The long-awaited replacement boat for the iconic (and aging) Hatteras 41 Convertible (1964–70), the Hatteras 42 Convertible represented a big step forward in convertible design in 1971 with her full-width flybridge (the first in any Hatteras model) and her bold, more aggressive exterior profile. Construction was on the heavy side, and considerable flare was added at the bow. Her large 110-square-foot cockpit easily accommodates a mounted chair and complete tackle center. The Hatteras 42 was offered with only one floorplan, a two-stateroom arrangement with the galley down and a wide-open salon. A stall shower is fitted in the double-entry head, and teak paneling and cabinets are applied throughout. The engineroom is tight, but routine access is satisfactory. In 1977, the flybridge was restyled and the galley was rearranged with the refrigerator moved forward (thus opening the galley up to the salon)—big improvements when compared against the earlier models. A heavily built boat with a comfortable ride, the Hatteras 42 Convertible will cruise around 18–19 knots with either GM 6-71TIs or Cummins VT903 diesels. Top speed is around 21–22 knots.