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- Cruising Speed: 9 kn
- Maximum Speed: 18 kn
- Beam: 18' 2''
- Hull Material: Fiberglass
- Max Draft: 4' 6''
- Displacement: 84,000 lb
- Fuel Tank: 1 x 1400|gallon
- Fresh Water: 1 x 350|gallon
- Holding: 1 x 140|gallon
- Cabins: 3
- Heads: 3
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1981 Hatteras 61 Cockpit Motor Yacht | “First Light”
There are boats that sit at the dock waiting to be sold, and then there are boats that continue doing exactly what they were built to do—cruise.
First Light falls into the second category.
This Hatteras 61 Cockpit Motor Yacht has spent the past four years traveling the East Coast as a true home away from home rather than serving as a weekend getaway. From the Chesapeake Bay to Florida, she has continually been upgraded, maintained, and enjoyed exactly as Hatteras intended.
The Hatteras 61 Cockpit Motor Yacht is one of the most sought-after cruising layouts Hatteras ever produced. An evolution of the legendary Hatteras 56 Motor Yacht, the factory five-foot cockpit transformed an already capable yacht into an exceptional liveaboard and long-range cruising platform while retaining the legendary ride, construction, and seaworthiness that made Hatteras famous.
One of only a handful built with the desirable full-height LRC-style raised cockpit, First Light offers an incredibly versatile layout equally suited for entertaining, dockside living, extended cruising, or full-time life aboard.
Wide walkaround side decks make handling lines simple for two people. Multiple boarding options—including the swim platform, cockpit, side decks, and pilothouse doors equipped with MarQuipt boarding steps—allow easy boarding regardless of dock configuration or tide.
Inside you’ll find a spacious salon that flows naturally into the pilothouse, creating an open entertaining area with excellent visibility underway. Just below, the large galley provides generous countertop space, abundant storage, and a comfortable dinette.
Accommodations include:
Full-beam owner’s suite with private head featuring both tub and shower
Guest stateroom with twin berths
Forward guest/crew cabin with over-under bunks
Three heads
Stacked washer and dryer
Exceptional storage throughout for extended cruising
Powered by twin 650 HP Detroit Diesel 12V71TI engines, First Light comfortably cruises at an economical displacement cruise of approximately 10–12 MPH at 1,100 RPM, with the ability for a faster cruise making her equally at home covering long distances or enjoying leisurely coastal passages.
Vessel Highlights
Hydraulic bow thruster
Naiad stabilizers
New electronic engine controls
Three operating stations
Three new reverse-cycle HVAC systems
Wireless autopilot remote
Oversized helm display with side and aft docking cameras
Large-format depth sounder
Dual tablet navigation mounts
Two dinghy handling systems
Spacious raised cockpit
Full walkaround side decks
Excellent engine room accessibility
Full-beam master suite with tub and shower
Three-stateroom layout
Laundry center
Denison Yachting is pleased to assist you in the purchase of this vessel. This boat is centrally listed by Calm Seas Yachting.
Denison Yacht Sales offers the details of this yacht in good faith but can’t guarantee the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of this boat for sale. This yacht for sale is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal from that yacht market without notice. She is offered as a convenience by this yacht broker to its clients and is not intended to convey direct representation of a specific yacht for sale.
Full top-end cooling system removed, pressure tested, cleaned, painted, and reinstalled
New electronic engine controls installed at all three operating stations
Three new reverse-cycle HVAC systems (2026)
Much of the original 36V electrical system converted to readily available 12V components
Naiad stabilizers professionally serviced with new seals
Fresh bottom paint (May 2026)
Propellers tuned
Recent engine service with fresh fluids
Rebuilt freshwater pump
Dinghy Butler stern launching system allowing dinghy deployment in under one minute
Davit crane professionally rebuilt
Wireless autopilot remote installed
New midship Raritan Marine Elegance head
Multiple Wi-Fi docking and security cameras with recording and pan/tilt capability
Numerous additional maintenance items completed throughout ownership
A newer Highfield dinghy with outboard is available for sale separately. NOT INCLUDED in the price.
First Light is thoughtfully equipped for extended cruising or comfortable liveaboard use, offering generous entertaining spaces, multiple private accommodations, and a well-planned layout throughout.
The fully enclosed aft deck features a custom teak sole, teak wing doors, opening port and starboard windows, and aft curtains with screens to take advantage of the breeze. A teak dining table and chairs provide a comfortable entertaining area, complemented by a convenient wet bar.
Double teak doors open into the salon and deckhouse, where an L-shaped sofa, coffee table, and beautifully finished cabinetry create a warm and inviting living space. Forward, the pilothouse features a bench seat, a complete electronics package, and sliding access doors to both port and starboard.
Steps lead down to the galley and dinette, finished with a teak-and-holly sole. The galley offers full-size appliances, including a side-by-side refrigerator, while a custom U-shaped dinette provides ample seating. Beneath the galley sole are the battery banks, twin 20 kW Northern Lights generators, and air-conditioning equipment.
Forward, the crew quarters feature upper and lower twin berths with storage beneath, a built-in dresser, cedar-lined hanging locker, and a private head with separate stall shower and sink. Divided rope and chain lockers are located farther forward.
Aft of the galley, the companionway includes a washer/dryer and additional storage. The guest head is located to starboard and includes a separate stall shower and sink. Across the companionway, the VIP stateroom offers side-by-side twin berths with custom headboards, a center nightstand, and a large cedar-lined hanging locker.
Port and starboard walk-in engine rooms are conveniently located amidships, providing excellent access for inspection, service, and maintenance.
Continuing aft is the impressive full-beam master suite. The master features a true queen-size centerline berth, custom Shoji screens, two built-in dressers, a built-in desk, safe, nightstand, and an oversized cedar-lined closet. The private master head includes a separate stall shower, tub, and sink.
Above, the expansive flybridge provides another excellent entertaining and relaxation area. Amenities include a built-in refrigerator with icemaker, electric barbecue grill, Corian countertops, sink and prep station, and a complete forward helm. A substantial 1¼-inch stainless-steel Bimini frame extends aft from the radar arch to provide coverage over the custom seating area.
A davit provides convenient tender launching and retrieval for the vintage Boston Whaler, powered by a newer 25 HP Yamaha four-stroke outboard.
Overall, First Light offers the space, storage, privacy, and onboard amenities expected of a true cruising motor yacht—equally suited for extended voyages, entertaining, or living aboard.
Twin GM Detroit Diesel 12v71ti 650 HP Main Engines start instantly with zero smoke. 4500 hours and currently cruising
Glendinning Syncronizer
Twin 20kw Northern Lights Gensets
Naiad Stabilizers - Resealed and Serviced 2026
Hydraulic Bow Thruster
CO2 Fire Supression
Large supply of parts and spares
Reverse Cycle Digital Air Conditioning
All Electriconic controld throughout
Watermaker (Not in service)
PLEASE NOTE: Electronics are dated and Current Owner uses Multiple Tablets for Navigation with the most up to date charts and a NEMA backbone pulling Location, Speed and Depth and AIS from the ships systems for the most user friendly setup available and ease of navigation from anywhere aboard the vessel.
Furuno 8251 Radar with 8 ft Open Array
Furuno 24 mi Radar as a back up
Simrad/Robertson Auto-Pilot
NorthStar 951GPS
Garmin GPS
Furuno FCV 585 Depth/Fish Finder
DataMarine Speed/Depth/Wind
Interphase Probe "Forward Looking" Depth Finder
ICOM VHF
Standard Hailer
Ritchie Compass
SeaTel Sat TV
KVH Sat Phone
Galley Maid Windlass
Bow Pulpit and Rails
300 feet 3/8" High Tensile Chain
65 lb. CQR anchor
50 lb Fortress Anchor
Auxiliary Fortress Anchor, chain and line for the stern anchor
Dinghy Butler swim platform davit
Electric Dinghy Davit
Radar Arch
Swim Platform with Ladder
Transom Door
Fenders and Fender Racks
Fresh Water and Raw Water Wash Downs
Deck Boxes on Bow
Teak Side Rails
Cockpit Controls
Searchlight
Personally having traveled over 1,000 nautical miles aboard First Light, I can confidently say this is one of the finest older Hatteras yachts I’ve had the privilege to represent.
I’ve completed multiple passages with the current owner and have also been involved with the purchase and sale of his previous three vessels. That gives me a unique perspective into how this yacht has been cared for—not just during the listing process, but throughout years of ownership.
The owner is an electrical engineer responsible for designing hospital electrical infrastructure and diesel backup power systems. That same level of precision and preventative thinking is reflected throughout this yacht.
Maintenance has always been proactive rather than reactive.
Systems have been upgraded because they improved reliability—not simply because something failed.
One of the aspects I appreciate most is the owner’s decision to seek out the dependable 650 HP Detroit Diesel 12V71TI engines. Running at conservative horsepower levels and utilizing intercoolers rather than more maintenance-intensive aftercoolers, these engines have earned an outstanding reputation throughout the commercial marine industry for longevity, simplicity, and ease of maintenance.
Equally impressive is the engine room itself. Full walkaround access provides outstanding serviceability to nearly every major mechanical system—something that’s becoming increasingly rare aboard yachts of any era.
This isn’t a yacht that has simply been cleaned up for photographs.
It has been actively cruised, continuously improved, and meticulously maintained by someone who truly understands marine systems.
If you’re looking for an older Hatteras that inspires confidence the moment you step aboard, First Light deserves your attention.
Contact our team to schedule a private showing.
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