When I think back to 2023, I will always remember it as the year I bought my dream boat. And also the year I repainted it. February 2023...
What happens when you buy a 70’ yacht in the middle of a midlife crisis—with zero boating experience? At 53, burned out and craving a change, Shay Portman drove to Florida, bought a worn-out Hatteras, and unknowingly launched the best chapter of her life. Whether you're chasing your next adventure or your next boat project, this one’s for you.
Shay la Vie! How an Old Hatteras Changed my Life
By Shay Portman
At 53, I found myself in the middle of a life crisis. No, not the “buying a convertible and dating someone half my age” kind of crisis (though I did briefly consider that, but I already owned a convertible and a man half my age would need OMG so much training!). It was more like the “I’m unhealthy, isolated, and it’s time to do something drastic before it’s too late” kind of crisis, but I was in such a dark place that literally nothing sounded good and so I did just that - nothing.
Then, just in case I wasn’t listening, God clobbered me over the head with not one, but three wake up calls back to back, so I was really motivated and looking for a change when a customer sent me a picture of a sunset off the side of his boat. The sun was dancing on the water in a stunning display of reds and oranges, and I stared at that picture and thought, “I want to do that.” Suddenly, I could see myself on a boat, wind in my hair, sipping a drink, and doing absolutely nothing. (Ha! Was I in for a rude surprise... one thing boat owners don’t do is sit around and do nothing!) But for the first time in years, I felt interested in something. So I loaded my dog, Jacques, in the car, took the top down and headed to Florida to buy a boat!
It took a while, but I found the one: a 1981 70’ Hatteras CPMY. She had almost everything I wanted and was in my price range. They described her as a running refit, which was generous! She’d definitely seen better days and was tired, but after the second failed sea trial, I spent 6 hours by myself crawling in and out of every hatch. Though I had no idea what I was actually looking at, it all looked repairable. I knew her engines were good, gennies were good and despite all the water in the bilges, she didn’t reek! So, with the confidence of utter ignorance, I bought her. (I’m sure the betting pool on how long I would last was hot and heavy, especially after the first week I was on board.)
The first week was rough! (understatement). The shore power box blew up, knocking out the power to half the boat and the water. The third AC repair man, (yep, three in two days) got some AC working, but that lasted a whole whopping two days, and everyone that said they’d be around to show me how stuff worked, well, they were nowhere to be found. Then I discovered the waste system was shot. I won’t lie. I was asking myself “What the hell did I get myself into?”
But, I didn’t give in. The previous owners had left a portable AC in the master, and I lugged that up the stairs to the salon so I had a cool place to sit. I spent hours on the internet, watching YouTube videos, reading manuals, and learning all I could. With the help of a professional, I tackled the first big issue: packing the rudders to stop the leaks and then pumping out hundreds of gallons of water from the bilges. It was amazing to see the boat sitting higher in the water just from that.
Next came the AC. It was summer in Fort Lauderdale and about 95 to 100 degrees inside the boat (which any woman over the age of 50 will tell you is HELL!). I had no idea how the AC system worked, but I learned fast. Six “professionals” either ran from the job or bungled the repairs, so with a little help, I tackled it myself. We replaced all the hoses and manifolds and pumps, and after much trial and error, (and a lot of swearing) I managed to get it half ass working again and I felt like a genius! (luckily the 7th repair guy was able to finish it off and now it’s working great, and even better, properly!) Then the real work began. I immediately fixed the waste system (we won’t discuss how I lived without a toilet on board!). I learned how to fix the hydraulic steering, how to service my engines (DD 12v71TI) and so much more!
I was reveling in this feeling of being capable and the best part is, my plan was working. I was fixing the boat and she was fixing me. Day after day of boat yoga, (getting in ridiculous positions and holding them to work on things) was making me stronger, and, dare I say it? Empowered. Ok, maybe taking the wheel for the first time did that! (Yep, I’m learning how to run her myself!)
After 1.5 years of work, I’m proud to say the boat has lost over 13,000 pounds and is back to welterweight! Yes, you read that right...13,000 pounds, and I’ve lost 30! We’re both standing taller, feeling sassy, and ready to face whatever life throws at us. The best part? I’ve found a new sense of confidence. Every time I fix something on the boat, I’m reminded that I’m capable of so much more than I thought. I’ve learned to trust myself in ways I never did before, and that despite God beating me about the ears, I still have a brain that can process problems and find solutions!
It hasn’t been easy and I’ve had some setbacks, but I’m glad I didn’t listen to the naysayers and that I didn’t let being a single woman stop me, because buying the boat completely changed my life! I’ve made new friends in the boating community, I’ve gained new skills (like how to repair things with duct tape and sheer willpower), and I’ve learned to tackle problems head on (pun intended), even if it means sticking my hands in things I’d rather not think about! And somehow, she’s brought me full circle to a passion I thought I’d left behind, filmmaking. I started a YouTube channel to show my friends the boat and it’s been fun to make videos and share the progress with other aspiring boaters.
The boat is far from done and the repair list is endless, (and I’m scared shitless most of the time and I get seasick!) but now Jacques and I have embarked on our travels. The feeling when I’m behind the wheel on the open water is wonderful, (in calm seas anyway) and everyday brings joy, whether it’s the satisfaction of fixing something, the dolphins playing alongside us or the sunset off the side of my boat!
You can see more about their adventures at www.youtube.com/@shaylavie
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