What year is considered to be the best 53 Hatteras MY to purchase?

[ADOPO]

Logic would tell me the last year. That being said, and I must admit I have not tried a search yet on this site due to abject laziness, is there a buyers guide on this site for the 53?

For instance, I do know or believe one should have stabilizers due to the Hatteras roll from their top heavy design (right or wrong on this?)

Then there is something about the wiring system, 24 vs 12 I think or something like that.Then it seems a bow thruster would be a good idea. Maybe the larger fly bridge. And there seems to be the issue with blisters and coring on some of the deck houses and decks.

I just looked at a Hatteras in Jacksonville at the old Pablo Creek Marina and it was very nice, but asking 279K-I'm thinking high ones. As for Pablo Creek, I stopped in there about 15 years ago one night when an engine went out-what a party place it use to be. Now it is full of foreclosed condos-one of the four story units I heard sold for just around or above 200k).

Anyway, your constructive advice would be helpful.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I have looked at many and here is my opinion and observations for it's worth.

The wiring systems improved greatly after about 1980. Isolation transformers became standard equipment, aluminum junction boxes with covers, replaced the open wiring connections behind panels in closets, etc. And rotary switches were phased out in exchange for breakers with slides for controlling inputs and distribution to sub-panels.

However, the earlier boats had solid hulls where the later boats had cored hull sides above the waterline.

From 1978 on, the flybridge arrangement improved and the third shower was added. If I were looking for a 53MY, I would definitely be looking for a 1978 or newer and I would prefer an early to mid 80's model.

In mid 1985, 6v92's replaced the 8v71's. They weighed a little less and had slightly more hp. In 1987 and 88 (the final years), corners were cut in that they cheapened up the doors, trim work inside, etc. after Genmar bought out AMF.

Other answers:

Stabilizers: Yes
Thruster: Not necessary as these boats go where you put them.
Blisters: If its a Hatt it probably has them but not a big deal as they are rarely structural
Electrical system: All were 32v.

 

[ADOPO]

Thanks for the advice, it's really appreciated. Funny, I pulled up the one listed here on the forum, and called about the one listed in Ponte Vedra as we are presently at the Lodge & Club. It sold over a year ago in the two hundreds

 

[wndsr]

All good points. I can't Imagine buying any year 53' (or 58' for that matter) and not be happy. But I guess this group is a bit biased!!!!

 

[Pascal]

I think maintenance and upgrades are more important than the actual year when shopping for a boat.

Over the years these boats have not changed much. In addition to what sky mentioned:

- flybridge windscreen went from raked to a somewhat more moden Venturi
- two large strength hatches vs 3 portholes and an over head escape hatch (prone to leaks and in the way on the act deck)
- separate showers for each aft head, although i like the larger heads of the original design, but it depends how many guests you have on board
- earlier boats have solid bronze port holes vs cheap plastic.

Thrusters are not needed thanks to the hull design,

Stabs are nice if you re going to spend a lot of time running offshore. Personally I would rather buy a cheaper boat and add gyro stabs instead of dealing with the maintenance of the fins.

Very early boats like mine had an older style elEctrical panel in the port ER. It was relocated up in the PH around 72, a big plus

As much as the 80+ electrical system is overall better it is also a lot more complex to maintain and troubleshoot. One thing i don't like on some boats is how you have breaker panels in the ERs in addition to the main panel in the PH. But it depends on the boat and year

 

[Angela]

There are many pros and cons about early and later models. I much prefer the later models that have the separate showers. There is no way I want to be in the shower in the morning when someone from the room next door comes in to take a dump. There is only a frosted glass door between the community shower and each of the two heads on either side of that shower. I seem to recall that when they changed the layout to two showers, they didn't just cut the one in half. I believe they stretched the layout in that area containing the two heads to give ample room for two showers, but only a tape measure can say for certain.

I have to agree that the later models have better electrical systems, yet they are more complex. It was just today that I finally "got it" and everything came together so that I fully understand my boat's AC panels and how I can move panels to a second shoreline cord by just flipping a switch, thus increasing my available amperage. It took some time sitting in front of it and studying it for a while and once you "get it", it looks so simple.

And true, there is one AC panel in an engine room (at least on my boat), but I don't mind that - it contains all the air conditioner breakers and the seawater pump. For me, they are right where I need them. I found it very convenient when I was working on the AC in that engine room to have the corresponding breakers right there so that I could kill them (or turn them on) at any moment without having to slither out from around the engine and run up stairs and back down.

I've been on Hatt models from the mid 60s to the new stuff. With each later model, the boat always felt lighter under foot than the older stuff. The first Hatt Mario had which was a 1964, I think, had foredeck that felt like concrete. My 1980 foredeck is softer, and I'm not talking about "soft from rot" - the surface just feels and sounds more hollow for a lack of better words - I can't really describe it. When I'm on the foredeck, I can feel the footsteps of someone else walking around out there. Ed's 1968 Hatt is the same way (solid as a rock), and then the closer you get to the 1980s, the decks had more give in them. And I prefer the robust bronze portlights over the plastic ones I have.

In the later models, I believe from 80 on, or early 80s, Hatteras offered an extended deckhouse model which offered a much larger salon, but a very small aft deck which had room only for a couple of chairs. It is what I call a line-handling aft deck. For cold weather climates, it's a pretty good idea, but I wouldn't want that layout, and loss of the aft deck, in a place like Miami where I live. I really enjoy the "covered outdoors" that the aft deck offers. That's where our dining table is. Though, I must confess, in the middle of summer, it's so hot here that sometimes it's useless! Unless, of course, you've just come up out of the water soaking wet. If I lived up north, the extended deckhouse would be a serious contender.

Well, those are some of the things I like and dislike - doesn't answer your question, but there is no real answer. There is no one particular year that was better than another - just differences, good and not as good (nothing bad, really), over the many years these boats were produced.

 

[Pascal]

The shower doors are not frosted glass but solid... The master head was larger than the guest, about 18" or so, and was made smaller to accommodate the 2nd shower

Again, it depends on how you use the boat.