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Hatteras GT-54 Sportfish or Viking?

Discussion in 'General Sportfish Discussion' started by Liberty, Nov 18, 2011.

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  1. Capt J, Dec 8, 2011
    #61
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    One of the newish 72' MY's.
  2. Capt'n Crunch, Dec 8, 2011
    #62
    Capt'n Crunch

    Capt'n Crunch New Member

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    Are you sure it was a Twin Disc Express Joystick System that you ran in a Hatteras 72 MY? You're saying you ran a jumpy joystick that was hard to control and since we have not installed an EJS in a Hatteras yet, I suspect it was either a different brand of joystick in the Hatteras or a different boat with the EJS.
    Steve
  3. Capt J, Dec 9, 2011
    #63
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    It possibly might've been the ZF system. I'm not sure.
  4. Liberty, Aug 22, 2012
    #64
    Liberty

    Liberty Senior Member

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    So ... yes it was a very, very long wait.

    Coming out of the paint shop soon, then soft furnishing and electronics ... Hatteras were great during the build. V impressed so far.

    Did I mention it was a long wait?

    34 more sleeps. :)

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  5. 84far, Aug 22, 2012
    #65
    84far

    84far Senior Member

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    So, still waiting ;)?

    How were you getting the boat back to Oz...? I'm guessing by ship to a port along the east coast? She's a little big for air express.

    Far
  6. 84far, Aug 22, 2012
    #66
    84far

    84far Senior Member

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    Also, are you getting some timber work on the transom? Cheers

    Far

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  7. Liberty, Aug 22, 2012
    #67
    Liberty

    Liberty Senior Member

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    Ah ... now that's not nice Far! No, there is no transom timber work. I am allergic to outside timber these days. There is no "Trust" to have "Fun" with.

    I will be on-board for the 4 day(ish) shake-out run from North Carolina to Florida. Then she's loaded onto a cargo ship for the transit. Should be here in November.

    I guess all good things are worth waiting for ...
  8. 84far, Aug 22, 2012
    #68
    84far

    84far Senior Member

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    Sorry, I couldn't help myself, I saw the pic the other day of the Hatt, thought you may like it, didn't mean to get the itch going again.

    If you need a free decky to help get her back to the docks in November, I'd be more than happy to help... I guess Kafue is at the front of that line though:D? Cheers

    Far
  9. Liberty, Aug 22, 2012
    #69
    Liberty

    Liberty Senior Member

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    Happy to have you guys on board!
  10. Kafue, Aug 22, 2012
    #70
    Kafue

    Kafue Senior Member

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    Liberty,
    After spending hours and hours on a heat gun, removing the old varnish, then more hours sanding, then varnishing.......mate, forget it! Less is better, so I agree on not using too much teak. The bead of teak on the brow makes a big difference though.
    Your boat looks great, what an exciting way to buy a boat.
    I hope to see you at Tangalooma or the surrounds and Far as well.
    Cheers
    George
  11. Capt J, Aug 22, 2012
    #71
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Are you the guy that did back to back seatrials on a 54', a 60' GT, and a 63 EB right after the Miami Boat Show with the Australian dealer on board (Graham)? If so, I was the Captain of the 60' GT.

    You're going to really like the ride on the 54'. It runs like a raped ape into a 6' head sea and you can run right at cruise. They're a very good running and fun boat.
  12. Liberty, Aug 22, 2012
    #72
    Liberty

    Liberty Senior Member

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    No, I ran on the GT54 a few weeks after the show, with Karl Kemperin, VP of Hatteras. I never ran on the 60 or 63, I make a policy of not riding on boats outside my price bracket ... :D

    Yes, the Australian dealer is Graham McCoy and he is involved.

    I have to say that I was very impressed with the 54 ride.

    33 more sleeps ...
  13. 84far, Aug 24, 2012
    #73
    84far

    84far Senior Member

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    Actually speaking of I should be over at Tangalooma mid next month to drop the centre console off, and back over towards the end of Oct. I would have to say I love the run over from RQ. Sunset above Tangalooma with a few sundowners is something special as well (pic)!

    Also, Kafue, your avatar pic was taking along Moreton somewhere... Lucinda Bay yeah...?

    Liberty, great thread by the way, I took the time and read the whole thing, some great comments in there! Cheers

    Far

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  14. Kafue, Aug 24, 2012
    #74
    Kafue

    Kafue Senior Member

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    Hi Far,
    The avatar image is taken just off the beach behind the wrecks at Tangalooma. Our favourite spot when the wind is from the NE,E SE. As you and Liberty would know, it is a bad place to be in a Westerly and there have been a few times I had to get out at night, not to save the boat, but to keep the family happy.
    I hope to be there regularly later this year, do some diving and fishing. Look forward to having you both on board for a cold one!
    Cheers,
    Kafue
  15. Kafue, Aug 24, 2012
    #75
    Kafue

    Kafue Senior Member

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    This transom looks too good to be real teak. I think it is a vinyl application. Maybe an option?
    Wonder how it would stand up to marlin bills and lures?
  16. 84far, Aug 26, 2012
    #76
    84far

    84far Senior Member

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    Really, I was only a few N/M's south Kafue :rolleyes:. Totally agree about Tangalooma gets the rolls at night. I don't know about Liberty, but I've only stayed there maybe 2/3 nights there max in my life, but I think that might of been that dad always had a Moreton Bay cruiser (slow/to far away).

    In regards to the transom, maybe if Bill's in the shadows, he might be able to shine some light on the material on the transom. Personally, I thought it was a timber veneer, vinyl too I guess.

    Liberty, just out of curiosity, why did you choose an American boat and not an Australian built boat, like Riviera or Maritimo...? I guess what could they offer that the Australian boats couldn't, performance, quality...?

    Kafue, drinks on your boat anytime mate. Cheers

    Far
  17. Capt J, Aug 26, 2012
    #77
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    The American boats offer a good deal better of both performance and quality over the Australian boats you mentioned as well as more of a purpose built sportfish. The Maritimo's and Riviera's have focused more on ammenities for the cruising and occassionally sportfishing crowd. The transom should be real wood.
  18. Kafue, Aug 27, 2012
    #78
    Kafue

    Kafue Senior Member

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    No problem, Far, there is always a cold one there when you are. BTW, did you once mention Bali Hai was owned by your family? I see she is in Brisbane for a major refit. Beautiful boat!
  19. Liberty, Aug 27, 2012
    #79
    Liberty

    Liberty Senior Member

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    Yeah Tangas rolls at night. I've probably overnighted there a dozen times. The problem is the current is so strong it pulls the boat sideways to the bay swell, wind direction and/or wake from the cargo ships. They're not big but it can be an uncomfortable night. Moreton sandhills is a much more sheltered anchorage.

    I own a Riviera 43 Offshore Express now. It has done a great job for what we wanted (smallest fishing Express you could shoehorn in two families overnight). We caught fish (runner-up Gameboat of the Year for Redcliffe) and for a 43, we have slept 9 aboard. Riv do give great service (particularly seeing as our dealership backs onto the factory itself).

    The problem is that Riv's strategic direction for the new 50+ range is more gin palace and less offshore fishing boat. Same applies to Maritimo. Flat bottom, under-gunwale glass in the hull, large internal volume, blunt nose, high aspect ratio (particularly the enclosed bridge versions). Some of their choice of cabinetry corners are frankly confronting. I can't see how you can go to sea and not come home bruised.

    And interestingly as a Manufacturer myself (I own 4 factories) and having visited the Riv/Hatt/Viking factories, I can state that Riv is actually the most competent in the art of manufacturing. Hatteras and Viking on the other hand are most definitely better at the art of boatbuilding. Riv uses a more systems approach, the other two a more artisan approach. One relies more on methods, the other on individual people. The problem is that seeing as boat volumes in general are so small (10's or maybe 100's but not 100,000's), I believe the artisan approach is better.

    Other than notable custom boatbuilders (like Assagai with a 2 year wait), the only bluewater boats made in Australia are Steber (low volume, semi-commercial) and Carribean (hasn't changed since 1970, basic fit out). The real bluewater builder, Blackwatch ceased production. The market is just too small to justify a fish focussed production boatbuilder. Ironically, the man who owned and closed Blackwatch is Graham McCoy, now the Australian Cabo and Hatteras Dealer.

    So, Riv and Maritimo make fine Bay boats. Very comfortable and lots of boat for your dollar, but (excluding customs) Hatteras and Viking make the best offshore convertibles on the planet.

    And of those, I guess I am guilty of being a Hatteras Fanboy ... :D
  20. Kafue, Aug 27, 2012
    #80
    Kafue

    Kafue Senior Member

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    Great post Liberty.
    I have owned 2 Riv's and enjoyed them, but cannot compare them to a Hatteras or Viking.
    How did you fit 2 families into a 43 express? I had a 48 UNIESSE express with 3 cabins (if you can call the 3rd space a cabin) and just the 4 of us could only manage a 10 day trip without cabin fever.
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