review
review
Hatteras GT54
Battle
wagon
Heading off and ready for battle!
When a conservative builder
like Hatteras comes out with a
new boat, it's big news – but if
it's a whole line of new boats,
it's three times as interesting.
T
he North Carolina company is in the process of
introducing its GT Series of sportfishermen, comprising
the GT60, GT63 and the model featured in this report,
the GT54. The GT54 is due to debut in Australia in September
this year. With designs inspired by fast, comfortable and
seaworthy custom boats designed for sportfishing the Outer
Banks off North Carolina, the new Hatteras vessels share hull
forms and profiles among themselves, but are much different
from similar-sized boats previously built by the company.
The Outer Banks are challenging waters for any boat. Its
narrow inlets, carved by sea and storm in the sandy bottom,
shift constantly, making local knowledge a necessity for
skippers making the passage between the sheltered waters
behind the Banks and the Atlantic. But that's only half of it:
Even the most expert captain needs a boat that can handle
the often dangerous conditions.
Over the decades, Carolina builders have developed a hull
combining sharp forward sections to slice through the rollers
with a flattish bottom aft for speed and fuel efficiency.
Hatteras has drawn on classic Carolina styling for the
GT Series, combining it with the company's well-known
soft-riding bottom, battleship-strong construction and
gentlemanly interior appointments. Each GT sportfisherman, we are told, will run at least 41 knots and do it with
The GT54 has a sharp, flared bow to knock
down waves and spray to keep the boat dryer.
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The elegant
master
stateroom
features a
queen berth
with cedarlined storage
beneath,
matching
night stands
on each side,
and overhead
storage on the
hull side.
review
review
top: This saloon
is a huge
departure from
conventional
Hatteras
designs. The
island opens
up access to
the galley –
a welcome
improvement.
an aggressively flared convex bow that morphs into a sweet
tumblehome transom evoking the graceful wooden sportfishermen of days past. The distinctive styling is so timeless,
we believe convertible lovers will be admiring the lines for
years.
But unlike cold-moulded juniper frequently used by custom
Carolina builders, Hatteras is building the GT boats with
resin-infused laminates – the hulls, stringers and bulkheads
are built this way, light and strong. Anybody who knows
boats knows they don't come any better than Hatteras, but
the GT Series seems to kick even this company's already high
standards up a notch or two.
The Hull Isn't All
A hull that can take a licking is important, but when it comes
to serious fishing other things matter, too. Hatteras has been
in the game for a long time – the first fibreglass convertible
was a 41 Hatt, launched more than 50 years ago.
Using all the knowledge acquired over half a century, the
company's designers created a tournament-ready cockpit,
with lots of room even with a full-sized chair mounted (a
mounting plate is laminated into the sole). In-deck fishboxes
handle the catch, a recirculating live well holds the bait. The
cockpit easily accommodates two anglers plus three mates,
even with the Pompanette fighting chair. The work space
seems even roomier with all your guests up out of the way
on the mezzanine, where there are food/bait freezers, drink
coolers and an Eskimo ice maker with dump. There’s enough
cold stowage to fish and entertain on a grand scale.
This hull sported a livewell in the portside sole, a fish box
to starboard and lazarette access under the fighting chair’s
footrest. The fish boxes are a tad shallow due to their
locations atop the prop tunnels.
There are compartments for gaffs and boathooks – no more
keeping them in the rod racks.
You’ll will find an improved
The guest ensuite is as palatial as you would
ever find in a sportfisher.
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mezzanine, with ergonomic seats, back and armrests. It's
convenient to the entertainment system, too. Teak is
available for the coaming boards and cockpit sole for those
who want to play up the GT Series' distinctive design.
Equipped to meet the standards of the most competitive
anglers, these cockpits are designed for improved fishing as
well as increased relaxation.
Accommodation Aplenty
The galley is "up," in the deckhouse, which is arranged for
maximum lounging comfort and an easy flow of traffic.
When fishing offshore, which can involve long periods of
monotony, many anglers prefer to hang out in the air-conditioned saloon and jump to action only when there's a strike.
It's important that they can get into the cockpit quickly
Accommodation is three cabins with twin heads
and an optional forward cabin layout with a
queen single or twin singles.
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top: For the
first time,
Hatteras has
designed an
island-style
galley for
the GT54
and GT63.
Combined
with a
dinette and
lounge, it
turns the
deckhouse
into a
comfortable
saloon.
review
top: Equipped
to meet the
standards
of the most
competitive
anglers,
the cockpit
is designed
for improved
fishing as
well as
increased
relaxation.
without falling over each other, and Hatteras designers have
fine-tuned the saloon to make that possible.
The elegant master stateroom features a queen berth with
cedar-lined storage beneath, matching night stands on each
side, and overhead storage on the hull side. A hanging locker
and dresser offer additional storage. The fully-equipped
master head lies forward and is accessible only from the
master stateroom. Further forward is the bow VIP stateroom.
This area can be configured for a double berth or a V-berth
with separate bunks.
The third stateroom can be found aft and to starboard. Its
layout offers two side-by-side bunks with a dresser and a
hanging locker. The bow and starboard staterooms share the
second head, each equipped with its own private entrance. A
third door to the companionway allows this to double as the
The upper bridge is stacked with electronics and
everything you need if you are serious about
your offshore fishing.
day head while fishing, or when entertaining guests.
Buyers who want something different have a wide latitude
in custom layouts – anything that won't compromise the
hull integrity, according to a Hatteras spokesperson. Buying
a boat like the GT54 is more a process than an event, so if
you want one, expect to be involved right from the start to
get just the boat you want.
Power and Performance
According to the builder, the GT54 will run 41 knots at
top end and 37 knots at cruise with the optional 1600-hp
Caterpillar C32A diesels. Twin 1,150-hp Cat C18 diesels are
also available, and most likely those are the engines that
cruising-oriented buyers will specify. The diesels will be
covered by Cat's Concierge Program to provide exceptional
customer service wherever the boat is located.
The lighter weight made possible by the resin-infused hull
reduces fuel burn and provides a range of 400 nautical miles
at cruise. Backing down proved impressive. You can run
9.5 knots in reverse before a drop of water comes over the
transom. The scuppers exit through the outer hull, hidden in
the profile as they drain out the aft end of the splash/rub
rail. Ingenious and very effective.
Hatteras claims to be the first builder to combine a convex
bow with deep prop pockets on a sportfisherman. The GT
Series continues the practice. Prop pockets allow a more
efficient shaft angle while reducing draft, an important consideration in the sometimes shallow water inside the Banks.
Hatteras Pedigree
With the tooling for these three new battlewagons, the
company's commitment to tournament-level billfishermen is
obvious. By drawing on its boatbuilding roots in the Carolina
Outer Banks, Hatteras convertibles should appeal to veteran
big game anglers.
But Hatteras will also be reaching out to
the cruising yachtsman who doesn't want to own a mini
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Advert
review
tions found on these boats feature thoughtful layouts and
luxurious amenities. Underneath these dashing good looks,
the Hatteras commitment to quality construction continues
with a no-compromise build philosophy. Each model in the
GT Series is made in the Hatteras tradition, with robust
electrical and mechanical systems, and incredibly durable
hulls that are resin-infused for light-weight strength and
performance.
The Hatteras GT54 sports nothing but greener, more costeffective LED lighting – both AC and DC. Additionally,
Hatteras has switched over to digital controls through KEP
touch-screen displays. But perhaps the most significant
improvement is what you can’t actually see: resin infusion
used in the hull construction, which makes for a stronger,
lighter and “greener” boat, thanks to a more precise use of
raw materials. Hatteras sells each GT on a semicustom basis.
Each boat is different, and totally its owner’s choice.
If we have learned anything in our 42 years observing boat
building at close range it is simply this – the pendulum
swings. Styles come and they go. Boat types evolve. Brands
that are on top are the most vulnerable and in a matter of
just a few years can be near the bottom. We have seen it
again and again. The drivers of that pendulum in the boating
business, just like that in any business, are individuals with
vision, a plan, and a work ethic. The folks in New Bern seem
to have a vision, they certainly have a plan, and they are
working hard.
Estimated Performance & Fuel Data
According to the builder, the GT54 will run 41 knots at top end and
37 knots at cruise with the optional 1600hp Caterpillar C32A diesels.
For a full report
and video on ths
boat go to
www.boatest.com
superyacht or a Euro-styled express motor yacht. It is easy
to forget that Hatteras motor yachts at one time ruled the
world, so to speak, and was the leading brand of motor
yachts around the world for a couple of decades, and even
today is the largest builder of motor yachts in the U.S. The
company knows the cruising yachtsman's mentality, and it is
building cruising amenities into the new GT54 Convertible as
well as sportfishing.
The GT54 is priced "extremely competitive" to the old 54,
which is being discontinued.
The GT54 was released at the
Miami boat show in February. We think any one of these new
Hatts will be worth waiting for.
In keeping with Hatteras style, the comfortable accommoda-
C18 Acert Caterpillar @ 1150hp each
RPM Speed
Fuel
Economy
(knots) (L/h)
(L/NM)
1800 26
235
9.0
2000 30
307
10
2100 32
340
11
2300 36
454
13
Range
(NM)
436
387
372
315
C32 Acert Caterpillar @ 1600hp each
RPM Speed
Fuel
Economy
(knots) (L/h)
(L/NM)
1800 34
378
11
2000 37
454
12
2100 39
511
13
2300 42
644
15
Range
(NM)
356
324
304
261
NB Fuel consumption is based on two engines at
any given rpm. Range is based on 90% of standard
fuel capacity.
T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
Design Name:
Builder:
Country of Origin:
Designer:
Interior Designers:
Year Launched:
LOA:
LOH:
Beam:
Draft:
Displacement:
Max Speed:
Fuel Cap:
Water Cap:
Construction:
Hatteras GT54
Hatteras
USA
Hatteras Yachts
Hatteras Yachts
2012
17.43m
16.41m
5.27m
1.28m
34000kg (dry)
36 knots (C18 Caterpillars)
42 knots (C32 Caterpillars)
4542 litres
681 litres
Solid fibreglass, resin infused hull bottom
Engines Make:
Gearboxes:
Drive Train:
Propellers:
Generator:
Battery Charger:
Air Conditioning:
Trim Tabs:
Lighting:
Wood Finish:
Helm Chair(s):
Entertainment Sys:
Electronics:
Base Price:
2 x Caterpillar C18A
@ 1150hp or C32A @ 1600hp
ZF
Shafts through tunnels
5-Blade Nibral
21.5kW Onan
240V Automatic
12.3kW/reverse cycle heating
Interceptor Trim Control
LED Lighting
American cherrywood or mahogany
Murray Brothers
Bose Lifestyle 35
optional to suit customer
$Aus1,899,000
Contact: Game & Leisure Boats, Graham McCloy +61 (07) 55775 811 E: sales@gandlb.com.au
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