Boat Review: Hatteras 75 Convertible

In case you hadn’t noticed, the trend in luxury yachts today is toward bigger and faster, and sportfishing boats seem to be following the lead. Close on the heels of its wildly successful 68, Hatteras recently unveiled its latest project boat, a 75-foot convertible that will feature industry-leading specifications in beam (22 feet), draft (4 feet 11 inches) and fuel capacity (3,200 gallons). During the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, owners as well as prospective customers met with the Hatteras design team to perfect the four-stateroom, four-head arrangement that will include a full-beam master stateroom, as well as crew’s quarters for two with a private entrance.

Like those of her smaller sister, the 68 Convertible that took the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show by storm, the plans for the 75 feature an incredibly wide beam resulting in a huge, mezzanine-focused cockpit design. As you’d expect from a company with a rich fishing history, the cockpit features all the obligatory fishing features, such as two oversize in-deck fish boxes, in-gunwale rod holders and hidden storage for gaffs, mops and even chamois. But the mezzanine level, with its raised seating for improved visibility aft, is where everyone wants to be. Besides being a luxurious place to watch your trolling spread, the mezzanine contains your choice of modular drop-in units such as freezers, storage tubs, ice machines, optional baitwells or a bait-and-tackle center with stainless drawers.

Since the days of its heralded Knit Wits, Hatteras Yachts has always enjoyed a reputation for providing fine interior decor. The 75 takes that heritage even farther. Inside, the 75 Convertible features a huge, luxurious salon with a mammoth U-shaped lounge, entertainment center and club chairs for relaxation. In a stroke of logical brilliance, Hatteras placed a day head just inside the sliding door to the salon for quick access from the cockpit, so anglers and crew no longer need to drip salt water or track bait juice through the salon on the way to the head.

Standard equipment in the galley includes three undercounter Sub-Zero refrigeration units, along with the standard fare of premium-grade appliances. Adjacent to the galley, a massive walk-in pantry holds plenty of stores for extended trips.

Belowdecks, the 75 boasts a unique, four-stateroom layout, each with its own private head. The full-beam master – the largest in its class – features a king-size berth and port lights, along with copious storage in twin dressers, nightstands and cedar-lined hanging lockers. The crew accommodations, located aft of the master compartment adjacent to the engine compartment, has its own private entrance.

Run the boat yourself? An optional his-and-hers master head arrangement is available in lieu of the crew quarters. The midship staterooms offer a choice of sliding twins that turn into a queen berth by moving the night table between them or dedicated queen berths. The bow stateroom holds a tapered, queen-size island berth.

Though the first 75 Convertible will sport an enclosed flybridge, an open flybridge arrangement is already on the drawing table.