Hatteras GT63

I’ve run Hatteras yachts since the very first model — a 41-footer sporting a pair of 275 hp Lincoln gasoline V-8 engines — was introduced in 1960. It wasn’t fast by today’s standards, but it launched Hatteras’ reputation for seaworthiness and battleship-like construction. This GT63, the largest of the GT series, boasts an additional 2,650 horses under the salon and almost double the top speed of her eldest sister. Hatteras evolved with the times and now uses high-tech construction techniques that result in much lighter boats, but it never sacrificed a bit of the historic Hatteras ride.

Performance
A 20-knot north wind generated three- to five-foot seas nearshore that quickly built to eight to 10 feet just a short way out in the Gulf Stream. Drifting beam-to those big seas proved more comfortable than I expected, thanks to a very short roll movement and gentle transitions. During speed trials in the calmer waters along the beach, I managed a top speed of 41.3 knots. Powered by a pair of CAT C32 ACERT diesels rated at 1,900 hp, the V-12 four-strokes carry a 1,959 cubic inch displacement. Thanks to computer mapping and other technological advances, these engines generate 15 percent more power than previous non-ACERT C32 models.

The boat’s handling qualifies as extraordinary. A new mechanical differential-steering system turns the inboard rudder more than the outboard rudder. This produced a much tighter turn at cruising speed — and it’s a standard feature found on all the GT series models. The stern lifts slightly when backing down, allowing speeds to exceed 9 knots. Should you ever take water over the transom, Hatteras’ new scupper design — holes straight through the hull sides but hidden in the aft end of the splash/rub rail — drain the water virtually instantly.

Cockpit
Hatteras incorporated some innovative storage solutions for gaffs, mops, rods and tackle in the cockpit. In addition, the cockpit holds a drop-down remote control station and refrigerated fish boxes. This GT63 came outfitted with an optional recirculating transom livewell. The proceeds from the (also optional) Eskimo ice machine will find a home in the loads of insulated and refrigerated storage compartments under the mezzanine seating. Of course, it’s your choice as to how much and where you want it. I especially like that Hatteras now laminates the refrigerator coils into the chill boxes so you never need to worry about damaging your plates or coils. It makes cleanup far easier as well.

If you read my profiles regularly, you know that I harp on safety at sea. I am pleased that Hatteras adds outboard steps and a handhold on the transom to allow someone who goes overboard the ability to climb back aboard! A different safety issue arises when transiting to the foredeck. I found excellent handholds along the cabin sides until I reached the front of the coach house. Then I entered a no man’s land between the side deck and open foredeck where, if you have no bow rail, I would prefer to see a black (so it disappears into the brow mask) handle on the cabin front.

Interior
Perhaps the feature that intrigued me most in this space was the dinette. At my house, dinner guests tend to sit around the table chatting for hours. This huge (relative to other sport-fishing boats of this size) dinette easily seats five adults and more with occasional chairs. The giant galley takes up the rest of the forward half of the salon and sports granite counters, refrigerator/freezer drawers, microwave/convection oven, ceramic cooktop and slide-out drawers behind cabinet doors. I love that you can sit anywhere and still have a fabulous view out the mammoth cabin windows.

Belowdecks, owners have a choice of three layouts. The standard is a four-stateroom, three-head (two portside cabins with over/under twins sharing a head) design. Or, opt for the three-stateroom, three-head arrangement with an added office space. The final option is a galley-down configuration with crew’s quarters that opens up the salon to basketball-half-court size! The fo’c’sle offers up a very nice island double, again with storage beneath and plenty of ancillary storage as well.