Hatteras 70 Motor Yacht Enclosed Bridge [Boat Review]

A Sistership Of Substance: The Hatteras 70 Motor Yacht Enclosed Bridge is surprisingly like the builder’s 100-footer.

This article originally appeared in the August 2017 edition of Yachts International magazine, written by Chris Casewell.

I looked all around the marina for the Hatteras 70 Motor Yacht Enclosed Bridge, but I couldn’t spot it. I saw a Hatteras 100 with a raised pilothouse, but it wasn’t until I stood next to what I thought was another 100 that I realized it was the 70. The notch in her sheerline, the twin lozenge-shaped windows in the topsides, the upswept chines forward: all were identical, just in a package 30 feet shorter.

What really threw me was the wraparound windshield that Hatteras included, in addition to the 70s main-deck windows and flybridge windows. That wrap around had to be a raised pilothouse, I thought— but I was wrong. The clever design feature, seen from the inside, acts as a skylight that floods the country kitchen-style galley and dining area with light.

Hatteras built this particular 70 for a couple who have owned a long line of Hatteras models. They’ve had enough sun and wind on open bridges for a lifetime. The enclosed bridge gives them a mini-sky lounge in addition to all the other features of the standard 70 Motor Yacht.

To my eye, the enclosed bridge’s most striking fea­ture is the windshield: a single piece of curved glass that stretches unbroken the full width of the house. It is so panoramic that the enclosed bridge feels open. Also in his space are Pompanette pedestal seats for the skipper and a companion, a raised platform with settee and table, and a console with pop-up TV, fridge and ice maker.

Just outside, the upper deck can handle a nearly 12-foot (3.6-m eter) Walker Bay Generation 360 ten­der, with more space for twin grills. Compact helm stations are on each side of the deck, with full con­trols and visibility for docking.

Heading down from the upper deck, I saw the second big difference between the enclosed and open bridge ver­sions of the Hatteras 70 Motor Yacht: an interior staircase for use in all weather. In addition to those stairs, the builder offers two main-deck layouts. One has a formal dining area for eight abaft the galley, while the other— which was on this yacht— has a wraparound dinette in the galley forward. The latter version (ideal for families with lots of kids and grandkids) increases the salon space, allowing for a media zone with pop-up TV.

II I had to choose one word for the 70’s salon, it would be comfy. A standalone recliner chair is aft, near the sliding doors to the cockpit (that chair shouts, “Read a book here!”), and the couch and otto­man are positioned for movie-watching. The galley is steps away for munchies.

Outside, the aft deck has four teak and stainless steel director’s chairs facing a transom se tte e across an inlaid teak table— and the finish on that table is as noteworthy as the rest of the Hatteras craftsmanship throughout the yacht. From the warm teak planking of the cockpit to the intricate inlays of the salons pop-up TV console, Hatteras did a world-class job. The whitewashed oak sole in the salon entryway is a pleasant balance to the warm European walnut bulk­heads and cabinetry with a satin finish. A thoughtful touch, especially with kids abounding, is the day head with oversized sink, next to the galley. Below decks, accommodations include a full- beam master suite aft with walk-in closet, twin van­ity, head with shower, and bureaus and another vanity to starboard. In the bow is an ensuite VIP stateroom with island berth. A second guest stateroom is to star­board off the central companionway, with a double berth and access to the lower day head. A fourth stateroom has twins that use the day head as well. Two additional cabins are for a captain and mate.

Standard power for the 70 Motor Yacht is a pair of 1,600-horsepower Caterpillar C 32s, b u t this yacht’s owners upped the ante with the optional 1,800-horse- power version, which gives her a top speed around 30 knots and a com lortable cruise of 25 to 27 knots.

Additional standard equipment includes fin stabilizers, tw in 27.4 kW gensets, a dual-prop bow thruster and underwater lights. Best of all, however, is the fully enclosed, air-conditioned bridge that makes cruising so pleasant.

Just don’t be surprised if your guests can’t find your yacht because it looks so big. What a delightful problem.