Hatt 37' Convertible

[hcalmar]

The good news (as far as I'm concerned) is my wife has discounted the Post 42, Bertram 42, and Viking 40. I have always wanted a Hatt and with three kids 11-8 the 42C flybridge is big literally. The problem is I have left myself with no alternatives and all the 42s I have seen are not worth the money.I wish they were for the owners sake and Hatteras value overall, but a 30 year old boat that needs 25-30k is not worth 125-150k even a 42 Hatt, and in fact a study of sales on Soldboat reflects the ones that sell usually sell for 90-100k. In fact I'm told not much is selling now so maybe we will see a correction. I have discounted my very fine 33 express big time to move it and the broker is finally getting calls.
Anyway, how much of a compromise is the 1977-83 37' Convertible. I have not been able to find one yet in the southeastern Ct. area to look at, but the flybridge with two benches seems big. Is it as big as the 42C? The 14'0" beam isn't bad.The cockpit is apparently smaller but I can't find the square footage. Anyone know the dimensions? The Galley is up but is the Salon tiny as a result or OK for a family? Above all is it seaworthy? 17 knots on 6-71N isn't bad in my book. Cruise all day on engines that do not need overhauls every 2k hours.
The 37s reported on soldboat were in great shape compared to the 42s and the average sale is in the 90's, not much more for one in bristol shape i.e. closer to my budget. What am I missing? Does this boat have a flaw other than being smaller? Any 37' owner feedback would be appreciated.
Hal
hcalmar@aol.com

 

[Genesis]

The 37 is a considerably smaller boat inside.

If that's ok, then go for it.

 

[Nick]

We spend a lot of time on our 1979 37 Hat and we are now going into our third season. Wife plus three kids 9, 13 and 14 plus of course the terrier. Two boys in the crew bunks, young daughter on the convertible in the salon, usually a friend of theirs or two overnight on the salon floor. It works for extended weekends and summer trips. Usually adds to the entertainment. Sure more room would probably be better.

The interior of the boat and the bridge is quite large by 37 footer standards. The beam is wide and the headroom is great in the salon and down below. The salon is big enough, as long as you don't plan to anchor up for extended stays whenever you leave the dock. With three kids we prefer to be dockside somewhere. We have an "L"shaped couch/convertible and a barrel swivel chair. The galley is up and adequate; we have cooked for dozens of folks between the stove top, a microwave and a portable gas grill. The head has a full size shower and bench.

The boat is heavy, well built, handles very well in tight quarters, and feels safe and comfortable even in reasonably sloppy seas. Cruising speed with 671 TIs is about 19-20kts. The ride can be wet, mostly spray, when it gets windy.

The price?? $90,000s?? Sounds doubtful; but I guess you may you find one somwhere.

Remember everthing is a compromise! We are pleased with the size/accomodations/value/comfort mix it provides. Next one 45ft!

You can download the 37 ft original brochure and SEA Magazine writeup from Sam's web page.

Good luck in your search!

Nick

 

[hcalmar]

Nick thanks for the reply.
I read the brochure. How big is the cockpit if you know? The 42 is 110 sq ft, I read the 37 is 8' x 11'. How much seating is on the bridge? Enough for six? Maybe the $90s are optomistic but my point is the 37s seem to be in much better shape for the dollars and need less additional investment= turnkey. These are the sold boat numbers for the last two years NADA and BUC are even lower.
Hal

1979 114,900 (09/02) 112,500 (04/03) VA,
1981 160,000 (09/03) 144,000 (01/04) FL,
1979 115,000 (08/02) 105,000 (05/03) NY,
1981 121,000 (12/02) 121,000 (05/04) FL,
1978 135,000 (05/04) 120,000 (09/04) FL,
1978 99,500 (09/02) 94,500 (09/03) FL,
1978 99,500 (11/02) 96,000 (11/04) FL
1978 89,000 (05/03) 78,000 (07/04) FL,
1979 186,000 (03/03) 135,000 (03/04) TX,
1978 95,000 (01/05) 95,000 (02/05) FL
1979 148,000 (10/04) 145,000 (04/05) FL
1978 79,000 (11/04) 78,000 (12/04) WA,
1979 120,000 (10/03) 108,000 (02/05) TX,

 

[outbound]

Good luck looking. We have owned our 37 C for six years. Very comfortable boat.Lived on her for over a year while we cruised the east coast. Ride can be wet, spray. Very sea worthy boat " a bulldozer in heavy seas". Not fast, cruises @ 15 to 16. Replaced factory bench sofa / bed with a convertible sofa. Bridge is very large about the same as a 42. Cockpit is big enough for average use, if you fish offshore every day it would be small. Jack

 

[MikeP]

I'd offer these pieces of advice:

1. Don't "settle" on something if it's not what you want. You'll regret it. If you want a 42, buy a 42. The fact that you are already referring to the 37 as a "compromise" pretty much tells the tale.

2. Keep looking until you find the right boat. We looked at Hatts for nearly 2 years before we found the one we bought. When I was depressed during the search, someone on this site told me they had looked for nearly 4 years!

3. Be realistic about the price and what you expect. If you want a turnkey boat, you will pay more for it. I found BUCS to be totally unrelated to reality at least when dealing with Hatts.

4. Accept the fact that there is no perfect boat and that any boat you buy will still "need" a lot of work to make it "your boat," no matter its condition.

And finally and most importantly,

5. If you haven't already, read this: http://www.yachtsurvey.com/usedboats.htm

 

[Nick]

The bridge easily seats 6; each of the two benches seats probably 3 adults and there is a helm and campanion seat behind the helm console. Normally I find 4 or 5 adults up top including the capt.

I will be out to the boat in a day or two and will measure the bench seat width and cockpit dimensions. I have the bait and tackle cabinet with the sink and it takes up some space along the bulkhead under the bridge ladder.

We fish inshore and with a large cooler four adults fishing is fine. Offshore? may be a problem; the boat has two 165 gal fuel tanks, and a converted holding tank for another 70 gal. Enough to get you to the canyon and back in New York, Not quite enough fuel capacity with a safety margin of 30% capacity.

Nick

 

[Nick]

By the way Hal,

Where did you obtain the sale prices?

Nick

 

[hcalmar]

Thank you very much for the input. I did read Pascoe's article, I also bought his book and in part it is because of his analysis that I think the 37 is something to consider. The issue is not a "compromise" so much as the ability to get a fine Hatt in better shape for the same money that may be smaller but still great for my family. I do not plan to fish, certainly not offshore, but my son (and daughters) are young yet. I just like the idea of having an alternative in the Hatt family if the numbers for the 42 do not work and the 37 is "big enough".

Nick, I got the numbers from my broker who printed them off of YachtWorld's Soldboat database.I think the numbers are reasonably accurate although I have seen the numbers double up when two brokers have the same boat, and a few times a broker will say they sold a boat for the asking price when it really came off the market. On balance the numbers are high if you simply average and do not review all the data.
Hal

 

[Hatisfaction]

when the kids start asking if they can bring a friend for the weekend you will really appreciate the 42 over a 37.

 

[hcalmar]

I should have mentioned that the higher Soldboat price is the last listed not the origional list.

 

[newinlet]

I own a 1978 37 Conv. I purchased this boat 3 years ago and I am overall verry happy with this boat. The 671N engine runs strong, The boat is well built and is more than enough room for my wife & 2 kids. We keep her in Marshfield Mass. and use her every weekend we can, mostly traveling to Marthas Vinyard, Cuttyhunk Ect. You are not far of a drive from us, you are more than welcome to take a close look at our boat anytime and see if a 37 would suit your needs. Also, traderonline has a nice 37 in the 150K range asking. It is suppose to be a complete refit. I looked for about 1 year for my boat and I found it in Stamford Ct. In my opinion you cant ask for much more of a boat under 40 Ft. Jim Stone

 

[ADaily3224]

I looked at 42's before I bought my 37 for the same exact reason you mentioned, overall quality. It seemed all of the 42's were fished heavily and put away wet, where on the other hand many of the 37's were cruising boats. I'm sure there are some beautiful 42's, just none for sale during the time I was looking.
I posted some information a while back on this site, you may want to search for information on 37's in the archived section. I don't have the 37 any more but sold it for $136K with no problem. It was very nice, clean, excellent condition. I think your expectations for price may be a bit understated. Remember when doing the averages that there are a few 37's with gas engines. Same with the 36's.

Good Luck

 

[Genesis]

Yeah, and there's a huage difference in price between a gas and diesel boat.

On the other hand, you're hugely better off "buying right" with gas engines and repowering than trying to do the same thing on the diesel side.... mostly because basically NOBODY gives you an honest deal who is in that box on the diesel side. They either lowball major them (and you do the rest on your dime, unexpectedly, or get to do it over) or THEY major them and price accordingly.

 

[newinlet]

Just a comment, In all the 37 Hatts 77-82 I searched for I never saw one with gas engines. However the base power for the boat was gas.
The sale brochure you can downlaod from sams provides Specs based on J&T 671N 310 H.P. This is the power my 37 has..... Gas engines seemed to be more common on the 36 Hat 84-86 vintage. Not the same hull as the 37

 

[hcalmar]

It is hard to imagine pushing a 29,000lb boat with 7.4 Crusaders, but I guess there are enough Posts with them. Soldboat shows one with gas that sold in 03/02 from Ohio.The claim is it cruised at 17 knts.
Hal

 

[Scott Mather]

We are going on year 4 for 37' Hat with 310 hp J&T

Have 3 kids and dog and use every weekend. Yes bigger would always be better but 37 works very well for us.

We removed the lower helm and installed a breakfast counter with two bar stools, this opened up interior a lot.( kept all gauges for maint.) Also removed that huge heavy table from the salon. Also had all the brown and black counters and dash laminates redone with white, interior feels twice a big and more usable. I tried to attach photo's of redone interior but said they were to large. I will E-mail if anyone wants to see them.

 

[hcalmar]

Scott
I would like to take you up on the e-mail offer for pictures. Hcalmar@aol.com.
I saw my first 37' this weekend, there was the Nor'easter but it was inside as it has been for the last seven years. Beautiful shape, remarkable really. The Capt'n and his wife, nice people, clearly loved the boat and it shows.

It had 6-71 TI 390 hp with a full tower cruise at 17knts. Everyone else says the 6-71 TI will do 20. Is the tower the issue? Do you know what the naturals will cruise at? This skipper said 14-15 a little slow even for me. I liked the boat as did my wife, no doubt smaller than the 42, though the bridge is just as big. I thought the cockpit has a design flaw. The ladder should be to port like the 42. There is no window there anyway, it would free up the cockpit, and look better. I quess they learned their lesson on the 36,38 and 41. No holding tank either, I don't know how people get away with that. In CT/RI you can't funcion without one, but then we swim in the water down here.

 

[Genesis]

A full tower will cut a couple of knots off the speed, yes. Note that you will get it back downwind

 

[ADaily3224]

I'm sure the boat you are looking at has a holding tank. It's build into the hull and the opening ports are near the front of the engine room between the two engines. I think the speed reported is realistic. Many overstate speed. The one I owned was a 310 HP very fresh engines, 700 hours, with no tower but a full enclosure. It did 15 all day at 2,250RPM. They are a great boat, wet, noisy, but very sturdy and tough. The present owner may have converted the holding tank to extra fuel, they do have a fairly small tank.

Sounds nice though.