True length question for 53MY and 56MY owners...

[steve940]

Hi there Folks,

Thanks in advance for the help...

I'm very limited in the length of the space I have at my marina without encroaching on the fairway. All
boats dock stern-in and I don't want to purchase a boat that will require me to dock elsewhere.

I need to know the 53MY's and 56MY's true "length along the dock" from the stern-most edge of the
swim platform to the forward-most point where a plumb-line would drop from the bow rail of the
anchor pulpit (where a burgee staff is typically mounted).

Again, thanks!

Steve
Former owner 56MY (almost a decade ago...)

 

[SeaEric]

Hi there Folks,

Thanks in advance for the help...

I'm very limited in the length of the space I have at my marina without encroaching on the fairway. All
boats dock stern-in and I don't want to purchase a boat that will require me to dock elsewhere.

I need to know the 53MY's and 56MY's true "length along the dock" from the stern-most edge of the
swim platform to the forward-most point where a plumb-line would drop from the bow rail of the
anchor pulpit (where a burgee staff is typically mounted).

Again, thanks!

Steve
Former owner 56MY (almost a decade ago...)

IMHO You should allow for a 60 foot slip for the 53 and a 65 foot slip for the 56.

 

[Nonchalant1]

The "53" in a 53MY is from the stern, without swim platform, to the bow without bow pulpit. Each boat may be a little different. However, if you had a 2 ft. swim platform and the bow pulpit extends 2 ft beyond the bow, the LOA would be 57 ft. Then you need to add for whatever distance you need between the swim platform and the dock.

 

[steve940]

I very much appreciate the responses...sounds like the 56MY's are "out"...

However, as shopping for - or buying a boat that will be rejected by the marina is what I'm trying to
avoid, a couple exact measurements of a 53MY with a swim platform and bow pulpit would be
very helpful...

Any chance someone you could take that actual measurement? It would be sincerely appreciated...

Thanks in advance,

Steve

 

[Scarlett]

I had the same situation when I bought my 53 MY. We measured it at 58 feet with the standard factory swim platform. I’m sure that could vary by a foot due to the difficulty of getting a really accurate measurement of a floating vessel.

 

[Dreamboat]

I had the same situation when I bought my 53 MY. We measured it at 58 feet with the standard factory swim platform. I’m sure that could vary by a foot due to the difficulty of getting a really accurate measurement of a floating vessel.

I agree with the 58', although since I extended my swim platform, overall length is now 60'

 

[luckydave215]

Also consider the error increases with the size of the boat.
Our 60C, 61'10"-ish on deck is 67'6" overall. As has been noted, measuring a floating boat is difficult. The only real way to get a good measurement is on the hard with plumb bobs.

 

[rsmith]

Like Dave said these were model numbers not exact dimensions. When I started chartering I had to change the documentation to coastwise registry. The coast guard had to come out and admeasure the boat. Don’t ask I still don’t know what that meant. They sent young girl with a tape measure and a butt so big she could barely get up the side walkway. It was a windy cold fall day in Cape May and her tape kept folding over and dropping in the water. Asked if I could help but she had an attitude. In the end when I got the docs back the 50 had shrunk to 48’ I was going to argue the fact but heck it’s saved be a lot of slip fees over the last 40+ years.

 

[Pascal]

I just measured mine, 59’ 4” from tip of the pulpit to tip of the 20” swim platform

Speaking of bureaucratic measurements, when I built my little custom classic gaff rigged sloop 10 years ago, I had to get it inspected by FWC soon could get it registered. That includes making sure it was indeed homebuilt and not stolen and measuring LOA. Officer said he d have to come back the next day with his “measuring device”. I figured I must be something high tech but it was in fact a 10’ measuring tape. It worked out perfectly because I wanted the boat to be officially under 26’ to avoid some minor legal requirements as well avoiding a survey for insurance. Since the officer needed help holding the end of the measuring tape I was able to cut a few inches every 10’ and my 26’6” boats is officially 25’9”

 

[cww]

I dock right next to a new or almost new Offshore "63" and the size comparison is hilarious, the 53MY is within a foot or so of the same length despite the ostensible 10' difference in size implied by the model names. The offshore clearly is counting pulpit, platform, and probably something imaginary to get to 63'. The offshore is much wider, though.

 

[Doug.T]

I very much appreciate the responses...sounds like the 56MY's are "out"...

However, as shopping for - or buying a boat that will be rejected by the marina is what I'm trying to
avoid, a couple exact measurements of a 53MY with a swim platform and bow pulpit would be
very helpful...

Any chance someone you could take that actual measurement? It would be sincerely appreciated...

Thanks in advance,

Steve

'86 53MY with swim platform and bow pulpit is 58'

 

[steve940]

Thanks, All for the thoughtful responses.

It appears that neither the "53" or "56" will fit this dock...I have 56' to work with - docking aft with a 3' space behind me to allow for storm-driven movement of pilings and trying to avoid getting banged up.

I may have to go for an SOB - like a DeFever 53 POC (measures 55' with swim platform) if I want a stand-up ER within the limits of my available space...and even then may have to "fold-up" my swim platform to get down to 53' of boat length + 3' behind boat = 56'.

Any other ideas - I'm open!

Thanks again,

Steve

 

[SEVEN]

My 53’ measures 58’ exactly.

 

[brettportzer]

Our 43’ is 48’ as well.

 

[Pascal]

A neighbor of mine had a 53 cockpit DeFever, early 2000 vintage. Nowhere near the layout and quality of a hatteras 53. I helped him with him incl dock training and wasn’t impressed. Core juice out of the top deck, crowded layout and small engines that require high RPM to maneuver. Same level in my opinion as mainship or bayliner.

 

[cww]

Here's my 53 next to the new Offshore "63" - I'm not sure whether Hatteras or Offshore is the liar in this situation, but somebody's fibbing.

 

[riverrandy]

Might I recommend, adding a fold up swim platform and removing the bow pulpit? Nether of these are hard projects and you would have more boat for your slip space. Also a 56 with the 18'3" beam is a LOT more space.

 

[flydixie1415]

The 56 is suppose to be 62’2”. Marinas are asking for the whole length to make more money.