Just checked out the price when new... First boat was approx $780 Grand, the third was $900 Grand. After more than 30 years the price is still about the same as when it was new. She has pretty good range under power and with a little aux power will sail @1200 rpm at a little over 9 knots. These specs were from magazine articles of the time taken during some Carib sailing a good share of which was at a 40 deg reach. Under sail alone I am somewhat disappointed with the speed... at least from what I have read. I would have loved to sail on one but alas it will never happen.
This being a power boat forum, I realize that it would be heresy to say that a boat like that would be fantastic. There is nothing to describe the feeling of scooting along with the only sound being that of the waves hitting the hull.
Walt, I agree with you about sailing along under sail power alone and if you are on the ocean for days at a time, there is nothing like it!
This Hatteras is a Motorsailer and under sail power alone she is going to be Slow. Given that her hull speed is 9 - 10 knots, she is slow under sail due to high wetted surface area (almost a full keel), she is dragging 2 four bladed props (not even fethering) through the water. The sail plan is under powered with that roller furling Main and what looks to be a 135% Genoa. This is a heavy and no doubt a well constructed boat. She just can't get out of her own way under sail!. As for pointing to 40 degrees under sail alone, Ha! Science fiction.
Alas! This lovely boat needs those engines running in gear to get that boat pointing to windaward (like 40 degrees) and to make hull speed! Her mast is also to high to get under the 65' controlling height of bridges in the ICW.
Do not get me wrong, she is an excellent passage maker and has great fuel economy. Heck, my wife and I sailed our 41 sailboat to Bermuda from Norfolk, Va. in 1993 with a Perkins 4-108 and 55 gallons of diesel. We had just over 20 gallons left when we got there!
I have been cruising on sailboats for over 25 years and living aboard for 7 of those years with my wife and 2 daughters. Having spent most of that time getting the boat from point A to point B. Here is a little secret that many sailors will not admit; even with the sails up, over 90% of the time, our engines were running to ensure getting there!
I will always be a sailor at heart, but power boats (especially a Hatteras) make to much sense for my wife and I these days!
Oh yes, given the price of this motorsailer, there are much better deals elsewhere...IMHO only.
"Damm the torpedos, full speed ahead!"
Jonathan
