Here I go again... back to a Hatteras w 892s

I know some out there will read this and say...this guy is all over the place! I have been looking for a while at boats with a limited budget. Looked at many types but have always come back to SFs. My six year old knows what they are and loves the room to spread out and have a cockpit to play around. We were looking at early to mid 80s 50 to 55 ft Hats and Bertrams mostly with 1271s as recommended vs the 1292 motors. Many recommended going newer smaller due to projected cost to own,

We started looking seriously at 35 to 38 Cabos and Pursuits but the reality is express style smaller SFs do not appeal to my wife or daughter much at all the minute they step foot on a convertible. I feel the same way the minute I go down below..

I looked hard at a 03 Pursuit which was being sold by the previous 3 owners to buy a convertible with more accomodations. Exactly my thought which prompted me to start looking at 40 to 50 ft convertibles again. Found a Riviera 1999 43 with 3126 mechanical Cats ( not Bs ) close to home with an ask of $ 319K. We were interested initially but the minute I started looking into where the pricing should be on these boats on YW, a listing for a 1997 Hatteras 50 popped up and I began to feel again the reason we were pursuing pedigree boats before. The Riviera does not bring that feeling to me.

I contacted the broker re the Hat and the boat fits what we REALLY want to buy....A Hatteras...not and old one but a later year one ( albeit w 8 92s ). The price is about $100,000 cheaper than a 2 year old newer/smaller Riviera with mechanical Cat 3126s. Yes, its in Fla which is OK as Yachtpath brings boats here regularly. The boat appears to be a stand tall boat and for the price, I am willing to come out and see it. It is equipped well and has our lay out/color . My wife knew something was wrong when I looked at the Riviera. It was a bit vanilla for a Riviera but all the pieces were there. It simply is not a Hatteras....

A boat needs to fill a need down deep in the gut I believe. There is simply something about walking aboard a high quality American production boat vs a good quality Australian boat. I know the Rivieras work and are accepted for the most part but...........They are not a Hatteras, Bertram, or Viking. I know there are others but remember we have a limited budget so many dont fit the program we need to follow.

I can afford to buy the Hatteras, bring it out here, rebuild an engine or two, and enjoy it for far less than the Riviera and I,m sorry, when I,m out there en route to Catalina or ???, I will know I have a serious platform under me. Not that the Riviera wont do the job safely as I,m confident they are built certainly well enough, but IMHO, they simply are not in the same league.

I wanted to post this as I know there will be opinions as to what others have about this decision and as always, I am interested.

I really want to stay with a 50 ft max and newer. Not sure if this boat indeed has 1292s as represented as I know 1271s we optional

Results of trip to S Fla looking for SF

Looked at quite a few boats and here are a few I am thinking about. Thoughts?

2000 Cabo 45 with Man 800s ( 10 hrs smoh and 1000 hrs smoh ) tower, 4 VEI monitors, big Furuno radar, needs cosmetics,gel coat touch ups, cushions redone, a 7 with about 4000 hull hours I believe, 7200 hrs on genny @
$ 210K maybe. Listed with Adventure in Ft Laud.

Ditto boat ( less electronics ) with National Liquidators 1900 hrs reputed to have some electrical issues most likely caused by lightning @ $220K maybe

1994 54 Hatteras SF with 1900 hrs. One of the 1292s being completely rebuilt by RPM ( paid by insurance ) and will be warranted for 12 months. 2 gens, Told boat had some damage from hurricane 5 years ago ( 150K ), repainted, never sunk but was a bit beat up, davit,actually a nice boat. told it burns 100 gallons/hr at 20kts.....is this realistic? $ 200K

1998 Hatteras 50 with 3700hrs on MTU 1150 hp v 12s. Needs some cosmetics ( some paint mostly from rubrail up would remedy most of problems ) but otherwise a fairly clean boat @ $ 180K to $200K

Pursuit 2003 38 w tower and 1500hr 3126Bs, nice boat ( 8 1/2 ) @ $195K

Actually leaning toward 50 Hat with the MTUs if we can get it for the $180K as the boat actually stood fairly tall albeit with the hours listed. I know the MTUs are more expensive to repair and harder to get parts for but if the engines survey well, thoughts on this package for resale ability in 5 years? Boat does need some paint from rubrail up from sitting.