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Opinion on older Hatteras Motor Yachts

Discussion in 'General Trawler Discussion' started by Gary Fisher, Sep 20, 2026 at 11:28 AM.

  1. Gary Fisher, Sep 20, 2026 at 11:28 AM
    #1
    Gary Fisher

    Gary Fisher New Member

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    I am looking for a motor yacht to do the Great American Loop. Minimum of 3 staterooms. I have been looking at older Hatteras Motor Yachts. An opinion?
  2. Capt Ralph, Sep 20, 2026 at 12:22 PM
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    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I remember the old H53s had a collapsible mast.
    This with fold-down canvass and lay-down antennas should get you under the low bridges.
  3. Pascal, Sep 20, 2026 at 3:34 PM
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    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Very well build but like any other boat it all depends on how they were maintained and upgraded. Some have been butchered with poor electric modification or questionable ikea style interior remodel.

    + fiberglass fuel tanks, will last forever. Hulls are bulletproof. Plumbing was quality solid copper not cheap plastic.

    - : unless repowered the Detroit are getting close to
    Being obsolete Hulls are solid glass but decks were balsa cored, chances are someone drilled holes they shoudl have and they can rot. Repairable though. Typically heavy and a little underpowered, usually best operated at hull speed although they can get on plane especially if repowered.

    i ve owned my 1970 53MY for almost 25 years, repowered 8 years ago with Cummins.

    there were a number of variants incl with or without cockpits, with walk around side decks or extended house, classic 15’10” beam or wide beam.
    FlyingGolfer likes this.
  4. ranger58sb, Sep 21, 2026 at 8:10 AM
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    ranger58sb

    ranger58sb Senior member

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    No personal experience, but they have a great rep... and boatloads of models/layouts to choose from. And support from Sam's Marine (or some such) is said to be very good.

    One reason we have no direct experience is that most of the older models we would normally be drawn to (because of layout) are also the models with 2-stroke DDs for power... and a combination of 12/24/32VDC electrical systems... and ladders to the bridge (instead of stairs)... and cost (versus our budget). None of those individually would maybe put me off, but the combo gets a bit much.

    And then what Pascal said: previous maintenance would be critical and maybe potential upgrades (both what and how) would be a thing too.

    -Chris
  5. Capt J, Sep 21, 2026 at 10:50 AM
    #5
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    The older Hatteras MY's were built very well, as Pascal eluded to. Fiberglass fuel, waste and water tanks, copper freshwater plumbing, good electrical etc. The split engine rooms, while easy to get around in, lead to getting smells throughout the boat, exhaust smells, leaked oil smells etc., the bilges travel through the entire boat so need to keep them clean. The decks were Balsa cored and rarely, but I have seen it some water intrusion and an issue on a boat here or there.

    They boats had a lot of room for their length, are a very good head sea boat. They are very tall with a lot of weight above the water line and tend to roll in a beam sea. They're also very thirsty if you push them at cruise speeds, but very efficient at hull speeds. The 2 cycle Detroits are more efficient at hull speeds than newer 4 cycle engines, but every 4-6 hours they need to be run at cruise for 20-30 minutes to clean them out. The onan generators most were equipped with, are impossible to get parts for and need to be replaced.

    The detroits are really past their day, parts are getting hard to come by and mechanics that know how to work on them even harder to come by.

    They're good boats, but need to know what you'll be dealing with.