68 TC 44 purchase

[fnuttersny]

Greetings…new to sight lots of good info. Considering a 68 44 TC with V8-53N 1635 hrs. Un molested and neglected. Good news dry inside with a few minor leaks around windows no real damage,solid decks, engine room shows clean no oil leakage, corrosion, or green slime around cooling components etc. Owner for last five years did bottom ant foul, replaced through hulls as needed, inspection and back in water and is a boatyard owner and dealer. Boat recently completed 100mile trip with only hydraulic trans hose leaking. Belts and hoses have been changed since. Asking 41K. Intention is to upgrade to practical year round live aboard in NYC (currently doing so in 30ft sail) without changing the "look" and
keeping the theme as original as possible (think Mad Men). Inside shows original no mildew appears to be in very good condition It must be made practical for living with occasional sight seeing tours around the big apple. Electronic doodads and gadgets of no interest to me. Not looking for money pit but??. Thats where you guys come in (talk me out of it). Have shipyard/hvac back
ground 40yrs. Main concern..I asked about barrier coat and reply was Hatteras did not use gelcoat
but used awl grip. Any and all input appreciated.

 

[Tim Powell]

Greetings…new to sight lots of good info. Considering a 68 44 TC with V8-53N 1635 hrs. Un molested and neglected. Good news dry inside with a few minor leaks around windows no real damage,solid decks, engine room shows clean no oil leakage, corrosion, or green slime around cooling components etc. Owner for last five years did bottom ant foul, replaced through hulls as needed, inspection and back in water and is a boatyard owner and dealer. Boat recently completed 100mile trip with only hydraulic trans hose leaking. Belts and hoses have been changed since. Asking 41K. Intention is to upgrade to practical year round live aboard in NYC (currently doing so in 30ft sail) without changing the "look" and
keeping the theme as original as possible (think Mad Men). Inside shows original no mildew appears to be in very good condition It must be made practical for living with occasional sight seeing tours around the big apple. Electronic doodads and gadgets of no interest to me. Not looking for money pit but??. Thats where you guys come in (talk me out of it). Have shipyard/hvac back
ground 40yrs. Main concern..I asked about barrier coat and reply was Hatteras did not use gelcoat
but used awl grip. Any and all input appreciated.

Sorry no body answered your request. I am not a paint guy at all. But the hats were painted not gell coated as to the namebrand and color. I am totally stupid i know nothing. On long weekend most every one goes to their boats. I have answered hoping someone else will help. This is a grate site and glad to have you. Keep posting someone will chime in i am sure WELCOME TO THE HAT HOUSE.Tim

 

[Boatsb]

Sorry no body answered your request. I am not a paint guy at all. But the hats were painted not gell coated as to the namebrand and color. I am totally stupid i know nothing. On long weekend most every one goes to their boats. I have answered hoping someone else will help. This is a grate site and glad to have you. Keep posting someone will chime in i am sure WELCOME TO THE HAT HOUSE.Tim

Thanks tIM you Gave up our secrets.

All Hatt's are gel coat below the waterline. They should be barrier coated .

Paint was above the waterline.

 

[Fanfare]

Most Hatteras Yachts of these vintages seem to have blister problems with the under water parts. But the glass on their bottoms is so thick that I have not heard of one with structural problems. I put a barrier coat on 30 years ago which lasted 25 years. I think the chemistry is better now. Chances are that if you see some blisters it becomes a great bargaining point with the seller. I have about 5 years on this barrier coat and no problems. I did have the entire bottom peeled which removed less than 1/8 inch of gel coat and glass. Six large trash bags of old bottom paint were removed.

Good luck!

 

[DCMY #92]

I have owned a 1965 41 DCMY with 6V53 naturals since 1982. Hatteras yachts have gel coat like any other fiberglass boat. It's just that Hatteras chose to paint the hull and topsides with rather than depend on the gel coat finish for the final look. As previously stated you are sure to find blisters on the bottom if she has not had a barrier coat. In my case the blisters were many, but relatively small and of no structural concern. I ground them open and filled them, then added a barrier coat in 1983 and have not had one blister appear since.

Your description of the boat sounds like one I would buy. The 6V53s are bullet proof, but the Velvet Drive gears (if that what you have) can be weak. Not necessary a problem to avoid the boat for.

I'b be surprised if there are no, or have not been, leaks around the saloon windows, but maybe something was modified.

If you go forward with the purchase feel free to send me a PM.

 

[fnuttersny]

I wish to thank everyone for quick and very informative response. We need to get into a live aboard by June. This forum has confirmed Hatteras as our only choice..so thanks again. A bit more info..engines are 8v-53N will find out about transmission though must be hydraulic..
other than upgrade/remodel by choice not necessity..neglected known items are... bridge deck wood some replacement required, leak into stern bedroom closet from stanchion above, 3 windows leaking slightly and 2 side glass replacements, instrument panel weathered but working, one ac unit dead, will need deck paint but not urgent plus general TLC stem to stern. Planning sea trial and systems check once re-commissioned for season. If all checks out would this be considered a project boat? What would be a fair offer at 41k asking price without insult? He appears to want a good home for her. Plan to look her over again this week.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Good luck on this. Hurrying is not in your best interest. Get a good surveyor for the boat and another one for the engines. Make sure your insurance will cover you for sightseeing trips etc.

 

[SeaEric]

If its the boat in NJ she has been for sale for a long time. The pics of the engineroom are scary. Lots and lots of rust. In my first hand experience - no one ever offers the asking price. 75% or 80% of ask and an offer shouldn't offend anyone.

 

[fissioneng]

Have you considered a 43 DC? LOTS of them around at all price points, you'll have more to choose from.

 

[fnuttersny]

Yes thats the one. I crawled around EM and pics don't help I agree all most kept me away altogether . I spot checked flaking areas with wire brush it seams much of it is on cooling system which looks like cooper-nickel from my big boat experience. The best stuff for seawater plumbing. I will try to get as much history as possible and proceed with extreme caution. Anyone have experience Trojans of the late 70s at 44 ft. Looks much like Hatt…just thought I'd ask for comparison? (Therese a joke there some where)

 

[Walter P]

Trojan's are fine if you want to practice safe boating.....

Walt

 

[jim rosenthal]

Some Trojans were actually built in the Hatteras factory in High Point, I think in the 90s maybe? I think you would be better off trying to find the right Hatteras yacht. Wait for a good one. There's nothing more expensive than a cheap boat, unless it's a cheap classic car.

 

[JakeC]

Currently I am selling a 1979 Trojan F32 which has been owned and maintained by myself for many years. This January I purchased a 1966 Hatteras 41TC. During the late winter I rigged up two electric heaters to my generator so that I could get a jump on needed work. Between the two boats there are very large differences.
The Trojan only survives because everyone who has owned the boat has taken care to keep bilge water out, and not allow any water intrusion into the deck. Although the hull and deck are thin fiberglass, the actual structure of the boat is wood. Wood coring in the deck, wood stringers that provide hull stiffness. Trojan is a boat built to a price point, made to be affordable. Any lack of care, and Trojans become landfill very quickly.
The Hatteras essentially has very little wood structure, and is not built to a low end price point. They will survive neglect from owners and can be brought back. Systems are quality and live aboard in a Hatteras is a real possibility, far less likely in a Trojan. When sunlight hits the side of the hull in the Trojan, it shines right through the fiberglass if you are working in the engine room! Pound with your fist on the side of an older Hatteras. It's like hitting the side of a masonry building.

Jake Collins
1966 41TC
1979 Trojan F32
1964 Lone Star Criterion
1970 Starcraft Falcon

 

[fissioneng]

The Trojan only survives because everyone who has owned the boat has taken care to keep bilge water out, and not allow any water intrusion into the deck. Although the hull and deck are thin fiberglass, the actual structure of the boat is wood. Wood coring in the deck, wood stringers that provide hull stiffness. Trojan is a boat built to a price point, made to be affordable. Any lack of care, and Trojans become landfill very quickly.

x2 on this. I owned an F32 that had structural problems because I ran it in moderate seas regularly. Stringers tend to detach from the fiberglass tabbing/shell and also rot. I had bulkhead tabbing break, with bulkheads freely floating inside the boat. Need I say more?

Maybe the 44's were built better, not many of them around which makes me wonder.

These are the things that drove me to buy a Hatteras. I never want to be out of sight of land and have a compromised hull.