how old is too old for a boat

[DucknFish]

I am looking at buying a large Hatteras and thought i would see what the opinions are on how old is to old. I don't have any issues with doing the interior over in a mechanically sound boat nor minor repairs. What i have questions about is more on the hull and superstructure side.

Thanks in advance

 

[seabob4]

Re: how old is too old for a boat

They built them better back then as opposed to the way they build them now! Looking at a '65 34' Hatt myself, repowered with 454s...sweet boat...

 

[sasto]

Re: how old is too old for a boat

A Hatt is a Hatt, add a couple Cats. 2 Cats in a Hatt. Whats better than that?......just the same with the 454's

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: how old is too old for a boat

They are great boats, just make sure that you check for dry rot, otherwise this will eat you alive.

 

[E_S_A_D]

Re: how old is too old for a boat

I worked at a harbor for 5 years. Hatteras is a Cadillac, or better of boats as you know. Have an experienced boater go over the boat with you. Check for ANY rot, hull damage, etc. Working at the harbor I've seen better built boats that are 80 years old than 2008s.

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: how old is too old for a boat

As others have said, as long as no siginificant rot delamination or stringer damage, the superstructure is wonderful. The catch is that everything else will be questionable, and things get expensive quick.

Sure throw a couple cats in the back. Oh you mean the diesels, not the pets? price a new or reman diesel. And electronics. And plumbing. etc.

You get my drift, I have friends with 30 year old cabin cruisers, and it is always something. Miles of wiring. Countless hoses and pipes. Lots of electric pumps. All little clocks ticking to break. My opinion.....albeit pessimistic.

 

[mpsyamaha]

Re: how old is too old for a boat

i see what you are saying, but ive seen 10 year old boats that constantly have things going wrong. when you have a good sized boat with lots and lots of individual systems even 10 years is old enough. The guys who really have it good are the ones that can afford to pay someone else to keep everything working.

 

[QC]

Re: how old is too old for a boat

Hatties, Berties and Eggies . . .

 

[Fisherball]

Re: how old is too old for a boat

Are you asking about the age of the boat or the boater?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: how old is too old for a boat

B.O.A.T. Break out another thousand.

Things will constantly go wrong. All are expensive to fix. the bigger the boat, the more to fix.

But what are you going to do, stay home? old houses are just as bad.

 

[phwrd]

Re: how old is too old for a boat

I figure as long as you can get in it, start it up and point in the right direction, you are young enough?

 

[zip34788]

Re: how old is too old for a boat

It has often been said that age is but a number. Unfortunately a lot of insurance companies look at the age as determination in the premium. Before you sign on the dotted line and purchase any boat make sure it is insurable.

 

[180shabah]

Re: how old is too old for a boat

Age concerns me less than condition?

Have it surveyed.

 

[Beefer]

Re: how old is too old for a boat

Age concerns me less than condition?

Have it surveyed.

I was expecting this comment to have been the very first reply to your post. Without a doubt, have a professional marine surveyor take a look at it. He *should* be able to tell you almost everything that's failing or close to failing on the boat, and he will give you documentation that you can then use to negotiate a better price with the seller. I can almost guarantee that your negotiate savings will pay for his fees.

 

[SeanT]

Re: how old is too old for a boat

A survey could be a requirement for insurance as well. I've seen some companies require it on boats older than 15 years.

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: how old is too old for a boat

Even if it's not required by the insurance company, the survey can help reduce the premium if the results are all positive. Most importantly, it can tell you exactly what's wrong with the boat.

I paid for the survey before I bought the boat. People thought I was nuts, but I figured it was less than 1% of the asking price and worth every penny to know what I was buying before I cut a very large check.

The survey paid for itself and then some when it found several issues that knocked nearly $10,000 off the sale price.

As for things going wrong ... if you're going to own anything but a new boat that's under warranty, expect things to go wrong. And expect to learn to fix it or pay someone to fix it.

The systems on large cruisers are fairly straightforward. A well-designed boat will provide for maintenance and servicing. It may take some creative bending of the human body to reach the part of the system you need to service, but you can theoretically get there.

 

[DucknFish]

Re: how old is too old for a boat

I have owed boats in the past and i am acustomed to the B.O.A.T. Fact. I plan to have a survey done as well. I will have all but 1 of my kids out of the house in the next few years and the wife and I want to get back to having a large boat to spend time on. I have been looking for sometime and see a lot of 30+ Hatt's that seem to be in good mechanical condition, the hull's age is what i really have questions about. Thanks for you input.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: how old is too old for a boat

Half the boats docked around me are vintage late 60s to mid 70s boats. Chris Crafts, Hatteras, Luhrs, etc... All of them appear to be floating, and their owners enjoy them almost everytime I'm out on my boat.

I would give an old Hatt a chance!

 

[seabob4]

Re: how old is too old for a boat

A survey is the key. The big issues will be stringer condition, and the framing around the superstructure where the windows are installed...lots of wood behind the scenes, and lots of points of ingress for water...