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Brief Summary
While it is the smallest motoryacht that Hatteras builds, the three stateroom/two head yacht 60 is the largest 60-footer on the market. That is because the M60 (formerly the 60 Motor Yacht) has an 18’2” (5.53 m) beam and that width – 2” more than many in class – pays off in many ways. We found her to be as comfortable at the dock as well as underway, and with her flybridge helm there’s more living space on the main deck.
Key Features
- Includes flybridge standard arrangement, main deck standard arrangement, lower deck standard arrangement, and main deck with optional helm/crew stateroom arrangement
- Large salon
- Full-beam master stateroom
- Large aft deck
- Storage throughout
- 21.5 kW diesel generator
Specifications
Length Overall | 60' 11'' / 18.6 m |
---|---|
Beam |
18' 2'' 5.53 m |
Dry Weight |
87,700 lbs. 39,780 kg |
Draft |
4’ 8'' 1.42 m |
Deadrise/Transom | N/A |
Max Headroom | N/A |
Bridge Clearance | N/A |
Fuel Capacity |
1,200 gal. 4,542 L |
Water Capacity |
250 gal. 946 L |
Engine Options
Tested Engine |
Currently no test numbers |
---|---|
Std. Power |
2 x 1015-hp Cat C-18A Diesels |
Opt. Power |
Not Available |
Captain's Report
Overview
Hatteras designed the M60 to serve as the lower end of the spectrum of yachts that can realistically be owner-operated for offshore cruising, while still having the upper end of the spectrum for amenities, fit-and-finish. With this yacht, an owner can have access to any port that has fuel, while still having a first class entertainment platform and a distance cruiser all in one. Being owner-operated goes to the core value of what Hatteras is all about. The company has long catered to seasoned yachtsmen who are at once knowledgeable regarding the complexities of large yachts as well as possessing the ability to handle them.
Distinguishing Features
Beam
The Hatteras M60 has an 18’2” (5.53 m) beam, which is the greatest in class and has benefits both in terms of more room all over the boat, but also in riding comfort offshore. With the extra beam comes extra weight, which further adds to her stability and comfort in a seaway. And at the deck, she won’t be put into a roll by a small boat wake, something quite common with lightweight, narrow yachts of the same length.
Fuel Capacity
Also setting her apart is her 1,200-gallon (4,542 L) fuel capacity, which is 50% greater than some motoryachts her size. This gives her greater cruising range than most boats in class, particularly at 10 to 11 knots, where most yachtsmen like to cruise when making long passages.
Features Inspection
Swim Platform
There are two ways to board the Hatteras M60. Either from the side decks by way of a set of removable stairs, or from the swim platform. Using the platform, it comes out from the transom 4’3” (1.30 m). In the two corners are 12” (30.5 cm) pull-up cleats. A hatch to the starboard side conceals the two 50-Amp shore cords on electric reels along with the city water connectors. A hydraulic option is available ($55,968) for those that wish either the convenience of a private beach or a place to store and launch a PWC or tender. There are molded steps to both sides that lead to the aft deck. Hatteras thoughtfully added rails to the sides of both sets of stairs that not only make the transition easier, it’s safer. Stair treads are teak ($6,068) and courtesy lights are added for transition after dark.
A water-tight hatch in the transom leads to the lazarrette, and a socket-type key is required to open it making entry from the engine room the logical choice. The lazarette can be ordered as a crew area ($59,800) but most keep it as a mechanical area as this is largely an owner/operated yacht.
Aft Deck
As we enter the aft deck we come to the first of our many gathering areas. A molded C-shaped sofa across the transom wraps around a high-gloss teak table on two chromed pedestals. Two freestanding deck chairs are just ahead and the whole area is protected by the overhead 6’11” (2.11 m) off the deck that is created by the extended flybridge above. The decking ($20,398) is a continuation of the teak from the stairs and an electrically actuated hatch in the center leads to the engine room.
Bow
The bow is accessed from side decks to both port and starboard. Bulwarks come up to 26” (66 cm) with rails on top bringing the total to 33” (84 cm). There are two 12” (30.5 cm) cleats in the midships area with stainless chafing gear just outboard.
At the working end of the bow is a Maxwell windlass with foot controls just behind. Outboard are two access hatches to the rode. The anchor is mounted to a stainless steel roller embedded into the bow. We’d like to see a cleat for securing the rode when the anchor is deployed to take the load off the windlass, which is not recommended by the manufacturer. To the sides are 12” (30.5 cm) bow cleats with the chocks well ahead causing the bow line to make a hard angle as it makes its way to the dock.
The bow sun pad is large at 6’ x 2’9” (1.83 m x .84 m) each of two sections. At the forward end the foot of the sun pad flips up to create a forward facing bench seat that provides an excellent view of the water ahead. This is sure to be a popular spot while underway and perhaps the option for a pedestal table would be a welcome one for Hatteras to provide.
Flying Bridge
Continuing with our exterior inspection, the flying bridge is accessed from stairs to the starboard side ahead of the aft deck. Teak treads are optional ($6,827), and we highly recommend them. A hatch at the top can be locked to secure the area.
At first glance the flying bridge reveals itself to have a comfortable gathering area under the protection of the hardtop and surrounding isinglass curtains. It consists of a U-shaped sofa to port wrapping around a small pair of teak pedestal tables, all in close proximity to the captain and observer.
Aft we have an open area that is suitable for a boat deck and a 1,000 lb. (454 kg) hydraulic davit ($26,585) that will facilitate launching. In the case of our test boat, the deck is left as a gathering/sunning location with a pair of deck chairs to the rear. Aft seating can be added ($20,390) at the owner’s request. Ahead is an electric grill with an option for an icemaker beneath. All of this area, that extends aft, is what provides the overhead protection for the aft deck below.
Helm
Before leaving the flying bridge, let’s take a look at the helm. This is the only operating station on the M60 so it stands to reason that the forward deck is protected on all sides by isinglass. Heat and 32,000 BTU air conditioning maintain the climate control and we’re happy to see two of the vents right at the helm.
Operationally, the helm consists of a starboard-mounted pod style console and is well thought out with all components in a logical sequence. The two CAT displays give us a selectable readout of the twin C18 engines. A pair of 15” (38 cm) displays are just ahead of the operator. Left of the wheel is the autopilot control. To the right and up top is a Furuno digital display showing depth, speed and water temperature. Alongside that is the VHF. Just below are the engine start/stops flanking a fuel gauge. Below are all the rocker switches. Below are the digital engine controls, the engine and throttle overrides, the bow thruster control and the two SeaKeeper gyro controls ($235,000). Steering is hydraulic power assisted.
Do We Need the Gyros? As we have pointed out, the Hatteras M60 is not a typical made-for-show motoryacht. With her beam and displacement, she will ride as well as any yacht on the market and so is the last boat in class to need gyros. Nevertheless, Hatteras offers them, and, of course, they will help dampen roll in rough conditions.
Behind the helm is a pair of Platinum Series helm seats with the observer getting a slightly better view with the starboard mounted location. The captain gets a position that is center-mounted and this will slightly limit the view of the side decks, but we had no problem docking. Certainly a stern-to docking can be facilitated with a view down the companionway stairs.
Going Below
Salon
Access to the salon from the aft deck is through a stainless steel framed sliding glass door measuring 3’2” x 6’ (.97 m x 1.83 m). Upon entering the openness of the area is driven home by frameless and tinted tempered glass windows and the 6’7” (2.01 m) of overhead clearance to the fabric ceiling.
L-shaped seating to the port hand side is built-in and includes storage underneath. A high-gloss coffee table is just in front. To the starboard side there’s a freestanding chair and just behind is a 37” (94 cm) series flat screen TV mounted into a cabinet and wired to the Bose surround sound system. Decking is synthetic wood with a carpeted inlay.
Galley
As we continue forward, the galley and dining areas are up an 8” (20.32 cm) step, and the overhead comes up accordingly. To starboard is a galley with a well thought-out traffic pattern leaving no “dead ends,” making it easy for two or three people to work in the galley. An island features a sink and storage underneath and open counter space above. The remainder or the galley is L-shaped. Stone countertops continue with a four-burner ceramic cooktop, five refrigerated drawers and dishwasher below and a convection microwave above.
Just ahead of the galley is a watertight pantograph door leading to the starboard side deck, and an opening rail where we can attach a set of stairs to the dock. This makes it convenient to load groceries into the boat without having to climb the stairs to the aft deck and traipse through the salon to do so.
Dining
As we move to the dining area, the synthetic wood flooring we saw in the salon continues across from the galley to the dining area. L-shaped seating wraps around a high gloss table. Additional chairs can be added to increase the dining capacity.
“Country Kitchen” or Formal Dining
This is an area where the 18’2” (5.53 m) pays off as there is room for three folding chairs, so six can comfortably sit at this table for formal dining. Without the extra chairs, the area reverts to its “country kitchen” design. Just behind is a cabinet with storage and an icemaker. A wine chiller is just ahead.
Accommodations Deck
The Hatteras M60 is a three-stateroom/two-head yacht and the lower decks are accessed from a curving stairway at the starboard side, just ahead of the galley. The forward windows, and a glass safety panel allow natural light down to the foyer. At night, the area is well lit. Storage cabinets line the stairway with one of the doors concealing the ship’s breaker panel.
Master Stateroom
The full-beam master is aft and is centered around a king-sized berth with the requisite nightstands to both sides. Chests of drawers are to both sides of the stateroom with rectangular hull-side windows just above. The drawers to starboard can be swapped out for a settee beneath the windows and a desk and chair are also to this side.
Head
An ensuite head with walk-in shower is ahead and to port. It has the same fabricated decking that we saw on the main deck. The ceiling is mirrored. Marble countertops have a vessel sink and the shower features stone tiling behind a frameless glass door.
The guest and VIP berths are forward and to port, respectively, and both have access to the shared head. The VIP has a private entrance to this head and with a second entry at the hallway it also serves as a day head.
Operations
Engine Room
The engine room is accessed from a hatch in the center of the aft deck. It’s electrically actuated and the switch to open it is just inside the salon door making the compartment inaccessible when the door is locked.
A ladder leads down to the aft section of the compartment. Here Hatteras provides as standard a pair of 1000-hp CAT C18s with an available upgrade to the 1136-hp C18s on our test boat ($125,000). The overhead is 6’7" (2.01 m) above the deck level, and there’s 1’8” (.51 m) at the narrowest point, between two fuel filters. The engines are conspicuously absent sea rails but there are grab rails overhead, but high for shorter captains. To the portside-rear is a single 21.5 kW generator. A second is available as an option ($22,694). There are individual seacocks for each engine and the generator, plus high-speed pickups for the water makers, air conditioner and raw water pumps. The fuel tank is aluminum while the water tank is polyethylene. Add a 1200 gpd water maker for $25,900. Both engines have electric fuel priming pumps. We’d like to see sea strainers on the main engine water intakes.
Handling
As for handling, the Hatteras M60 is a dreamboat. Solid and stable are the operative words. Of course we had flat calm conditions on test day but crossing wakes can be very telling with experience, and in that light, the M60 showed herself to be an exemplary sea boat. Her high bows part waves quite well and keep spray low and wide for a dry ride.
There are four turns to the wheel from lock to lock so her turning can get more aggressive than some of the other models in the lineup. Of course few would actually operate her with the heavy hand of a test captain, so that aggressive trait would likely never manifest itself, but it does bode well for operating in heavy seas, particularly a following sea where the wheel is working much harder to maintain a steady heading. In that case, the brisk handling will be a godsend.
Docking
It’s always interesting to report the docking qualities of a yacht like this, probably because so few will get the chance to actually do it without writing a check. With a lot of experience in the field one gets a good grasp of how well, or not, a boat behaves at the dock and true to form, the M60 handles the task with grace and poise. Here’s how it’s done. The M60 is equipped with a bow thruster only.
With a side to docking, put the wheel hard over and by adding a shot of ahead to the dock side engine, the stern will start to move over in short order. Now add a touch of thruster in the same direction and she’ll start to glide sideways. With a gentle touch in this manner, she’ll lay up with a gentle squish to the fenders and the crew can then step off to tie her up. Pulling away is just the same, only with the wheel in the opposite direction. Push the stern away and then add thruster and she slides off pretty as you please.
If backing into a slip, the wheel is centered. Use the separate engines to pull the stern back and to steer at the same time. Reverse the port engine, the stern will come back and ease to starboard. Add starboard to stop the side drift, and leave it on for another second and the stern swings to port. Now add thruster to position the bow where you want it and in you go… just as easy as the side to docking. Hatteras’ are consistently among the easiest boats to handle around the dock. They have plenty of thrust, which gets the job done so it doesn’t take a heavy hand to get them moving. Don’t move faster than one wants to hit something and things seem to work themselves out fine. Of course if an owner isn’t as “seasoned” as others, the task can be made even easier with the purchase of the optional CAT 360 Joystick control system ($133,646).
Pricing and Observations
The Hatteras M60 comes with a base price of $2,995,000. As tested our model was $3.4m. Hatteras has been building yachts now for over 50 years and has learned along the way that its reputation is in its build. Its yachts are among the best built and most reliable available. In our opinion, the M60 is not only another representative example of that mindset, it’s a model that places that quality of build into the hands of a wider demographic. In a word, she’s “the real thing.”