1989 Hatt 52 Conv in Montauk

[Canyonkeeper77]

Over the weekend we drove out to check on our Ocean yacht and decided to stop by and look at a 1989 52 Convertible. The boat sat on the land for 4 years. This boat is listed super low so I had to take a look. Here are the details that worry me in order.
1. One 8c92 has 4400 hours the other has 500
2. Generator 20KW Onan has 3300
3. 4 AC unites on has the cover off so assume not working. The large one (salon I assume looks new) and all ACs have original controls.
4. Salon door will not close ties shut...
5. Starboard rubrail took a nasty hit and needs repairs
6. Paint is dull all over. Can this wet-sand and polish?

While the boat was one of the dirtiest I have ever seen on the outside the interior was surprisingly clean. It was custom ordered with only the forward stateroom hatch so zero water in the boat. The interior just needed a through clean, carpets and updated valances.

At the price they are asking $65K my brains says BUY BUY BUY as we have been shopping for a 3 stateroom big boat for so long and are constantly coming up short.

Now here is the issue. Is it salvageable? If it runs I feel it is worth it. But, I am concerned about the ACs and the generator. We have a 3 year old and one on the way. We spend a lot of time in the harbor (300 yards from our slip in East Hampton) on the hook and need the generator to run stuff for the family.

Finally, people that have 52s/55s what are some things to look for? Any trouble areas or concerns?

 

[Sea Horse]

I own a 52C and from the description your looking at a pretty big money pit. You can bring anything back but having grown up on the east end of Long Island I can tell you there are no reasonably priced yards out there and your mechanical and AC work will most likely all be sublet. If I were you I would be looking for a 52, if that's the size your looking to buy, that has been re powered or low hour Detroits and somebody else has spent all of the money already on upgrades. The boat your looking at sounds like it's going to cost quite a bit to make a lady out of her unless your extremely handy. Oh. FYI Hatteras boats are painted not gel coat so most likely a quick compound and wax wont get her to shine either.

 

[Canyonkeeper77]

Thank you. I am fairly handy in terms of boats as I am a former Viking Yachts electrician(ran my own business on the side doing custom work). With this, funds are not unlimited... life has been good to me. Also, I would not do the work in LI, not with what those yards charge. I would move down to Lanoka Harbor, NJ do to my connections with Henriques yachts.

Mostly I am looking for advice from the forum of people who have 52/55s on these systems. It would be a liveaboard for the summer to start sorting through. As for paint, it is not salvageable? If it has to be painted it has to be painted. I am ok with that.

With the 4 AC compressors. Does each stateroom and the salon have separate units? If the bedroom is bad can a self contained unit be put in(I can get them wholesale)?

As the 8v92TI I am comfortable with a rebuild at this price. There is a yard in LI that specializes in 2 stroke DD.

 

[ageless]

Thank you. I am fairly handy in terms of boats as I am a former Viking Yachts electrician(ran my own business on the side doing custom work). With this, funds are not unlimited... life has been good to me. Also, I would not do the work in LI, not with what those yards charge. I would move down to Lanoka Harbor, NJ do to my connections with Henriques yachts.

Mostly I am looking for advice from the forum of people who have 52/55s on these systems. It would be a liveaboard for the summer to start sorting through. As for paint, it is not salvageable? If it has to be painted it has to be painted. I am ok with that.

With the 4 AC compressors. Does each stateroom and the salon have separate units? If the bedroom is bad can a self contained unit be put in(I can get them wholesale)?

As the 8v92TI I am comfortable with a rebuild at this price. There is a yard in LI that specializes in 2 stroke DD.

Likely an AC unit for each stateroom and one for the salon/galley. You could put a self-contained in the master, just have to find one that fits (assuming it's under the berth like mine). There's a good chance the paint is salvageable, Hatteras used Imron which is extremely durable. Even if a compound/polish/wax won't do it, a wetsand first will likely bring it back (VERY LABOR INTENSIVE). Here's what I would be asking myself:
1. Why was the one DD rebuilt? Hours? Overheat? Implosion?
2. Is this a 32v vessel? If so, how many pumps are inoperable? Including windlass $$$$$
3. Does it have galleymaid raw water heads?
4. The aft bridge and cockpit have been known to have rot, check closely.
5. Bottom condition (blisters?)

 

[rsmith]

89 was the cored hull something to be aware of and contrary to popular belief the coring does extend below the waterline. I’ve seen one gutted by a pole that chewed thru the hull. These are the higher hp 92/s 720 740 somewhere in there that are a lot less forgiving than the 650 hp in the earlier boats. I knowMontauk damp wet cold salt air 4 years of sitting in it creeping up the exhaust? Turbos and exhaust are going to be suspect for heavy rot. I know someone who just got a mint running 45 for nearly free. With the impending economic doom I wouldn’t take it if they paid me.

 

[Canyonkeeper77]

Likely an AC unit for each stateroom and one for the salon/galley. You could put a self-contained in the master, just have to find one that fits (assuming it's under the berth like mine). There's a good chance the paint is salvageable, Hatteras used Imron which is extremely durable. Even if a compound/polish/wax won't do it, a wetsand first will likely bring it back (VERY LABOR INTENSIVE). Here's what I would be asking myself:
1. Why was the one DD rebuilt? Hours? Overheat? Implosion?
2. Is this a 32v vessel? If so, how many pumps are inoperable? Including windlass $$$$$
3. Does it have galleymaid raw water heads?
4. The aft bridge and cockpit have been known to have rot, check closely.
5. Bottom condition (blisters?)

Working on getting some more details. It is a distressed sale due to illness so I have been gentle with questions.

1. Need to find out the DD details.
2. I forgot to check this. I can ask the broker when he is out there. Does the 1989 come in both? Surprised it was not a 24VDC
3. Thank got no!!! I hate the GM heads. It has a vacuflush system
4. Will check the bridge but not to concerned as I plan to extend the flybridge and add a mezzanine.
5. No! The bottom was in great shape.

In a perfect world we would be buying a late model 60 but with the insanity of the CV-19 and my board members keeping a tight grip on the money I need to be a bit conservative. With this in mind we would get a solid old boat that with not to much would have a nice boat for now.

 

[krush]

If you double you budget you'll 10x your boat.

 

[Red Hatt]

If you double you budget you'll 10x your boat.

They should pay you to take the boat off there hands.

 

[Canyonkeeper77]

Haha. Everyone. Yes... the price is a suggestion. The broker has informed me they will take way less. And what boat at $120K will be a Hatteras in this size range? I like the room of the 52/55 and most are listed for $150K plus. Trust me we have been looking for a long time and before Covid out budget was higher but that even limited. Most 55's have the 3/3 layout which I do not like for my family. The forward stateroom with that half head will be a nightmare with my child.

Other than the engines. Is there anything I should look for with 52s of this era? The good, the bad and the ugly.

 

[Passages]

If you double you budget you'll 10x your boat.

A cheap boat is one of the most expensive things you can buy.

 

[rustybucket]

The 52 is a great platform/hull for the mods you are talking about. The cockpit is HUGE and plenty of room for the mezz. You might have already seen my thread here on the forum we are on the tail end of the mezzanine, bridge extension, tuna tube/baitwell project on our 52c. If you are interested in heading down that road it's definitely worth a read. Also several other members here who have done similar projects, lots of good info out there.

The 4 ac's, one for each stateroom 7k, 7k, 5k, one for the salon 24k. If they are salvagable they are fairly easily rebuilt with new compressors or relays/capacitors. They are pretty simple units and often serve a long reliable life. If they are all garbage I'd switch to a chiller system, there would be room to put 2 (one as a failover) if you got rid of all 4 units. I personally would not go with the self contained units, i'm just not a big fan of them.

Got any pics of the vessel or link to the ad?

As with any boat of this vintage check for rot, lots of the coring is balsa, but lots of it is foam as well. We've found a couple small spots of bad balsa (under loose rod holder, under unsealed screw in bottom of bridge ladder) but the VAST majority we cut out was in pristine condition.

The 52c is an absolute tank of a boat. We can comfortably run in 4-6' seas when everybody else has to slow down. It's kinda funny, several times we have been passed on the way out, but when the weather turns and it gets snotty we are the ones passing everyone else lol. I guess slow can be fast if you look at it from the right point of view

The 8v92's are good engines, easy to work on but the access on the 52 is pretty tight. I do not think you could do an in-frame on a 52 but it is a good candidate for repower or rebuild if they go to shit. The engines will come out the salon aft wall with 3 small cuts and window removal.

Paint is likely salvagable, buff/polish or wet sand it should look very good.

Salon door, they absorb water from the bottom and swell. We have had to sand/shave the bottom of our door a few times when it gets 'sticky'. So the bottom is the first place I'd check, easy fix if that's it.

Being an electrical guy, you are going to REALLY appreciate the quality of the electrical work/systems on this boat. All my wiring and panels are immaculate, clearly labeled and wires are very neatly routed. We came from an Ocean 38 to this boat and the wiring is night and day difference.

If you have any other specific questions/comments feel free to ask! Good luck with the purchase!

 

[jim rosenthal]

Well, if you decide to take the plunge on this boat, we will all watch with keen interest as you dig into all these problems.

It sounds like you know what you are biting off, here, so if you can get it cheaply enough, why not? At least you'll have something to keep you busy.

I would not try to live on a boat whilst remodeling or restoring it. Esp with a 3yo and a newborn. I don't think so. Youmight end up jumping overboard just for some peace and quiet.

 

[rsmith]

The 52 is a great platform/hull for the mods you are talking about. The cockpit is HUGE and plenty of room for the mezz. You might have already seen my thread here on the forum we are on the tail end of the mezzanine, bridge extension, tuna tube/baitwell project on our 52c. If you are interested in heading down that road it's definitely worth a read. Also several other members here who have done similar projects, lots of good info out there.

The 4 ac's, one for each stateroom 7k, 7k, 5k, one for the salon 24k. If they are salvagable they are fairly easily rebuilt with new compressors or relays/capacitors. They are pretty simple units and often serve a long reliable life. If they are all garbage I'd switch to a chiller system, there would be room to put 2 (one as a failover) if you got rid of all 4 units. I personally would not go with the self contained units, i'm just not a big fan of them.

Got any pics of the vessel or link to the ad?

As with any boat of this vintage check for rot, lots of the coring is balsa, but lots of it is foam as well. We've found a couple small spots of bad balsa (under loose rod holder, under unsealed screw in bottom of bridge ladder) but the VAST majority we cut out was in pristine condition.

The 52c is an absolute tank of a boat. We can comfortably run in 4-6' seas when everybody else has to slow down. It's kinda funny, several times we have been passed on the way out, but when the weather turns and it gets snotty we are the ones passing everyone else lol. I guess slow can be fast if you look at it from the right point of view

The 8v92's are good engines, easy to work on but the access on the 52 is pretty tight. I do not think you could do an in-frame on a 52 but it is a good candidate for repower or rebuild if they go to shit. The engines will come out the salon aft wall with 3 small cuts and window removal.

Paint is likely salvagable, buff/polish or wet sand it should look very good.

Salon door, they absorb water from the bottom and swell. We have had to sand/shave the bottom of our door a few times when it gets 'sticky'. So the bottom is the first place I'd check, easy fix if that's it.

Being an electrical guy, you are going to REALLY appreciate the quality of the electrical work/systems on this boat. All my wiring and panels are immaculate, clearly labeled and wires are very neatly routed. We came from an Ocean 38 to this boat and the wiring is night and day difference.

If you have any other specific questions/comments feel free to ask! Good luck with the purchase!

I’ve seen plenty of 52’s inframed most of the problem is most everything needs to come out the cockpit access door. The 52 was built the years Hatt was getting their butt kicked by Ocean yachts. Hatt started lightening things up. They started making the interior structural to the hull. There is a beam that runs athwart ship/ side to side that is sistered into the hull. DO NOT CUT this beam. I watched a 52 being repowered by 60 series Detroit’s back in the late 90’s spread 3” when they cut into the salon deck structure. I’d talk to Hatteras or a naval architect before you start breaking out the sawzall on a 52

 

[Canyonkeeper77]

@Rustybucket Thank you! Enough of the armchair captains were starting to make me angry with this forum but you revived me.

What is funny is we are moving up from a 38 Ocean. The wiring there was maddening. Only so much I could do and I rewired the bilge system and most of the bridge before throwing in the towel.

Thank you for the detail on the AC. They look new (white models as opposed to blue) and the one looks in good shape. The AC guy on LI is good and served me fairly well with my boat. He talked me out of a new evaporator and instead rebuilt the fans. Saved me a small fortune.

Also the door is interesting. I will check that out.

@Jim_Rosenthal It is a weekend liveaboard not a full time. We have a house and a yard in NJ. We use the boat in East Hampton, NY and cruise extensively around the area. My business partner is also in the area so we tend to work Fridays out there and host meetings. Got to love being a tech company these days. Especially since we work with Roku.

We had a bunch of hits on our boat and are hoping to find out soon. As long as she runs for now I can bring her back. You should have seen out Ocean yacht when we got her. My boat is listed on Yachtworld located on East Hampton, NY and the 52 is in Montauk.

 

[Canyonkeeper77]

Oh! @rustybucket I devoured oyur mezzanine thread. Amazing work. Willing to share the molds haha.

 

[krush]

@Rustybucket Thank you! Enough of the armchair captains were starting to make me angry with this forum but you revived me.

.......

We own old Hatts. Some made the mistake of buying "cheap" boats that needed tons of work. I've likely looked at more used Hatteras boats than 3 people combined would in their lifetime...all from the comfort of my armchair.

And from my armchair I'd hardly call $65k super low for a 31yr old 52 that's been on blocks for many years that may need major work or overhaul on one main engine. It leads us to wonder if you have much knowledge regarding the the market for these boats.

 

[rustybucket]

Oh! @rustybucket I devoured oyur mezzanine thread. Amazing work. Willing to share the molds haha.

Would be happy to but they were 1 off's. They were destroyed when pulling the parts. I highly suggest going that route if you are doing the project. Using birch or luanne plywood you can make really nice 1 time molds for your parts.

 

[rustybucket]

I’ve seen plenty of 52’s inframed most of the problem is most everything needs to come out the cockpit access door. The 52 was built the years Hatt was getting their butt kicked by Ocean yachts. Hatt started lightening things up. They started making the interior structural to the hull. There is a beam that runs athwart ship/ side to side that is sistered into the hull. DO NOT CUT this beam. I watched a 52 being repowered by 60 series Detroit’s back in the late 90’s spread 3” when they cut into the salon deck structure. I’d talk to Hatteras or a naval architect before you start breaking out the sawzall on a 52

The beam you are talking about (I think) that runs under the island, was cut on my boat. After sitting in the yard with the beam out for several years, we re-installed it and I would say it separated by about quarter inch, we had about a 1/4" gap on both sides and 1/8" of that could be explained by saw blade width. We used aluminum channel to bridge the edges a little and fully tie the beam back in.

I don't know how you would ever get the engines out unless that beam was cut.

While an in-frame 'could' be done on a 52, I seriously think it would be easier, and quite possibly cheaper, to pull them and have it done in a shop.

 

[barkdee]

I’m a few years into refurbishing a 50c that was probably in a similar condition to what you’re looking at. Major effort, major $s. Would have been much better to purchase a well maintained boat. But it has been fun, can’t complain. If I were starting over today, I’d look at that 52 like it was a barrel of WTI crude oil on 4/20.

 

[Canyonkeeper77]

We own old Hatts, you don't. Some made the mistake of buying "cheap" boats that needed tons of work. I've likely looked at more used Hatteras boats than 3 people combined would in their lifetime...all from the comfort of my armchair.

And from my armchair I'd hardly call $65k super low for a 31yr old 52 that's been on blocks for many years that may need major work or overhaul on one main engine. It leads us to wonder if you have much knowledge regarding the the market for these boats.

That is asking... obviously I not offering anywhere near there!!! I came here for advice about the boat not advice about buying it. Obviously I am looking to make an informed decision hence why I am asking the people here.