so why would/did you get an older hatteras?

[Woodsong]

So, just for fun, why did you or why would you (if buying another boat) buy an older hatteras? Why buy a 50'-60' boat that is essentially 30 years old vs. say a motoryacht (if that is your style boat) that is only say 3 years old and admittedly maybe 5-7 feet shorter but still, basically a brand new boat.
I have my own reasons for possibly going this route (beautiful lines, a classic look, all wood interior, solid hull construction, etc. etc.). Still, I can't get around the fact (y'all correct me if i am wrong!) that an older and larger boat is going to invariably translate into more work/maintanence to keep in the good working order I want out of a boat that transports my most important thing, family and friends.


What say ye to this insanity called boating?

 

[captddis]

It depends on the person. I have a 23 year old 46 HP and I have been in the yacht repair business 31 years, so repairs do not concern me. I like the classic looks and I knew and maintained this boat since it was new. I wanted it for 20 years. but if I could afford new I would get a new boat.
As far as reliability, If a older boat has been properly maintained it should be just as reliable as a newer boat.
In some cases MORE reliable, such as in the mechanical engines compared to the computer controlled engines. The same goes for the other gee whiz gadgets on the new boats.
If you are not mechanically inclined, I would suggest you take your time and buy a pristine used Hatt and If need be pay a premium for it. In the end it will be cheaper and you will not have the hassles.
Good luck in your search. Dave

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I disagree that an older Hatteras is more work than a newer boat. If the Hatteras has been well maintained it should actually require less work.

First, Hatteras used the best available components. You will have a hard time finding a new boat with GalleyMaid (rebuildable) water pumps and toilets, for example. You probably won't get wiring diagrams with numbered wires. You don't get double 3/4" plywood bulkheads. You probably won't get isolation transformers and rub rails that you can actually use as rub rails (most new boats have some plastic strip behind their rails). How about fiberglass tanks -- zero maintenance there as opposed to aluminum or stainless. THen there is the all copper water lines with flared fittings, and the copper fuel lines and steering lines. How about the Imron paint instead of just gel coat.

I could go on and on, but as you say it is hard to pass one by when you see the afromosia interior and the classic lines.

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

You tell someone who knows a bit about boats you have a Hatteras, and they are impressed. Quality is earned on a long term basis and Hatt is one that meets the requirements.
Plus we have support from the company and it is so well put together.
I will take my REAL WOOD interior over the plastic anytime.

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Hatteras definitely has the reputation albeit right behind my aluminum Roamer! The gas boat is a 35K unit that I have invested 350K into. Cant wait to see how much I dump into the Hatt. If Mies Van Der Roe was correct,(I know the "EXPERTS" know the answer!), I shouldnt have to sink more than 1 or 2 M into this one.
Safety Tip: What are the variation declination dates on your paper charts?? ws

 

[luckydave215]

When someone asks what make of boat you have and you say "Hatteras" watch their eyes. They usually raise a bit, and you'll likely hear a comment like "top of the line" or some such. Most new boats just don't have the "Made in America" build quality of an older Hatt.
Sometimes I think I'd get the same reaction if I said I bought my teenager a new car for their 16th birthday.............a Ferrari.

Beyond that b.s., when you see how Hatts are put together in the places owners usually can't see, the good old fashioned honest craftsmanship, you''ll know why we love them.

 

[Genesis]

Yep.

All boats are expensive and all boats have things that break on them.

With Hatts, what breaks was usually well-thought-out when originally built, is generally accessible, and was put together properly.

This doesn't necessarily drop the cost of ownership much, but it sure does keep the "George Carlin Tourette Syndrome" in check.

Plus, you can't beat the classic lines.

 

[Buccaneer]

You asked that question, in THIS forum? Kinda asking a kid if s/he likes Christmas, while giving them a present.

Take a read through the threads (it can be fascinating...) and you'll read the answer between the lines.

Take a look at the owners gallery (ies) and you'll SEE the answer - and a picture IS worth 1,000 words. (Just don't be blinded by white sox in an engine room -- that was just WRONG, even for Hatt owner....)

 

[Angela]

I'm not sure what more I can say that everyone else hasn't already said, except "me too!"

For me, after the classic lines, Hargrave drawn quality yacht, etc. arguments, it got down to affordability. I didn't, and still don't, have an extra million or two to buy a new boat, and that's what I'd need to get into a boat the size of what I got. When I bought my Cruisers, Inc. express cruiser, I did the same thing - bought the boat after she had fully depreciated and then sold her for a wee bit more than I paid for her two and a half years earlier.

But putting the financial aspect aside, I'd still buy a classic, older Hatteras. The new ones just are not appealing to me, not even the new Hatteras motor yachts. Ed and I sometimes have those daydreaming wishful discussions, like what would be buy if we won the lottery. Funny thing is that the answer is always the same...we'd keep putting it in the boat we already have.

 

[(Nobody You Know)]

Woody,

I part of the year I keep my boat at a club in Carolina Beach, NC. Every so often someone comes in with a brand new Sea Ray. Not meaning to pick on Sea Ray (again) but you should hear the complaints. And not necessarily about Sea Ray, but DON'T THINK YOU ARE GONNA GET OUT OR REPAIRS BY BUYING A NEW BOAT! Doesen't matter who made it. Depending on the dealer and mfg. the headachs of getting things corrected are enormous. I know, I hear them ventilate.

While older used boats do require more maintenance - and expense - don't forget about the woping hit you will take in depreciation when you buy that new boat.

About shorter new boats, if you want something of proven quality (IMHO) you better start looking at Hinkleys, Grand Banks, and maybe Sabre Line - pretty expensive investments. I am told that one of the reasons Hatteras doesen't make anything under 50' anymore is that a good quality say 40'er cost allmost as much to mfg. as the (qualilty) 50'er. (I'm sure marketing also comas into play).

As it has been expressed, and older Hatty that passes a ridgorous survey is not a bad investment.

Seems I recall you mentioning on a previous thread something about a wife and two small children?? I'll give you something else to think about, come the lazy days of summer cruising and enjoying many of days of water activities with a growing family (and their friends - the kids) a bigger Hatty with a dishwasher and washer/dry is a no brainer! After the first season you will wonder why there was even a debate!

Go buy a new Cruisers, Sea ray or Silverton, We'll be talking with you again!

Capt'n Bill
(former yacht broker)
"$100,000 don't buy s_ _ _ anymore".
Allen Houston
Wilmington, NC

 

[thoward]

I would also add you should look at what happened to the boats hit by hurricanes. The newer cored boats were ripped from their morings/dockage, beat to snot and ultimately sunk. Many of your older "quality" boats survived with minimal damage. Living in Florida we were not willing to take that chance.

 

[67hat34c]

We did it for a few reasons. like the look of older boats, hatteras name, and thought this would be a cheeper way to own one. the only thing i was wrong on is the last reason, no way this is cheeper way to own a boat like this or is it?

Initial cash outlay was low, improvements and repairs we did mostly ourselves although we have spent way more than it is worth in the last 3-4 years, total cost is still less money than the initial cash outlay for the Tiara we were strongly considering and have way more boat as well.

A plus to working on one of these is it keeps your brain and body exercised, opperating a newer boat that needs no work is one thing but building one and inventing stuff is a real satisfying experience especialy when the inventions and improvements come out well. You must be mechanicaly enclined and enjoy this kind of thing to make it worth while, in my opinion. I believe the hard core memebers of this forum fit this description. Everyone here has techniques they came up with or borrowed and custimized etc. Many of us have inventions or ideas that we implement, case in point, Pascals Dingy.....still very cool. I am getting ready to install an anchor roller system that I came up with what i believe to be an original mounting device. Scott has seen the rough on this, parts are now complete and to be installed this weekend. will post photos once I know it works properly.

 

[ohiohatteras]

They are CLASSIC.....kinda like a 57 Chevy or 55 T-bird!
Plus....they are few and far between where I cruise...Lake Erie.....which is Sea Ray country.....

 

[Woodsong]

I agree with what you all are saying...most of it is exactly what appeals to me to buy a 30 year old boat and you know...I would not even think of or consider buying a boat that old from any other manufacturer. My lack of mechanical abilities is a bit of a concern, or rather, it is really a lack of interest in learning things mechanical but that may change.

I've looked at the Cruisers Yachts MY's and they have a good amount of "bling" on the newer ones and I would be very happy to own one but it is a lot of plastic. A 3 stateroom layout so far is pretty critical to us though and there are only a couple of boats that offer that size in a layout we like.

Sea ray...I honestly have not found one yet that I even come close to liking the layout of. Their express cruisers are of absolutely NO interest to me and their flybridge boats are not much better. I am yet to figure out what all the hype is about them (no offense sea ray owners!) for the amount of $$ they are.

 

[Boss Lady]

QUALITY!!!!!!! SEAWORTHY, RIDE, and great people! When you find all that with another boat, please let us know, because then there will then be two great boats available to choose from. Until then there is only Hatteras. There are a few examples of some truely custom boats that make it to old age, but show me other 30-40 year old boats in the quantity of Hatteri there are still seaworthy, and you will soon discover why Hat is in a class by itself. What is also amazing is that most every Hatteras ever made is still going strong, including the very first Hatteras. It is a free country, so you are free to make bad choices if you want to. All the other boats are what I call learner boats, you buy one and then learn you should have bought a Hatteras.

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

You think a Hatteras is more seaworthy than this boat

http://towndock.net/shipping/2006_10_01_shiparchive.html

But you have to give them credit for making the trip

 

[Boss Lady]

Can you spell "eccentric"? LOL!!!!

 

[Pascal]

i'll throw a few things, in random order...

- i needed a 3 stateroom comfortable boat which meant in the 50 ft range. between the average 1 million + 50 footer and an old hatt in the 200k range, the choice was very simple... there was nothing even close to the 53MY in modern production (under 15 years old).

- classic lines.. the chlorox bottle doenst' do it for me... it's funny, last week a transient 1990 60+ hatt pulled in the slip across from mine. 2 boats over from a carver ... you know, the 50 or 55 enclosed bridge, aft cabin, cockpit, stubby bow wedding cake... the contrast was incerdible.

- interior... ok, many larger and expensive boats have some wood work but many have a lot of plastic and vinyl... not the veneers found in our boats.

- quality... that's a no brainer... and then you also have the fact that HAtteras is still standing behind these old boats... this is why they are holding their values pretty well. why do you thing the average 50 ft taiwan trawler 15 years newer cost the same as a hatt of a similar size ? a few days ago, i saw a Marquis (you know, the lexus of carvers... build by carver but rebadged for an upscale price tag)... fairly recent boat, they've only been around for a few years, the gel coat was completly dull. That wedding cake i mentioned? sight the hull at the right angle and you can see riples...

i don't buy this thing about newer boats being less hassle... i can tell you that my neighbor 40ish sea ray, 2 or 3 years old, is often being worked on and used far less than my old Hatt ! so far in 3 years and 500 hours, the only mechanical issue i've had was the port starter 2 weeks ago.. other than a fuel priming issue. that would have been no big deal with a priming pump but i made it home feeding the port engine from the generator electric fuel pump! try this with a new electronic engine...

browse forums (boaterEd, boatUS,e tc...) and will see many owners complainging about maintenance issues on their new boats.

my boat isnt' perfect, no boats are, but it really can't see anything in newer boats that woudl make me want to switch, even if teh price was the same.

 

[Boatsb]

I cant speak for everyone but I wanted a boat that would out last me. I bought a 41c ( battlewagon ) because I know its 1 step short of indestructable. I hit squalls 35+ miles out and the boat was just solid and didn't pound once at 15 Kts. Not bat for 8-10 foot seas, closely packed and breaking in 45-60 MPH winds. Could another boat handle that. Sure. betrams, Vikings, Posts ... lesser boats could also survive that but I came through it with no damage except the water from the open windows and portholes. In 30 years this boat will be as solid as today and 70+ yrs old. Since its affordable and so solid why look at anything else?

 

[old41]

Because I had a 1967 41C 30 years ago and I found a 1965 3 years ago that was in better shape.