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Considering this 43'; any advice

Discussion in 'Hatteras Yacht' started by DetroitCoho, Aug 15, 2013.

  1. DetroitCoho

    DetroitCoho Member

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    Hello all, we are thinking of purchasing our first Hatteras, a 1980 43' motor yacht:

    Used 1980 Hatteras 43 Double Cabin Motor Yacht, Michigan - 48043 - BoatTrader.com

    I don't know too much about these boats other than their brand recognition and first-rate build reputation. Can anyone give me advice on how I should spend my time during our showing this coming Wednesday? What to look for/ask about?

    I currently have a 33' Chris Craft Coho (which I restored) so I am familiar with boats in general. I'm looking for Hatteras-specific info, or info related to this model. For example, to what extent was coring used in the construction? Are the stringers cored or FRP box beams? Much obliged to any insight, photos, etc.
    Bob Page likes this.
  2. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    We just shopped for, bought and refilt a 1981 56. Even checked out boats in your area. Here's some of the things we've run into: blisters, a leaking water tank, 32V systems, corroded sea strainers, water intrusion in the forward compartment through the bilge pump (we remidied by putting a flapper behind the clamshell), some leaking windshields and old weather-stripping. These are mostly normal things you'd expect to find after 30 years. Great boats. I just got back from living on her for about 9 days, and cruising from Long Island to Philadelphia to the C&D. We chose her for cruising the Greeat Loop. Good bones, major class, solid boats.
    The one thing I do want to alert you to that these are high boats. We carry on board a ladder, stepstool and sea-step and always try to get side to docking. They're also not speedboats.

    Don't sink your last dime into buying the boat, because you'll want to spend some money taking care of some age issues, but unlike most 30 year old boats these are worth doing it to.

    BTW, if you need someone to check out the boat I've got a good guy in Detroit.
    Bob Page likes this.
  3. RER

    RER Senior Member

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    That's a good point - boarding these Hatteras DCMY's away from your home base can be tricky if you're not prepared.

    I think this 43' layout is hard to beat with regard to the helm combined with the covered aft deck space. Great for an owner operator to mix with guests.

    It sounds like you may not have been on board yet. The salon headroom is probably one of the biggest drawbacks to this model. Not a good fit if you're tall.

    The stringers are fiberglass over laminate wood core.

    What to look for? Deferred maintenance issues. A well built boat otherwise.
    Bob Page likes this.
  4. DetroitCoho

    DetroitCoho Member

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    Thanks for the replies

    Good advice, thank you. I'm not a fan of wood cored stringers; I'll be sure to bring my plastic hammer for sounding.

    I am 6'1" so thanks for the heads up (pun intended) on the headroom.

    I'm looking at the helm arrangement-which I like for the reasons you mentioned-but are the gear levers on the outboard side? Seems like those should be the throttles.

    The boat is in Huron, Ohio. Any suggestions on Hatteras people out that way?
  5. captaintilt

    captaintilt Senior Member

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    Location:
    Great Lakes / Florida
    43' Hatteras

    DetroitCoho,

    Great to see that you've just joined, and welcome to YF, great to see another Great Lakes person on here. I'm actually from Huron and will be there this weekend.

    In terms of the Hatteras your mentioning, I would definitely be interested in it for you and your cruising / living arrangements. In terms of service in that part of the Lakes, you have MarineMax in Catawba, but I would suggest SonRise Marina over in Sandusky. They have a great facility and covered storage for a boat of that size, and are reasonable on rates. I would be willing to help you out as well if you need some advice on things, as I'm up there quite often nowadays.

    Good luck.
  6. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    As far as the headroom is concerned, You're not a real boater until you have a few scars atop your head.:D

    The gears are indeed on the right, and that's a good thing. If I have a figity kid sitting next to me at the helm I'd like to have those gear levers far out of his reach.
  7. dennismc

    dennismc Senior Member

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    43 dc

    I have a 43 dc down in Florida and the 3 biggest issues I have discovered since owner her are, very tight engine room space, window leaks at the frames and potential for soft deck core areas, the vessel condition re, hull and topsides etc is a lot dependent on previous owners attention to detail and maintenance, the price on the one you are looking at is, in my opinion, based on a Bristol condition, I would consider a price more in the 60's provided no major issues.
    Mechanical and structural surveys etc are of course mandatory along with sea trial. Good luck, the layout of these models was excellent for two couple cruising.
  8. RER

    RER Senior Member

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    Actually, being a 1980 model ...that boat may have foam core stringers.
  9. DetroitCoho

    DetroitCoho Member

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    thank you for all the responses

    Thanks everyone, good input here. I'll post how our visit went, possibly with pictures and questions
  10. captgene

    captgene New Member

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    Location:
    Palm Harbor Fl, Plantaion Key, Florida Keys
    Current Status?

    So did you ever buy this 43? Since I have been looking for one for about a year i'm interested in how this turned out for you. I have looked at several 43's on the Florida West Coast but have not found any worth close to there asking price. Very disappointing what has become of most of these older DCMY's. Still Looking!
  11. DetroitCoho

    DetroitCoho Member

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    HI, thanks for the reply. No, we did not do a deal on the Hatteras. We bought a 1968 Chris Craft Roamer Riviera (46'). I think the DC we looked at might still be for sale. She was located in Huron, Ohio. In fact, there are 2 nice 43's for sale in Huron.

    Good luck!
  12. captgene

    captgene New Member

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    Wow...must be a really nice Chris? Was there something that you saw that made you change your mind? Something I need to look out for that I may have missed? I do agree that fresh water boats are generally in much better condition than Florida saltwater boats. I may take your advice and look north if I don't find what i'm looking for down here. I'm in no rush, just trying to find that boat that someone really maintained properly. Congrats on your new Chris!
  13. stacysmom1970

    stacysmom1970 New Member

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    I just bought a 43 foot 1967 Hatteras twin cabin on Tablerock lake in Missouri. Did have some head issues and some electrical problems at first but we just love it. It is in amazing shape for its age, just had a survey done and it went great, he told us that we did very well and that the age of the boat did not reflect in its condition. It has never been in saltwater, so that was a huge draw to us. Pretty new to the bigger boat scene so pardon any crazy questions I might have.
  14. Belle

    Belle Member

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    Welcome aboard mom. I'm not a mom but love seeing another female hop in here. Too bad Hatteras deserted the under 60' market. Now when the 70 MY hits will they dump the 60 MY? Yeah they're bring back the smaller SF's but plenty of room for 40-60' MY's or Cruisers or even the old LRC's. I don't know anything about Table Rock so going to have to visit my googly friend.
  15. stacysmom1970

    stacysmom1970 New Member

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    Port of Kimberling, Kimberling city, MO.
    Thank you for the welcome. Table Rock is beautiful and such a great place to have a boat this size, before buying this the biggest thing I had ever been on was a pontoon boat. I love the room it has in it and on deck, since I have 9 kids and 9 grandkids. It will be amazing to make family memories on and enjoy alone as well. I am planning on staying on it most of the winter, and thinking about living on it, any advice about this would be greatly appreciated.
    Y'all have a great day
  16. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Don't invite all those kids or grandkids on the same weekend, and check the weather report to make sure it'll be sunny when they do come.:) Also keep a couple of space heaters on board. Search the threads here about living aboard and variations of that theme. A lot has been written here about it from newbies and veterans. Keep in mind that what looks like a lot of space today will look like a lunch box in a year. So think minimalist lifestyle.
  17. NEO56

    NEO56 Member

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    Hi stacysmom, Welcome to YF, NYCAP123 is exactly right, you put 20 people (regardless of their size) on a 43 foot boat, and you'll have to tie a floating barge to the stern just to break out the grill. I don't know how old the grandchildren are, but anyone under the age of 12 needs to have a pfd (personal floatation device) on at all times. It's really easy to fall off a boat like that, especially when the decks get wet from people coming aboard after a swim. I hope you have thousands of hours of enjoyment aboard your new boat (well, new to you). I would dare say with that many children and grandkids...one of these days you'll utter those famous words from Jaws..."We're gonna need a bigger boat!"
    Bob Page likes this.
  18. stacysmom1970

    stacysmom1970 New Member

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    Thank you all so much for the advise, I've learned that I will never get too much feedback or advise. No way are they all coming at once, I did buy it to retire and take it easy. Yes I am well equipped with many pdf's, plus I tied a tether to the younger ones so they can only go to the edge and not overboard. It has been a wonderful learning experience, many ups and downs and y'all are right it does feel a little like a lunchbox after living onboard for 7 months now. Storage is a huge issue, especially in the galley since I love to cook I am always looking for new ways to store things. Hope y'all have a great summer and again any advise is greatly appreciated. Yes it is sad that Hatteras dumped the smaller market, there are so many things I need that I just can't find so I improvise, overcome, and adapt.
    Last edited: May 17, 2015
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  19. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Think New York City. Space there is extremely limited and expensive. Most one bedroom apartments well under 600 sq ft. A lot of studio apartments. Even two bedrooms in the 800 sq ft range. Why do I bring this up. Because everything we have where we have more space is readily available in some fashion there to fit the smaller place. You love to cook and need space, well look for nesting items. Look to use every inch of space so maybe pull out shelves for the under cabinets. Look at items that might serve multiple purposes. Same thing for your refrigerator and freezer.

    All this is before even tackling other areas of the boat. For instance a lot of hangers for multiple items where one hanger hangs from the top and another from it, etc. All for tight closet space. Vacuum seal bags for blankets or quilts you don't use often but really need sometimes. Learn to think spacewise. I'll give you one example of my clothing. I have an incredible ski jacket that's good in any temperature and is the typical puffy jacket. But I also have a Nike jacket that is incredibly warm although very thin. I love it because of that but in closet space it takes up a third of the space.

    You'll figure it all out.
    Bob Page likes this.
  20. stacysmom1970

    stacysmom1970 New Member

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    Thank you, very helpful, much appreciated..:)