Cockpit extension

[Scarlett]

Has anyone here added a cockpit extension to their boat. We are considering doing so and would like to have some input from someone who has done it. Either here or PM. Thanks John

 

[carolinacoast]

If it were me, I would buy another boat. The extension is one thing, but not properly extending the shafts and props will make it handle poorly.
I have driven one with an added extension, but not movement of props and shafts. It did not remotely handle like a stock boat.

 

[Walter P]

The cost is prohibited as well. It's fine on a new or almost new boat because the value is still there but on an older boat you will not add much value if any on resale. I'm not certain but I seem to recall years ago checking on the cost of adding a cockpit to a 43 DC and even then it was in the six figure area...probably more now. If you still want to throw your good money at such a project, be sure you engage a yard that has experience (the positive kind) with it. Be very careful of a yard that says they can do it cheap because they can ruin the original boat and you probably won't have much recourse. Much less aggravation and cheaper to sell your present boat (before it get's screwed up) and buy another boat that suits your present needs.

Walt

 

[SEVEN]

Agree 100%. Buy the boat you want. I've seen some horrible add-ons.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Not to mention that it will make your boat that much harder to sell when the time comes to part with it. You would be better off leaving it as is, and buying a 58...

 

[Cricket]

If you love your boat, and it's in top condition, and you are going to keep it for a long time, and you want to modify it, have at it. Owning a boat makes NO monetary sense at all in any situation unless it's used in a business. Just do your homework before getting started.

 

[Freestyle]

I have a 54 MY that a prior owner extended with a cockpit and garage in 2000. He spent $250k way back then. For me, it makes the boat. I had a 43 MY before. This boat has so much more water functionality whether it be fishing, swimming, diving, or just boarding the tender. Below the cockpit is a 6 foot tall garage. Prior owner had a jet ski down there. I have refrigeration, water toys, and a water maker. It is really nice to have that additional storage space.

Mal's post above is referring to the sea keeping of my boat. In quartering seas on auto pilot, it hunts for its heading a bit. That and my college buddy Mal drinks when at the helm and that should be accounted for as well.

I would not spend the money to add a cockpit to one of these old boats. You would be better off making me a nice offer to get the boat you want.

Bruce
Freestyle
1986 62 CPMY (54 with 8 foot extension)
Tampa

 

[Cricket]

Freestyle, way back when lots of extensions were being done in Ft Lauderdale many had good results with changing to bigger rudders. Power steering and big rudders can really fix up an ill handling boat.

 

[Freestyle]

I fail to see how new rudders will make my friend Mal a better helmsman. I think this is more of a red wine problem.

He does have a great 53 in Miss Molly though.

Bruce
Freestyle
Tampa

 

[carolinacoast]

Freestyle is a wonderful boat, and to her credit that extension was beautifully done. The storage is amazing and far better than was offered in the CPMY that was offered by the factory later.
She is now more manageable around docks with her Bow Thruster. We run in some heavy current around Savannah and South Carolina without a thruster, that likely might be overpowered by current at times anyway.
My point is Freestyle does not have near the directional control, without the fabulous thruster, that a factory boat does. Boats are compromises, and Freestyle has a wonderful combination of functionality and storage.
To the OP, as others have echoed, buy the boat for your mission. Go see Bruce's for insight.

 

[nautibake]

She is now more manageable around docks with her Bow Thruster. We run in some heavy current around Savannah and South Carolina without a thruster, that likely might be overpowered by current at times anyway. My point is Freestyle does not have near the directional control, without the fabulous thruster, that a factory boat does.

carolinacoast, "does not have near the directional control" sounds like a real deficiency (even with the bow thruster?). Does this mean while maneuvering only, or actually underway? Can you please elaborate just a bit? Also - did they extend the exhaust all the way to the aft end of the cockpit?

Thanks to the other posters on this issue too, it is a very interesting topic.

Okay, I'll admit, I have been contemplating either a small extension to the transom as a large swim platform, or a cockpit to our '77 58MY. I consider myself still very much a novice after just celebrating our first year of "stewardship" of a Hatteras (we celebrated with a 9 day excursion down to Key West).

I don't disagree with the wisdom of the long-time posters on this site, that is buying what you want / need rather than take on the expense (and risk?) of this extensive a modification. In my case, I can't fathom looking at another boat after a year of learning her, addressing issues large and small, and getting her ready for that long ride down to the Caribbean. I suppose that is the "emotional" side, but from a practical side, the boat (as far as I am concerned) already has so many other amenities (2 gyro stabilizers at $175K, 64 gph watermaker, 21KW GenSet, decent electronics, KVH for TV, etc etc) that making an investment in something that would add so many other benefits (line handling, open deck space, storage, potential for more fuel, fishing options, etc) is not out of the question. The potential of additional buoyancy is intriguing, since the gyro stabs are mounted under the master berth, and weigh 1200 lbs each, the stern sits about 2 inches lower than before. Of course a naval architect would have to determine the specifics there, as well as what changes would be necessary for the running gear, etc.

I know there were a number of these mods done over the years, would love to hear other opinions, good or bad...

 

[Boatsb]

It's usually better financially to let someone else do the extension. They spend the 200k and you buy the boat for about 20 over a standard one.

Better than that is a factory model with a cockpit and all the correct running gear.

As far as the transition to a new vessel. It's not the end of the world. It could be though of as a positive.

 

[Glory]

In one response you said, "I consider myself still very much a novice after just celebrating our first year of "stewardship" of a Hatteras (we celebrated with a 9 day excursion down to Key West)."

You sound proud of your Hatteras, if that is from your pride of ownership, Hatteras workmanship, or the overall Hatteras experience, you should consider a Hatteras that all ready has a cockpit. Of the extras you you called out above a cockpit will possibly exceeds the cost of most of them.

The words you used " celebrate and stewardship" also raise the question about finding a vendor to do the extension and end up with a hull as robust as a monolithic hull that had a cockpit from the time it was removes from the mold. Not to mention the other challenges, a serious modification project like an extension create.

I can tell you that a I wouldn't own a boat without a cockpit! Line handling and water access are much easier, an oversized swim platform may also help these, but it is unlikely your will have guests sitting on swim platform underway memorized by the wake, water, sun rise or set.

I hope this is helpful. Good luck!

 

[saltshaker]

Jerry/Joy Sea yours is a good argument for going ahead with the extension. You may find what you want out there but if you end up having to spend the same money on other upgrades, it may not make sense. I'd stick with what you have and spend the money on the extension. I'll second what Cricket said earlier, none of this makes sense from a pure financial perspective but spending money on boats never does. If you plan to keep her for a long time and are OK with the expense, then go for it. You'll still be way ahead of the game than if you bought a new boat.

 

[capttonyf]

If you love the boat and are not concerned with the expense of adding the cockpit don't let the sea keeping capability of the project stop you. Many many Hatteras Motor Yachts have been extended and they're cruising around just fine. I've run many of them, and if done right you can't tell the difference from a factory boat unless it's out of the water and they didn't extend the shafts, wheels and rudders, which MOST Didn't. A very common Hatteras model that was extended was the 65MY making it a 74CPMY. Also I believe it was the 72MY making it an 80CPMY. Again of done properly you can't tell the difference from looking at it dockside and the handling doesn't change much either. The only time I ever noticed even a slight difference was maybe on a big following sea from the 1/4, and lets face it NONE of these old top heavy slow Motor Yachts exactly perform great in that condition. It's noticeable, but nothing that is unsafe or that a good autopilot can't keep up with. Just so I'm clear, I'm not even 100% sure it's worse at all over a standard factory Hatteras MY/CPMY because non handle great in those conditions. Just pick a good yard. I know Allied Marine on the New River use to do a ton of them and had their own mold but that yard has since closed down years ago. I'm not even sure who to ask now, other then maybe Slane?

Tony

 

[Cricket]

Cable in Lauderdale did a lot of them back in the day, if one of those types of yards still has the molds it would have to lower the cost. Slane recently extended a 53c that's headed to the Med, pretty slick how they did it too. Btw, I'm really itchy to extend our old girl, Slane already mocked it up and 3.5 feet looks to work out the best. The teak deck and cover boards are starting to get on the thin side so........

 

[Glory]

Jerry/Joy Sea yours is a good argument for going ahead with the extension. You may find what you want out there but if you end up having to spend the same money on other upgrades, it may not make sense. I'd stick with what you have and spend the money on the extension. I'll second what Cricket said earlier, none of this makes sense from a pure financial perspective but spending money on boats never does. If you plan to keep her for a long time and are OK with the expense, then go for it. You'll still be way ahead of the game than if you bought a new boat.

Jack, not against altering a boat to make it a better fit, perhaps I just find a modification as big as an extension serious enough that vendor selection is a challenge. The " extension specialist" is harder to find than the marine mechanic, and that is not so easy either.

Like I said, I would not own a boat without a cockpit.

 

[saltshaker]

No doubt who does the extension is critical but it can be done with excellent results. There's also the added benefit of increasing hull speed so if the boat's run like most of these old MYs he now can run a little bit faster.

 

[saltshaker]

Cable in Lauderdale did a lot of them back in the day, if one of those types of yards still has the molds it would have to lower the cost. Slane recently extended a 53c that's headed to the Med, pretty slick how they did it too. Btw, I'm really itchy to extend our old girl, Slane already mocked it up and 3.5 feet looks to work out the best. The teak deck and cover boards are starting to get on the thin side so........

You do know you can replace the teak without extending the cockpit? Maybe throw in a pair of C18s or C12.9s and you'll be done for good!

 

[Cricket]

I know. Been through several teak decks and cover boards and also repowers, but never tried adding a few feet to the cockpit. Think I'm cured for this winter, sending my custom carolina CC to Palm Beach for some sailfishing and then paint work. The 12.9's are intriguing, my worry is there's no way to know what CAT's long term commitment to them is including availability and cost of parts over a proven workhorse like C18.