Hatteras Yachts 36 Sport Fish 1976 boat specs
Hatteras Yachts
Hatteras Yachts 36 Sport Fish 1976
1976
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VS
Hatteras Yachts 53 Motoryacht 1970 boat specs
Hatteras Yachts
Hatteras Yachts 53 Motoryacht 1970
1970
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Hatteras Yachts 36 Sport Fish 1976 vs Hatteras Yachts 53 Motoryacht 1970 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hatteras Yachts 36 Sport Fish 1976 vs Hatteras Yachts 53 Motoryacht 1970 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The Hatteras Yachts 53 Motoryacht 1970 tops out at 350 hp. Engine specs for the Hatteras Yachts 36 Sport Fish 1976 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 3 gal and 6 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Hatteras Yachts 53 Motoryacht 1970 is rated for 16 passengers, while the Hatteras Yachts 36 Sport Fish 1976 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Hatteras Yachts 53 Motoryacht 1970 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Hatteras Yachts 53 Motoryacht 1970 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 16 passengers and at 53,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Hatteras Yachts 36 Sport Fish 1976 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail36.00 ft
Length overall - Detail53.00 ft
Length - Feet36
Length - Feet53
Length overall - Meters10.97
Length overall - Meters16.15
Length overall - Inches432
Length overall - Inches636
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1135.62
Fuel tank capacity - Liters2271.25
Engine makeYanmar
Engine makeDetroit
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel typeDiesel
Drive typeinboard
Drive typeinboard
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower350 hp
Operational Info
Water capacity1
Water capacity1
Boat typePower
Boat typePower

Hatteras Yachts 36 Sport Fish 1976 vs Hatteras Yachts 53 Motoryacht 1970 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Hatteras Yachts 36 Sport Fish 1976 or the Hatteras Yachts 53 Motoryacht 1970?
The Hatteras Yachts 53 Motoryacht 1970 is the longer of the two at 53,0 feet overall. The Hatteras Yachts 36 Sport Fish 1976 comes in at 36,0 feet, making it roughly 17,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The Hatteras Yachts 53 Motoryacht 1970 has a documented max rating of 350 hp. Engine specifications for the Hatteras Yachts 36 Sport Fish 1976 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Hatteras Yachts 36 Sport Fish 1976 is Coast Guard rated for 10 passengers, while the Hatteras Yachts 53 Motoryacht 1970 is certified for 16. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Hatteras Yachts 36 Sport Fish 1976 or the Hatteras Yachts 53 Motoryacht 1970?
The Hatteras Yachts 53 Motoryacht 1970 has the bigger tank at 6 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Hatteras Yachts 36 Sport Fish 1976. That 3-gallon difference translates to roughly 9–15 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Hatteras Yachts 36 Sport Fish 1976 and Hatteras Yachts 53 Motoryacht 1970 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Hatteras Yachts 36 Sport Fish 1976 and the Hatteras Yachts 53 Motoryacht 1970 are built by Hatteras Yachts. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.