4/25/2011 A TOUR OF THE HATTERAS FACTORY

MONDAY


TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 0 NM


DOCKED AT: NEW BERN GRAND MARINA ON THE TRENT RIVER


SUNRISE: 6:23 SUNSET: 7:49


HIGH: 84 LOW: 64


Today it was all about the Hatteras Factory. We have been looking forward to this for a long time and were not disappointed.


William Sloan had a dream. He wanted to build a boat that could really handle the often treacherous waters of Cape Hatteras. Could this new fangled fiberglass possibly be the answer? Now fiber is flexible and glass is most certainly breakable so how could this new product possibly be as strong as reported? After much investigation and testing he was convinced that this could be the answer. He joined up with the naval architect Jack Hargrove, amassed a team of workers and started up their new venture in High Point, NC in an old Pontiac dealership. This odd location was chosen because of the concentration of fine craftsmen due to the furniture making industry there. On March 22, 1960 their first Sportsfishing Yacht, the 41’ Knit-Wits, was christened and orders for seven more were received that same day. We are in business now, baby!


As the demand for larger and larger boats grew the task of trucking them the 200 miles to the sea became a real problem. A new facility was constructed in New Bern where the boats could be built then launched right into the water at their completion. Hatteras has built a reputation for producing sturdy boats (their solid fiberglass bottoms are warranted for 5 years) with innovative technology, superb craftsmanship and classic lines.

WELCOME TO HATTERAS

THE EXTERIOR OF THE MOLD FOR THE FIBERGLASS HULL

THIS IS AN INSIDE VIEW OF THE SAME MOLD

ALL THESE WIRES HAVE A SPECIFIC HOME IN THE BOAT.  WHAT A PUZZLE!

THINGS ARE BEGINNING TO COME TOGETHER NOW.

Knit Wits was sought out and totally restored a few years ago. It is now in the factory undergoing a bit of normal maintenance. How cool that they were able to recover their premiere vessel.

KNIT WITS RECEIVING A LITTLE LOVING CARE

New Bern is also home to a U.S. National Cemetery.  It was established in 1867 as a site where the remains of fallen soldiers could be reunited from the numerous nearby battlefields.

U.S. NATIONAL CEMETERY IN NEW BERN

We ended our day at a "real Mexican" restaurant with good peasant food.  When we realized that El Zarape was attached to the gas station and convenience store, we were a little hesitant.  However, when our Mexican waiter had difficulty conversing with us in English, we relaxed a bit and knew we had made the right choice!