1985 Hatteras 53 Extended Deckhouse

“3 Little Birds” is a beautiful 1985 Hatteras 53 Extended Deck Motor Yacht offering the classic Hatteras construction, tremendous living space, and cruising capability that have made the 53 one of the most respected American motor yachts ever built.

Located in Little River, South Carolina, 3 Little Birds has been thoughtfully equipped and updated for extended time aboard. The desirable Extended Deck layout provides an exceptionally spacious full-beam salon while retaining convenient access to the aft deck through double doors, creating a comfortable living area with an excellent connection to the outdoors.

Recent cruising-oriented improvements include 600Ah of LiFePO4 lithium house batteries with inverter/charger, electronic shift controls, Starlink, 2024 AGM engine start batteries, 2024 New 32V AGM House batteries, a 2024 Yamaha 20HP outboard for the Boston Whaler tender, updated anchor chain, and USB-C charging at the upper helm.

She also benefits from recent bottom paint and replacement of the stabilizer seals, while her dependable Detroit Diesel 6V92 engines have received annual service from a well-known and respected Detroit mechanic.

Power is provided by twin Detroit Diesel 6V92 engines showing approximately 3,676 hours port and 3,680 hours starboard. Ship's power is supplied by an Onan 20kW generator with approximately 4,948 hours.

For the cruising couple looking for a capable motor yacht with substantial accommodations, redundant helm stations, Naiad stabilizers, excellent tender handling, and genuine liveaboard comfort, 3 Little Birds offers a compelling package.

The Hatteras 53 has earned an enviable reputation over decades of cruising, and 3 Little Birds combines that proven platform with the equipment today's cruising owners want. The hinged radar arch allows the air draft to get down to 17'2", making this boat Great Loop capable.

1985 Hatteras 53' Extended Deck – Recent Updates & Highlights

3 Little Birds has continued to receive meaningful updates designed to improve both cruising capability and onboard comfort. Highlights include:

• 600Ah LiFePO4 lithium house battery bank with inverter/charger – 2024
• AGM engine start batteries – 2024
• Starlink
• 2024 Yamaha 20HP tender outboard
• 65 lb. claw anchor with approximately 265 feet of new anchor chain – 2024
• USB-C charging at upper helm
• Recent bottom paint
• Stabilizer seals replaced
• Annual Detroit Diesel engine service
• Updated wood and vinyl plank flooring
• Glendinning electronic engine controls
• Washer/dryer
• Updated raw-water A/C pump with backup
• Vesper AIS transponder
• Updated galley appliances
• Updated countertops and interior décor
• Fire suppression system certification
• Spare propellers

Why “3 Little Birds”?

There is a reason the Hatteras 53 Motor Yacht remains so highly regarded decades after it was built. These boats combine substantial construction, excellent machinery access, true liveaboard accommodations, and a layout designed for owners who actually cruise.

3 Little Birds adds to that foundation with the desirable Extended Deck configuration, dual helm stations, Naiad stabilizers, dependable Detroit power, substantial generator capacity, a modern lithium house bank, Starlink, upgraded tender power, and numerous updates accumulated through years of active ownership.

For someone looking for a classic American motor yacht with three staterooms, three heads, tremendous interior volume, legitimate extended-cruising equipment, and the unmistakable presence of a Hatteras, 3 Little Birds offers an opportunity well worth exploring.

Located in Little River, South Carolina, she is ready to welcome her next owners aboard—and perhaps point her bow toward another Great Loop adventure.

1985 Hatteras 53' Extended Deck – Accommodations

The desirable Extended Deck configuration is one of the defining features of 3 Little Birds. The full-beam salon provides an impressive amount of interior living space, with double doors aft opening to the sun deck. This arrangement is excellent for entertaining, enjoying cocktails at sunset, or simply opening the boat up while at anchor or the dock. The aft doors also provide convenient access when handling lines.

Forward of the salon is the pilothouse and lower helm station. Sliding pilothouse doors to both port and starboard provide quick deck access, an especially useful feature when cruising as a couple, docking, or working through locks.

The foredeck offers bench seating, storage boxes, substantial stainless-steel railings, and a bow pulpit with electric windlass and ground tackle.

A staircase from the pilothouse leads below to the galley and dinette. The large dinette is positioned to starboard, creating another comfortable space for meals, morning coffee, or planning the day's cruise.

Forward is the guest stateroom featuring over/under berths, teak paneling, storage, and updated décor. This cabin has convenient access to a private guest head with updated finishes and a separate stall shower.

Moving aft from the galley brings you through the machinery area, with split engine rooms providing good access to the Detroit diesels and onboard mechanical systems. The generator room is located below the galley floor.

Farther aft, a second guest stateroom to port features two twin berths with under-berth storage, teak paneling, and updated décor. The corresponding guest head is located opposite and features updated countertops and a separate stall shower.

The full-beam master stateroom is located aft and provides the kind of space that has made the Hatteras 53 such an appealing liveaboard and extended-cruising yacht. Features include a lighted vanity, extensive teak cabinetry, generous storage, a large closet, and private head with updated countertops and separate stall shower.

Updated flooring throughout portions of the boat gives the classic Hatteras interior a cleaner, more contemporary feel while retaining the beautiful teak joinery for which these yachts are known.

1985 Hatteras 53' Extended Deck – Galley

The galley aboard 3 Little Birds is designed for owners who intend to spend real time aboard rather than simply weekend on the boat.

Features include:

• Samsung stainless-steel microwave
• Samsung stainless electric stovetop/oven
• Stainless-steel refrigerator/freezer
• Stainless-steel sink
• Sink disposal
• Keurig coffee maker
• Extensive drawer and cabinet storage
• Updated countertops
• Washer/dryer
• Vinyl plank flooring
• 20-gallon electric water heater
• Updated freshwater pump
• Large dinette to starboard

The combination of a proper galley, separate dinette, abundant storage, and nearby laundry makes this layout particularly well suited for long-range cruising or living aboard.

1985 Hatteras 53' Extended Deck – Engines & Mechanical

3 Little Birds is powered by the dependable Detroit Diesel 6V92 engines that have long been associated with these classic Hatteras motor yachts.

Current Hours:

• Port Detroit Diesel 6V92 – 3,676 hours
• Starboard Detroit Diesel 6V92 – 3,680 hours
• Onan 20kW Generator – 4,948 hours

The engines have been serviced annually by a Detroit Diesel mechanic, and annual service has recently been completed.

Additional mechanical equipment and improvements include:

• Naiad stabilizers
• Stabilizer seals recently replaced
• Recent bottom paint
• Racor fuel filters with vacuum gauges
• Main engine seacocks replaced
• Glendinning electronic engine controls at both helm stations
• Props tuned
• Spare propellers aboard
• Raw-water A/C pump plus backup pump
• Fire suppression system certified
• Portable extinguishers inspected annually
• Bonding wiring replaced
• Generator starter battery replaced in 2022

The split engine-room arrangement provides useful access to machinery and onboard systems—an important consideration for owners who perform routine inspections and maintenance while cruising.

1985 Hatteras 53' Extended Deck – Electrical

The electrical system has received meaningful upgrades for modern extended cruising.

One of the biggest improvements is the 2024 600Ah LiFePO4 lithium house battery bank with inverter/charger, providing substantially improved house capacity for time away from shore power.

The vessel also received new AGM engine start batteries in 2024.

Additional electrical equipment includes:

• 600Ah LiFePO4 lithium house battery bank – 2024
• Inverter/charger
• AGM engine starting batteries – 2024
• Dual 50-amp shore-power service
• Glendinning shore-power cable management system
• Onan 20kW generator
• 120/240VAC electrical distribution system
• Main battery service panels
• Battery disconnect switches
• Isolation transformers
• Reverse-cycle heat and air conditioning
• Digital climate controls
• Water and fuel tank monitoring
• Salon icemaker
• USB-C charging capability at the upper helm

The combination of generator power, dual 50-amp shore service, lithium house capacity, and inverter capability makes 3 Little Birds particularly well equipped for extended cruising.

1985 Hatteras 53' Extended Deck – Electronics & Navigation

With both upper and lower helm stations, 3 Little Birds provides the flexibility to operate from the protected pilothouse or enjoy the visibility and open-air experience of the flybridge.

Navigation and electronics include:

• Garmin 942 GPS/chartplotter
• Garmin 9-inch MFD at lower helm
• Garmin 12-inch MFD at upper helm
• Garmin radar
• Depth information
• Standard Horizon Matrix AIS/VHF radios at upper and lower helms
• Standard Horizon hailer
• Vesper AIS transponder
• Datamarine depth/speed instruments
• Robertson autopilot
• Naiad stabilizer controls
• 8-inch Ritchie compasses at upper and lower stations
• Remote electric anchor windlass control
• Starlink
• USB-C charging at upper helm
• Stereo system
• Flat-panel televisions in salon, master, and VIP accommodations

Starlink is an especially useful addition for today's cruiser, providing connectivity for weather planning, communications, entertainment, and remote work while underway or at anchor where coverage permits.

1985 Hatteras 53' Extended Deck – Flybridge

The flybridge provides excellent visibility and another substantial outdoor living area.

Features include a Bimini with front panels and side curtains, two custom helm seats with covers, L-shaped guest seating with cover, and a dash console cover.

The upper helm is fully equipped for navigation and includes electronic engine controls, Garmin electronics, VHF, autopilot, stabilizer controls, compass, windlass control, and recently added USB-C charging capability.

The hinged radar arch allows the air draft of the boat to get down to 17'2" making the boat Great Loop capable.

Whether navigating the ICW, watching traffic on the inland river system, or simply enjoying a beautiful cruising day from above, the flybridge gives the owner an excellent command position.

1985 Hatteras 53' Extended Deck – Deck Equipment

Deck equipment aboard 3 Little Birds includes:

• Electric tender crane/davit
• Hinged Radar Arch
• Flybridge Bimini with front and side enclosure panels
• Custom flybridge helm seating
• L-shaped flybridge guest seating
• Foredeck bench seating with storage
• Foredeck storage boxes
• Stainless-steel bow pulpit and railings
• Port and starboard pilothouse doors
• Windshield cover
• Rail-mounted BBQ grill
• Electric anchor windlass
• 65 lb. claw anchor
• 260 feet of anchor chain
• Washdown system
• Aft shower
• Swim platform
• Swim ladder
• Ring buoy
• Canister life raft (currently outside service dates)
• Dual VHF antennas

The walkaround deck arrangement, pilothouse side doors, substantial railings, and direct foredeck access are especially useful when operating with a small crew.

1985 Boston Whaler 11' – Tender

Included with 3 Little Birds is an 11-foot Boston Whaler side-console tender, carried aboard using the electric tender crane.

The Whaler has been upgraded with a 2024 Yamaha 20HP outboard, giving the next owners a highly practical tender setup for exploring anchorages, getting ashore, or simply enjoying time away from the mothership.

Mechanical Disclaimer

Engine and generator hours are as of the date of the original listing and are a representation of what the listing broker is told by the owner and/or actual reading of the engine hour meters. The broker cannot guarantee the true hours. It is the responsibility of the purchaser and/or his agent to verify engine hours, warranties implied or otherwise and major overhauls as well as all other representations noted on the listing brochure.

Disclaimer

The company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change or withdrawal without notice.

Listing MLS by Yachtr.com