The Hatteras Yachts 46 C 1980 vs Hatteras Yachts 72 Motor Yacht 2008 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 1 550 hp, the Hatteras Yachts 72 Motor Yacht 2008 has a 1 115-hp advantage over the Hatteras Yachts 46 C 1980's 435-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Hatteras Yachts 46 C 1980 carries 65 gallons versus 22 gallons in the Hatteras Yachts 72 Motor Yacht 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Hatteras Yachts 72 Motor Yacht 2008 is rated for 21 passengers, while the Hatteras Yachts 46 C 1980 caps at 14. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Hatteras Yachts 72 Motor Yacht 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Hatteras Yachts 72 Motor Yacht 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 21 passengers and at 72,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Hatteras Yachts 46 C 1980 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 14 that costs less to run day-to-day.