Thinking (casually) about a new boat

[MikeP]

The admiral and I are kicking around the idea of buying a 58lrc to replace our 53my.

The lrc was the first Hatt we were ever aboard and we were on one several times before deciding to buy a 53.

Now we are thinking that it's worth thinking about but two big issues we have is that it won't fit in the covered slip we just bought due to the wider beam and its draft is nearly 2 feet more than our 53 which would limit us to some extent if we kept the boat where we are now. The north channel out of piney narrows read 3.8 feet at low tide when I was out there last month. That's actual water depth, not depth under the keel. Our 53 draws about 4 feet...you can do the math! Nice, soft mud bottoms are a good thing!

I think we are going to look at one next month when we're back in Md even though it frankly doesn't seem too practical. We really like our covered slip and our location...

But I'd appreciate any thoughts re the lrc that anyone could offer. I know the boat layout well and the speed limitations - as a good friend told me about the lrc we were on several times, "the cruise speed is 10 knots and the top speed is 10 knots."

 

[oldawg]

The LRC is a really cool boat but it is massive. Hard to imagine but, in terms of sheer size, it makes my 58 YF look like a runt. A lot of boat to wash and look after.

 

[rsmith]

Your boat is with out a doubt the nicest 53 in the country. Most of the LRC's Ive seen have been run hard and put up wet. Plus its awful nice when its getting dark and the weather is turning to push up the throttles and get home. IMHO you wont be happy. I had a neighbor that had a 58lrc called the "family affair" (anyone know it?) even sitting at the dock with the round bottom the boat would be rolling when no one else was. Plus when a wake came thru it would keep rolling after all the others stopped. Just one of those things about a round bottomed boat.

 

[Angela]

I'd take a 58LRC and ditch the covered slip if I had to, any day! I used to live at Rickenbacker Marina - you haven't seen "rolling in the slip" until you've been there! It was like living in the Gulfstream. Never needed an alarm clock there because I darn near got thrown out of bed every morning at 6:30. Anyway...the round bottom wouldn't bother me any. But that's just me. I've got more boat than I can keep up with anyway, so what's another 2' of beam? I just love those LRCs!

 

[akintosyali]

I would be interested if you want to do nate the 53

 

[saltshaker]

Be prepared to give yours away. Not much of a market for these old boats. Do you really want to start over with another old boat? Think of all the time you've spent getting yours the way you want it. Might be tough to find a clean 58 LRC that is also realistically priced. Add the fact that you now have a slip to sell and it makes less sense unless you plan to start cruising more. Will you sell yours first? If so make sure you can buy what you want for the price you want before you give up your boat. Your boat will be worth more to you than what you will sell it for. Make sure you don't sell your boat and can't find a suitable replacement.

 

[GJH]

They're absolutely great boats, but I don't see owning one unless you are going to do some actual long range open water cruising. I looked at some when we were shopping. All were project boats in my opinion, and priced at too much of a premium, though certainly they deserve some premium. For living aboard, I didn't like the layout at all, especially the models with the twins in the master. There were many other aspects that didn't fit us personally.

Again, if you are not going to use it for the purpose for which it was built, one of the bigger yachtfishers, motoryachts or cockpit motoryachts are in my opinion a much better choice.

 

[MikeP]

Thanks for the nice comment about my boat and I have to admit that the point brought up - of starting over again -is one of my main concerns.

That and my concern that a 53/58 1510 boat is probably as large a boat as I can totally maintain on my own are issues.

So it's probably looking like there are more cons than pros involved but we'll still take a look at one that's for sale...

 

[Angela]

Is it really more to maintain? The way I see it is that I'd get more access room to work on the same stuff I already have by virtue of the extra 2' of beam and the large, single engine room. Maybe, I'm not looking at it quite deep enough. I also like the layout a bit better than what I have and walk around side decks...I'd love to have those. OK, maybe a little more balsa core to repair and maintain.

 

[OBXTucker]

Most of the LRC's Ive seen have been run hard and put up wet. Plus its awful nice when its getting dark and the weather is turning to push up the throttles and get home. IMHO you wont be happy.

I have to take exception to these comments. I would say that LRC's are more well cared for than any other Hatteras out there.

Mike, you wont be happy with only 3-4' of water as you really need 6 to feel comfortable. Mine came out of Kent Narrows and I'm happy to discuss the highs/lows of them if you want to give me a call or PM......

These are some of the best boats EVER built.

 

[Nonchalant1]

One thing to consider, the 53MY has a great 360 degree view from the lower helm and easy access standup engine rooms. The only LRC I've been on had no 360 degree view, hard to access engine room and no flushdeck design for doing locks, docking, etc. They're wonderful boats for Long Range Cruising though.

 

[MarioG]

Mike, add a cockpit to your boat.

 

[davidwigler]

I have not had the pleasure of seeing one, but the market sure values them highly. Good luck with your search.

 

[Boatsb]

Just think how many years between runs to the fuel dock. If your not cruising it its not going to be such an upgrade. They make terrible dock queens

 

[rsmith]

Then again its always fun looking at boats. Especialy if their Hatts!!!

 

[bobk]

So it's probably looking like there are more cons than pros involved but we'll still take a look at one that's for sale...

Mike, if the one you are going to look at is at BYC, come on over one pier and say hi to us on C-pier.

Bob Kassal
Chateau de Mer

 

[The Revenge]

Still new here and were looking for our first Hatteras. However, I've been reading some of the trip reports in the stories section on the HatterasLRC website. They have some good reads over there. The boat "Playpen" shares trip details down to Panama. The "Mary Kathryn" also has some trip details there. I think it was that boat the owner said "we usually only put gas in her once or twice a year". Thought that was interesting.

 

[MikeP]

The reality is that we probably will not be changing into real long range cruising boaters. The only lengthy cruise we have in mind is a run to FL down the ICW maybe in '13. But otherwise we will remain ches bay folks.

The more thinking we do, and info we receive, we wonder if maybe we arent just doing a midlife boater "I want a bigger boat" crises. Maybe we already have the ideal boat for the two of us...

Bob, Thanks for the invite to stop buy when we look...

 

[REBrueckner]

Mike, maybe you don't have enough to do to keep you busy??

That's an entirely personal thing, but reflection on how you use your boat and future plans might give you some clues as to what to do. As regards going down the intracoastal, another two feet of draft is not what you need.

The idea of adding a cockpit would suit me perfectly and the way I would use a boat, but unless you plan to actually use it, why bother? But that is also a personal thing.

The 58 LRC is another nine and half percent annually in dock fees plus added costs for hauls, bottom painting, etc. But the maybe 6-71's are a bit cheaper than 8's to maintain? Are the heights much different??...and are clearances of importance to you??

If money is no problem, just do what makes you and your wife happy....you only have a limited amount of time to spend it.

Fun to think about such a change regardless of what you decide.

 

[holtcl]

Mike,

Before Cinderella came along, Mike and I looked at a 58LRC. I thought it would be the perfect boat: cockpit would be great for anchoring out with a large dog, we liked the engines, etc. We came away disappointed. Didn't care for the interior layout, and felt it would be too much to maintain. Plus, the dockage factor. Just didn't fit into the plan.

Sounds like from what you are saying, there is too much hesitation. Also, from the experience from Bay Mariner, it stinks to have to give your boat away to sell it, even when you have an outstanding broker.

Always fun to look, but sometimes best to stay where you are. Only you and Loretta will know what is best for the two of you.

Best,
Cheryl
53MY
Cinderella