Hatteras retrofit cost and ideas

Mine is an early 1970 53 MYS and I have just started a full refit. While a little smaller than the boats you mentioned it doesn't make much of a difference.

By full refit I don't mean just a fresh coat of paint, new appliances and engine rebuild but a complete redesign of the interior, complete rewire of AC, DC and shore power, repower, etc.

The only way It makes any sense is that I am doing all the work myself including cabinetry. The only thing that will done in the yard will be thru hull and seacock, engine removal and install, shafts, etc... There is no way you can do a full refit on such a boat paying $90 an hour yard labor or indeed you will end up spending $300

One problem I see with these older boats is that the layout is completly outdated. While ground breaking in the late 60s when Jack Hargrave came up with the original thre is no doubt design was good enough to last into th late 80s in various versions and sizes. That said, we are now half a century later and things have changed. Galley down, small staterooms and heads simply don't appeal to people. On the plus side, even the smaller 53 has a lot more usable space than any modern design. Bigger flybridge, bigger aft deck, safe side decks, large now area, etc...

In my case, the boat was really tired in need of engine rebuild and a lot more work. The value for a tired 53 is pretty much nothing but I felt that spending north of $100k on engine rebuild, and fixes was like the proverbial lipstick on a pig, I'd still be stuck with a galley down, a head where I can't move around without banging my elbows and master SR whre a vaccum cleaner is too wide to fit around the bed.

So...

I build a new galley up and aft right by the aft deck where it many builders now locate the galleys on 50/60 footers. We spend a lot of time on the aft deck when anchored so having the galley right there is no brainer, with an opening and bar. Sure it reduces the size of the saloon but it s still plenty big.

By removing the galley and dinette from down below, I can redesign the lower layout. Old galley will become a stateroom, and the old dinette area is big enough to build a new comfortable head. Since I don't need four staterooms, another big upgrade is to merge the exisitng master with the guest stateroom creating a much larger master stateroom. This also allows me to combine the two small heads and part of the hallway to create a huge master head. I have just started tearing down the old heads...

At the bow, the old fashionned 60s vintage over under bunk will be removed along with the ridiculously small head to accommodate a centerline full size bed. One compromise is that both forward staterroom will share the new larger forward head. Well worth having a bigger forward stateroom.

Along the way I am doing a full rewire... I have already build a new main panel with new shore power feeds. I have already replaced 90% of the AC wiring and about to start running DC wiring. I am not keeping a foot of the original wiring as back then it was all un tinned and there are way too many splices and hidden stuff lurking.

After considering options I have decided not to rebuild the old Detroits as it simply makes no sense. Instead I am going with factory recon Cummins which not new, are pretty close to being new and come with a two year warranty. The cost differnce with a no warranty rebuild of the Detroits is minimal even factoring the new ZF gears. The four cycle cummins will be quieter, cleaner and more fuel efficient and while resale is not a concern the market for DD powered boats is shrinking...

I ll also be doing a lot of other smaller upgrades including steps to the flybridge instead of a ladder, extended swim platform, and much more. I can also include fixes for things that drive me nuts on so many boats.

Is it worth it? Yes... A new 50 footer is pretty much $1M and change so that's out. I don't care for the average chlorox bottle design of most used boats build in past 10/15 years or for the lighter build of most brands...

In the end, after spending about $150k (excluding my labor) I am going to end up with a modern fully refitted and repowered 50 footer build on a strong hull

I'm assuming you have 8V71s & Alison clutches. The new engine package should be interesting 5.9, 6.2 or 8.3s? With a down angle ZF clutch, you will have enough new elbow room for a barn dance.

I look forward to read more on this as it proceeds,
rc

8.3 Originally I was going to use the smaller B series and keep running the boat as a trawler liek I do with the natural Detroits but overall it makes more sense to get the extra power and get to planning speed

I have become a big fan of the QSCs the last couple of years. I think your correct in going there vs the QSBs.
We fast idle around also with 12V71s but enjoy the ponies & torque when coming/going out the inlets when their ugly.

When we win the lotto, The larger QSMs will probably go into ole Bert. Till then, our 71s are up to any challenge.

For the OP; Pascal has his hands full in his refit. His vision will become reality and will have a better than new 53.

Near anything is Rebuildable, Upgradable or refitable;
Hatteras, Bertram, Viking or what you find that has the lines or shape to offer the starting platform,, then it's vision, time and money to make your dreams materialize.

For over 9 years we have watched my favorite rebuild come to life.
I still can not find the thread with the original pictures of her on a wharf with abandoned equipment piled up against her.
With great vision, anything is rebuildable better that new.

http://www.yachtforums.com/threads/...-lent-tiky-aka-lenten-rose-alto-volante.4563/
http://www.yachtforums.com/threads/vintage-61ft-feadship-rebuild.12331/#post-87397
http://www.yachtforums.com/threads/rebuild-of-classic-1961-62ft-feadship-alto-volante.19582/

A+

If there isn't a thread here about this rebuild, I hope you'll start one. Or a blog with an occasional link posted here. This rebuild sounds like it'll be awesome to watch...

A picture or two would be good too.

Big savings? Over 32Vdc systems?

If you have an existing blower in good shape, just pick up an replacement motor.
The big bummer about 32Vdc stuff, not a lot of stores stocks the stuff. We learned long ago to keep spares.
Shop when it's not an emergency and the prices are not to much more than 24Vdc stuff.

We have had lots of discussions about 32 vs 24 Vdc systems thru the years on YF.
Searching thru those old threads could be helpful and entertaining.