De-lurking after all these years!

Please don't take this the wrong way, but I have been visiting this site for many years and this is the first time I felt a need to reach out and de-lurk myself. This can be attributed to two distinct reasons:

1) I have not owned a boat for some 10 years - that is, since my divorce and subsequent liquidation of said boat, I felt that I had nothing to contribute here.

2) The fact that I am so utterly intimidated by the knowledge base and experience level of the regular contributors here, that I feel my queries would be either chastised, or fall upon deaf ears.

I have been so absolutely engaged and entertained here at Yacht Forums; lived vicariously through the stories and challenges of boat ownership, that when it finally came time make some decisions and choose a floating lifestyle that would take us into our twilight years, I could not imagine a better qualified venue to ask for some well-qualified opinions.

That is - I have found a new love in my life. Both of us being retired, moving to SW Florida and sharing the passion of boating - the thought of living on the open water has lead us to the notion of purchasing a boat. We have, through previous relationships, owned a plethora of boats, ranging from 28 to 38 foot in length. We have done some charters in the length of boat we think we would like to own, and even done extensive research with regards to what we think we might like to purchase, understanding that we would have hire an appropriate crew, taking in consideration the costs involved, have narrowed it down to two choices:

85E Ocean Alexander Motor Yacht, or
Hatteras 80 Motor Yacht

Question is: In this range, have we picked the 2 most worthy candidates, or are there other boats that we should consider in this size? Please don't concern yourselves with the cost issues, as we have been fully briefed and accepted the expense involved in running a vessel of this length. We are purely asking if there are other manufacturers of equal or better build quality, layout, and/or reliability that we should look at.

Thanks in advance for any and all contributions. We, considering the investment, want to get this right the first time out!

Please be gentle, as I am a "New Post" virgin!

Thanks Peter and Ken for the welcome.

Ken, I always thought of a boat as more of a mistress than a love.

I have looked at both the Nordhavn and Marlow offerings. Both have amazing designs and look extremely solid and well built. I have to be cognisant however, considering where we intend to cruise, about the draft. We wanted to keep the draft under 6 foot, as we look to explore the coastal waters around Florida, the Keys, and throughout the Bahamas. I know that some of the harborages are pretty stingy with depths around these areas.

While I know there is no guarantee, we chose the OA and Hatteras based upon reliability and serviceability. I find myself getting lost or so wrapped up in the intrinsic aspect of crusing, that I forget that there are these very real and mundane aspects of running and maintaining the proper functions on a boat. And while a know a proper crew will handle these issues as they arise, we just don't want them to always be in the forefront.

Again, thanks to all who have responded. Hope to get so more feedback.

Thanks to Pascal and NYCAP123 for the advice and welcome!

I know that this will be a fun and exciting process, certainly one that many members here have gone through numerous times. We are anxious, but cautious as well. We want to start this great lifestyle, but I have spent enough here at YF to know these decisions are so critical, that the time and effort spent doing the right kind of research now, will avoid headaches and pay dividends later.

Thanks again.

PS-Those Johnson yacht are like floating pieces of artwork! Beautiful workmanship everywhere.

Thanks Loren.

We go to a few dinner spots here on the gulf coast where patrons who own boats can motor in, dock, and come ashore for a drink or meal. We like to walk the docks after dinner and look at the different vessels - see where they are from. You and Pascal are on point regarding the aftdeck. Seems the majority of them, even those with flybridges, congregate on the aftdeck and are more than happy to share their current or favorite cruise experiences. I also like the notion of an open flybridge arrangement, especially with a hottub. Seems like an ideal place to entertain.

Capt Buddy, I appreciate the input regarding your experiences with the Hatt and OA. Agree with you on the Pacific Mariner. Great layout and good systems onboard. Probably going to open another issue here with the wisdom of purchasing new vs. a couple year old boat.

Anyway, in the case of the Hatt and Pacific Mariner, the point is moot, since there aren't any new hulls out there!