Hatteras 65 open vs enclosed bridge

[hyperfishing]

My wife was on Capt. Morgan at the Palm Beach show, and practically begged me to buy that boat.

Plan is to cruise around Carribean for a few years, prefer EB for toughness, open bridge for lounging around up top

Given the plan of use, what are the thoughts here?

[Eddieclemons]

Do any of the windows open and or slide?

[rsmith]

Haven’t you been looking for a boat on here for 15 years? What ear 65? You going to actually fish the boat or just ride around and use it as a condo

[hyperfishing]

Yes I have, REALLY wanted to live aboard. But ended up buying three houses instead. Houses were better investments.

Two houses just sold, last house has 115 feet on the New River in Ft. Lauderdale that we have moved to.

My 20 year old gofast customized for fishing (hyperfishing.com) sits on a custom drydock in front, still room for a 65 footer.

Wifey and I have busted up a bunch of body parts in the last couple of years, told wife to retire and today is her last day of work! I plan to semi retire at end of next year, and cruise around for two years, living aboard the boat.

I think a 65 enclosed bridge is the safest (v-16 speed when outracing a storm/weather window, like we have done numerous times in our gofast) easier to maintain (no canvas), great cockpit for occasional fishing and terrific for siding out kayaks and snorkeling gear. But do like the open bridge patio lounge. Hence my poll question for those who have cruised for years and sitting at docks around the Carribean. Which is better .. enclosed bridge or open?

[hyperfishing]

Yes the windows open… critical for sitting at the dock and the breeze blowing thru..,have to clean out the tracks on that boat though..

[Eddieclemons]

I am going to vote open unless the EB can really open up and give me the sites, smells, and feel of an flybridge while cruising the Caribbean.