64 Hatteras Convertible

Source: Tom Thompson, Sea Magazine

Solid performance, luxurious ride

It was a beautiful spring morning in Beaufort, North Carolina, but looks can be deceiving. Seas were rolling with 4-foot swells, just enough to make things interesting. They were a fair test of how the Hatteras 64 Convertible can handle rough water. Coming out the Beaufort Inlet to the Atlantic Ocean, Hatterascal’s spray was deflected in enormous white sheets to either side as she cut through the whitecaps. Water droplets sparkled in the sunlight, but none came near us on the flybridge.

The Hatteras 64 Convertible handles very well at cruising speed, which is a swift 30 knots. I found the helm response quick and positive. I could feel the midrange acceleration from the pair of 1,800 hp C-32A Caterpillar diesels in the seat when I punched the throttles. Massive seven-blade 47.5 by 60 propellers can take the boat from cruising speed to the top end of 36 knots in seconds. At slow speed, Hatterascal’s captain, Dave Fields, made her dance like a ballerina, pirouetting on her center point. Backing down, not a drop of water came over the teak-finished transom.

Although we put Hatterascal through her paces, my host for the sea trial, Hatteras marketing director David Ritchie, gave me a hint of what the Hatteras 64 Convertible could do when needed. He told me about the day Hatterascal was christened with her first catch. The Atlantic Ocean off Palm Beach, Florida, still had a good deal of bluster from a Nor’easter that had recently passed through. Hatterascal made small work of the 10-to-12-foot swells while running 28 knots quartering to swells. Don’t try this with an ordinary boat.

A Big Deal
The Hatteras 64C’s size is what sets her apart from ordinary boats. She has the widest beam (19 feet, 6 inches), shallowest draft (4 feet, 10 inches) and largest fuel capacity (1,950 gallons) in her class. The full-beam master stateroom is another feature you won’t find on any other sportfishing boat in this size range. Big — like a battleship — is an image that comes to mind.

The place for the action — the cockpit — measures 164 square feet, including a mezzanine level with cushioned seating so the crew can be comfortable while waiting for the action to happen. Outfitting options for the port side forward corner include a choice of a freezer, livewell or insulated storage tub. You can substitute an optional bait prep station with stainless steel-lined tackle drawers in place of some seating on the starboard side. Anything that can get in your way in the cockpit, such as shore power connectors, washdowns and gaff storage, hides away.

On the flybridge, the gorgeous teak helm pod holds a brushed-chrome steering wheel at its center and single-lever engine controls to each side. Behind this, a power-actuated panel rises to expose the electronic display screens. For seating, there is a pair of swivel captain’s chairs aft of the helm and bench seating all around the forward area. A rear-facing jump seat sits on top of a drink cooler in the aft starboard corner.

Hatterascal has an open flybridge that comes with drop-down curtains all around. The 64 Convertible can be ordered with a bridge enclosure. When configured this way, a single helm seat is placed all the way forward on the centerline, and an L-shaped settee runs along the port and aft sides. A bar sink and a refrigerator are aft to starboard. There’s a control pod aft, outside the enclosure, so the captain can see the action while backing down. You can also order an optional circular staircase that leads to the salon below.

Choices
The dominant texture in Hatterascal’s salon is American black cherry. Hatteras offers a choice of gloss or satin finish. There is a U-shaped settee to port, and on the opposite side is a 42-inch plasma TV with surround sound audio. Hatterascal is outfitted with an optional state-of-the-art computer entertainment system that can digitally store movies and music and play them on demand through any TV on board.

The galley is forward and one step up from the salon. There’s a U-shaped seating area for dining on the starboard side. Hatterascal’s elegant granite countertop had three drawer-style refrigerator/freezer units underneath. The full array of standard appliances includes a four-burner ceramic-top stove.

The 64 Convertible’s lower deck can be configured with either three or four staterooms. Three heads, each with a stall shower, come standard. The standard forward suite has a queen-size berth in the center, but it can be outfitted with a double and a single berth, each along a side. The middle stateroom is to port and can have twin or double berths. The optional fourth stateroom is along the starboard side and includes bunk beds.

The full-beam master suite is amidships and has a king-size berth. There are twin nightstands beside the bed and a dresser along each side of the compartment. Optionally, you can replace one of the dressers with a settee or an office desk. If you don’t want the fourth stateroom, the master suite is accessed through a foyer that has a 92-inch-wide hanging locker on one side.

Great Day Out
The Hatteras 64 Convertible may be built like a battleship to take on the elements, but she’s also made to handle passengers with care and comfort. This is one exceptional way to go fishing.