I wanted to provide some additional insight on the Hatt 53 here being discussed. While some of the information may in fact be accurate I think some additional context might be useful as well. In the spirit of full disclosure I not only own the boat being discussed but am also owner of the brokerage selling it. Also realize another post here is from a broker in the marina where the boat was previously located. I am not questioning in the least his post as I respect his knowledge and his business is one we admire but again giving context helps. Top Hatt was kept covered and in good condition from the owner we bought her from. This owner did not want to deal with a sale in any manner for reasons I will respectfully not disclose but asked if I and a partner would be interested in purchasing at a good price so she did not have to go thru a lengthy sales process.
Having sold a number of 53’s we did a cursory inspection of the systems, ran the motors, checked the cosmetics and negotiated accordingly. We did not even sea trial the boat as we were comfortable enough with what we had cosmetically and that the boat ran, generator functioned, heads worked, AC/Heat worked etc. We had the boat hauled and while it will need paint we noticed only a few blisters. Bottom looked good otherwise. We then photographed and put the boat up for sale.
At $95,000 this boat is aggressively priced and the cosmetic condition is far nicer then most you will look at. The previous owners did not do a lot of cruising after 2013 but refinished the interior, updated the galley and made it to their taste for a floating weekend retreat. The enclosed aft deck is also a nice option.
With all that said let my address a few items being discussed. Mush is not how I’d describe the aft deck above rear salon/aft enclosed area. It’s a soft spot right where we’ve seen it on quite a few 53’s but no leaks and probably won’t get any worse. Worth fixing? Maybe but it depends on your desired use, price your paying, how perfect you want to make a 1974 boat.
As for the “low compression for over 20 years and needing a complete overhaul” I could or could not tell you factually if that’s correct. I’m going to stay away from my opinion on engine surveys and tell you what I know. On the boat is a 13 year-old survey from when the previous owner bought the boat. The surveyor references in it being told by someone “five years ago an engine survey revealed low compression and a recommendation for overhaul was made”. He noted all new hoses and chrome valve covers had been added. The next page of the survey was the sea trial with a clean bottom & speed and rpm numbers where the boat ran to the proper rpm as rated as well as proper oil pressure and temps. It may indeed have low compression (although the surveyor just noted being told it but did not test) but at the same time the sea trial noted rated specs made and performance acceptable. The buyers decided to use the boat on the bay and see knowing if an overhaul was needed so be it.
So on 12/11/16 the boat fired right up (loves the block heaters on) sounds good, maneuvers well and performed well when we last ran it. The bottom definitely had some growth on it and we saw 2100 rpm not 2300, which could be suspect of the dirty bottom or fact the fuel is 3 years old (filters??).
-The captain who used to take the family out works at a yard we use. He is the one who had a steering issue in 2012 side swiped the day marker port stern. The damage was above the rub rail port stern. Repaired and looks fine and I was not aware of it except when we hauled the boat at his yard and he informed me. I would have never known otherwise. He also mentioned it was rumored to have low compression when they bought it in early 2000’s and “I ran them all up and down the bay for a few years without any motor issues".
-How are you going to use the boat? If you’re an 8-10 knots cruiser, occasional boater and or floating condo type this will make a terrific purchase and for under $100k you will be hard pressed to find nicer. If you want to spend $25k plus on 1974 motors that run well (yes they smoke a bit) but even after $25k+ will still be 1974 motors have at it or maybe spend $125k-$140k plus on another boat.
Hope this is helpful.
