looking at boats

Things you need to decide on prior to your search which will assist in your selection:
- Size of boat, length and number of cabins.
- Purpose of boat, long or short trips, fishing, pleasure,....etc.
- Speed of boat.
- Your budget.
- Expected monthly costs.
- Crew or no crew.

If the Selene is in your budget go for it. The reason people buy those great old Hatt LRCs is that they usually can not afford the newer boats. With a newer boat you can plan your cruises and expect to get back home, with a 35year old boat you will plan your refits and repairs and wonder what will break down next.
However if your budget is for the older boat and you are ready for sweat equity and enjoy "messing about with boats" then the Hatteras could work. A lot of boat owners enjoy spending the weekend on the boat without even leaving the dock. They tinker and upgrade and enjoy that part of boating.

I mostly agree with Tucker's comments and "messing about" being a certainty.

But, most of these LRCs were/are owned by folks who did the necessaries.
Rebuilt mains & genset (if needed) will take you a long ways sans worry.
A blister job on the bottom somewhere in the boat's past is very likely.

It's the systems that'll kill you--toilets, pumps, A/C--but that 35-year old wiring and plumbing (good ol' copper) will continue soldiering on.
Oh, and soft spots in the balsa cored decks.

Either find an older broker who knows the LRC models and can quickly point out new vs. old stuff onboard and knows the right questions to ask, or pay a surveyor a few bucks to give you a sense of whether or not you are looking at a woofer.

+1, Pascal.

I have 2 questions which might push one of these in more of the appeal category:
1. Height: the Hatteras lrcs have significant head room for the tall fellers.
2. Age: the Hatt lrc's might make a cruiser on the young side feel like he's in grandpa's boat.

Hatt: Thorough survey will give you an idea of which of the systems and various parts and pumps will need replacing; surveyor will be looking at the tabbing, cracks, and issues that might relate to wear and tear from decades of use. Solid boats obviously holding their own. Pick a good one.

Selene: Good builds that have come a long way and will have resale appeal.

Judy

They're both good boats depending on what you're looking for. If you're halfway mechanically adept, I wouldn't worry about the age of the Hatt. Most systems are relatively simple and I would just replace items such as a/c, toilets, as they need it. etc However the galley maid toilets are near bulletproof and can be rebuilt fairly easily. Price is another concern and figure in how that accounts towards your decision......... I think I'd rather have Awlgrip over gelcoat. Awlgrip you'll get almost 12 good years out of it, and it only requires washing it with the awlgrip soap. Gelcoat you're waxing every 4-6 months and when you figure the costs and time, it's cheaper to just paint IMO........

General comment. I use the same logic with buying cars because only buy certain brands. Buy the newest condition wise and best that you can afford. Say I have $15,000 to spend on a Porsche 911. Can get a mint above average 1981 911SC targa with full maintenance up to date, low miles on it as well, near showroom. Or could get a tired high mile latter model for the same money with no service, looks tired, etcetera. Newer in this case would be a headache. So its better to get the mint older model. Rather lose HP over cash!!!!! Boats are kind of the same thing. Buy the best you can afford condition wise. A lot of times you can get more going older vs the same priced newer. In fact the latter usually costs more to get it in the condition of a well cared for priced less older model.

Resale. The older Hat has pretty much bottomed out. It's condition and updates bring the price up. The Seline (a good boat) still has a ways to fall. So I'd be looking to the Hat if I expected to sell it within the next 3-5 years. I'd go for the Seline if I were looking for a more long term boat.

Yes ... not hard to spend $250k on an older boat and end up having spent over $500k once you get it the way you want.

It's also not hard to buy a newer 50 foot boat and end up doing $100k worth of engine work when you thought it would be relatively low maintenance in exchange for the much higher purchase price. Surprise!

So ... pick your poison. Either one can bring you great joy and make your wallet hurt badly.