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Hatteras Yachts

Hatteras began building boats in 1959, when Willis Slane launched the fiberglass yacht-building industry with the introduction of the Knit Wits, the first boat over 30 feet made of fiberglass. (Incidentally, the Knit Wits is still functioning and in service at the Hatteras facility in New Bern, North Carolina.) Since that first pioneering effort, Hatteras has built well over 7,000 boats. Currently, Hatteras offers sport-fishing boats from 54 to 90 feet in length.

By building a boat that could withstand the long-term punishment of the offshore fishing environment, Hatteras delivers a package that gives fishermen the tools needed to be successful, along with luxurious accommodations to please the entire family.
 
Hatteras continues to build its boats on a rugged, solid-fiberglass hull that's designed to take Mother Nature's abuse; it's filled with fishing appointments and interior layouts that are driven by years of listening to customer feedback.

An in-house team of naval architects, engineers and designers, led by Bruce Angel, vice president of product design and engineering, design all Hatteras yachts. 
 
"Obviously, performance and fishability are always at the forefront of our thought process when we design new products. We spend many hours speaking with owners and prospects about the factors that are important to them, and try to incorporate as many of those priorities and features as possible into a new

At a Glance: •  Over 7,000 boats built •  Superior accommodations in elegant sport-fishers •  Experts in fiberglass work

design," says Angel. "Within that framework, the engineering team then works to blend the seemingly divergent priorities of high strength and minimal weight to achieve the best possible combination of ride, seaworthiness and speed. And, of course, in all aspects of design — from the solid fiberglass hull to the rigorous electrical standards to the U.L.-approved fuel tanks to the redundant back-up systems — safety is always the first priority in the Hatteras design process."

Hatteras builds its boats to travel the world and makes sure they can withstand the punishment of open-ocean travel. Hatteras continues to evaluate and test high-tech methods and materials to help refine its techniques. "The most exciting advancements in materials involve various methods of achieving the same goal — fiberglass parts created in a controlled environment with predictable, repeatable results. The benefits of this approach include uniform parts, ideal glass-to-resin ratios, improved work conditions, and reduced environmental concerns," says Angel.
 
For more information, contact Hatteras Yachts of New Bern, North Carolina, at 252-634-4895, or visit www.hatterasyachts.com.

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