keep your fingers crossed

[Woodsong]

Well, I as you cross your fingers I may be at a cross roads! My wife is suddenly telling me the last couple of weeks that she would just as soon get a larger express style cruiser (specifically the cruisers 4270) instead of getting a large hatt motoryacht. Since we all know that rule #1 of boating is to make sure the wife is happy this puts me in a difficult position!!

I am going down to FL to look at 3 different boats, one of which is a 58' YF my dad looked at for me a few weeks ago and said was the best he had seen of the few he had looked at with me recently.

So we shall see. I am still very much hoping we get a hatt but if not I guess it will not be the end of the world. At 32 right now, I think I hope to have many years of boating ahead of me and if the new company keeps going it's current direction maybe if I wait another year I will be looking at 1990 models instead of 1975 models!

Feel free to throw out ideas on how to convince my wife to get the hatt. She is primarily concerned it will be too big to have on the TN River (Chattanoonga). As well, she likes that having a larger express would mean the boat is 10 minutes from the house on the local lake instead of an hour+ away.

If I don't end up with a hatt YF I am going to have to put blinders on my eyes any time I see one...they are just too beautiful with those classic lines!

Only other MY she seems to like that is smaller is the bayliner 4788.

Stay tuned...I just thought I'd give you all an update since you have been so helpfull!

P.S. Ed, your boat dealership I met you @ last year on Friendship Road actually called me today! Wanted to know if I ever bought another boat after my last visit there! They may want to work on decreasing the time between last visit and follow up phone call.

 

[egaito]

Feel free to throw out ideas on how to convince my wife to get the hatt. She is primarily concerned it will be too big to have on the TN River (Chattanoonga). As well, she likes that having a larger express would mean the boat is 10 minutes from the house on the local lake instead of an hour+ away.

OK, the right solution is small express on the mud-hole (Alatoona) and the big boat on the river system. Have you started using the right term? River SYSTEM vs. river...... ;-) Systems need much better equipment.

If I don't end up with a hatt YF I am going to have to put blinders on my eyes any time I see one...they are just too beautiful with those classic lines!

Only other MY she seems to like that is smaller is the bayliner 4788.

OK, credit where credit is due....the Bayliner MY is a much better boat than the name would indicate, but it's not a Hatt, and it's not much smaller than the Hatt you're considering. Heck, that 58YF will out-cruise, out-last, out manuever, out-everything that Bayliner will.....the river system is big, and there are much bigger boats on it, so I don't get it, and therefore don't know how to counter it!

You just need to get her over here to see Misty (yes, the head's finally fixed!). Let her see what a 1968 Hatt looks like, and she'll have to give in.

So here's your challenge: I'm leading the Lanier Parade of Lights this weekend. Be here at 4pm Saturday, with your wife, get on the boat (with an appetizer to share with your 10 new best friends), and by the end of the parade, she'll understand. Yes, I'm a nice guy and all, but I've done this for 5 years now, and people just love to line up behind a Hatt. Misty is parked next to a Bayliner motoryacht. It'll all be over by the end of the parade.

Let me know if you're interested.

Stay tuned...I just thought I'd give you all an update since you have been so helpfull!

P.S. Ed, your boat dealership I met you @ last year on Friendship Road actually called me today! Wanted to know if I ever bought another boat after my last visit there! They may want to work on decreasing the time between last visit and follow up phone call.

I forwarded this on.....Bill (I think you met him) should get a kick out of it.

 

[Woodsong]

I might get shot for saying this on a hatt forum, but I actually really like the bayliner 4788. Well, I at least like the exterior lines a lot. I'd never buy any other bayliner but i've never heard a bad thing about the 4788. Is the bayliner MY next to you a 4788? We've never actaully set foot inside one yet...just likes the layout from what you can see on yachtworld.

Parade of lights sounds fun to me. We would need to get a sitter for the kiddeos. Let me talk to my wife and I'll let you know. It is a gracious offer (especially in the lead boat!) and hopefully we can make it! If we need to be at the dock by 4 though what time do you think you'll send the limo over to get us, or will you be sending the helicopter this time???

What time do you think we'd be back at the dock (for planning purposes for the sitter!)?

On the dealership call...I actually thought it might be you calling when i saw the caller I.D. pop up!

 

[(Nobody You Know)]

A long time ago in another life and in another place and time I always liked the lines of Carvers. I don't think anyone can argue that low end mfgs. have always been able to create good looking boats with nice "looking" interiors. We bought a small Carver. Aside from the usual wear items from other outside mfg. components I spent considerable time keeping the piece of s*** afloat. Among the most horrible characteristics were wear items like shaft seal adjustments that I had to dismantle part of the salon to get to. It was not even worthy of being called a "lake boat" (oh and the teak trim in places was held by NAILS!). Don't have time to go into all of it now.

From what I gather Cruisers seems a little better boat. A shor conversation with an experienced surveyor will always shed light on what boats to avoid!

Go ahead and do your duty (re. "keep Mama happy") and but the Cruisers. I'm bettin you will be have another opportunity in a couple of years to make Mama happy again, and yourself.

Later,

 

[SeaEric]

The Bayliner 4788 is a perfectly fine price point boat. They sell well and do a good job at what they were designed for. If you take good care of them, they resell easily. Its not an easy job keeping a Bayliner looking good as their natural tendency is not to age graciously. Perhaps after owning the 4788 for a season or two, you can convince the Admiral to jump from there right to the newer Hatt 63 or 64 MY which is also a pilothouse style.

 

[67hat34c]

dont know if you like classics but a former member in TN has a 41dc that is something to see. Why not show it to your wife. Look up Freebird and send him a PM, he still watches this forum.

 

[SeaSwick]

Give this some serious thought.

Tom Slane has (or had this fall) a gutted 50' sport fish hull with the cabin removed, ready for one of his express fish conversions.

With the thought you & the wife are putting into your various boating parameters, why not go "whole-hog" and create what you'd like? Layout, amenities, interior wall treatments/decorating, engines the whole nine-yards!

And you'd stick with a Hatt.

Might not fit budget & time-wise, but certainly worth several telephone calls...

www.slanemarine.com

 

[SKYCHENEY]

You probably know from reading this forum that it is not only the classic lines and styling, but the things that you don't see that make the difference. If you buy a Hatt, you get Imron, not chauking gelcoat. You get wiring diagrams that allow for upgrades or easy troubleshooting. You get fuel tanks that don't rust and deteriorate (unless you put ethanol in them ). I could go on and on. The bottom line is that you are going to get a heck of lot more for your money with an older Hatteras than you would with just about anything else out there. If my wife said no to the Hatt, I'd wait and keep working on her. Don't settle for something that continually makes you think, Gosh I wish I had bought a Hatteras.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I agree with Sky. There's nothing wrong with a Bayliner 47- they are a decent little boat and probably the only Bayliner I'd want to go anywhere on. However, there are some things that need to be right with a boat, and they lack much of that. As Eric said, they are a price point boat. Well, so is a Hatteras- at a higher price point.

Actually, I would be interested to know the average length of ownership of a Bayliner versus a Hatteras. Or, a Hatteras versus anything and everything else. I have the impression that owners of boats such as that trade much more frequently, but I may be wrong onthis. What I am finding out is that to keep a Hatteras for decades is not that unusual, which says a lot about owner satisfaction. Trading up is expensive. I'd rather improve what I have.

If we can find a Bayliner owner who has had his or her boat as long as "Fanfare"'s owners have had her, I'll vote for them to be an honorary member of the Hatteras Owner's Forum.

 

[67hat34c]

Doesnt the bayliner 47 have a balsa core hull? If so then that could be big trouble. Seem to think that I saw one of these on US Auctions that had hurricane damage however there was non hurricane damge to the hull that was sagging around the blocks. Think that was due to rotton core.
also they come with the US Marine Diesels which are a convered isuzu diesel. understand they are not real good motors.

 

[Wild Bill]

Woodsong,
I guess by now you've realized that these are Hatteras people. They tend not to succumb to a SETTLE FOR mind set. They, no, we do not want second best. Quality is more important than quantity. The quality of a Hatteras speaks for itself. I rarely hear of people searching for months and sometimes years to find a Bayliner, Cruiser, Searay or anything other than a Hatt. I wonder why that is? Ask your wife if she would rather drive a Mercedez or would a Hyundai be OK? The mindset of these Hatteras owners is why when my business needs cross paths with their busness endevors, I will do business with then.
Just my humble opinion.

 

[Boatsb]

I agree with Wild Bill and would like to add the financial part too.

As the bayliner gets older the value drops. As a classic Hatteras ages the value holds. Engine condition and other equipment depreciation being equal Hatts dont lose value fast or sometimes at all.

 

[34Hatt]

jim rosenthal I agree with Sky. There's nothing wrong with a Bayliner 47- they are a decent little boat and probably the only Bayliner I'd want to go anywhere on.

SeaEric The Bayliner 4788 is a perfectly fine price point boat. They sell well and do a good job at what they were designed for. If you take good care of them, they resell easily.

(Nobody You Know) A long time ago in another life and in another place and time I always liked the lines of Carvers. I don't think anyone can argue that low end mfgs. have always been able to create good looking boats with nice "looking" interiors

Woodsong I might get shot for saying this on a hatt forum, but I actually really like the bayliner 4788. Well, I at least like the exterior lines a lot.

Help Help I think I am LOST can someone show me where Sam's forum is!!!
Boy first we lose Randy now this

 

[(Nobody You Know)]

As the bayliner gets older the value drops. As a classic Hatteras ages the value holds. Engine condition and other equipment depreciation being equal Hatts dont lose value fast or sometimes at all.

Seems a few short years ago you saw the Bayliner "Motoryachts" all over the place, everywhere we cruised. Now I rarely see one. Same for older Cruisers (but hey, the older Cruisers were flat out ugly). However like others, I see older Hatts all the time. That in itself should tell you something.

Like I said before, ask the surveyors. They'll tell you what floats. (I kill myself).

 

[SeaEric]

Doesnt the bayliner 47 have a balsa core hull? If so then that could be big trouble. Seem to think that I saw one of these on US Auctions that had hurricane damage however there was non hurricane damge to the hull that was sagging around the blocks. Think that was due to rotton core.
also they come with the US Marine Diesels which are a convered isuzu diesel. understand they are not real good motors.

The later Bayliner PH's are cored with Klegecell, not balsa. The later boats are also Cummins powered. Nothing wrong with either of those. The older Bayliners had the balsa core and (mostly) Hino's, and therefore should probably be avoided.

 

[Woodsong]

Help Help I think I am LOST can someone show me where Sam's forum is!!!
Boy first we lose Randy now this

Maybe the forum name needs to be changed to "samshattandbaylineraffectionatoforum.com"

Lol

I had no idea so many hatt owners secretly were in love with the bayliner 4788! I agree it is a price point boat and do agree it is a totally different animal than the rest of the boats under the same name. Heck...it's a meridian now after all!!!

 

[StratPlan61]

Good points, everyone. Yes the Bayliner PHMYs have a nice layout even though they didn't invent it. BUT, keep your eyes on the ball. We all know the Admirals appreciate the value of boats, boat quality, etc., but few really care about cored hulls, wiring and more difficult maintenance chores - mostly not in their lane (no disrespect Ang, you are one of the exceptions). Most Admirals are looking at curb appeal, styling, colors, furnishings, soft goods - also important parts of any of our boats. So, show her some Hatts which have been 'updated', refreshed with new soft goods, flooring, headliners, etc. She'll appreicate the quality points, but she'd like to see something which looks newer, is more modern and shines.
Once she sees a few updated Hatts, looking much newer than than pedigree - she'll see the win-win.

Bear'
1984 61' MY Strategic Plan

 

[Capt.Erich]

A 43 Express would make a good compromise for river cruising in safety and get major style points. I found this one on YW up in Quincy, MA. It will probably sell for around $320K. I'm sorry but I just can't get on the Bayliner Bandwagon.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Nice boat, and nice with that blue hull and stripe...all boats depreciate but buying a used Hatteras which has a future as a usable boat lets you in for a lot less depreciation than a used Bayliner which has a lot fewer years left in it. We wish you luck. If you buy an OTHTV (other than Hatteras type vessel) you can still hang out here- we'll get points for being inclusive.

 

[Boss Lady]

Do yourself a favor and go here: http://www.yachtsurvey.com/boatreviews/indexboatreview.htm
and start reading about some of your favorite boats. Pascoe is well known where I am from, and no broker wants him to show up at the dock.

I would spend a few hours looking at the rest of his site, a potential boat owner can gain a lot of knowledge about what to look for and look out for before buying a boat. Pascoe calls them like he sees them. This site is not for the easily offended. LOL