Hatteras Yachts Website

[jim rosenthal]

Hear, hear.

 

[worldsaway]

I hate to beat a dead horse but I just opened my email, and see I received Vikings' weekly newsletter. It talked about and gave a progress report on Vikings new building at their yard. How they were just visited by the former chair of the Coast Gaurd Commitee, Congreesman Frank LoBiondo and how they're working on a new fishery law (HR4005). What boats will be in the upcoming shows and how to get a VIP view of them. Just nice little helpfull facts that keeps people involved and lets them know about upcoming events, new products, and how much clients/owners are enjoying their current products.

Hatteras needs to do the little things as well. Hold company events, cruises and tournaments. It's all the little things that bring people together and helps keep them loyal to your product.

Tony

I agree 100 percent. I do think that is their intention and they need to get aggressive in those areas. I do know that they have a bi-weekly newsletter in the works that they are currently working on. Hopefully we will see these improvements soon.

I've had the pleasure of meeting the CEO, John Ward, as well as the rest of the Hatteras management team.. There is no doubt in my mind they are committed to bringing Hatteras back to the forefront and customer service is very important to them. I think feedback from current Hatteras owners is very important.

I do not work at Hatteras but I am a broker and do have contact with them at times. I am just seeing a lot of energy and commitment from the new management there which is encouraging. As a long time Hatteras owner I see this as very positive going forward.

 

[Artzco]

I agree 100 percent. I do think that is their intention and they need to get aggressive in those areas. I do know that they have a bi-weekly newsletter in the works that they are currently working on. Hopefully we will see these improvements soon.

I've had the pleasure of meeting the CEO, John Ward, as well as the rest of the Hatteras management team.. There is no doubt in my mind they are committed to bringing Hatteras back to the forefront and customer service is very important to them. I think feedback from current Hatteras owners is very important.

I do not work at Hatteras but I am a broker and do have contact with them at times. I am just seeing a lot of energy and commitment from the new management there which is encouraging. As a long time Hatteras owner I see this as very positive going forward.

Good feedback. I suggest that you pass along that they need to fix their website and answer inquiries when they receive them through their site. Maybe they can add that to their commitment and customer service.

 

[capttonyf]

Somebody at the factory must have their ears on because I checked the site earlier today and a few of the errors I mentioned have been fixed. I hope Hatteras and it's boat owners both realize that current Hatteras owners are one of their best selling tools. It doesn't matter if you have a 30 year old 34 Hatteras or a 3 year old Hatteras all Hatteras owners are relevant to potential new buyers. Guys that will stand up for the durability and ride of these boats and show new buyers why they believe they're 24year old Hatteras Convertible is as good as anything out there today. I think about it all the time, about buying a newer boat to replace my 45c but I always come back to, what's better? If I repowered it with QSM11 I don't think anything built today is as good. People like me and most of us on this forum, that truly believe this way will give confidence to a guy buying a new 54, or 60. Hatteras needs to show off how much their current owners believe in them. It will go along way.

The best way to do that is networking like a few of us have mentioned above. Have factory cruises and events. If a few potential buyers had the opportunity to meet a few long term Hatteras owners I'm sure a few would be swayed to buy a Hatteras over another brand.

Tony

 

[jim rosenthal]

Tony, they used to have factory supported events locally- I remember a Hatteras weekend in St Michaels where they had a new 64 MY, I think it was, and demo rides etc. Someone bought one of their larger boats at that event, too- it was a lot of fun for all and they made money, too. That was in the nineties.

I don't know if they can do events like that now, but they should do something. Factory support and presence at local events has been slim to none in recent years. And they have not been at the Annapolis show in a few years- they seem to have given up on it. Mind you, the smallest boat they make would be one of the largest ones at the show here. Much of what they build would not even fit on the docks here.

They are not coming to the Annapolis show as far as I know, even though they now have boats (the 45s) which would be good candidates for it. Viking IS coming. And Cabo seems to be in limbo as far as I can tell, although I have not looked very much. Are there any new Cabos being built?

I feel, as you do, that they need to be building and selling a smaller model so that people who don't need a sixty foot boat can still buy a new Hatteras. It isn't so much a question of money- any new convertible is expensive. It's more a question of what you plan to do with your boat. A new 45 convertible with 700-800 hp diesels would be what a lot of people are looking for. As long as they can make it more desirable than a repowered older Hatteras, I think they would be a hot item.

Of course, building a boat that is more desirable than a repowered older Hatteras isn't exactly easy.

 

[worldsaway]

The Cabo brand is currently on hold and is not being built at this time. They are evaluating the future direction of that line. The new 45EX is the 44 Cabo hull with some significant upgrades and build changes.

The new owners/management are in the process of better customer outreach. They will be launching a new bi-weekly newsletter soon. They have gotten back to having a company boat fishing various fishing tournaments for better exposure in that market. ( the current Hatterascal is a 63GT that fished the Bahamas circuit and the recent Ocean City tournament). I am hopeful they will get back to some Hatteras cruises down the road.

Most of the management there have been with Hatteras a long time, some people over 30 years and are quite passionate about bringing Hatteras back. It is work in progress but they are offering an exceptional product. The more feedback they receive the better for this process in my opinion.



Originally Posted by jim rosenthal
...... but I would be disappointed if the new owners of Cabo and Hatteras decide to build them out of the country. Cabo started out in the California desert- maybe the plant is still available.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Good for them.

At one time Hatteras Yachts built over three hundred hulls in one year- a very wide product line from 28 feet up into the seventy foot range at least. No one expects that now, but one way to get someone to buy a sixty foot convertible is to make them happy with the forty foot one they bought from you, before they decided to move up. I hope they decide to build a 45 convertible, from the restyled Cabo they are using for the 45 express boat.

It's reassuring that they are passionate about what they are doing. We would all like this quality name to be around and strong for the next fifty years at least. I plan on living to at least a hundred and ten just to make sure they do it right.

 

[worldsaway]

Good for them.

At one time Hatteras Yachts built over three hundred hulls in one year- a very wide product line from 28 feet up into the seventy foot range at least. No one expects that now, but one way to get someone to buy a sixty foot convertible is to make them happy with the forty foot one they bought from you, before they decided to move up. I hope they decide to build a 45 convertible, from the restyled Cabo they are using for the 45 express boat.

It's reassuring that they are passionate about what they are doing. We would all like this quality name to be around and strong for the next fifty years at least. I plan on living to at least a hundred and ten just to make sure they do it right.

LOL, hopefully it won't take that long!

Totally agree that the 45 Convertable is a great idea and would be a more reasonable entry level to develop a new customer base.

 

[jim rosenthal]

When did they stop building Cabos?

 

[drburke]

This has been a very interesting thread.

To be blunt, I wonder why some of the "passionate" comporate folks have not weighed in on this forum. Without too much sales hype, it would be interesting to get the lowdown directly.

DAN

 

[capttonyf]

This has been a very interesting thread.

To be blunt, I wonder why some of the "passionate" comporate folks have not weighed in on this forum. Without too much sales hype, it would be interesting to get the lowdown directly.

DAN

X2. Communication with us common folk is key to Hatteras' future.

 

[worldsaway]

When did they stop building Cabos?

i think its been a few months

 

[Avenger]

In case nobody has seen this:

http://www.caboyachts.com/

 

[Boatsb]

They never listen to us.

When we say bring back the old style they don't. When we say we want a new 45 foot convertible they don't

When they say step up and buy one we dont. That will teach them

 

[jim rosenthal]

It's tough being a Hatteras owner.......

 

[34Hatt]

They never listen to us.

When we say bring back the old style they don't. When we say we want a new 45 foot convertible they don't

When they say step up and buy one we dont. That will teach them

Well since your one of the very Vocal voices here, I think you should buy the first one

But then again you don't even send the pictures you said you would

 

[drburke]

Thanks for the CABO link--answers a few questions.

I noticed on the bottom that the new 45 Express has its own new website (still being populated):
http://www.hatterasexpress.com

DAN

 

[sandspur1966]

I feel like I am "missing something" on the Hatteras thought process with respect to this "new" express.

Clearly it is a pretty-enough boat and will likely be well-executed, given all the efforts of the new owners. But from what can be seen so far, and given it looks like a cabo mold, it is hard to think of her as a new model and certainly not revolutionary.

I think the idea of a 40 something express is terrific, just would have liked to see something freshly designed, perhaps taking cues from the gorgeous GT line. Something with that perfect amount of deadrise, bow flare and tumblehome that the GT's have.

I think the guys at Hinckley are spot on. If you build a boat that is drop dead gorgeous from every perspective... there isn't a line on a picnic boat that isn't just perfect. And then fill it with user friendly, next-generation systems (they were leaders in joystick and jet technologies) people will beat a line to your door.

Those Cabos were inarguably nice boats, just never saw one that make me go all misty-eyed like the GT's do and the Hinckley's.

Not to mention how they hold up in value... Just sayin, there is a big difference between squeezing out a model that competes in an existing market and generating a paradigm-changing boat that creates its own demand.

Should probably add that I am by no means in the market for nor am i the target market for a new 45 express... so perhaps that is why I am unenthused by this boat.

 

[Tim Powell]

I feel like I am "missing something" on the Hatteras thought process with respect to this "new" express.

Clearly it is a pretty-enough boat and will likely be well-executed, given all the efforts of the new owners. But from what can be seen so far, and given it looks like a cabo mold, it is hard to think of her as a new model and certainly not revolutionary.

I think the idea of a 40 something express is terrific, just would have liked to see something freshly designed, perhaps taking cues from the gorgeous GT line. Something with that perfect amount of deadrise, bow flare and tumblehome that the GT's have.

I think the guys at Hinckley are spot on. If you build a boat that is drop dead gorgeous from every perspective... there isn't a line on a picnic boat that isn't just perfect. And then fill it with user friendly, next-generation systems (they were leaders in joystick and jet technologies) people will beat a line to your door.
Those Cabos were inarguably nice boats, just never saw one that make me go all misty-eyed like the GT's do and the Hinckley's.

Not to mention how they hold up in value... Just sayin, there is a big difference between squeezing out a model that competes in an existing market and generating a paradigm-changing boat that creates its own demand.

Should probably add that I am by no means in the market for nor am i the target market for a new 45 express... so perhaps that is why I am unenthused by this boat.

Darn the express they have never sold in any volumn. Most of the modles you can not see over the bow. Just ask Tom Slane he has been trying to cut them down for years. .. From a fisherman aspect the gt line should go from the 36 to the 80.
The look is here to stay. Is any one building the old style? They should offer two styles or should i say modles of the same length. The only diffrence would be GT with big engines and go fast. The other with smaller engines and same look every body doesnt need a 40+ knot boat, Kinda like the corvett it came with three size engines in 1967 the 350 to 427 but all in the same frame and look the same the stickers on the hood was diffrent. Didn the 46 come two ways the standard and the hp...If i am not incorrect viking is closs to doing this.
I had the chance to speak to a viking delivery capt this past weekend in Southport Mariner . The smaller vikings are on the way with the carolina look to fit all the pocket books. Special interiors to big engines the hulls will not change. Listening to them they are comitted.....!! There was a 56
viking at pirates cove not in the tournament just showing off it stuff. Looked good and i heard a lot of good comments. Hatteras has the horse power to gain back its place in the market and certainly the name. WAKE UP HATTERAS YOU HAVE PLAYED SECOND FITTLE LONG ENOUGH....wITH BIG COPERATE RESTRAINTS ANF/BRUNSWICK. Now is the time and probley your last chance, As motor yachts I have no idear but it seems the same idear would make some sence .

Tim

Tim

 

[Tim Powell]

This has been a very interesting thread.

To be blunt, I wonder why some of the "passionate" comporate folks have not weighed in on this forum. Without too much sales hype, it would be interesting to get the lowdown directly.

DAN

Have they ever????