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  1. #1

    New Owner... Finally Home

    My wife and I are pretty excited to be the new owners of a 36 Series II Sedan. I know this is a baby Hatt, compared to most, but its our first "big" boat that we're going to fish with our young family on. Due to Covid, the trip home was much longer than it really needed to be. Being that we were unable to use the Welland Canal to reach Lake Ontario, we had to take the long route. It seemed pretty simple at first.....

    Leaving MI we crossed lake Erie in two days. The first day was supposed to be 5-10 knots of wind with 1-3 waves, which ended up being 25-30, gusting to 35, and waves at 6-8'+ which were stacked on top of each other. The 36 handled them well, running 12 mph for 105 miles to Cleveland for fuel and sleep. Even though the boat handled the rough conditions better than most of the crew, there were a few times where I questioned my decision to keep going in such weather. You have to experience the rathe that the Great Lakes can brew up, to appreciate it. I hope to never hear the sound and vibrations of props coming out of the water again! The second day was perfect, with a flat lake and blue skies. We were able to play with all the instruments and determine that everything worked as it should. We made great time, getting into Buffalo, NY around 9pm, only stopping in Erie, PA to fill the tank (...again).

    We had to then leave the boat in a slip at the start of the Erie canal, in Tonawanda, NY, to get back to work. I decided to skip hiring a captain to take the boat through the Welland, and instead I took my 5 year old son and my father along for a trip down the historic Erie Canal. 4 days, 18 locks and god only knows how many small town lift bridges, we arrived in Oswego International Harbor. Not knowing what we would encounter in Lake Ontario, we had my son picked up and then crossed the 116 miles of Lake Ontario, to Wilson, NY. This crossing couldn't given us a better weather window, so we decided to push the envelope and continue the last 4 hours through the night to get home. (My wife appreciated the efforts being that she had my 3 year old and new born daughters at home this entire time.)

    Before this trip, I had never operated a twin screw boat, never operator a boat large than 26', heck I'd never even stepped foot on a fly bridge. The maiden voyage was over 665 miles, and one hell, and expensive (she's a gasser), of an experience.

    I'm sure I'm going to have a ton of questions, so I appreciate the future help. Glad to be home and couldn't be happier with the decision to purchase the Hatteras over the other options we looked at.


    ***Any idea how to add more than 3 pics to a post? I was going to add a few pics of the trip home but keep getting blocked at only 3.
    Attached Images

  2. #2

  3. #3

    Re: New Owner... Finally Home

    Last edited by RyanB; 10-05-2020 at 05:06 PM.

  4. #4

  5. #5

    Re: New Owner... Finally Home

    Congratulations on your new home on the water. Awesome to hear all went well, except for a bit of "weather".

    The members of this forum are extraordinarily helpful. I'm sure someone here has been there, done that, etc - so when you need help, just ask.

    We have just purchased (but won't take possession for another 2-3 weeks) our first Hatteras. I can tell you that what I have learned searching/reading posts and asking questions has been one of the reasons we went through with our purchase.

    One suggestion. Next time, take the boat south. Down here we don't winterize boats and get to use them all year long, LOL

  6. #6

    Re: New Owner... Finally Home

    This sounds like it was a great trip. Having dumped out of the lock at Oswego and seen waves crashing on the sea wall we know what the lake can get like. We hunkered down for a bit in Oswego before moving on to Bonnie Castle.

    Good luck with the new ride!
    Regards
    Dan

  7. #7

    Re: New Owner... Finally Home

    Many years of great memories ahead. I still have my first "small" Hatteras. 34C. Still in the family after 28 years of ownership. My sons who literally grew up on it now run it. The 46 came and found me. Otherwise I would still be running the 34.

    Like I said you and your family have some good times ahead.
    1966 34c
    1982 46 HP

  8. #8

    Re: New Owner... Finally Home

    Welcome and thanks for the great story and pics. I had a 36’ non Hatt years ago in seas like you encountered. No greater testament to the Hatteras build than your experience.
    Semper Siesta
    Robert Clarkson
    ASLAN, 1983 55C #343
    Charleston, SC

  9. #9

    Re: New Owner... Finally Home

    Welcome! Sounds like it was epic. Yes, Erie can be lively. It's relatively shallow. Waves get short. Did a lot of sailing there in the 90's. You'll find a lot of good help here!
    1978 53' Motor Yacht "LADY KAY V"
    Hull number 524
    Chesapeake Bay

  10. #10

    Re: New Owner... Finally Home

    Your kids are the perfect ages for boating. When we bought our Hatteras, 17 years ago, our kids were similar in age to yours. They will enjoy the boat at least as much as you and maybe more. Great memories.
    Sky Cheney
    1985 53EDMY, Hull #CN759, "Rebecca"
    ELYC on White Lake--Montague, MI

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