Looking for advise, 53, 58 and 70 footer

[SKYCHENEY]

Good point, I don't know how you can find out if it has issues though?

There are many used Hatteras for sale. Find one you like that is original/not modified is the best way.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Many times the extended hulls don't perform well. It depends on if the running gear was extended or not and what the extended length does to the fore/aft buoyancy. I would not consider one without some serious investigation into the who did the work.

If you buy an extended boat (and I'm one of the folks who think you ought not to do that) you would at least want to look at the receipts for the work extending it, as well as getting a VERY stiff survey, and also getting a pro captain on it during the seatrial to see how much the extension has affected its handling. I find it hard to believe that any boat is made BETTER by an extension of the hull- I think the best you could hope for is that they didn't screw it all up. Overall, I'd find one that hasn't been messed with that way, and has been kept up in all other ways.

In other words, call the company that has listed "Starfire" and see if she's still for sale. Fingers crossed for you.

 

[Red Hatt]

I was the previous owner of starfire. I hated to part with her but my wife had back surgery and could know longer go up stairs. It was the best 53 I could find. I looked for years. She was perfect when I sold her.

 

[CanadianBoater]

I was the previous owner of starfire. I hated to part with her but my wife had back surgery and could know longer go up stairs. It was the best 53 I could find. I looked for years. She was perfect when I sold her.

Sorry to hear you had to sell her. You have great taste and my hat is off to you for how you kept that boat...you're deserving of recognition of what a great Hatteras owner resembles. Best to you and your wife. Happy to see you're still active on here and hope you get back on the water somehow...it's the lifeblood that keeps some of us going!

Michael

 

[CanadianBoater]

If you buy an extended boat (and I'm one of the folks who think you ought not to do that) you would at least want to look at the receipts for the work extending it, as well as getting a VERY stiff survey, and also getting a pro captain on it during the seatrial to see how much the extension has affected its handling. I find it hard to believe that any boat is made BETTER by an extension of the hull- I think the best you could hope for is that they didn't screw it all up. Overall, I'd find one that hasn't been messed with that way, and has been kept up in all other ways.

In other words, call the company that has listed "Starfire" and see if she's still for sale. Fingers crossed for you.

To add to this comment I must say that properly done extensions can definitely "add" to some boats that are say strictly a motor yacht style that end at an abrupt transom. I have experience in extensions and have added 8' to an original 47 motor yacht. Properly done, you can achieve more bottom running length, some additional speed, more fuel, water, fender storage and, holding tank capacity! More open access to the water definitely added to the enjoyment of the boat. The cockpit became the most enjoyed and used place on the boat. Therefore any good classic 53 Hatteras can be extended to achieve the style, look and added benefit of a 58 YF! Yes it costs but can be so well worth the
effort...

I will add that you do not have to extend the running gear. We experienced no disadvantage in not extending it.
The keys are to not make it look like an extension but rather make it look like it was part of the original model. Hence extending a 53 to a 58 does not look unnatural. Keys are to design the transom properly keeping all elements of the original and do not introduce new angles. Use good materials such as epoxy for fairing and make sure the stringers are properly extended...

A properly done cockpit extension can add to the enjoyment of the boat and is great for dock handling, water access and in many cases makes the boat have a more balanced appearance. Properly done, I highly recommend cockpit extensions to any motor yacht that may have had a model offered with factory cockpit...and yes, there are boats that will benefit with a well designed extension even if not originally offered that way.

Just my $.02

Michael

 

[Scarlett]

Considering there are a couple of extended 53 on the market for less than $200,000 and we got a quote of $150,000 to add an extension to ours, which we did not do, I think it makes a lot more sense to either buy one that is already done or by a 58 yachtfish. The advantage to an added cockpit on a 53 is you still retain the full size of the aft deck. John

 

[edward]

I was the previous owner of starfire. I hated to part with her but my wife had back surgery and could know longer go up stairs. It was the best 53 I could find. I looked for years. She was perfect when I sold her.

I was on board before you purchased STARFIRE ,it is a great boat ! GLWS, regards . Edward

 

[SKYCHENEY]

To add to this comment I must say that properly done extensions can definitely "add" to some boats that are say strictly a motor yacht style that end at an abrupt transom. I have experience in extensions and have added 8' to an original 47 motor yacht. Properly done, you can achieve more bottom running length, some additional speed, more fuel, water, fender storage and, holding tank capacity! More open access to the water definitely added to the enjoyment of the boat. The cockpit became the most enjoyed and used place on the boat. Therefore any good classic 53 Hatteras can be extended to achieve the style, look and added benefit of a 58 YF! Yes it costs but can be so well worth the
effort...

I will add that you do not have to extend the running gear. We experienced no disadvantage in not extending it.
The keys are to not make it look like an extension but rather make it look like it was part of the original model. Hence extending a 53 to a 58 does not look unnatural. Keys are to design the transom properly keeping all elements of the original and do not introduce new angles. Use good materials such as epoxy for fairing and make sure the stringers are properly extended...

A properly done cockpit extension can add to the enjoyment of the boat and is great for dock handling, water access and in many cases makes the boat have a more balanced appearance. Properly done, I highly recommend cockpit extensions to any motor yacht that may have had a model offered with factory cockpit...and yes, there are boats that will benefit with a well designed extension even if not originally offered that way.

Just my $.02

Michael

I would think that if you never get out of the ICW, then the running gear probably does not need to be extended. If you're running an inlet in a following sea, you might change your mind.

 

[CanadianBoater]

I would think that if you never get out of the ICW, then the running gear probably does not need to be extended. If you're running an inlet in a following sea, you might change your mind.

Never mind the ICW...ever run on Lake Erie in 30 knot wind? The swells can run 6-8' easily and not much distance trough to trough...no problem with a following sea. Also run Delaware Bay from the Canal to Cape May...with NE at 20 knots, tide running out, add to that the confused waves from the ship traffic...I don't know how big the swells, waves were from crest to crest but it was one hell of a ride...the boat handled fine. But one heck of day at the helm...kissed the planks when we got into Cape May. As usual...the boat can always take more than the crew.
We were fortunate enough to also have stabilizers at the time.
Running gear can be extended for the additional expense but either way, a decent cockpit extension adds to the boat if done right...

Yes; the easiest thing if you want a 58YF is to buy one however - there aren't very many nice ones around. Taking a nice 53MY of which there are more of them...and adding 5' from the existing transom would provide one with a very nice aft deck and an awesome custom cockpit...can be done!

If anyone is interested in pictures of how we did the one pictured below - I'd be happy to share more info.

Imagine taking a 53ED, and adding a 5' cockpit extension?
Would be an interesting boat...and would still look like a Hatteras!
Food for thought for someone willing to push the envelope some...
You won't get your investment back no but it makes all the sense in the world if you're planning on keeping the boat for some time...as we all know - the memories and pleasure of boating are priceless.

There is nothing about owing a boat that makes any financial sense anyway - so what the heck - follow your desires and damn the money!

I'll leave it at that.

Michael



Am in the process of buying a Hatteras that has had an extension done - so I can join the rest of you, in the Club!

 

[scottinsydney]

I would be very interested to see photos of how the extension was done please.

 

[CanadianBoater]

I would be very interested to see photos of how the extension was done please.

OK - I will get a few together - next week - have to digitize them as we did that extension back in '87. We did it with what was known as the West System (not to be confused with the resin manufacturer)...formed it from fibreglass sheets that were cut and fit into place and glass built up from the inside. We created a very basic form using 1 x 4 spruce to create the contour of the hull drawing it back creating a longer hull based on the natural contour of the hull becoming narrower in beam as you extend the hull and also maintained the convex shape of the original transom. It was an interesting process and the result has been admired by many!

I'll get some pictures together as soon as I can.

Scott; you have an extended 61MY - now a 70CPMY? - Interesting

Michael

 

[CanadianBoater]

Considering there are a couple of extended 53 on the market for less than $200,000 and we got a quote of $150,000 to add an extension to ours, which we did not do, I think it makes a lot more sense to either buy one that is already done or by a 58 yachtfish. The advantage to an added cockpit on a 53 is you still retain the full size of the aft deck. John

Financially it does make more sense to buy one already done or buy a 58 yes.
If one was to do an extension it makes more sense if you're in need of or about to do a complete hull repaint. Then you can amortize the painting cost on the need of a repaint.

From what I know, and I may be wrong, is if your boat is painted with Imron or Alexseal you can fair in the paint on an extension, or any spot repair required, topside or hull, without having to repaint everything. Apparently Awlgrip is not as ideal a paint...unfortunately most Hatteras's seem to have been originally painted with Awlgrip.
We used Imron when we did a complete hull paint at the time of the extension and therefore anytime I needed to do any repairs or mods it was much easier. I did become somewhat of a self taught expert in glass work and HVLP spray techniques and subsequently did my own work on other repairs and painting on the boat on the years to follow. (For the extension we did, we did hire a very knowledgable fibreglass guy who was actually building truck caps at the time - we used the correct fibreglass cloth, resins and fairing pastes for the job - he did such good work I eventually had him build me the fibreglass swim platform you see in the picture to replace the original teak one).

I will add that before we embarked on the extension we did research the process some, talking to some of the yards in South Florida that had done some and also engaged a naval architect (Steve Killing) to provide some advice on the design and issues we'd encounter - a conversation with him was a good investment for advice only...no drawings...he simply said "follow all the lines of the boat back to the length you want and add ballast..you'll be fine".

As for the cost, if you were to find a qualified fibreglass guy who knows how to build or mold fibreglass parts, and a yard that allows you to bring in your own team and do some DIY, you could do the extension itself for probably under $75,000 and do it in an off season complete (5-6 months), (with some good preplanning of course)...if you're willing to do some of the work and research. You unfortunately have to open up parts of your aft stateroom and be prepared for some cleaning up along the way. That cost could include stainless tanks for additional fuel, water and holding tanks which become the additional ballast you need with an extension due to additional bouyancy. Trimming out the boat with the additional bouyancy was not a big issue at all.

Such a project is not for the faint of heart - unless you get one of the yards to do the work and I know there are a few that are very good at it but - it will of course, cost you.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Hatteras never used Awlgrip. Imron from the mid 70's through early 90's, then Alexseal.

 

[Finnley]

I couldn’t resist taking a look at Starfire, and it’s been sold, according to the brokerage. Looks nice though.

EDIT **** Apparently, this might not be sold. I looked up the boat and found the HMY listing that stated it sold.
But, it is listed on YachtWorld.

Apologies.

 

[CanadianBoater]

Hatteras never used Awlgrip. Imron from the mid 70's through early 90's, then Alexseal.

OK - you would know better than I would. Every time I saw a listing for a Hatteras they would describe a recent paint job as recent Awlgrip paint and i was sure that was to match the factory paint. Good to hear they were Imron and now Alexseal!

M

 

[scottinsydney]

Michael, our boat was extended by the first owner about 1987 or 1988 and used extensively out in the Caribbean. There is a 500 gallon fuel tank under the cockpit floor which I've never filled. The actual structure is very solid and its never going to fall apart. There are two huge wooden beams fibreglassed into the inner sides of the extension and continuing along the inner side of the owner's stateroom. Two access hatches allow storage at the front of the cockpit and you can actually view the entire 61MY original transom, Bomar escape hatch and original boat name.

Although well made overall, the actual finishing of the out of sight areas is pretty rough. Its a pity the yard that did the work did not spend a couple of days to make it all look pretty.

With regards to performance and steering based on a 48 hour delivery voyage at 875RPM and 8.5 knots, the total fuel consumption was 8 US gallons an hour. It seems to steer straight and I've been in some bad tempered seas. The new stabilisers combined with autopilot are great. I have never been on another Hatteras so I can't compare sea handling characteristics.

My next trip to the US will include a visit to San Diego to visit Capt' & Mrs Scarlett and hopefully a run to Catalina Island which is on my bucket list. I'll be able to compare handling then.

 

[dsharp]

This is a photo of a 45’ Hatteras that was stretched 6’. Photo was taken before the molds were built and lined with Masonite. The glass was built up over a 12/1 scarf into the original sides. The stringers were lengthened and tied into the original transom. The running gear was repositioned and stub shafts were replaced with 1 piece monel shafts. Polyester resin was used since this was done in the 70’s before much was known about secondary bonding. Never had a minutes trouble with the glasswork.

 

[Scarlett]

Scott, you are welcome anytime, and yes I love any excuse to go to Catalina. John

 

[CanadianBoater]

View attachment 45419 This is a photo of a 45’ Hatteras that was stretched 6’. Photo was taken before the molds were built and lined with Masonite. The glass was built up over a 12/1 scarf into the original sides. The stringers were lengthened and tied into the original transom. The running gear was repositioned and stub shafts were replaced with 1 piece monel shafts. Polyester resin was used since this was done in the 70’s before much was known about secondary bonding. Never had a minutes trouble with the glasswork.

Nice to see photos of other extensions...done right! Thanks for posting. I'm going to find the photos of when we did ours and will post some soon.

 

[Naughty Lottie]

I would not fear the extended boats as long as you know who did the extension. I have a 65 with a 9 foot cockpit extension. Running gear is in original location. Hatt of Lauderdale did it for the original owner. Provides extra fuel and storage. I recently removed the generator that was back there and have had no handling issues. I run the inlets on the East Coast with ease and dont have any issues. The only negative is that they butchered the Master SR and put in stairs to the cockpit that creates a ton of dead space, but that’s fixable with time and money. May want to look at “Cherokee” if she is still for sale, sister ship with nearly the same modifications. Feel free to check out my boats FB page and friend her: Nauti_LottieEnjoy your search!