Hatteras M75 Panacera (2016-)

Brief Summary

When Hatteras commissioned Italy’s Enrico Gabbi and The Team For Design to create the 100 Raised Pilothouse, it marked a quantum leap for the legendary American builder from New Bern, North Carolina. Mixing Mediterranean-influenced exterior lines, the builder’s proven offshore engineering and construction strengths, and contemporary interiors, the 100 Raised Pilothouse was the first in a new line of motoryachts with great appeal to yachting’s next generation of yachtsmen.

Now Hatteras has followed that successful introduction with the next model in its motoryacht series — the M75 Panacera (formerly the 70 Motor Yacht). It brings the near-identical design lines and concepts of the 100RPH into a manageable size range, without sacrificing anything in offshore stability and performance.

The Hatteras M75 Panacera has a convex modified-V hull with tunnels and a 5'3'' (1.60 m) draft for go-most-anywhere cruising grounds. Additionally, it can be powered by twin diesels ranging from 1600-hp to 1900-hp and achieve speeds that the builder says can reach 30 knots — to cut down on passage times, or keep a cruising schedule that is independent of adverse conditions.

Key Features

• Twin Cat C-32A Diesel Engines
• Two 27.5 kW diesel generators
• Fuel capacity of 2,200 gallons
• Flybridge with multiple seating options and sunning spaces
• Interior with open-concept deckhouse salon and galley arrangement, and panoramic windows
• Full-beam master suite in addition to a private VIP stateroom and twin staterooms

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	74' 6'' / 22.71 m
Beam	21' 0'' 6.40 m
Dry Weight	155,000 lbs. 70,306 kg
Tested Weight	162,774 lbs. 73,833 kg
Draft	5' 3'' 1.60 m
Deadrise/Transom	N/A
Max Headroom	N/A
Bridge Clearance	N/A
Fuel Capacity	2,200 gal. 8,328 L
Water Capacity	300 gal. 1,135 L
Total Weight	162,774 lbs. 73,833 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	8.8 sec.
0 to 30	N/A
Ratio	N/A
Props	49X65.5x8
Load	4 persons, 1/2 fuel, 3/8 water, 50 lbs. gear
Climate	84 deg., 73 humid.; wind: 0-5 mph; seas: calm

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 1800-hp 12V 2000 MTU
Std. Power	2 x 1600-hp Cat C-32A diesel
Opt. Power	Not Available

Captain's Report

Contents of Report

• Mission
• Features Inspection
• Main Deck
• Salon
• Accommodations Deck
• The Build
• Power
• Observations

The Mission

It is obvious that this veteran builder has shot a cannon ball across the bows of numerous European brands. The M75 Panacera’s wide 21’0” (6.40 m) beam is one of the greatest in class and this makes a big difference all over the boat, from the accommodations below to the main deck salon to the flying bridge. Not only does this prodigious beam make the boat roomier, it also makes her more stable at rest and in a seaway. It spreads her displacement over more square footage which means she does not draw as much water as do most boats in class. People with a dock in front of their house will appreciate that – and she can cruise in the Abacos, eastern Baltic, and in the Chesapeake Bay without undo concern.

With the M75 Panacera, Hatteras continues to do what it has always done best – build rugged, seaworthy vessels with systems designed and installed that are among the best of any builder in the world. The M75 Panacera stays true to the Italian design, however, now the builder’s new vessels -- both inside and out -- are created at Hatteras' facility in New Bern, North Carolina by designers who are on the cutting edge of motoryacht styling and taste. She is also highly customizable. For example, she can be built with a large country kitchen galley, or an enclosed traditional European one. She comes with several different engine packages that make her as fast as any boat in class.

Features Inspection

The Flying Bridge

With a flying bridge that spans nearly half the length of the yacht, the Hatteras M75 Panacera’s upper deck establishes itself as the chosen space for those who celebrate being underway. Its spacious boat deck, which is long enough to protect the aft deck below, can be equipped with an optional 1,500-lb. (680 kg) capacity davit to make quick work of launching and retrieving the tender. And with the tender launched, the area where owners and guests can relax grows quickly.

There’s a flying bridge wet bar with three dedicated stools just abaft the helm. Beneath the solid surface countertop reside a refrigerator, icemaker and ample storage for supplies and glassware. A hatch is included to close off the stairways to rain and spray in inclement weather, a vital feature for keeping the aft deck below drier.

High bulwarks forward and solid stainless steel safety rails aft add security for crew and guests underway. This is another distinguishing feature of the Hatteras M75 Panacera when compared to many European designs — where the flying bridge is basically for sunning and the helm is an afterthought.

A capacious U-shaped lounge with high-gloss teak table on a raised platform offers elevated views for six to eight guests. This layout differs slightly from the standard port side bench, which extends all the way forward, as shown on the flying bridge plan drawing.

The standard fiberglass hardtop provides excellent protection from the sun, while accommodating overhead LED lighting below and a mast with anchor light above. Black finishes on the underside of the fiberglass hardtop help refocus guests’ vision on beautiful surroundings. And there’s a standard large cabinet with a single grill just aft for outdoor cooking. Not obvious are the acrylic enclosure and the standard 32,000 BTU reverse cycle air conditioning to keep the flying bridge comfortable when temperatures turn steamy or chilly.

When the boat deck is clear, room to relax and entertain nearly doubles on the upper deck — this time, out from under the hardtop, with the option of enjoying the sun’s warming rays. Optional teak planking adds warmth and color, as well as some slip resistance, to the entire flybridge.

Again, welded and highly polished stainless steel handrails with intermediate safety rails add security for those relaxing aft. The optional 1,500 lb. (680 kg) davit, not installed here, is usually located on the port side of the boat deck — to make launching easier when the yacht is tied up starboard side to. For owners who prefer to keep the boat deck clear all of the time for entertaining, Hatteras offers an optional hydraulic swim platform, and can certainly rig the M75 Panacera to tow a substantial tender in her wake.

The flying bridge helm is large enough to accommodate a full suite of optional navigation and communications electronics — seen here with two 15” Garmin touchscreen displays and a systems monitor, showing everything from four CCTV camera views (three in the engine room, one looking aft), Furuno digital depth and temperature measurements, navigation charts and a 12 kW radar, to name just a few possible views.

The Helm

A pair of adjustable helm chairs, set back for easy standing operation of the modestly tilted fixed wheel and adjacent bow thruster and throttle/clutch binnacle, lets the captain and crew, or guest, take part in the operation of the yacht.

Because it is offset to starboard, the helmsman has an excellent view all along the starboard side for docking, as well as a good view of the starboard stern quarter, when looking down the stairway.

The Main Deck

In the standard arrangement, notable layout features include a wide and deep fixed swim platform with two stairways to the aft deck, two side boarding gates allowing easy access to the aft deck from high docks when tied side-to. Wide side decks with high bulwarks for safe movement of crew and guests fore and aft, are an important safety feature. The foredeck that has clear decks necessary for efficient handling of ground tackle and mooring lines. The standard layout features a large salon aft and unobstructed traffic patterns to the L-shaped galley with a granite topped island and country kitchen seating.

The optional main deck arrangement offers the possibility of a formal dining area for six to eight guests between a slightly smaller salon seating area and a bistro-style galley. Seating for informal meals forward shifts to include a dinette to port and a pair of stools at the range-equipped island. A day head is found to port in either layout. And both feature a foredeck lounge/sun pad area for relaxing, sunbathing, and enjoying the views ahead.

Dining and relaxing on the aft deck centers around the large teak table and molded bench seating on the transom, which is well protected from the elements by the extension of the boat deck overhead. Mooring tackle is set up from the deck level on raised shelves for ease of handling, and to help keep the deck free of lines.

An aft deck bar with sink and refrigerator adds convenience for those who don’t want to stray too far from the magnificent views in search of a cold drink. Enclosed with isinglass, the aft deck, covered here in optional teak, becomes a multi-season entertainment area adjoining the salon.

On the bow, welded stainless steel rails and high bulwarks give the foredeck seating areas an elevated sense of security. The wide black area below the flying bridge helm is the innovative wraparound windshield, while the glassed-in area below is a window that gives those seated in the country kitchen visibility forward.

The Salon

With interior wood bulkheads, cabinetry and trim in grey oak with a satin finish, the crisp contemporary look of Mediterranean-inspired lines outside comes inside — a look that is easy on the eyes, yet totally customizable. No two Hatteras yachts look alike because each is built on a semi-custom basis that allows owners to tailor their yacht according to specific yachting lifestyles and needs. That ability is, of course, constrained from changes that compromise structural bulkheads. The welded and highly polished stainless steel door opens both to port and starboard, and an electric opening option is available.

The entertainment center, with its 40” LED TV on a lift and a storage cabinet containing the home theater surround sound and DVD components, is set to port, directly across from the large, comfortable L-shaped lounge.

Hidden in the cabinet just aft — clever bottle and crystal storage making service or entertaining on the aft deck more convenient. The large, fixed frame windows throughout the salon, galley and country kitchen are tinted safety glass, helping to keep the interior cooler in hot climates and adding to the distinctive look of the design externally.

A hide-away liquor and crystal locker, within easy reach of the aft deck, is tucked away next to an icemaker — making service easy for those entertaining on the aft deck. Finished wood cabinets throughout the salon perfectly match the long wearing standard synthetic wood flooring.

The Galley and Country Kitchen

The standard layout marries a large galley with country kitchen seating for six to eight persons. Note the unobstructed traffic patterns, making it easy for crew and guests to move aft through the salon, down the portside stairs to the accommodation deck, or out the starboard side pantograph weatherproof door to the side deck — for easy access to the foredeck or aft deck.

The optional layout introduces a formal dining area for eight persons just abaft the bistro-style galley, which is understandably reduced in size. This option doesn’t mean giving up casual dining, as Hatteras’ designers have included a small L-shaped dinette and incorporated an island that houses the range and doubles as a breakfast bar.

The galley in the standard layout has abundant storage above and below stone countertops, as well as a full complement of top-rank, standard-sized appliances, to make meal preparation and service very efficient. The galley shares the atrium-like lighting from the innovative wraparound overhead windshield, as well as tall side windows. Keeping the space open between the galley and the salon means that the chef can stay in touch with guests in the salon, have a view of the action on the aft deck, and still be just a few steps from the country kitchen dinettes.

Innovative thinking led the Hatteras designers to incorporate a one-piece (mullion-free) wraparound windshield into the forward upper portion of the deckhouse. This creates a light-attracting atrium for the galley and country kitchen. Views forward and out both sides are remarkable in this area.

There’s a locking pantograph door to starboard that provides good access to both the foredeck seating and the aft deck dining area, an excellent nod to crew service and guest convenience. The protected stairwell to port provides access to the accommodation deck level.

Accommodations Deck

The standard arrangement of staterooms on the accommodation deck includes a desirable full-beam master with a king size berth amidships, a large guest with a full-size berth to starboard across from another guest with two single berths to port, and a VIP guest with a queen size berth in the bow. Both the master and the VIP guest staterooms have private, en suite heads, while the starboard and port guest staterooms share a head. All have separate showers.

The master stateroom in this plan view shows a typical layout, with a couch and the head compartment to starboard, a bureau with drawers and a walk-in closet to port, and large night stands flanking the head of the berth.

There is a desk and chair to starboard in lieu of the standard lounge. A 40” LED TV is mounted on the bulkhead, complete with home theater surround sound and Blu-ray connectivity. There’s a cedar-lined storage in the wood base of the king berth, as well as in the walk-in closet, which also has shelves and automatic lighting.

This view to the port side of the master stateroom shows another desk where dressers with drawers are standard. That being said, the option for customization could include two couches, additional dresser storage, or open spaces for large comfortable chairs. Large in-hull fixed port lights, sized and shaped to offer maximum views and lend visual support to the stateroom’s design lines, contribute an open feeling that makes spending time here revitalizing.

A tiled shower stall with a frameless door in the master head features a large seat with stone surfaces. Tiled flooring and a freshwater head are also standard.

On the starboard side of the master head, a vanity with stone countertop and backsplash and lots of drawer storage beneath demonstrates the kind of attention to detail that Hatteras’ designer brings to the table. Need two sinks? Not a problem.

The hallway leading from the stair landing provides access to three guest cabins going forward. Note that the starboard guest stateroom has a private entrance to the head which is shared with the port side guest.

The VIP guest stateroom takes maximum advantage of the wide beam in the bow, with walkways to make getting in and out of the berth effortless. There’s cedar-lined storage beneath the queen size berth, and in the hanging lockers on either side.

Port lights and an overhead hatch have coverings for increased privacy when desired, and bring plenty of natural illumination when uncovered. Like each stateroom, there’s an LED TV and entertainment system for guests. The VIP guest head features a vanity with stone countertop and backsplash, hardwood base cabinet with storage drawers, a freshwater toilet, and a shower with a seat behind a frameless glass door. The décor is in keeping with the design cues found throughout the yacht.

The full-size berth in the guest stateroom to starboard has storage in the wood berth base, as well as in a cedar-lined hanging closet near the entrance. It, too, has an LED TV with entertainment components, as well as individual controls for the HVAC — a standard in each stateroom.

Accessible through a private door leading to the starboard stateroom, or another door opening on the hallway, the third head compartment is shared with the port side stateroom and has all of the major features found in the larger heads, proportionally scaled down for efficiency.

Crew Quarters

A watertight door in the transom gives access to the crew quarters, which do not want for luxury touches like solid-surface countertops and a separate shower with glass door, and a comfortable single berth.

A single berth in a private cabin for one crew is standard on the M75 Panacera. Adjoining the crew stateroom is a general work and storage space that can be optionally outfitted for tool storage and repair work, house a large freezer, or accommodate a second crew stateroom with shared lounging area.

The Build

Hatteras builds the M75 Panacera using resin infusion techniques that help ensure the highest glass to resin ratio for strength and light weight. The bottom of the hull is fabricated with solid fiberglass, with an exterior of premium gelcoat and vinylester resins for maximum strength, protection against punctures and blister resistance.

Hull sides above the waterline are of resin-infused composite construction, with cross-linked foam core at the center for stiffness and strength without excess weight. Structural bulkheads, massive full-length stringers, and interior decks are also composite structures, which give the yacht structural integrity without excess weight.

Hatteras fabricates its own tanks from fiberglass and bronze fittings, and in the case of the fuel tanks, it uses fire-retardant resin. An electric fuel transfer system with filtration and run-dry protection for the pump is standard.

The engine room and bilges are painted with a polyurethane coating for ease of maintenance. A painted, pultruded fiberglass rudder shelf is bolted to steel plates in the stringers.

A pultrusion is a manufacturing process by which multiple layers of resin-impregnated woven or braided strands of fibers and mats are pulled through a heated die to make a panel that has a constant cross section for enormous strength, and rigid shape. It will more than handle the strains of the stainless steel rudders Hatteras specifies for the M75 Panacera.

Power

Stainless steel beds support a choice of four high performance engines, starting with a pair of 1600-hp Caterpillar C-32A diesels, going up to 1900-hp Cats. High strength Alloy 22 propeller shafts tapered with round keys are used to reduce stress concentrations at propeller and coupling ends.

Mechanical Details

Dripless shaft seals are standard, as are manganese bronze struts and engine couplings. Individual sea chests are specified for each engine and generator to help ensure a consistent flow of cooling water to each motor, while a single discharge sea chest helps minimize the number of ports in the hull. There’s also a high-speed sea chest for watermakers, air conditioners and raw water pumps. There is an oil changing system serving the main engines, gears and generators.

Bronze/chrome ball valves, through-bolted in solid fiberglass, are used on all underwater thru-hull fittings. There are back-up seawater and freshwater pumps for the air conditioning system. The standard bow thruster is a 32-hp hydraulic unit with dual propellers.

Painted Hull

Before delivery, both the hull and the superstructure are painted with a premium linear polyester/polyurethane coating that protects the gelcoat from deterioration by ultraviolet rays, maintains its gloss longer, and is far easier to repair in case of damage. This is an important, distinguishing feature of the Hatteras M75 Panacera. Not only does it hold a high-gloss shine longer than gelcoat, but it eliminated many hours of compounding and polishing that is required to keep gelcoat hulls looking their best.

Stabilizers

A fin stabilizer system from ABT is standard. Alternatively, Hatteras offers the Seakeeper Gyro Stabilization system and the Zero Speed system as options.

Observations

Hatteras was born in the epicenter of America’s fine furniture producing area, and from what we have seen, the M75 Panacera’s fit-and-finish carries on that tradition. The builder is making the M75 Panacera versatile so that she can appeal to a wider range of yachtsmen – from the owner who wants to use her as a spacious dayboat and casual entertaining platform, to someone who enjoys cruising with an extended family of children and grandchildren, or maybe even three or four other couples for a memorable cruise somewhere fantastic.

There is simply no better way to see many parts of the world than by water in a large, well-equipped motoryacht. The M75 Panacera can be all of those things, whether operated by a crew or by an experienced owner/operator couple. Either way, it is the Hatteras blend of contemporary cruiser with the company’s hallmark offshore stability and performance that will make this design rise above lesser yachts.