Complete 53 Hatteras MY refit 2025 update

More pictures uploaded to the album linked above.

Got two new battery chargers in. I picked promariners as I ve always had good luck with them and the ProNautic are pretty compact. I decided to install them out of the engine rooms so that they don't sit in there cooking and in a location where their displays can easily be seen instead of having to add remotes. They re under th helm / above the companion way. That's close to the batteries. I ll eventually add some wood trim around them.

Final two bilge pumps are going in. I already have two in (aft and forward). These two are going in th ERs. Again using 3700s mounted on starboard brackets wit high water switch above the pump. I can't believe it took me that long to come up with these starboard brackets... All these years Dealing with hard to reach screws in the bottom of the bilge!! Much easier this way as th brackets aware screwed high on bulkheads, stringers or even floors. SErvicing any component like the float switches only requires pulling th screws and th whole thing comes off.

In one of th last pictures, the pump panel instwlled at the helm can be seen.
 
How come you didn't just use Ultra Switches with built in high water alarm switches?

Between the built in alarm switch and the fact that they last forever, as apposed to the Rules that are problematic, they would seem like the way to go.

Nice brackets by the way. I've never understood why more builders don't do that. A cheap and simple solution to the access problem.
 
One of these you don't teach an old dog new tricks I guess :) i m used to the rules
 
How come you didn't just use Ultra Switches with built in high water alarm switches?

Between the built in alarm switch and the fact that they last forever, as apposed to the Rules that are problematic, they would seem like the way to go.

Nice brackets by the way. I've never understood why more builders don't do that. A cheap and simple solution to the access problem.
 
I just realized I haven’t updated this thread in a while

Bad news is that the refit is taking a lot longer than the 2 years I originally planned on, in part because of hurricane damage during Irma back in 2017. Good news it s going on very well

Factory reman C series Cummins went in a couple of years ago along with new shafts, reconditioned nibrals, new engine beds etc. obviously made a huge difference as before, with 8V71Ns, the boat couldn’t get on plane now she tops at 20kts and cruises at a solid 17kts. Shedding over 3000lbs with the repower and increasing the trim tab size helped with performance

the final mechanical item left on the list is hooking up the hydraulics for new Trac Stabilizers which where installed when the boat was hauled outand installing the control electronics.

Almost all the wiring is done (no original wiring was kept), same with plumbing.

i m still working on some of the interior carpentry but the last big chunk will be the exterior paint hopefully in the next 12-18 months.

here are a pic under way, on plane. I ll post some videos of the engine removal later on.

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Awesome work! We put pop up TVs in Gulfstream aircraft, so you are in good company there.
Speaking of good company, are these American Bulldogs?

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Turns out I never lower the Tv... glad I didn’t spend a time of money of a fancy lift :)
Yes American Bulldogs. Father and sons. Sadly they passed away since then, a couple of years apart both at 11 years old
 
We lost Sonny to lymphoma at 6 years. American Bulldog / Great Dane mix. He was the best dog ever. So patient with out autistic son.

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Figured I would update this thread with the latest on my project…. Yeah the one that I said woudl be two or three years long, seven years ago.

Finally started working on the outside cosmetics this year and now have a couple of coats of paint on. Decided to modernize the boat and went with fighting lady yellow for the hull and Snow White for the topside. Over the last 12 years the boat had gotten the regular dock rash plus some hurricane damage from Irma a few years back. It was time for paint!

I used Alexseal with the rolling additive which eliminates the need for tipping. Amazing paint which has many benefits over imron and awlgrip and is now being used by many builders.

In the next year I will sand and put on the final coat but it already has a nice shine

Also had a new aft deck enclosure made and installed new electronics including Simrad AP, GO9 touch screen plotters at both helms, Victron 3kva inverter with 8 golf cart batteries and much more incl a Starlink Mini

Wednesday we re about to start a 1400nm trip moving the boat to Watts Bar Lake, on the Tn river just south of Knoxville. Planning on heading south around the tip of FL thru big bend, gulf icw to mobile Bay, the Tombigbee and finally the Tn river.

hoping to get up there in 2 1/2 to 3 weeks. Why Tennessee? Tired of the annual hurricane scares, of the crazy dockage and insurance prices in sofl and the crowds on the water are out of control. While we re still going to be living here in miami (I love my job running a 110’ MY) and aren’t ready to retire, we slowly planning for it and have bought land up there. Having the boat on the lake will allow us to travel more often instead of spending $200-300 a day on Airbnbs. And it s beautiful lake.

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Love the new color of the Hatt! In TN, you'll have more fun roads up there to run your classic Jaguar. Less than 2 hoours from Tail of the Dragon. Safe travels.
 
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Chesagansett said:
Love the new color of the Hatt! In TN, you'll have more fun roads up there to run your classic Jaguar. Less then 2 hoours from Tail of the Dragon. Safe travels.
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Yeah we ve going up a few times a year with one of the cars. The dragon is less than 2 hours a away and there are many better roads around with less congestion
 
Wonderful job on the boat. It really look fantastic! Once you enter Alabama waters you will be close to me or people I know should you need and land based deliveries on the way to WattsBar.
 
The boat looks GREAT! I am envious. We thought about Tn. as well but settled in Fl. so we could keep doing the Bahamas. Now? No way we will boat over there anymore.
Have a safe trip, and good luck with the new digs when you finally pull the plug.

Edit: did you do the paint while in the water? Seen things like that done over here in Ft. Myers.
 
Looking good Pascal. the yellow adds a great touch to that classic look of the Hatteras...
 
You're living my dream, Pascal. The TN River is just beautiful, clear by inland water standards.

We pushed asphalt from Wood River, IL to Knoxville every year during warm months. Loved it. Pleasure boated at Pickwick for years.

If Cindy didn't like FL so much, we'd do the same thing you're doing.
 
I got to enjoy all the TVA lakes through Alabama and Tennessee well before they became crowded and lined with vacation homesalong their banks. There were many days where I would not see a dozen other boats in a whole day of fishing. It's hard to actually get away from the crowds today. It seems human nature is finding those special places, beach, rivers, woods, etc. then "improving them with development until they are no longer what made them special.
 
True, back in the mid/late 70's there was plenty of undeveloped waterfront property.
 
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