Boat yards/builders

[Triskele]

I have a 43 Double Cabin. I want to add a cockpit. Can anyone recommend a builder or yard in Louisiana or Alabama that can do a cockpit addition?

 

[erikserras]

i havent had any actual building done on my boat at this marina but they are true hatteras guys and the work is top notch at dog river marina in mobile. if they dont do it i would trust a refferal from them. good luck

 

[jmooney]

I would love to have a cockpit added , but the cost would exceed the value of our boat . Try to find a nice 48 cockpit yacht.

 

[Scarlett]

We thought about adding a cockpit to our boat. I stupidly thought I would be willing to spend around $50,000 ha ha , try 3 times that so we had a molded fiberglass 4 foot swim platform added for $5,000.

 

[cww]

Bigger swim platform does everything you want for 1/10th of the cost, plus you don't have to make structural alterations to your boat, and you don't have to deal with the change in handling characteristics caused by the props and rudders now being towards the middle of the boat instead of where they're supposed to be.

When Hatteras produced a cockpit model they always extended the shafts and rudders all the way aft to their normal position. The Hatteras of Lauderdale extension boats have a bit of a reputation for having an odd turning radius and getting squirrely in a following sea. Unless you're relocating the running gear (at great expense) I'm not sure why you couldn't expect the same issue.

 

[Timeless72]

We have what is basically the 43 with a cockpit added. Could not live without it. Please be thorough in vetting whoever you decide. Even the biggest can be a complete nightmare.

 

[Boatsb]

The 44 /48 was a much larger boat than the 43. I think finding a 48 yachtfish is a better idea. The 43 is ok but the 48 based on the 44 is a huge difference with the extended running gear and much larger engine room.

To put $150k into your 43 would not make sense.

 

[whoover]

I was sent a link on yachtworld to a 48 yachtfish that is located in Ontario on lake Erie, might be worth a look.

Walt Hoover

 

[Triskele]

Thank you all for your input. Good thoughts. Yes $150K is far more than I want to throw at a cockpit refit. There are a couple of 48 Yachtfish on the market. I will explore there.