Advice for a noob

[Jsherid1]

I’m in the process of looking for a Hatteras 53/58 (or 54/56) and although I have been around boats all my life (currently own a 32’ sailboat) this will be my first large powerboat. I am mechanically inclined, turn my own wrench on my classic cars, and am reasonably handy but would like to get up the learning curve on the systems these boats have. What courses, YouTube series, videos or manuals would you recommend so that I can hit the ground running when I find “the one”. Thanks for your input on this.

 

[Oldlaxer1]

I was in a very similar situation as you last year at this time. The best advice I can give is “no matter what you study, it won’t be on the test. Read this forum and take the issues one at a time. Lots of REALLY helpful people here and years of great suggestions in the archives. With older boats you can almost become a “boatochondriac“ and start imagining problems you don’t have. Tackle the real ones as they come up and on the journey you’ll learn things about these boats you never knew existed. And a lot of us will learn right along with you.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Clearly, this twelve part series is a must for any vintage Hatteras owner.https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7o_Qa38KNBA

 

[jrbrein]

With older boats you can almost become a “boatochondriac“ and start imagining problems you don’t have.

John,

That is a good one!

Jon

 

[miboatnutz]

Here's another interesting one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqQPlavvD5I

Best advice I could give is to go cruise the marinas and yacht clubs and talk to other Hatteras owners. People love to talk about their boats and we capitalized on that in our efforts to gather information and decide on which model Hatt to buy. We actually offered to crew for our previous owner during several outings years before making the purchase so we could see how he handled the boat and how it felt under power.

IMHO Forums and videos are great and provide a wealth of info but they'll only take you so far.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Buy your Hatt from a frequent forum poster and get the inside story you’ll never get from a survey.

 

[Photolomy]

Buy your Hatt from a frequent forum poster and get the inside story you’ll never get from a survey.

+1 (if possible)

 

[Briankinley2004]

Clearly, this twelve part series is a must for any vintage Hatteras owner.https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7o_Qa38KNBA

I watched all 12 of those videos and they are all full of crap

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

I watched all 12 of those videos and they are all full of crap

And your point is?

 

[SEVEN]

I was in a very similar situation as you last year at this time. The best advice I can give is “no matter what you study, it won’t be on the test. Read this forum and take the issues one at a time. Lots of REALLY helpful people here and years of great suggestions in the archives. With older boats you can almost become a “boatochondriac“ and start imagining problems you don’t have. Tackle the real ones as they come up and on the journey you’ll learn things about these boats you never knew existed. And a lot of us will learn right along with you.

Sound advice my friend.

 

[Photolomy]

And your point is?

They are videos about fixing a holding tank. Holding tanks hold crap.

 

[Jsherid1]

Thanks for the suggestions, both serious and tongue in cheek. Keep them coming!