Can anyone else understand this insanity ??

[lumina]

Hi All,

Been thinking a lot about parting with Glittering Image. I'm not sure I can't have a boat in my life, not just any boat, a Hatt, it's a part of who I am, a passion, something to dote on, tinker with, restore and renew.

I would be totally happy finding a total project boat, say around 40', something special, park it in the yard and spend the next 5-6 years refurbishing her, doing what I can when I can as my health permits.

To some it would be money "wasted" as I have repeatedly been told, but the joy of having her, caring for her would be immensely therapeutic and rewarding to ME, and that is worth whatever money I spend.

I don't want a little clorox bottle, or a 20' center console etc. They would do nothing for me and I would consider them a huge waste of money.

Does this make sense to anyone else ?

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Keep the one you have. She will keep you busy and you won't have to start over.

 

[Pascal]

I bought you were selling Glittering Image due to health issues. If so, I think taking on a project is indeed insane.

Why not just enjoy the boat you have, using a mate or a captain if needed to take her out?

 

[MikeP]

As far as a project boat. If THAT is what you want to do, make a junker into a nice boat, I think that's great. There's a lot of satisfaction and fun (forget the money part) in doing that, whether it's a boat, car, motorcycle, etc.

OTOH, I offer the following:

Yesterday I was walking around the entire marina and although I didn't start out with the thought, I said to myself, "If I could pick any boat in the marina to own, which one would it be?" I walked the entire place - I think there is around 300 slips here. After seeing boats from current 50+ft go-fast boats to really pretty 1930's woodies and everything in between, I selected the boat that I would like most to own/operate.

I was really lucky...I already own it!

So if you already own a great boat that you really like, perhaps you are just "in need" of something to do. I do agree with the suggestion that no matter how nice your boat may be, there is always something to do if it's "project work" you are looking for. Then again, some folks just "need" several boats. There's a guy here at the marina that has at least 5 and from what I know, the small one's a 52 Hatt convertible or sport fish (I don't know the difference). SO it's really up to what fits your "needs."

In any event, good luck!!!

 

[GJH]

Personally, our passion and hobby is boating, not boats.

We dearly, deeply miss boating on our 56MY , like a heroin addict misses his fix, but I don't miss the projects or maintenance one bit. Fortunately, we have got a lot of fun blasting around in our 13' Whaler, taking it to the beautiful undeveloped local island beaches around here or just exploring the nooks and crannies and creeks that are abundant. Something like a 20-25 footer to take out to Cape Lookout would be even better, but fortunately our good friends just bought a nice 22' Cobia dual console for that purpose.

Up your way Gene, we have an in-law who keeps a 24' Proline walkaround on a ball in Tiverton, and we all have a blast fishing it and taking it up and down the rivers and bay. If we lived up there something like that would be one of our first purchases. Heck, we had a blast running the Whaler up the Westport River just for kicks. We are easily amused.

If working on boats is your passion and hobby, why not sign up as a helper at one of the local marinas/boatyards? Or volunteer for SeaScouts or at Battleship Cove or some other boat-related non profit?

 

[Tim Powell]

Personally, our passion and hobby is boating, not boats.

We dearly, deeply miss boating on our 56MY , like a heroin addict misses his fix, but I don't miss the projects or maintenance one bit. Fortunately, we have got a lot of fun blasting around in our 13' Whaler, taking it to the beautiful undeveloped local island beaches around here or just exploring the nooks and crannies and creeks that are abundant. Something like a 20-25 footer to take out to Cape Lookout would be even better, but fortunately our good friends just bought a nice 22' Cobia dual console for that purpose.

Up your way Gene, we have an in-law who keeps a 24' Proline walkaround on a ball in Tiverton, and we all have a blast fishing it and taking it up and down the rivers and bay. If we lived up there something like that would be one of our first purchases. Heck, we had a blast running the Whaler up the Westport River just for kicks. We are easily amused.

If working on boats is your passion and hobby, why not sign up as a helper at one of the local marinas/boatyards? Or volunteer for SeaScouts or at Battleship Cove or some other boat-related non profit?

i am sure you long for the cape so when you can not stand it any more my old 52 is just for the asking just wash it when you put it back. you know my # Tim

 

[q240z]

I completely understand the therapeutic value of working on my own boat. It's insanity to people who don't comprehend that value. Then again, I think it's insane to spend many tens of thousands of dollars on a new car every few years, which turns into half that amount while the "new car smell" goes away. Or how about people who go all in supporting sports teams--"fan" is just a shortened version of fanatic, which I think accurately describes people who pay so much money and spend so much time watching grown men run around on a field or court.

Don't even get me started on the insanity of shopping fanatics!

Like beauty, some kinds of insanity are in the eye (or mind) of the beholder. I know a guy who got himself a serious girlfriend and is now selling his early 41 DCMY. If you want a Hatt project that starts, runs, drives, and functions as a liveaboard in the Mid-Atlantic region, PM me.

Cheers,
Q

 

[jim rosenthal]

Your friend should have let the girlfriend move on and kept the Hatteras, Quentin....

Gene, I've frequently referred to my boat as a 25 year occupational therapy project that kept me sane (although some might disagree on that) Working on a boat is good for you IMHO. If getting an older Hatteras that you can tinker with when you are up to it makes you happy, go for it. If you can afford it, why not?

 

[rwappleton]

Gene,

I always read your posts first as they are always insightful. All of the comments on this thread are good ones but only you can decide what works best for you.

I consider our boat to be therapy for me also and I love to put hands on her as like Scott (boats b) said the other day we are but care takers of these beauties! I consider what I am doing as getting her ready for her next caretaker.

If in the yard works better for you than at the Marina go for it! What I do know is I will be anxious to see and hear about what ever it is you are caring for!

Fair winds and calm seas.

Russ

 

[Finalee]

Gene,

I sold my 43 knowing it would be replaced quickly. Owning this 31 Tiara has been very satisfying. The parts are lighter, and the systems are less complicated. However the boat is a good quality brand. I've commented to several people that I feel 20 years younger working on this versus the 43.
Anyhow, having moved into a smaller boat has been the right thing for me. Its quicker , more efficient, and easier to dock. Next boat may be 10 years out, and it will be under 30. Who woulda thunk smaller would be this much fun.

 

[piripucha]

Repower your boat thet will keep you busy.

 

[bobk]

Gene,

I can understand where you are coming from. I thought about life with out the Chateau when I was diagnosed with lymphoma. I am sure having a project would be helpful, but to do much with a boat in your yard would require you to climb a ladder. Perhaps it would be better to have a project in the water??

What ever you do, best of luck with it.

Bobk

 

[Reefgeorge]

Everyone is different. Some people love new and shiny, under warranty, turn the key and go. Some people like recycle, renew, rebuild, breathe new life into old things. You really have to love doing the later because it can cost more than planned, take longer than planned, get frustrating, etc. I personally enjoy rebuilding old things and do it continuously but those watching me often say I must be crazy, why not buy a new one, so it's a good thing they are not trying my plan.

My advice would be to examine what really makes you happy and be realistic about your limitations if you have any. Make sure you are not chasing a dream which is not in your best interest any longer and find peace with what fits for you today. If however, this is your passion, you really want to do this, challenges and all and you can afford it - then don't let anyone tell you that it's a bad idea. And we need pictures.

 

[Jumpinthewaterisfine]

I can't understand it nor can I explain it. I got into the Hatteras family about eight months ago. My previous experience was a crappy ski boat here, and another there. We even named one "That Sinking Feeling" for a reason. I arrived home from my paycheck to paycheck job and my brother, now boating partner says hey lets go look at this 77' 43 Hatteras Double cabin! Well short story is we are living on it now, and I cannot stop thinking about anything else. We were lucky to get financed through the seller, and my biggest thrill is firing up the 673 NA Detroit's and rolling down the intracoastal in Ft. Lauderdale. The insanity is the need to be part of something nearest to our Higher Power, and that is the Hatteras name. What a great experience. The last owner passed away at 91 years, I hope she keeps me going that long, if not, I plan to leave this earth with a better yacht then the one I got.

"The-yacht-we-got"
Dania Beach Florida
Capt. Splash (For a good reason!)