Tired of kissing frogs?
Chances are, you’ve been shopping for much less boat than you can actually afford to own. I say this because I’ve owned 14 boats in my lifetime and I regularly scout the ads. Lots of junk out there that is within striking distance of the price of this beauty. There are a couple of constants on large boats under 100K….most are junk and most have been bastardized by some backyard mechanics in their lifetime. I have come to know the older classics pretty well, as I do most of my own work and have literally rebuilt many of them from stem to stern.
Once you know something about sportfishing boats, you’ll find that the very best brands can be counted on one hand. Then you’ll find out that even those boats had better and worse models for one reason or another. Finally, when you sift through all the data, you’ll probably find the 52 Hatteras sitting right at the top. It is considered one of the best sportfishing platforms ever built.
My 1985, Hatteras 52 Sportfish is about as nice an example of an unmolested classic Hatteras as you’ll find. She’s clean, sweet smelling, dry, neatly (and originally) wired, well maintained and just beautiful. This is the preferred, Galley-up, three stateroom model and is big enough to be your comfortable weekend or even full-time home. There have been many recent and expensive upgrades (25K last year), so most of what you might fear as an expense has been recently done. THIS IS NO FUNKY OLD, DIRTY SPORTFISH, WITH ONLY THE GOOD PICTURES TAKEN! How many times have you gone to look at a boat whose pictures looked nice, only to find some dirty old hag?
If I don’t stop, I’ll write a book here, so I’ll state a few things you might like to know, which should assure a pleasant purchase. These are just some individual items. But first things first…..when you buy a Hatteras, especially from some of their best years, you’re getting a small ship.
*Brand New In October 2017 Full StataGlass enclosure (Extra Heavy .60 mil.) Never even touched by fingers yet.
*Dedicated Air Conditioning Unit for bridge. New within last 8 years or so. Looks like new
*5-A/C units in all….one for each room on the boat! Perfect, individual control. All work properly!
*Brand new Bottom Job last year…..soda blasted, faired and prepared with Pettit barrier coat
*Brand new Turbos….all four….three years ago.
*Brand new Port side battery bank last year. Starboard side done the year before.
Stainless steel plow anchor with chain/rode and an anchor swivel.
Bow rails have been removed and replaced with welded aluminum
Mounted TV in every room.
Somewhat recent paint (maybe 10 years)….she shines and looks nice.
Equipped with an offshore Givens liferaft (untested)
Perfect cushions on the bridge…not some old torn crap.
High-end helm and passenger seats…not the cheap stuff. Fighting chair style...Scopinich
Hardtop with overhead console.
Electronics mixed….newer and old. 96 mile super-bird Furuno Radar with a complete spare head unit
Dual VHF units in overhead to monitor two channels at once.
Outriggers in great shape….not pitted and oxidized like some boats from down south.
Super large 155 Square foot cockpit with removable shade made last year. Can seat 8-10 deck chairs.
Full galley with JennAir down draft cooktop and combination microwave/oven. Older, but nice
Salon ice-maker
Speakers in every room with volume controls.
Sound bar for Salon TV
Cockpit and Bridge sound system with Bluetooth to your mobile device or iPod.
Two heads, both with showers and VacuFlush system
Engine room access from the cockpit. No moving furniture and dirtying rugs.
8-92 Twin Turbo, 685 HP Detroit diesels…about 1400 hours shown on guages
20KW Onan Generator in sound enclosure…..not a rust bucket
Cockpit freezer and sink. Freezer is quite big for holding lots of ice or bait.
Oil change system
Priming pumps for engines
Block heaters
Gobs of spares.
Recent bottom cleaning and all new zincs.
I’m sure there is more that can be added to the list. She is just a nice clean boat and I literally pick-up lint when I walk through and see it on the floor. To some shoppers, this boat will look dated….I like it that way! I want to know a boats history from its original condition, not a past that is hidden under a a layer of paint and putty. Even the helm still has its older Warn guages in perfect condition. I like them! In fact…everything works on this classic. Push a button, flick a switch….everything just works. Step into the salon after she's been sitting for a month and she just smells clean....no mold, no must and no water damage. Bilges are usually dry.
I’m asking 139K for this beauty of a Hatteras. That’s in line with others up and down the East coast. I am confident that this is a nicer boat than most, if not all of them, as I’ve looked at a bunch. I have decided to move considerably down in size as my family has grown and my wife and I don’t need this much boat. REASONABLE offers will be considered. More weight and consideration will be given to offers that result in a quick, easy sale. I absolutely love this boat and selling it will not be fun at all. It is truly the best boat I have ever owned and anything I move down to, will certainly be humbling.
I probably have a hundred pictures of every angle of this boat. I will make them available in a hosted site or right here…whichever is easier.
Now for the difficult words (and I hate to go down this road, but necessary):
Please don’t engage me thinking that you will steal this boat! I’m not even certain about selling it. There are plenty of cheap boats out there that are dying for a new home. Please do however, come to me with sincere interest and know ahead of time what you are looking for. If you contact me on this boat, please be sure that you are ready to buy something like this...you understand what you are looking for...and you can come-up with the money. I have done this many times and will quickly disengage from “tire kickers”. If you come to look at my boat, there will be no sea trial without a binding contract in hand with clear stipulations. Please understand if you have to wait for an appointment...I am not near the boat. I have chosen to do this without a broker, because I feel that I am able, so please don’t test me. Finally, I absolutely reserve the right and privilege to refuse sale or refuse to enter into an agreement with anyone for any reason. Outside of those disclaimers, you will find me to be cordial and knowledgeable with a genuine interest in making an honest and friendly deal.