Hatteras 36 Convertible
Best Buy
by David Pascoe
Our survey model was a 1986 model with half tower and 3208 Cat 320's which didn't exactly make for a hot item on the market. Top speed was 20 down wind and 18 upwind! Fortunately, the new owner wasn't interested in going fast, but if you are you'll need more than 320's. And at 26,000 lbs. she's not real heavy and will do just fine with 375's. With 450 gallons of fuel, you've got plenty of range.
First thing you notice about this boat is that it is big for a 36 footer, seemingly even bigger than the Bertram 37 which is narrower by 3". What makes it seem bigger is the shorter cockpit and foredeck, thereby giving it more cabin space. Compare this with the 38 Convertible and you'll see that its nearly the same size. The main difference is that you're not going to fit a coffee table in there. And with big windows all around, the interior is light and airy. The salon is big and so is the bridge. This model had the galley up with a large sofa and just one chair; no room for a second.
Aside from styling, another difference is the backwards vee berth cabin that's definitely not easy to get in and out of. The head space is okay with an adequate shower . . . actually not bad for a 36 footer. As for the bridge, the layout is about as good as you're going to get on this size boat.
We found only a few complaints with this one, the first of which is that she had blisters on the bottom. The deck is glassed to hull but the rub rail is screwed on and was very loose in several places, and that's not easy to fix. The tower wasn't grounded but it was an add-on so we can't blame Hatteras. The removable fish box in the cockpit is the usual klutzy arrangement and takes two people to get it out of the hole, and with the large fuel tank, there's no lazarette storage. The tanks are fiberglass, so you don't have to worry about aluminum tanks corroding and leaking.
The generator is mercifully not under the cockpit deck but in the engine room which is a lot more cramped than we'd like, but most stuff is reachable with only minor pain. Everything down there is pretty neat and orderly. As usual, you have the good quality systems and hardware; no junky stuff here.
The interior has held up very well with all original decor and no window or other leaks at all.
Her sea keeping abilities are nearly as good as it gets, with a low profile bridge that keeps the center of gravity low. With the typical Hatteras warped plane underbody she is efficient while sacrificing a bit of the smoother ride of the deep vee. With a fairly full bow, she's rather wet but none of the windows leaked on this ten year old boat. With good maintenance, you couldn't tell this boats age by looking at it because it looked no more than about 4 years old. Ten years in Florida and the paint still had a shine; no crapola aluminum hardware to corrode, no leaking portholes or hatches, no hardware falling off, and no blankety blank teak. This had the optional tackle center and the inner plywood cabinets and drawers left a lot to be desired. We just can't figure out why Hatteras uses a junky plastic name plate on the side of the house. Its the only piece of junk on the whole boat.
Selling at $130k this was a good buy for a slow boat. With the 375 Cats she is a decent performer, and a very good looking boat too. If you had to choose between the 38 and the 36 and money was the question, no doubt about it, the 36 is the better buy.
Base 1986 price:
$212,000
W/usual equipment $250,000



David Pascoe - Biography
-
Boat Reviews Articles
At-A-Glance - Introduction to Boat Reviews
- A
- Albemarle 305
- Aquasport 215
- B
- Baha 260 Targa (not "Baja")
- Bertram Yachts
- Bertram Yachts: Introduction
- Bertram 26.6 II
- Bertram 28 II
- Bertram 30 Express
- Bertram 30 Moppie
- Bertram 31 SF
- Bertram 33 SF
- Bertram 36 Moppie
- Bertram 42 Convertible
- Bertram 46 Convertible
- Blackfin Yachts
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- Blackfin 29 Combi
- Blackfin 32 Flybridge
- Blackfin 33
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- C
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- G
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- Grady-White Offshore 24
- Grady-White 24 Voyager
- Grady White 272 Sailfish
- Grand Banks 42
- Gulfstar 43 Trawler-style Yacht
- H
- Hatteras Yachts
- Hatteras Yachts: Introduction
- Hatteras 36 Convertible
- Hatteras 38 Convertible
- Hatteras 38 Convertible - Updated Review
- Hatteras 39 Sport Express
- Hatteras 45 Convertible
- Hatteras 52 Convertible
- Hatteras 53 Motor Yacht & Convertible
- Hatteras 61 Motor Yacht
- Hunter 28
- Hyatt 45 CMY
- I
- Intrepid 289
- Island Gypsy 40
- L
- Lafitte 44
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- M
- Mainship 31
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- Mako 221- Updated 11/05/99
- Mako 26
- Maxum 4600 1998
- Mochi 50
- Morgan 462 Ketch
- O
- Offshore 48
- P
- Post 46 Convertible
- Pursuit 2855
- Pursuit 3000 Offshore
- Pursuit 3070 CC
- S
- Sea Ray
- Sea Ray and Balsa Core Bottoms (from "Structural Issues")
- Sea Ray 250 Sundancer
- Sea Ray 27
- Sea Ray Sundancer 290
- Sea Say Sundancer 290 Update
- Sea Ray 370 AC
- Sea Ray 39 Express
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- Sea Ray 55
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- T
- Thompson Santa Cruz 2700
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- Tiara 3100 Open
- Tiara 3600 Convertible
- Tiara 3600 Open
- Topaz 28_1981
- Trojan 10-8 Meter
- Trojan 14 Meter Convertible
- Trojan 440 Express
- V
- Viking 43 Open
- from other cat.
- Marlin Monroe
42 Bertram Convertible
Make an Old Boat New - Tiara Today
The New Quality Leader?
Articles at
docksidereports.com
David Pascoe's
Power Boat Books
A Guide for Discriminating Buyers
Focuses exclusively cruiser class generally 30-55 feet
With discussions on the pros and cons of each type: Expresses, trawlers, motor yachts, multi purpose types, sportfishermen and sedan cruisers.
Selecting and Evaluating New and Used Boats
Dedicated for offshore outboard boats
A hard and realistic look at the marine market place and delves into issues of boat quality and durability that most other marine writers are unwilling to touch.
2nd Edition
The Art of Pre-Purchase Survey The very first of its kind, this book provides the essentials that every novice needs to know, as well as a wealth of esoteric details.
Pleasure crafts investigations to court testimony The first and only book of its kind on the subject of investigating pleasure craft casualties and other issues.
- Chapter 1
- Basic Considerations
- Chapter 2
- Boat Types: Which is Right for You?
- Chapter 3
- Old Boats, New Boats and Quality
- Chapter 4
- Basic Hull Construction
- Chapter 5
- Evaluating Boat Hulls
- Chapter 6
- Performance and Sea Keeping
- Chapter 7
- Decks & Superstructure
- Chapter 8
- Stress Cracks,Finishes and Surface Defects
- Chapter 9
- Power Options
- Chapter 10
- The Engine Room
- Chapter 11
- Electrical & Plumbing Systems
- Chapter 12
- Design Details
- Chapter 13
- Steering, Controls, Systems & Equipment
- Chapter 14
- The Art of the Deal
- Chapter 15
- Boat Shopping
- Chapter 16
- The Survey & Post Survey
- Chapter 17
- Boat Builders by Company
- 512 pages
2nd Edition
- Chapter 1
- What is
Pre-Purchase Survey? - Chapter 2
- Business Practices and Client Relations
- Chapter 3
- Sound vs. Seaworthiness
- Chapter 4
- Procedures
- Chapter 5
- Hull and Its Structure
- Chapter 6
- Surveying the Hull
- Chapter 7
- Using Moisture Meters
- Chapter 8
- Stress Cracks & Surface Irregularities
- Chapter 9
- Deck & Superstructure
- Chapter 10
- Cockpits
- Chapter 11
- Drive Train
- Chapter 12
- Gas Engines
- Chapter 13
- Fuel Systems
- Chapter 14
- Exhaust Systems
- Chapter 15
- Electrical Systems
- Chapter 16
- Plumbing Systems
- Chapter 17
- Sea Trials
- Chapter 18
- Appraisal
- Chapter 19
- Reporting
- 480 pages
- Chapter 1
- The Marine Investigator
- Chapter 2
- The Nature of Investigations
- Chapter 3
- The Nature of Evidence
- Chapter 4
- Marine Insurance and Issues of Law
- Chapter 5
- Bilge Pumps & Batteries
- Chapter 6
- Finding the Leak
- Chapter 7
- Sinking Due To Rain
- Chapter 8
- Fire Investigations
- Chapter 9
- Machinery Failure Analysis
- Chapter 10
- Fraud Investigations
- Chapter 11
- Interrogation Techniques
- Chapter 12
- Reports
- Chapter 13
- Deposition & Court Testimony
- 544 pages
David Pascoe is a second generation marine surveyor in his family who began his surveying career at age 16 as an apprentice in 1965 as the era of wooden boats was drawing to a close.
Certified by the National Association of Marine Surveyors in 1972, he has conducted over 5,000 pre purchase surveys in addition to having conducted hundreds of boating accident investigations, including fires, sinkings, hull failures and machinery failure analysis.
Over forty years of knowledge and experience are brought to bear in following books. David Pascoe is the author of:
In addition to readers in the United States, boaters and boat industry professionals worldwide from nearly 80 countries have purchased David Pascoe's books, since introduction of his first book in 2001.
In 2012, David Pascoe has retired from marine surveying business at age 65.
On November 23rd, 2018, David Pascoe has passed away at age 71.
Biography - Long version