Considering buying a Diesel 34' - 44' Hatteras - Recommended Literature?

[RobATX]

I am considering making the move from a center console to a Hatteras for offshore fishing and family recreation. This would be my first boat of this type and I was wondering if anyone could suggest some good literature about these boats including average mpg, maintenance costs, insurance, slip costs (Port Aransas or Galveston) Basically I would like to learn as much about the boats as possible and any book suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Robert

 

[Boatsb]

34 with cummins 330's is a great step up. Next would be a series 1 41c or one of the expresses.

 

[hcalmar]

As Pascoe says:

Hatteras 37 Convertible
"Initially over priced, its unfortunate that not a lot of these smaller boats are sold. As used boats, they are a superb value and excellent performers. Lightly but well built. Short on glamour, a solid choice of a low maintenance boat for those who've already been burned by the glitz".
Avg mpg at cruise with 671TI 28gal/hr, do my own maintanence, on a mooring, insurance $1600/yr.

His site has some good info and Hat reviews (hasn't been updated in years)
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/index.html
Hal

 

[34Hatt]

34 with cummins 330's is a great step up. Next would be a series 1 41c or one of the expresses.

I was thinking you missed the 36' and 37 but I see the 37' has had another vote
The 37' is a lot more but than a 34' or 36 its amazing how much, more but it all depends on your $$$$ and needs how many aboard, remember every ft cost more every time you turn around in all bills before you have to fill the tanks.
The 34 or 36 with some cummins B's in her will be your best bang for the buck IF you care?
I started looking at all of those up to 41' 13 years ago a friend and my wife talked me into the 34C so happy I listened. My first 6 years at $125 @ ft for 7 more feet is over 5K and that was just summer dockage.

 

[jim rosenthal]

As far as small to medium size convertibles go, in Hatteras Yachts you have a choice of the old style 36 (small, but fast with the right engines) newer (relative term!) 36 and 37 (slower but roomier), and the 42, 43, and 45-46 convertibles. The 34s were nice boats but are very old at this point, unless you find a boat that was redone and kept up, which will more than likely belong to one of our members on this forum.

These boats are all so inexpensive now that you will have quite a few to choose from. The best one to get is one that was always kept up and not allowed to get shabby and require a complete refit. If you can find one in the Great Lakes, so much the better; freshwater boats are generally nicer as they are not in salt or brackish water and they have a shorter use season. They are also stored indoors in the winter in many cases.

I would look for a 42 which had been repowered with Cummins C engines- there are a few out there. Or a 43 or 45, repowered if you can find one. I think one is actually for sale on this forum. 36 Series I boats (like I have) are very affordable, and many of them have been repowered with Cummins B engines, the powerplants of choice.

Engines to avoid would be Caterpillar 3116 or 3126, based on my experience and that of my friends. Detroits are fine if kept up but are noisy, slow and use a lot of fuel, which is why many of them have been replaced. Caterpillar 3208s are also fine engines; as always, service history is important.

Have a look on Yachtworld. Avoid eBay and CL- they are no place to shop for a boat. Read Seaeric's posts on the steps to buying a boat, recently in a thread here. I think Pascoe's reviews are pretty good, but he hasn't updated them in ages. Of course, you aren't talking about a new Hatteras, either, so it may not matter.

And watch the for sale area on this forum, because some nice boats have come and gone here.

As far as books go, there aren't really any. I'd suggest getting out on the docks and looking at a lot of boats. Also look at competitors to Hatteras- the comparison is illuminating.

 

[bhostrawser]

I was looking around at Series 1 36C's recently, and I seem to remember a couple down there in Port Aransas... Yeah, just checked again and some Fox brokerage has 2 of them with 3208's listed from $30s to $50s, the higher end one looks like a recent top to bottom rebuild... looks like a Slane job or at least parts so maybe somebody around here knows the boat...?

 

[jmagel]

As a new Hatteras owner, I went through much of this research as well and the best "literature" to read about ownership of a vintage Hatteras is this forum. Look at the 'model brochures' link above to find models that suit your needs and then search for threads about that model & engine systems. I've been members of several other brands owner's forums and nothing even comes close to the detail and expertise here.

Maintenance + dockage will vary widely depending on how much work you hire out and what marina you choose. I live/work 3 hours from my boat and only visit on the weekends with the family -- I have to hire people to do almost everything, so my maintenance costs are very high compared with someone who lives onboard and has more time to tinker. Also, dockage in Montauk varies widely (like 120 - 220 p/ft) depending on the marina -- I'm sure you would find the same thing in your area.

 

[GJH]

Actually, Pascoe's "Mid Sized Powerboats" is a great, in my opinion essential, read for any "newbie" buyer of boats in this size range, especially the first 3/4 of it. He sells it direct from his sites.
His discussions on ergonomics, systems, construction methods, maintenance are real eye openers for most newbies and not a few "experienced" boaters.

 

[fissioneng]

Some books I have:

Boatowner's Legal & Financial Advisor by Larry Rogers
Boating for Less by Steve Henkel

While not perfect and not Hatteras specific, if you're new to all of this like I was some time ago, they might be useful.

 

[petohazy]

Here's some slip rate from Galveston area marinas. I was considering Harbor Walk marina and was able to get the rate down to $7/ft plus a free month on a yearly lease.
Galveston Yacht Basin 8.64/ft
Pelicans Rest Marina 12.00/ft
Harbor Walk Marina 8.00/ft

Port Aransas would be preferable for close in fishing.

 

[RT46]

I have been a guest on an older 37 w/ 8.2 GMs

it is a really "big" 37 foot boat.

 

[mtadamek]

I can give you a little insight into the Port Aransas area. We pay around 335 a month for a slip. Metered electricity, water included. Very nice marina, nice people, and have not had any problems. We have been there 5 years. Fox yacht sales has that yellow 36' Hatteras on their website. Right across from us on the dock. I have talked to them quite a few times. Nice guys. Nice boat too. We don't fish near as often as we would like, but I have to say that we really enjoy just staying on the boat. Swimming with the kids, fishing off the dock, etc. We have a great time down there.

 

[GJH]

I can give you a little insight into the Port Aransas area. We pay around 335 a month for a slip. Metered electricity, water included. Very nice marina, nice people, and have not had any problems. We have been there 5 years. Fox yacht sales has that yellow 36' Hatteras on their website. Right across from us on the dock. I have talked to them quite a few times. Nice guys. Nice boat too. We don't fish near as often as we would like, but I have to say that we really enjoy just staying on the boat. Swimming with the kids, fishing off the dock, etc. We have a great time down there.

When I lived in Dallas we loved going down to Port A, a lot like the Keys but with a lot more beach. Great fishing out by the rigs, you never knew what was going to be on the other end of the line. Super place to hang out.

 

[saltshaker]

I can give you a little insight into the Port Aransas area. We pay around 335 a month for a slip. Metered electricity, water included. Very nice marina, nice people, and have not had any problems. We have been there 5 years. Fox yacht sales has that yellow 36' Hatteras on their website. Right across from us on the dock. I have talked to them quite a few times. Nice guys. Nice boat too. We don't fish near as often as we would like, but I have to say that we really enjoy just staying on the boat. Swimming with the kids, fishing off the dock, etc. We have a great time down there.

Sounds like fishing is less important than accommodations and creature comforts. What's your ballpark budget for purchase and ownership. Many of these boats can be similar with regards to purchase but ownership cost can vary greatly. How big is your family and how many staterooms do you need? What's your preference, SF, MY or CPMY? Is speed or range important and what speed do you want to cruise at? There are a lot of options in this size range. Defining your needs should help narrow things down.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I'm corrected on the Pascoe book- it would indeed be worth looking at.

 

[RobATX]

Sounds like fishing is less important than accommodations and creature comforts. What's your ballpark budget for purchase and ownership. Many of these boats can be similar with regards to purchase but ownership cost can vary greatly. How big is your family and how many staterooms do you need? What's your preference, SF, MY or CPMY? Is speed or range important and what speed do you want to cruise at? There are a lot of options in this size range. Defining your needs should help narrow things down.

Okay please don't laugh... I'm an Austin Firefighter - my wife is a social worker that helps people with AIDS / HIV - we are not your typical yacht owners from a financial perspective. She has agreed to let me save up $100k for a boat over the course of 10 years. I am quite certain a vintage Hatteras with new or newly rebuilt cummins engines is the direction I want to go. "RIGHT NOW" we have no kids... although I expect we will have our first within 1-2 years and another probably shortly thereafter. I have locked this agreement with her down NOW because I know that life brings unexpected obligations... but having grown up on the coast and being a lifetime fisherman with a passion for going offshore... I know this is what I want recreationally for myself and my family in my later career and into retirement. (plus she enjoys fishing with me and knows my passion for the water so that doesn't hurt I also know that I will continue spending about what I'm saving for the boat monthly ($800) on maintenance, insurance, slip, etc. - possibly even more... But this is a lifetime dream and I'm very excited to have put the wheels in motion (auto-draft to a bank I don't use So I've got 10 years to learn everything I can about owning and maintaining these boats, unless I find a way to grow my Hatteras fund faster. Until then I'll be fishing with my buddy and my wife on his 21' Mako

Thanks to everyone so much for such the wealth of information. Offshore seaworthiness, low maintenance and mpg are highest on my priority list - followed by as much space and as many creature comforts as possible within my $100k budget.

Thoughts?

 

[RobATX]

The more I read I'm thinking a 34C or 36C with some Cummins B's is my best bet.

 

[Avenger]

Cost-wise overall that's probably a good choice. They'll cost less to buy and just as importantly less to operate and maintain. They'll accomodate a family of four comfortably and they're good offshore. Don't get too caught up in "creature comforts" if you want to keep costs under control and maximize your up time. K.I.S.S. principle definitely applies here. They have nice accomodations, but they're not a floating palace. Nor should they be. More systems=more complexity= more cost and maintenance.

Also, depending on your need for speed don't discount CAT 3208 powered boats either. They're not common, but set up right they run well and fairly efficiently.

Good luck with the search.

 

[saltshaker]

I'd say your on the right track with a repowered 34 or 36. Good news is it won't take as long to get one since you won't have to spend 100K for one, at least in today's market. Hard to say what will be best and how much it may cost you 10 years from now but smaller will be better being that this is your first "big" boat. These boats are pretty old now and throwing another 10 years on them isn't going to help values and condition. Buying a refit, well maintained boat will be the best bet. There really hasn't been much built in the last 15 years or so that will meet your criteria so you'll most likely be buying one of these older boats. There are a few other manufacturers that built small to midsized SF in the '90's and '00's but not too many. Have fun with your search. By the time you're ready to buy your needs and boat choices may change dramatically. You are heading in the right direction. A boating lifestyle is a great family activity and one I hope I can always give my family. I bought my first big boat when I graduated college. Kept on boating and moving up since then. I have 2 young boys who love the boat and if it was up to them we'd live on it and rarely be at the dock.

 

[rsmith]

I'd opt for a 36 series one with the 3208 cats. There are a kazillion of them still in service and their relativly cheap to replace and easy to fix. you can get a complete drop in for $7k. I had a fleet of Chevy Top Kick trucks with these and we paid less than $2k for a short block. IMHO in the current environment with mfg and suppliers going out of biz left and right I would'nt want to depend on an engine that takes a computer guy to make it run.



http://www.vanderhaags.com/detailview.php?part=24178350