Burger Yachts

[Freeebird]

I’m a Hatteras guy and by far prefer running them over anything else. I suppose familiarity has something to do with that, but I love them.

That being said, I’m considering jumping ship. This group is very diverse and very experienced, so I’m looking for preferably first hand input vs war stories from others. I know the perils of aluminum in salt, but it seems to me that staying on top of that area is key. Not a lot different than keeping things up on a glass boat.

I’ve always loved the classic lines and a looking in the 70’-80’ range for a liveaboard/charter scenario, so let’s hear your thoughts.

 

[Scarlett]

Find a surveyor that does Ultrasound and check the hull carefully for thin spots. When I ultrasound a metal boat I take reading about every 5 to 6 inches. It takes a long time to do a 70 foot boat but worth it.

 

[Pascal]

Indeed a surveyor with alum experience and thorough ultrasound is a must.

Alum is great but it is a whole different ballgame and not just below water line. Keeping with the paint, addressing any little bubble is a must.

Don’t fall for the value these boats represents, the upkeep can be a killer and as you know, 70-80’ slips are very hard to find pretty much everywhere.

 

[jim rosenthal]

You might contact Eric Horst. I think he was involved in some Burger sales. They are beautiful boats, but the upkeep on an aluminum boat is fearsome. I had an aluminum boat. I would never do it again, at least not in brackish or salt water.

 

[jmooney]

An owner told me you need to paint every 6 years. Keeping up with small blisters might put painting off . Anywhere wood touches aluminum, such as a toe rail, increases the chances of blistering. One good thing about Burgers is that you usually can see all of hull areas from inside the boat . One problem is the shaft tubes that run through the fuel tanks . They can corrode and need to be inspected by video. Imagine cutting an aluminum fuel tank to repair the tube . The wonderful teak decks could bring you to your knees quickly. All that said, I think that they are beautiful boats. Buy one in perfect condition and sell it before it needs a million spent on it .

 

[Fanfare]

I have had both aluminum and fiberglass boats. For maintenance I now feel fiberglass is best. Easy to paint and repair. All those little snips of copper wire that fall in the bilge each time you replace a bilge pump? Little electrolytic acid bombs eating through your aluminum hull. I have stories of owners requiring all crew to empty pockets to come on board so coins can't fall into inaccessible bilges. I am sure technology has improved both materials but 1965-70 or so aluminum alloys can have serious and expensive problems. Few hull problems on my Hatteras.

 

[SeaEric]

"the shaft tubes run through the fuel tanks" What could possibly go wrong?

 

[Freeebird]

"the shaft tubes run through the fuel tanks" What could possibly go wrong?

LOL!!

I hoped you would expand beyond that, but may you don’t have to. I’ve never even sat foot on one. Just a longtime admirer.

The only Hatt in my price range that checks all the boxes is the 70CPMY which has been my favorite since the first time I ran one. Might better stick with who brung ya. Sure do love those big Burgers though.

 

[Fanfare]

They are beautiful boats. Many also designed by Jack Hargrave. It shows!

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Randy,
Here's an LRC for you:

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/1986-hatteras-70-lrc-9250973/

 

[Eddieclemons]

I really wanted a 70 Burger in 2020 that was available with the name Boneaparte. I couldn't find a slip for it that I wanted to pay for $. It currently is a charter boat into the Bamahas for about 20k a week. I think about it often.

 

[Freeebird]

Randy,
Here's an LRC for you:

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/1986-hatteras-70-lrc-9250973/

I've seen that listing but haven’t called about it. It’s a day’s drive over there.

Had I not seen it a day late, this post would have been entitled, Look At My New Burger. I had been searching for Hatt’s but had a VERY nice 72’ Burger named Freeplay (it was a sign) that I immediately tried to tie up. It too was in NC. Called the central office in Florida and was told it was still available. Said the listing agent would return my call.

He did and told me it went under contract the day before. Maybe it was a blessing, maybe not, but the boat had one hell of a pedigree and resume. Broker said he would let me know if anything went sideways. It won’t.

 

[Pascal]

I really wanted a 70 Burger in 2020 that was available with the name Boneaparte. I couldn't find a slip for it that I wanted to pay for $. It currently is a charter boat into the Bamahas for about 20k a week. I think about it often.

I ve seen that boat around the Exumas many times. Beautiful.

 

[Retired1]

I ve seen that boat around the Exumas many times. Beautiful.

but only 9 knots?! It must be based over there.

 

[Pascal]

but only 9 knots?! It must be based over there.

Most Exumas charters pick up in Nassau, Staniel or Georgetown so distances are short. We rarely run above hull speed there

 

[cww]

Aluminum will outlive all of us if properly maintained, but if somebody slacked on the hull zincs or was lazy about keeping the CAPAC or equivalent system working, they can turn into swiss cheese from electrolysis. Get an ultrasound hull survey done. It's expensive but a must.

 

[SeaEric]

I really wanted a 70 Burger in 2020 that was available with the name Boneaparte. I couldn't find a slip for it that I wanted to pay for $. It currently is a charter boat into the Bamahas for about 20k a week. I think about it often.

I had conversation some time back with a buyer about a Trumpy who then contracted for Bonaparte. He did not continue to the finish line.

 

[SeaEric]

There's a 92' Burger "Braveheart" for sale here on the Chesapeake that could be a decent buy because its a donation. Available with 3 year lease terms. Ask is $499K but 92' is a lot of boat.

 

[Eddieclemons]

I had conversation some time back with a buyer about a Trumpy who then contracted for Bonaparte. He did not continue to the finish line.

I always wondered if it actually sold or if the owners just took a new direction. If I recall, it was listed for 450ish. I do recall it having an extensive completed maintenance list, and the owner already had very articulable future work that was planned as part of its continued care.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I have had both aluminum and fiberglass boats. For maintenance I now feel fiberglass is best. Easy to paint and repair. All those little snips of copper wire that fall in the bilge each time you replace a bilge pump? Little electrolytic acid bombs eating through your aluminum hull. I have stories of owners requiring all crew to empty pockets to come on board so coins can't fall into inaccessible bilges. I am sure technology has improved both materials but 1965-70 or so aluminum alloys can have serious and expensive problems. Few hull problems on my Hatteras.

Years ago, I had an aluminum 44' Striker. Even bits of rust from the Detroit engines would fall into the bilges and begin eating the plating from the inside out. I suspect if you accidentally dropped a penny into the bilge it would eat it's way through. It was a very well-made boat, but you can't get around basic electrical theory and practice.