rsmith
Legendary Member
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2010
- Messages
- 6,322
- Status
- OWNER - I own a Hatteras Yacht
- Hatteras Model
- 50' CONV -Series I (1966 - 1969)
48 years ago I met Billy Black at Pier 66 in FtLauderdale when he and his wife bought the Dutchess. She’s the sister boat to mine and it was a big deal to see another 50 Ray Meyers at Hatteras told me only 12 Convertibles were made. 1976 was the end of the world and the energy crisis was at its peak. the boat market was the worst I’ve ever seen. But it gave 2 20 year old kids the opportunity to buy their then 9 year old dream boats. Who would have thought we’d both have them almost 50 years later. I took my boat north to run charters out of Cape May NJ and he ended up at Walkers Cay running charters every day. He had well over 40,000 hours on the Detroits in 2004 Walkers was destroyed in Hurricane Frances and the Dutchess sustained damage but didn’t sink. He brought her back to the states and she went under a major refit and repower with Cummins 903’s. Never thought it would happen but he’s finally going to retire. Hopefully someone as dedicated as he will keep the Dutchess going for the next 50 years.
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