opinion - 1978 53 hatt/ 1983 55 ocean

[captainviv]

hi guys , looking for some opinions here ......

1978 53 ft hatteras , 12V71 TI motors or 1983 55 ocean 8V92 TA

would want to use mainly for cruising , while fishing . so , handling will be important in case of some "rough" weather i might encounter. not too worried about fuel consumption , just reliability of motors . thanks in advance

[Bligh]

The 55 ocean was a problem boat. If pushed hard it would do bad stuff. Infact I know of one owner that had his hull bought back because it was crooked or something like that? Yes you got a lot of nice features for the price. But the old hatteras boats were one of the strongest boats made back then. It was a good foundation that if cleaned up and modernized you would have a good boat. The Ocean is always going to be an ocean because of the thin hull bottom and the dave martin hull shape? Flexible flyer name wasnt an urban legend. Apples and oranges comparrison.

[Questsportfishing]

looks sexy but that don't get you where your going when your bottom becomes like mush.. 8v's suck fuel and no where near the hr life and that hatt has room for days... and you can still re sell it some day.

[PacificBlue]

Agree with all of the above - stick with the Hatt, overbuilt hull will provide comfort and security in the rough stuff. I would recommend Spray Rails to reduce wetness and repower with Series 60 - it would feel like a "new" boat