New Owner

[Jammin']

We settled today on a 1973 43DC with 6-71n's. Hull survey by Brad Burns. Engine surveys by Eric Rydzewski. Broker John Schwab. All good people. The boat is in Little River, SC until spring when we will transport it up to our dock on Mattox Creek just south of Colonial Beach, VA. That will give time for the pilings to be set to accommodate the boat (and for the weather to warm up). We are 3 years or so from not having to show up for work on Monday and will use the time to prepare the boat and ourselves for extended cruising. This has been a long time coming and I'm very excited about the new boat.

 

[SEVEN]

Welcome and congratulations on your new Hatteras. Once you get her add the hull number to the signature line. I have a fry with the same model. He and others will be able to help you with questions.

 

[krush]

Always good to get another Hatteras on the Potomac to counter all the damn sea-rays and other lake boats lol

 

[jrbrein]

Yes, welcome to the funny farm - where life is beautiful all of the time!

We are located at Tidewater Yacht Marina in downtown Portsmouth, Virginia. We have had our 1981 43' DCFB (6-71 N's) for just over 2 years.

Let me know if you plan to stop anywhere near here on your way home.

757-635-2119.

Great boat...


Jon

 

[BFDfirefighter16]

Congratulations on the closing of your new boat!! I also have my boat for sale listed with John Schwab in Little River, SC and I was wondering if by chance he offered to show it to you? It's a 44 Triple Cabin located in Coquina Harbor.

 

[Jammin']

Thank you. I had decided that 6-71 naturals were my engine of choice and I went down to specifically see the one we ended up buying at Lightkeepers Marina. John showed me one other 43DC that was a few slips away at Lightkeepers as well, even though it wasn't a prospect.

 

[BFDfirefighter16]

I'm glad you found the right one for you! Mine has the 8v71 naturals. Mine was located straight across the harbor from Lightkeepers. John is a great guy, and Eric R. is a great guy to have do your engine surveys. I hired Eric for my engine surveys and he was amazing. If you're down here in the future let me know. I've been working on my 44 for the past 3 years updating things and working towards getting her ready to start going out a bunch this year unless she sells.

 

[Jammin']

We're heading down tomorrow night. We'll be cleaning up the boat and getting the lay of the land and spending the night on it Saturday.

 

[BFDfirefighter16]

Sounds great!!! If you need anything feel free to call or text me. I will probably head up there to check on my boat this afternoon. I would love to see yours sometime. My cell is 330-233-3782.Alex S.

 

[wpc691]

Don’t miss Mama Jean’s on Hwy 90 for breakfast. We bought our boat in Little River 3 years ago, and I would never miss breakfast there if I was anywhere close...or even not close. Congrats on your new boat.

 

[Jammin']

Don’t miss Mama Jean’s on Hwy 90 for breakfast. We bought our boat in Little River 3 years ago, and I would never miss breakfast there if I was anywhere close...or even not close. Congrats on your new boat.

Jean and I will definitely get to Mama Jean's next time! They were closed for dinner and we had other things to do this morning.

Sounds great!!! If you need anything feel free to call or text me. I will probably head up there to check on my boat this afternoon. I would love to see yours sometime. My cell is 330-233-3782.Alex S.

Thank you. I'd like to see your boat too.

Well, the rose colored glasses are definitely off now. We met with two mechanics Saturday. I thought it would take an hour, but we spent 5 hours going over things. A number of items were added to the "do now" list. I took down with me a new Rule 1500 pump and Ultra Jr. switch for the forward bilge pump which was ancient and not working. Eventually I'll do the others as well.

With the time we had left after going over things, Jean cleaned and I started work cleaning up the helm. The gauges are all mismatched, there's glued down gray carpet all over the horizontal surface under the windshield, there's an electronics box above that is awful and very ugly wiring going up to it. I spent all of my time scraping carpet adhesive off one area on the port side of the salon entry.

I really focused on functional things in buying this boat. All the rest of the things that need to be done are just sinking in. There is so much to be done it's daunting and a little depressing. It will take us years to make this boat the way we want it. It's hard to look at the whole of it without getting a little discouraged. Every little detail needs work. I guess we just pick our battles one at a time.

Best improvement so far: throwing out the industrial strength air "fresheners".

 

[SEVEN]

Don’t get discouraged. Take one or two items and finish them completely. Before to long things start getting ship shape. Good luck and post photos of before and after.

 

[Boatsb]

I usually recomend my customers use the ultra switches with the second channel for the high water alarm.

Keep that in mind as it's easier to install it once.

 

[Jammin']

There are 5 different brands of gauges not including the fuel gauges. The second photo is after scraping. It's slow going and I still need to put a coat of stripper on to finish it up.

 

[Tiparootom]

Guess, my wife and i get to chime in on this thread. We closed on our 1972 53'MY on Friday. We get to pick her up on Wednesday in Deland, FL and we'll be bringing he r down to Palm Beach. Too excited.

 

[SEVEN]

New paint will make it shine. I see what you mean on the gauges. If it were me I’d redo the entire helm. in the long run it will be cheaper than piece mealI got it like the prior owner did.

 

[Jammin']

Guess, my wife and i get to chime in on this thread. We closed on our 1972 53'MY on Friday. We get to pick her up on Wednesday in Deland, FL and we'll be bringing he r down to Palm Beach. Too excited.

Congratulations!! Please share photos and stories.

 

[jrbrein]

Jammin"

I was somewhat where you are today just over 2 years ago. I knew what I was getting into and spent dearly hiring both a good marine surveyor and mechanic for the engine and generator survey. I was satisfied then and still am that I have a great boat. My surveyor made up a list for me including costs and he was quite accurate. I have spent a lot of time and money that I knew I was going to have to spend. No surprises but I still have a long way to go.

I agree with Seven...do not be discouraged! One (or 2) projects at a time. I hope you love working on boats.

When you are passing this way on the trip home, please look me up and we can compare projects. I am happy to help you any way that I can.

The boat is at Tidewater Yacht Marina in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Jon

 

[Byresch]

Don’t get discouraged. Take one or two items and finish them completely. Before to long things start getting ship shape. Good luck and post photos of before and after.

This is the best advise anyone can give to a new boat owner, follow it and you'll be a happy boater.

 

[sgharford]

There is so much to be done it's daunting and a little depressing. It will take us years to make this boat the way we want it. It's hard to look at the whole of it without getting a little discouraged. Every little detail needs work. I guess we just pick our battles one at a time.

Not to be a buzz kill, but it took me 10 solid years to get my 1976 43DC where I want it. Try to enjoy the trip, the folks who make up this site are a tremendous resource. Do it once and it right