More Hatteras/Cabo News

[Pascal]

They announced it a little over a year ago I think, about to launch...

 

[Freeebird]

Now, this is a pretty good looking hatt!!

http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/h...nical-launch-hatteras-100-rph-motoryacht.html

And you're going to tell me that's recognizable as a Hatteras?

Saw on their Facebook page they river tested it today. Said it "ran great". I would certainly hope so.

 

[Freeebird]

Randy, I'm impressed you came up with the analogy to HD. Even if I do ride a Triumph...

Couldn't handle a hog, huh?

I haven't ridden a Triumph since my dad's 650 Bonneville which was many, many years ago. As for Harley's, it's funny how the purists resisted change, especially when it came to the water-cooled V-Rod which failed miserably by HD standards. I've had two, and it's the smoothest, fastest bike they ever made, but it doesn't go potato... potato... potato.

It all comes down to the age old sales adage of give them what they want, not what they need. No doubt boat manufacturers have taken notice of that one.

 

[Ross Macdonald]

Jim...I hate to disagree with you because you are always spot on on all of your responses. I too think the most important thing in a boat is access to everything in the machinery spaces. I spend more time in the engine room than anywhere else. That's one of the great things about the 60 Hatt. So my disagreement comes from having spent time on two different Nordhavns down in Mexico trying to help owners fix or replace things. If you ever have to change batteries in a 47 Nordhavn you will need a midget and a shoehorn. Outboard sides in the lazarette under overhangs that are almost impossible to get at let alone switch out. Other things were extremely difficult to get at or even look at. Nordhavn has done a great job of marketing their product. They bring out the adventurer in all of us. But when the rubber hits the road, I wouldn't own one. We have a good friend who is an excellent delivery captain and he delivered a 76 from Seattle to San Diego. He said it scared the hell out of him in a huge following sea. I would take a well maintained vintage Hatt over a Nordie in a heartbeat. Ross

 

[Artzco]

Now, this is a pretty good looking hatt!!

http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/h...nical-launch-hatteras-100-rph-motoryacht.html

They were building the hull for this 100' when we took the tour during the Hatteras school last year. I've kept up with the progress with pictures they post on Facebook and this is really a beautiful boat. Out of our reach but Hatteras has incorporated great design and if they could use these designs in a smaller to mid-range boat, I believe they could be competitive.

A new line of Hatteras MYs in the 40' to 50' range with a combination of classic and modern lines could generate interest with the right promotion. We can only hope the new owners have a business plan that will promote the Hatteras heritage and build the brand. They appear to be good at making sufficient investment to make a purchase succeed.

 

[Pascal]

Keep in mind that the trend has been for increasingly larger boats. All the major players I mentioned in my previous post are now building boats much bigger than they used to. 15 years ago, an 80 footer was huge, and pretty rare... Not anymore.

So hatteras will probably have to follow the trend leaving the smaller builders to fill the 50/70 range which has been hit pretty hard by the economy. And these builders (sea ray, carver, meridian, etc) have also expanded in size filling that market. I don't think hatteras can compete with carver or sea ray in the 50 foot range.

Keep in mind that back in the 70s and 80s, these builders were all building small runabouts and hatteras was basically the only player, along with Chris craft, bertram, Tolly and later Viking. And hatteras has jack Hargrave designing ground breaking boats...