1965 Hatteras 34' restoration

[Nabstar]

Hi all. About two years ago I finished the restoration of a '67 Larson 18' All American. As always, it took longer than expected and required more money than originally estimated, however, the boat is absolutely stunning. Owning a small wood & metal shop allowed me to really improve the interior seating and helm using walnut and install beautiful flooring. Initially my wife told me not to expect that we'd be on the boat every weekend ...... but as it turns out, she (and my two kids) ask if we can take the boat out nearly every weekend. Essentially, we've enjoyed the boat so much that we've begun looking for a larger boat that we can spend time/weekends in a slip or on the hook.

Initially I was looking at late 60's Tollycrafts (about 28') but know that they've got the pli-core hull, like many boats of that era, which can present problems at this old age ..... and that's when I ran across a '65 Hatteras 34. Beautiful lines, all fiberglass, sea worthy ,,, but absolutely gutted. This boat has no flooring, no engines, needs windows and needs almost everything else. The only thing remaining is the v-berth and the helm. I've always been a fan of vintage boats & automobiles. I know that they need A LOT of work and that, quite often, the cost to restore is greater than buying one in moderate condition, I've heard people suggest that purchasing one in moderate condition will get me on the water faster while I continue to tweak the boat but I think I prefer a blank canvas even if cost, time & overall stress is greater ..... and new diesels ain't cheap.

My question is whether the Hatteras is worthy of a full restoration. Will this boat hold up at sea? Is the resale value of these boats respectable .... not that I plan on selling it. Just wanted to get the thoughts & reactions to my next (much larger) project from those with more experience than myself.

Have a good day.

 

[H20Rat]

Do you (and the family) really have the patience to wait 2+ years for that project to be completed? I think the expense required to get that boat back on the water is no where close to worth it... Think of all the custom and semi-custom pieces that used to be inside.

 

[JoLin]

Forget about resale value. It isn't there. You'll never get anywhere near what it'll cost you to restore it. If you want a really big, expensive project, go for it, but do it because it's what you want to do.

 

[Challenger84]

Looks like an awesome boat once restored...
As forthe value... it's only worth what someones willing to pay for it..
I really like the look of the hull...
I've seen that boat on the CL in my area..
If you do deside to take on this project i'd definetly be interested in folowing the progress.
Good luck!

 

[roffey]

I thought a Hatteras was the top of the line boat, bar none. I know you will never get your money back on a restored boat, but a Hatteras is worth it. Just my 2 cents.

 

[redneck joe]

do it





do it









do it.....





Will be awesome and yes a Hatt will hold up to whatever you want to put her to. You won't get money back but one can't buy time spent 'boating', on the hard or on the water. Consider you may be spending a few less weekends on the little boat to work on this one. Are the kids old enough to make it a family project? Not sure if they helped on the little one but even running a tool to you, washing up, cleaning up dropped plywood cuts, etc can really speed things up. Are the stringers needing replaced?


Beautiful lines on her.

 

[mr 88]

I would be looking for a Bertram 31 SF if I wanted to recoup my money after I was done restoring and using it. The market place isn't there for a cruiser/Hatteras of that vintage.Someone looking for something in that size range is probably going to want all the bells and whistles and a more modern look. A fishing hull designed by Ray Hunt is a different story,they fetch big bucks no matter the age.Fishermen don't care about A/C,Vacuum cleaner system,lighted led walkways and all the other crap that goes into some cruisers,but mention a Bert 31 and you have them hooked.

 

[mr 88]

My question is whether the Hatteras is worthy of a full restoration. Will this boat hold up at sea? Is the resale value of these boats respectable .... not that I plan on selling it. Just wanted to get the thoughts & reactions to my next (much larger) project from those with more experience than myself.

Have a good day.[/QUOTE]
If you have very very deep pockets and a lot of time the Hatteras is worthy of a full restoration [ vs 99% of other cruisers of that year] Safety glass will have to be custom made and that will be big bucks all by itself.......... Yes this boat will hang with the big boys at sea.......... No the resale of that boat will not be respectable....... I would guess after your finished you might get 7-10g depending on power you put in her,basically you will lose your *** after putting 25G or more into it .You have storage fee's,canvas,interior vinyl,cushions,controls,fuel tanks,plumbing,sinks,head,shower,holding tanks,gas hoses and vents,blowers,electrical panels,gauges,windshield wipers,all the lighting,interior and exterior,depth finders,radar,gps and a ton of other incidentals that all take time to install and endless money to buy along with all the other things that keep popping up on a projct of this magnitude.

 

[Ned L]

A vintage Hatteras would be one of the best choices out there (yes,... Bertram too).

 

[eddie haskell]

Berts and Hats are respected names with history, and following. However, isn't it a moot point about resale value as you state you'd never sale it.....
So, go with what tickles your fancy, as love (for it) will keep you sanding when you'd rather just slap a coat on and take it out for a spin.

If you are not stuck on a convertible/sportfisher, and want some more living/entertaining space, you might look at an old glass Grand Banks, or even older, a woody. They have good bones and pedigree too. The 32 footer can be had very reasonable.
Here is a picture of one for $16,000 in Michigan.

 

[redneck joe]

Grand Banks sure are pretty

 

[Nabstar]

So true. Resale value is a moot point if I never plan to sell it. Having restored an 18' boat, I'm leap-frogging the next logical step (27'-28') and going directly to the size boat I consider my stopping point. I've always been a fan of the down-east style boats (think Hunt, True North, Hinckley). What I keep coming back to is the notion that if I wait for the day when I could afford one of these boats at 35', then the day after it's purchased, the value begins depreciating, whereas a restored boat only increases in value ..... yet not to the level of money spent. I do understand that. And some of the cost for this resto is my time and my elbow grease, which I give freely. The beauty of a restoration, from the stringers up, is that you know it's ALL done right. And if the hull design & it's construction are worthy of said restoration, then I know I'm putting my time to a project that can be trusted at sea. That will hold up.

And yet, with all that said, it's a project needing significant time, money and patience ...... it it's enormity scares me a bit. But if I can afford my vision, then selling it will be the last thing on my mind.

 

[Ned L]

I hear what you are saying and am doing something very similar. I am in the middle of a major rebuild of a 1957 33ft lapstrake Jersey sea skiff. My reasoning is both because of the financial ability to do it this way, and because there are so few surviving examples left, it was pretty much this one or none.

 

[Nabstar]

I love your attitude. Keep hope (and boats) alive. Good luck on your resto.

 

[airdvr1227]

I think that boat has beautiful lines and is deserving of some TLC. Go for it. You'll probably have the only one.

 

[SDSeville]

I thought a Hatteras was the top of the line boat, bar none. I know you will never get your money back on a restored boat, but a Hatteras is worth it. Just my 2 cents.

+1. Buy that thing and let's get over to the restoration forum!