43MY 84-87 The good? The bad? The ugly?

[tellico]

Zeroing in on my "first" Hatteras - part of moving from sailboats back to power, where I started many years ago. But never a Hatteras, despite coveting every one I see.

This one is a '86 43MY, CAT3208's. All original, fairly good shape from first looks, low hours, and most importantly "unmolested" as I like to say. Amazing what some folks do to these boats. But, like me, it's an old boat so I am anticipating work and maintenance.

So what's the good, bad and ugly on this model? I have been reading a lot of the posts here on the site. Great info from those who have gone before, and are still going. But also scaring myself in the process. WTH am I doing???

Some of the issues I read about are moisture in the foredeck, which apparently can be extensive going down sidedecks, etc. From the looks of a very rusty windlass motor, I'm thinking this boat has this problem, so evaluating the extent of damage, if possible, will be critical.

Also seeing a leak from starboard side of flybridge, seeping into the after end of salon. I recall reading someone pulled down the overhead light and water poured down on the poster. So I am guessing leaks are a major issue all over. Tracking down leaks is never fun, and worse yet is possibly more damage to core, etc.

Obviously will do the best survey I can get. But what other pitfalls and warnings can you folks offer?

Thanks in advance. Hoping to join the gang soon.

 

[Boatsb]

Zeroing in on my "first" Hatteras - part of moving from sailboats back to power, where I started many years ago. But never a Hatteras, despite coveting every one I see.

This one is a '86 43MY, CAT3208's. All original, fairly good shape from first looks, low hours, and most importantly "unmolested" as I like to say. Amazing what some folks do to these boats. But, like me, it's an old boat so I am anticipating work and maintenance.

So what's the good, bad and ugly on this model? I have been reading a lot of the posts here on the site. Great info from those who have gone before, and are still going. But also scaring myself in the process. WTH am I doing???

Some of the issues I read about are moisture in the foredeck, which apparently can be extensive going down sidedecks, etc. From the looks of a very rusty windlass motor, I'm thinking this boat has this problem, so evaluating the extent of damage, if possible, will be critical.

Also seeing a leak from starboard side of flybridge, seeping into the after end of salon. I recall reading someone pulled down the overhead light and water poured down on the poster. So I am guessing leaks are a major issue all over. Tracking down leaks is never fun, and worse yet is possibly more damage to core, etc.

Obviously will do the best survey I can get. But what other pitfalls and warnings can you folks offer?

Thanks in advance. Hoping to join the gang soon.

Get a ride on one in Hatteras weather.

See if the high cog flips you out in comparison to the sailboat. Remember the motor yachts are usually roomier but higher than the convertible. In comparison my 41c has more room than a friend's 42 Morgan . A convertible may be an option also if you don't need more space.

 

[tellico]

Get a ride on one in Hatteras weather.

See if the high cog flips you out in comparison to the sailboat. Remember the motor yachts are usually roomier but higher than the convertible. In comparison my 41c has more room than a friend's 42 Morgan . A convertible may be an option also if you don't need more space.

Short answer is yes, it does take getting a lot of getting used to. I've spent past couple of winters aboard friends' trawlers in Florida, bouncing around like a cork. Def takes getting used to. Much higher up and always miss my huge keel and rudder. I grew up on sportfishers in eastern NC. Family issues are driving the motoyacht decision, at least I think for now. But it ain't over till I write the check.

 

[Walter P]

I think that you really need to take a ride on one to satisfy yourself. Niaad's will help considerably but if you can't find one already with them, the cost to have them installed now would be substantial. IMO they are great family boats with plenty of room and even with the relatively high COG I don't think it will present any problems. Of course the Convertibles have a lower COG but they are primarily designed to go to sea even in marginal conditions but I like the enclosed aft deck and the large master stateroom. The MY is a very comfortable coastal cruiser as it was designed to be. BTW they have a substantial keel which helps stability and tracking as well.

Walt

 

[bobk]

Beyond possible structural issues, be sure you are comfortable with the engine room access on the 43's.

You are right, a rusty winch is an almost guarantee of deck core issues. Water in the headliner may be tough. We traced a leak into the headliner of the mid head on our 48 to screws on the radar arch that needed to be rebedded.

While you are looking, compare the 43 to the 48MY. They look the same almost, but the ER on the 48 is almost a dream come true. But the 3208's are a great package for the 43 and allow you to run slower for great economy.

Pate may still have his for sale.

Bobk

 

[fissioneng]

Beyond possible structural issues, be sure you are comfortable with the engine room access on the 43's.

You are right, a rusty winch is an almost guarantee of deck core issues. Water in the headliner may be tough. We traced a leak into the headliner of the mid head on our 48 to screws on the radar arch that needed to be rebedded.

While you are looking, compare the 43 to the 48MY. They look the same almost, but the ER on the 48 is almost a dream come true. But the 3208's are a great package for the 43 and allow you to run slower for great economy.

Pate may still have his for sale.

Bobk

X2 on the 43 engine room space, with 3208T's it's tight, but you need to go up in size like Bob said to get more room.

I don't think this model has any unique issues. Just those that most older Hatts/boat have, like the windlass and foredeck already mentioned.

On the plus side, this model has 3 substantial gathering places: the FB, the aft deck and the saloon, something the earlier 43's don't have.

The CATs are great engines, but have them surveyed and check all the FW cooling hoses carefully (there's 7 on each engine).

 

[DaveK]

Tellico,

We recently completed a purchase on a very unmolested 1985 43 MY with 3208T's. This particular boat was in extraordinary condition and even if the one you are looking at seems to be in great condition you still have to do your due diligence with a thorough survey. The ONLY complaint I have with this boat at the moment is the engine room, it is VERY tight in there. I just had two of the four 8D batteries replaced and although it broke my "old heart" to pay to have it done I really didn't have another option. This was directly related to a lack of working space in the engine room.

As fissioneng stated, the gathering places are great on both the flybridge and aft deck. We use the boat only on in-land waters (Galveston Bay Area) and the ICW up and down the Texas coast. It is a great boat for that type of travel, very easily handled by my wife and me. If you are good with the engine room and condition of the boat you are looking at I think you will find it to be a really nice size for two to four people.

 

[Walter P]

All good valid comments on the 43 MY but the 43 DC also has the foredeck which includes a seat across the front of the trunk of the cabin. Depending on the size of the folks using it, it can accommodate from 4 to 6 guests. Another feature that I like on the DC is the 360 deg visibility from the lower station which is great for a boat that will usually have only 2 people. Also the 79 and later DC's have a dinette across from the galley which is very handy. A negative on the DC in my opinion is that the aft deck seems smaller than the MY because of the space requirement of the driving station. Both great boats however.

BTW, I think the 6/71 version of the MY allows a little more space in the ER.
I owned two 43 DC's some years ago and loved them both. We now have a 1982 48 Series I MY which has a great full beam almost stand up (some of us need to hunch over a bit) engine room... mine even has a work bench in it. Bobk and I have sisterships and he loves his as well. The only reason I went up in size to the 48 over the 43DC was the need for an extra stateroom for my granddaughters when they come to visit.

Good luck and enjoy the fun of the quest....

Walt

 

[tellico]

Thanks for the good comments so far. All valid points. Keep em coming. I am cautiously optimistic this is the one, but I never met a boat that I could not live without.

I can see the engine room access is a challenge. Did not realize the diff between the Cat and DD platforms. I am not qualified to make the larger Cat v. DD analysis, so I will continue collecting info on that aspect.

What I don't understand is why they just carpet over all the hatches? I've looked at several 40 and 43's where there is no real access except the center hatch. And the carpet seems to be tacked down. Will need to assess all.

btw, a friend has the Sea Master version of the 48my, and yes, I agree it is a great layout. But to be honest ... if I'm going +5' to a 48MY, I'll go another +5' to the 53MY. That's the bucket list boat, but it's a complicated beast that may be beyond me and my wallet just now. A friend is selling theirs but I am trying to stay away ... don't encourage me!

 

[Dan Mapes]

We have an '85 43' M/Y since 1999. Freedom has taken us to 1000 Islands on the St. Lawrence, Montauk NY, Essex Ct, Jersey and all the way down the ICW to Florida.
From there we have hit the Bahamas 6 times for 6 month live aboards. We are heading there again real soon.
I've added a water maker, 3KW inverter, Sat tv, Cell phone booster, Wifi booster, and upgraded a mess of things.

We still enjoy the boat.

However we choose our weather since we do not have a lower station.

6-71TI's are the power, and I think Cats would bea fine option in that they may squat lower and farther aft leaving more room for options like I have installed.

Talk to Pate, maybe if you are in his neck of the woods you can see it.

 

[magnawake]

Tellico,
So your looking at the 86 model ? Yes I do still have ours for sale. I will say its not a fire sale though. We still love our boat and enjoy it weekly. We have lived on it for the majority of 5 years. It has been a great boat to own. Yes, I would love to have a 53' and have a walk in ER. Thats to die for. My knees take a beating crawling around. It really depends on how you are going to be using the boat. Tied to a dock, it has an impressive amount of room as said before. We have had a large amount of people on board scattered around in places mentioned. Seems like everyone likes the aft sundeck with all our wicker furniture though. The kids like seating on the bow dock boxes. If you find one that has been taken care of and doesnt smell like poop, mold, or must your ahead of the game. If it smells the owner prolly has neglected other things as well. Drawing 3 1/2 feet is great for traveling the ICW. We have Cats that burn 3.5-4 gals/ hr ar 7 kts. Try to find another like that for the size. It manuevers like a dream in a tight marina. It rolls in a beam sea that will scare you in bad conditions. I took ours out to Cape Look Out in way bigger seas than I should have gone and we got there OK (shook up, but Ok). Another Hatt memeber we met out there said I was nutts for doing it that day. I agree but I was a newby and didnt know any better. Now we know. In a head sea it plows through 3-4 ft seas great. These kiinda days I wish I did have a sail boat. Most days though we are like a pig in a poke happy with the boat. The pulpit does have issues that I will fix this fall. Others have fixed thiers themselves. I knew about it when I bought it 5 years ago. Most all hatteras's have the same problem since they were made all the same. I dont really care for the forward shower sump and its location. If you use bar soap, it will stink in a week and I can smell it in the V-berth. I need to clean the sump out every week in the summer. We installed an inverter with golf cart batteries that has been the best thing we ever installed. We can run all day without starting the genset or anchor out for extended amounts of time with running the genset only 3 hrs per day. Thats just to keep the refrigerator and ice maker working. I wish we had stabilizers too but dont think its worth the extra 30K. Others have maintenance issues with them as well. I cant think of any problems that would be serious enough to not buy a 43 MY. I cant even understand why in the world people buy Grand Banks and other trawlers just to save fuel cost. They burn 2-4 themselves. I know a guy who had a GB with 3208's instead of a small single diesel. He got horrible fuel burn in that boat and lots less room than our 43. To me a 43 MY is the perfect size for a couple to live on long term. It does have lots of maintenance stuff that you need to do just like all other boats if you want to keep them looking good. Heck just cleaning the isenglass is a chore. I think mine ranks in the top of the heap on yacht world for condtion but I guess my price has people backing down. Now a days people want a fire sale and want a unbelievable deal. If someone has a good boat thats well taken care of they wont give it away. But you never know what financial needs they have or why they want to sell. Just get a boat that is in good shape. Stop by Charleston and I'll give you a tour.

 

[Mambeaux]

Well said Pate.