Keys Ingenuity

[pizzazsdaddy]

I was lucky enough to spend a few days in Key Largo last week. And like every trip, I always seem to run into amazing feats of genius along the waterfront. This trip was no exception. The first couple of pictures are of a distressed 53 Hatteras listing to port, while on the hook (for quite some time) in Blackwater Sound. The owner used plastic trash pails with a section of one side cut out, to force ventilation into the aft stateroom portholes.

While it is a clever idea, I can't imagine what humid tropical salt air has done to the inside of this boat over the years? The next photo is a houseboat owner who has eliminated the need for high priced canvass work. Who needs canvass when you can build a fence and a tiki hut?


And there's more....

 

[pizzazsdaddy]

I am wayyy not a sailboat fan. However, I did spot what I thought was a cleaver swim platform solution for a sailboat.

And for those who haven't seen the legendary AFRICAN QUEEN in a while...

 

[johnjen50]

Grea pix Paul. Wonder why that Hatt had such a list?

 

[SeaEric]

Grea pix Paul. Wonder why that Hatt had such a list?

Judging by the blocked off stbd exhaust port, I'd say she's missing the stbd engine.

 

[Walter P]

Would be interesting to check this one out. I agree with Eric about missing an engine. All in all it doesn't look too bad in the pictures. One of you guys should buy it cheap and put a pair of QSM ll's in it, that way it won't list anymore ....lol. She doesn't look like any early 53 (check out the air intakes).

Walt

 

[capttonyf]

Judging by the blocked off stbd exhaust port, I'd say she's missing the stbd engine.

Great eye!Tony

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Would be interesting to check this one out. I agree with Eric about missing an engine. All in all it doesn't look too bad in the pictures. One of you guys should buy it cheap and put a pair of QSM ll's in it, that way it won't list anymore ....lol. She doesn't look like any early 53 (check out the air intakes).

Walt

I think its pre 78. Probably 75-76. The air intakes were redone but it has the old FB and they put a seat up there where the mast used to be. Also looks like a shorter hardtop aft then they had later. But I could be wrong. It has the two Bomar portlights in the transom.

 

[Walter P]

Damn Sky, you have a good eye. After reading your post and looking at the pictures again, I have to agree with you. The short hard top and bridge do look like an earlier model.

I still think that if it's not too bad, it would be a good candidate for a pair of remaned Q 11's which will probably cost more than the boat is worth now.

Walt

 

[jim rosenthal]

Plus it already has a cool name, so you don't have to repaint the transom.

 

[pizzazsdaddy]

Yes, it looks like a nicely modified bridge from an early '70s model 53. Still at least a Half-Million Dollar restoration by the time you're close to being done...

 

[jim rosenthal]

To end up with a boat worth, say, 150-200K tops. Where do I sign up?

 

[Walter P]

Jim and others..... I disagree with that thinking. Boats are not an investment period. If it would cost $500 K to make a 53 into a "like new" boat IMO that would be a pretty good deal. Consider how much it would probably cost for a new factory fresh 53 today and figure how much it would depreciate over the first few years and there you have it. Even if you sold the restored 53 five years later for only $100 K, it would have cost you 400 K for your time with it. I think losing 400 k while it is a good deal of $, would be substantially less of a loss than the depreciation of the new one for the same amount of time. Now, I am not suggesting that everyone should run out and have their boat restored to almost new condition since many of your boats are already perfectly fine the way they are (Eric and Sky are good examples) and I doubt that most other brands would be worth it. Of course some of the classic ChrisCraft models should also be considered.

Walt
AMB GUPPY.. 1982 Series 1 48 MY

 

[saltshaker]

Yes, it looks like a nicely modified bridge from an early '70s model 53. Still at least a Half-Million Dollar restoration by the time you're close to being done...

Kind of hard to say given just a couple of exterior shots is all we have. Boat looks good from those pics. Bright work looks like it's kept up. She might be real nice and the list is due to work being done to the starboard engine. She may be shot but I couldn't say based on what I see here. Let's not forget she's someone's pride and joy and looks like they are still enjoying her.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I realize that boats are not an investment, but even in that frame of reference there are less foolish and more foolish alternatives. It's one thing to update an older boat and make it usable- most of us have done that and some of the things done are also useful criticisms of the original designs. I'm talking about the hypothetical that was floated about completely refitting a much older boat, top to bottom, stem to stern- after which you have an older design that (sure) has a lot of new items and systems in it, but still isn't worth nearly what you have in it. Folks can certainly do what they want with their own funds, but most older Hatteras yachts 1) don't need that level of refit and 2) the owner doesn't really benefit from it, unless he or she just loves projects and doesn't care how much money they spend.

There was a time when you could buy an older Hatteras, fix it up, and flip it and make money on the deal, especially if you did the work yourself and enjoyed doing it, since your per-hour compensation would turn out rather on the low end. Those days are way in the past now.

 

[pizzazsdaddy]

First of all Saltshaker, that 53 had some nice features but wasn't that nice close up. She too was in "Keys Condition".

WalterP totally understands the concept of restoration value over a new boat these days. It would be smarter to professionally restore an old Hatteras than most other boats afloat. It's the ultimate in recycling...and you would still be at one-third the cost of a comparable new boat.

If properly maintained, the theoretical 3 year depreciation of a "brand new" 53 would be about $1.7 Million. The 3 year depreciation on a professionally restored 53 would be a little over $500,000.

And a perfectly restored 53 is whole lot cooler to own!

 

[MarioG]

Call me crazy but I don't think I would want a "perfectly restored" 53 or 58. Frankly, 1970's or '80's interiors, furnishings appliances and electronics don't really appeal to me from a practical/live aboard , not dock queen, boat. Now, do I think that a restored Hatteras is beautiful? Yes, from a preservation standpoint. I truly believe that the original brilliance of Hatteras was/is in their construction and design. Of course, it's only my opinion...

 

[Tim Powell]

Good morning gang! As the storm approaches and the tournaments approaching.
I have re done a 52c 1989 in my opinion it is maybe a good solid 8. It is not perfect but it is like sex satisfying to me. Forget the money invested. Kinda like a wife she may be old with a few weinkles but she is a beauty to me!!! I believe self satisfaction is the answer to this problem. I can and will not pay 3mil for a new 54GT as much as i would like to have one. Mine is a 21 to 22 knot cruise burns about 45 gal a hour at that speed. I have a a%@ load of money in it but it is paid for and I enjoy it. It is last or near the end of the pack to get home from the days fishing what the heck. Now days speed is a sell feature. There is not a boat built that will keep up with it in bad weather. That is to say in its size. This old boat stuff is just for those who have the passion and not million s to throw away. I believe part of it is a chest beating thing.

SELF SATISFACTION IS THE ANSWER!

 

[Capt Paul]

OK this thread has evolved a little bit but to go back to the start I just thought I'd add some "Keys ingenuity" I just saw last night at LuLu's (Lucy Buffet) restaurant at Homeport Marina.