Hatteras 53 Convertible

2003-08 Full Re-build + 2021-24 Tech Upgrade

In terms of Sports Fishing pedigree, the Hatteras 53 Convertible is pure royalty! It's one of the original designs that have set the essential layout and bench mark ever since.

According to Surveyor and author, David Pascoe, "Hatteras 53 hulls and superstructures are built like a tank". With a reputation of being solid and as close to unsinkable as you can get, you feel safe in the Hatteras all day long.

This vessel has a great story behind it, sounding like a Hollywood script: First owned by a Florida based pilot, who was later arrested & jailed for drug smuggling on the planes he flew (Not on this boat). Over the years that followed the vessel was torn apart by DEA agents checking for drugs - none were found. After years sat on the hardstand, she was bought and sent to Merritt Boat Works in Florida for a full refit, where US$900,000 was spent in 1998-2003 (see list of works below). The next owner purchased her in late 2007 and continued the refit with two rebuilt Detroit engines, new shafts, props, new tower etc (see full list below). She was then imported to Australia and has had several owners since being here. Full of character, this beauty has many more adventures left to come.

Regarding the features of the vessel:

A rich, varnished timber helm at the flybridge, sets the tone for classic boating and provides warm sentimental feelings of quality and heritage.
Get to your destination easily by pressing where you want to go and let the Simrad Active Track Autopilot plot the way! It's as simple as that.

A big day out game fishing you say?! With easy to use outriggers, salt water bait tanks, huge waist deep cockpit freezer and catch loading door, she's got all you need.

The expansive cockpit with new teak underfoot, gives you acres of space for entertaining. You can easily set up a table for 8 to comfortably to enjoy the catch of the day. Don't forget to pull out the stainless steel bimini to give you plenty of shade from the sun for all. Keep the drinks flowing by easily reaching into the stainless steel cockpit chest fridge with enough drinks space for a party!

Heading into the saloon you'll find an exquisite array of solid timber joinery, leather finished seating, decorative head linings and plush soft carpet. With in saloon bar, complete with ice maker, dim-able LED lighting, up to date airconditioning and tinted windows all around, you can keep the entertaining going whatever the weather.

Down below is a full size galley with large corian sink and counter that allows for comfortable space for food preparation. With stainless steel chest freezer, huge double under bench fridge, sink incinerator, microwave, hob and storage a-plenty, all complimented by beautifully decorative timber flooring and soft linings.

The huge flared bow will provide sea keeping performance in the roughest of seas. Powered by 2 Detroit Diesel engines (rebuilt in 2008) you'll have reliable power for voyages long or short. At 9.5 knots she burns only 50L/h in total. With 3000L fuel capacity (2 of 4 tanks currently available, recommissioning 2 tanks would give a total of 5000L fuel capacity) there is plenty for trips along the Australian coast.

With the Onan 21.5Kva genset, combined with 8 AGM start batteries and 600Ah of Lithium-ion batteries, plus solar charging, power simply won't be a problem. You can spend weeks away at a time because of the huge equipment list and capability you have here - water maker, washer / dryer, cold storage, fuel capacity, sea keeping ability, power management, entertainment. It's all there.

The foredeck is equipped with a davit (250kg capacity) but please note that tender is not inluded.

At night, underwater blue LED lights on the transom, LED aft flood lights and superstructure LED lighting will provide the mood for any occasion.


Recent Equipment List:
- Solar charger 2024.
- Starlink 2024.
- All fridges and freezers are 12v 2024.
- Inverter 3000w 110v 2024.
- Inverter 4000w 220v 2024.
- New Cockpit flooring & teak 2022.
- Simrad Auto pilot and NSS12 Evo 2 2021.
- Main saloon AC 2021.
- Main Berth AC 2022.
- Main House and Start Batteries AGM 2021.
- 380w Solar Panel and management system 2022.
- 600Ah 12v Lithium Battery 2023.
- 32v Battery Charger 2021.
- 12v Smart Battery Charger 2023.
- 4000w 240v Inverter 2022.
- Celfi Go Telstra (wifi) 2023.
- 36,000 lumen Underwater LED Lights 2022.
- LED bow, spreader and forward lights 2021.
- 240v to 120v Transformers x 2 2021.
- Insinkerator 2021.


Recent Service History:
- Last Antifoul - 20 Nov 2024
- Hull Inspection - May 2024


2008 REFIT:
- Two Rebuilt Detroit Diesel 12V71 engines and Allision gears installed. - 2008
- New Stainless steel Metcalf exhaust system installed.
- New shafts.
- New props.
- Removed the old corroded tower and replaced it with new half tower.
- All fittings and hardware were removed, holes filled and the entire top side from the toe rail up has been painted with Awlgrip.
- All teak brightwork has been refinished.
- All new stainless rub rails installed.
- The teak deck and combing in the cockpit has been refinished.
- Installed a new 24,000 BTU air conditioner with split evaporator.
- Replaced 14,000 BTU condensing unit which was missing.
- Made new water manifold, for all the cooling units and installed with new hoses and clamps.
- Replaced 8 missing floorboards in the engine room and under the cockpit.
- Rewired new half tower including new running lights.
- New Strataglass curtains on bridge.
- Finished the walls inside the boat where the portholes had been removed.
- All new vinyl wall coverings in the galley, master stateroom, 2 baths and Vee berth.
- Padded bunks in Vee berth.
- Built new enclosure, in the Vee berth to house new LG washer drier and installed same.
- Replaced microwave oven in galley that had a broken handle and glass door with new GE.
- Removed all old electronics and all the wire for them in the harness.
- Installed new headliner in Galley and one bath that had been removed for other repairs.
- New teak & holly decking in engine room.
- New window tinting in saloon.
- Replaced all 12 batteries.
- New carpet in saloon, master and Vee berth.
- Refinished teak and holly decking in galley.
- Replaced the stainless steel track in all cabinets on the bridge.
- Replaced 2 thru-hulls seacocks for heads.
- New disposal in galley.
- New Meon faucet in galley.
- Converted unused cabinet in cockpit to large stainless sink.
- New chase lighting around valance in saloon.
- 5 new Ballast transformers and all new bulbs in fluorescence lights.
- New vinyl helm cover.
- Replaced the generator with an Onan 21KW.


2003 REFIT (By The Master Craftsmen of Merritt Boat Works):
- Stripped bottom, sanded, applied epoxy barrier coat, painted bottom.
- The 6 portholes had been removed, are fibre glassed over and faired to hull.
- Railings were removed are fibre glassed and faired.
- The 3 forward windows were removed, are fibre glassed and faired to the cabin.
- New stationary windows are installed in place of the four other saloon windows that had been removed.
- Three new hatches installed.
- The removal of the 6 engine room hatches left a huge opening. An aluminium frame has been constructed around the perimeter, with supports to the engine bed. Two large aluminium trusses were fabricated to span the opening. Six foam-filled fibre glassed were manufactured to cover this area. Lighter and stronger than the old wood hatches.
- New engine air intakes installed. New modern design with larger air handling capacity. The fuel tanks now vent thru this opening as well as a 6" vent from the galley.
- All tower fittings were filled and faired.
- The engine room was cleaned and Awlgripped.
- Four new tanks, 2 fuel-1 waste and 1 lube oil, were installed under the galley and master stateroom sole. New fill hoses and deck plates were installed. Since there are now 5 fuel tanks, a new fuel manifold had to be built and installed. New fuel lines to the manifold. New vent lines. New "Tank Monitor" system for 5 tanks. Two new fuel filter racks, one for each engine. Each rack consists of 3-F1000 Raycors and valves. Total fuel now 1400 gallons. All fuel lines are now Parker 221FR. USCG accepted for commercial and recreational applications.
- New galley and master stateroom decks were installed.
- Installed replacement generator. Onan 21 KW.
- New Hawser pipes are paired into transom corners.
- A new control pod was made for the bridge steering station. New instruments and new Panish single lever controls were installed to replace the Morse controls removed.
- The forward deck was reinforced with several layers of fibreglass. A Merritt Tradition is have the first 6' of the deck covered with1/2" teak and caulking. Then they installed a new Windlass and pulpit. This completed the exterior modifications, so the hull was Awlgripped a light blue, from the rub rail down to waterline.
- The hard top, from the old tower was removed and modified and Awlgripped. New half tower build under it by Tannis Tower Inc.
- Painted to finish, from the rub rail up, with white Awlgrip.
- The Master stateroom was completely re-designed. Featuring a Queen Bed. 2 new cabinets, one at foot of bed with 3 Drawers and the second to the right of bed for a lamp table and 3 drawers. A new valance was built above the headboard with recessed lighting.
- The Vee berth was modified. The wall above the top bunk bed, has a curved wall in padded vinyl, both above the top bunk and between the two bunks. A combination washer/dryer is built in on the starboard side.

There is no comparison between this magnificent lady and any other Hatteras of this vintage.

Disclaimer: Davis Marine Brokerage offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should use qualified surveyors to verify the vessel is suitable for their own purposes. Images depicted in this site listing may contain equipment & components not included in the sale and offering by the vendor.