1959: Willis Slane envisions a fishing boat strong enough to withstand the waves off Cape Hatteras, where his prey of choice, the marlin, grow as big as the swells. Slane founds Hatteras Yachts in High Point, N.C., to pursue his vision.

1959: Slane commissions legendary marine architect, Jack Hargrave, to design the first Hatteras Yacht, beginning what would be a 25-year-long partnership. Celebrated for their seaworthiness and durability, many consider Hargrave-designed Hatteras boats to be American classics.

1960: The legend is born. Hatteras launches Knit Wits, the first sportfishing yacht built out of fiberglass, forever revolutionizing the industry.

1962: Hatteras premieres the 41 Double Cabin, the first fiberglass motor yacht, and in so doing introduces "solid sophistication" to the boating industry.

1967: Hatteras opens a manufacturing facility in the coastal town of New Bern, N.C. The facility is still in operation today.

1980: Hatteras engineers develop and patent the quick-disconnect device, variables of which can be found on garden hoses throughout the world today.

1985: Hatteras becomes the first production yacht builder to utilize five-blade propellers, helping to reduce engine vibration and improve performance aboard its yachts.

Mid-1980s: The introduction of multiple-blade propellers turning on shafts coupled to deep reduction gears improves cruising performance and docking maneuverability, while further reducing vibration and noise. Read more about Hatteras

Late 1980s: Hatteras becomes the first production fiberglass builder of 50-foot-plus yachts to use tunnels that penetrated the plane of the hull.

1997: Demand grows. Boats grow. We grow. Hatteras moves manufacturing operations to a 95-acre production facility on the New Bern waterfront.

2001: Hatteras' new partnership with Brunswick Boat Group strengthens the fleet with millions of dollars in product development, systems improvements, and facility enhancements.

2002: The new 54 Convertible introduces a convex hull design that enhances speed and performance without sacrificing the legendary smooth and stable Hatteras ride.

2005: Hatteras introduces spherical fuel vents that catch excess fuel in a reservoir, resulting in more attractive hulls and cleaner waterways.

2006: Hatteras adds a new, modern manufacturing facility in Swansboro, N.C.

2008: The new 60 Convertible becomes the fastest yacht in its class thanks to a fully resin-infused hull that increases stiffness while decreasing weight.

THE HATTERAS ADVANTAGE

Hatteras Yachts has been an industry leader in the production of sportfishing convertibles and luxury motor yachts for 50 years, and was the very first production builder to produce a fiberglass yacht over 40 feet. Since building its first boat, Knit Wits, in 1959, Hatteras has pioneered many of the technologies used today in the marine industry including state-of-the-art hull designs, lamination techniques and propulsion systems.