of a boat.

    And it's not even the size of the boat. There's just a LOT to learn, starting with knowing what you don't know. There's a reason they pay competent skippers good money. Rookie mistakes become big problems quickly, especially if you're going in bigger water. (The Gulfstream can BITE). And then there's the systems. A simple failure can compound if you don't know the systems and don't know how to regroup and work with what you have.

    You're asking whether brand "x" hiking boots are suitable to climb a 12000' mountain.

    The sea is very unforgiving of negligence and/or incompetence.

    Rent, take classes take tests..... rent some more. Get sea time.... hundreds of hours, hundreds of dockings. Then you will KNOW what you know and don't know, and what kind of boat YOU need to do what you want to do. And you won't be asking here......

    I think the OP was asking for people that actually own a 60-70ft Hatteras for their opinions. You and I do not own one and that is why I'm not responding. I'm not trying to say you're wrong(or right), but you seem to comment on every thread here and you don't even own a Hatteras.
    Sky Cheney
    1985 53EDMY, Hull #CN759, "Rebecca"
    ELYC on White Lake--Montague, MI

  10. #10

    Re: Handling a 60-70 ft Hatteras Motoryacht

    I have a 65 sportfish 110,000 pounds of boat, mechanicals, and diesel fuel. I run it with my son or a friend minimum. My wife and I are both 55. My wife can assist, on the best of conditions. Leaving the slip with current and any kind of crosswind keeps me on my toes, and we have to have a plan on which lines come off first, and then it is a sprint to release the last 2 and not rub the dock or pylons. Same returning. I sit in front of my slip for about a minute getting a feel on the current and wind before backing in. Still, a briefing to the deck hand on which ropes are secured first is a must.

    Now I know pylons are there to rub against, but my boat in gear, with a line attached to it, will snap it. 2 pylons strapped together will bend severely. Also just the sheer weight, puts wood splinters into every screw on the rub rail, and even pulls some out. With this weight, just a rub against the dock transfers rubber from the dock rub rail onto my hull.

    I have single handed this boat before, but the issue of the fast pace of releasing lines, then the sprint to the helm before getting off center, is a challenge. If I slip, get tangle in a line, or go into gear at the wrong second, will damage the dock, pylon, or a boat next to me.

    After owning large boats the last 30 years, there is always the chance of some kind of alarm going off, or loosing an engine. Single handed, in a channel with traffic, means you cannot leave the helm to address. I have had 2 fires in 30 years, and too many busted hoses, so someone to grab the wheel to go into the engine room to address the situation is a must.

    Not to sound scary, but once you graduate to a larger boat, you cannot get between it and structure. When I change gears, my boat changes direction. It is a dance with alternating clutches, to slow down and stop, not go the other way. My 45, I could push away from a pylon, or grab a rope and pull it in. This beast in action , stays in action until deflected.

    Now maybe the non - sporty guys will chime in. Perhaps the motor yachts act a little different with the smaller horsepower, but the emergency situations that pop up while under way are a terrible challenge Solo. I have cameras everywhere, but when and alarm goes off, someone has to go put eyes and ears, and nose on the situation.

    Just my 2 cents,

    Tim
    Fish Tales
    65C

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