A sporty hard top with patio doors?

[jfm]

Around 35-40 feet, and no more than £150k?

So far the only boats that seem to fit this criteri are the Sealine C/SC39, the Nimbus Nova 33/35 and the Beneteau flyer 12 (although these are too expensive right now, being pretty much 200k).

So have I missed anything? And before you all start, yes I know there are FB opions but I wanted something sporty to drive. The Nimbus and Sealine are sports boats on outdrives with decent power engines. The beneteau is available with IPS.

Anyone?

Contessa's suggestion of cornish diva 36 is a good one. Very thin market so it'll be hard to find one. The one that sold recently-ish in Port Solent was a bargain at £75000 - 2006, 2x200 yanmars, one owner (I've known them for years, they've been out on my boat, and they're no-expense-spared types on the maintenance front). Seems to tick many of your boxes if you're happy with the retro-icity, and complete steal at £75k

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

the Nord West 390 Coupe, which has just been stopped in production the past 2009 is a very good suggestion, Nord West have the new 370 Coupe very nice indeed, but I think your budget is too short for this
I would also think for the Galeon 390 HT again this one is just a strech of your budget, but it might just make it past 200k
If you care to wait for some time Galeon will also introduce a new HT version based on the new 340 Fly which will be launched in Dusseldorf in a couple of weeks

 

[Philiz]

I know of a 2006ish Jeanneau Prestige 36 within your budget if it's any good to you.

 

[Adrianwool]

Agree with you, hlb. Can't understand why anyone would want to buy a 40ft hardtop boat and waste half the deck space by not having a flybridge on top of it but one man's meat etc etc...The comment I object to is the one about flybridge boats not being sporty. If sporty means crashing over waves whilst being drenched and freezing in an open top sterndrive boat and then wetting yourself 'coz you can't control the bloody thing in the marina, then I'll take a nice sedate shaftdrive flybridge boat every time

Does 'can't understand' (in your case), and 'lighten up' (in the case of HLB) mean ''can't tolerate' anyone elses preferences?

 

[CHI]

Soort Coupe,s Hard Tops

Think HLB amd Deleted User are missing the point that Sport Coupe Hard Tops are ideal if you have little ones ( no dangerous heights or steps to negotiate). Also boats without a Flybridge seem to be more sociable, ie everyone on the same level .
There again depends who is on the boat with you, maybe some wish to get away from the skipper!!!!!

 

[Nick_H]

The comment I object to is the one about flybridge boats not being sporty. If sporty means crashing over waves whilst being drenched and freezing in an open top sterndrive boat and then wetting yourself 'coz you can't control the bloody thing in the marina, then I'll take a nice sedate shaftdrive flybridge boat every time

Not your best reasoned arguement ever Mike, although I know it was a bit tongue in cheek. You object to someone saying flybridge boats aren't sporty, then call them sedate later in the same paragraph! Of course people don't buy sports boats just to crash over waves and get wet and cold, 'coz they don't only use them in rough, wet and cold conditions. In the same way people don't buy sports cars just to have their spine shaken to pieces and their eardrums burst on their way home from work, but they choose to put up with those things knowing how much fun it'll be when they get to use it for what is was meant for.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Does 'can't understand' (in your case), and 'lighten up' (in the case of HLB) mean ''can't tolerate' anyone elses preferences?

Sorry, didn't realise that new forum rules on religious, ethnic and gender diversity precluded anyone expressing an opinion on anything. Don't get me wrong, I'm delighted to see anyone buying any kind of boat but I really can't understand the current fashion for large so-called sports cruisers having hard tops. I mean what is the point of having that huge expanse of plastic roof over your head and not using it for something other than keeping the bird**** off? And it's not as if a hardtop sports cruisers are in general significantly better sea boats than flybridge cruisers. The extra weight of a few grp seats and a fridge up top cannot significantly alter the CoG of the boat and, furthermore, many sports cruiser hulls are very similar or even the same as their flybridge counterparts. IMHO, there's nothing fundamentally more sporting about a hardtop cruiser, it's purely a style thing. The irony is of course that some manufacturers of hardtop sports cruisers are now putting vestigial flybridges on top of their hardtop cruisers. Praps all hardtop cruisers will have those new fangled flybridges one day!
For me, a hardtop makes a great deal of sense on smaller boats, say less than 32-35ft long which are really too small to carry a flybridge but on anything larger, you might as well stick a second steering wheel on top

 

[benjenbav]

I can't see the point of biggish hardtop boats either:

 

[Adrianwool]

Sorry, didn't realise that new forum rules on religious, ethnic and gender diversity precluded anyone expressing an opinion on anything. Don't get me wrong, I'm delighted to see anyone buying any kind of boat but I really can't understand the current fashion for large so-called sports cruisers having hard tops. I mean what is the point of having that huge expanse of plastic roof over your head and not using it for something other than keeping the bird**** off? And it's not as if a hardtop sports cruisers are in general significantly better sea boats than flybridge cruisers. The extra weight of a few grp seats and a fridge up top cannot significantly alter the CoG of the boat and, furthermore, many sports cruiser hulls are very similar or even the same as their flybridge counterparts. IMHO, there's nothing fundamentally more sporting about a hardtop cruiser, it's purely a style thing. The irony is of course that some manufacturers of hardtop sports cruisers are now putting vestigial flybridges on top of their hardtop cruisers. Praps all hardtop cruisers will have those new fangled flybridges one day!
For me, a hardtop makes a great deal of sense on smaller boats, say less than 32-35ft long which are really too small to carry a flybridge but on anything larger, you might as well stick a second steering wheel on top

Bit touchy aren't we?, I was only making the point that there is a broad spectrum as to what people see as 'ideal' for them. I too have no problem about people enjoying the water in any way they like. Frilly curtains, running pretty coloured underwater lights in harbour, come one come all. Happy New boating Year to everyonel!!

 

[crazy4557]

Hardtop boats

Agree with you, hlb. Can't understand why anyone would want to buy a 40ft hardtop boat and waste half the deck space by not having a flybridge on top of it but one man's meat etc etc...The comment I object to is the one about flybridge boats not being sporty. If sporty means crashing over waves whilst being drenched and freezing in an open top sterndrive boat and then wetting yourself 'coz you can't control the bloody thing in the marina, then I'll take a nice sedate shaftdrive flybridge boat every time

I've got two boys aged 7 and 9 years. At the moment I have an half open/half closed top sports cruiser...an S41. Now I want a bigger boat with the same attributes and a flybridge is a non starter as my boys would be up and down the flybridge stairs more time than a whore's draw's...and when I'm moving I want to be able to see them. If I can;t see them I've got to stop and look for them or summon SWMBO to go looking just to double check they have'nt fallen off so we can all relax and enjoy ourselves.
A bigger than 42' hardtop boat is ideal for us. I've had smaller 30 - 36' canvas top boats and they're a pain in the butt when it comes to opening and closing the acres of canvas. So a 48 - 50' hardtop boat would be ideal for us...I think that's a good enough reason to justify the popularity of hardtop boats as against flybridge's.

 

[poltergeist]

I think that's a good enough reason to justify the popularity of hardtop boats as against flybridge's.

Their popularity shouldn't have to be justified - those that like them will buy them (me included), those that don't will buy a flybridge. For those that can't see the point of them have a blinkered viewpoint.

I wanted a boat that we could use all year round in comfort, was light and airy inside no matter the weather, and could be used as a 2nd home when needed. Our hardtop fits the bill and we find it extremely versatile.

Another consideration was one of air draft. We are moored the wrong side of the A27 roadbridge, and the lesser height of our boat means we have a greater tidal window with regards not hitting the bridge, than the few flybridges that are moored at that end of the Hamble.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I've got two boys aged 7 and 9 years. At the moment I have an half open/half closed top sports cruiser...an S41. Now I want a bigger boat with the same attributes and a flybridge is a non starter as my boys would be up and down the flybridge stairs more time than a whore's draw's...and when I'm moving I want to be able to see them. If I can;t see them I've got to stop and look for them or summon SWMBO to go looking just to double check they have'nt fallen off so we can all relax and enjoy ourselves.
A bigger than 42' hardtop boat is ideal for us. I've had smaller 30 - 36' canvas top boats and they're a pain in the butt when it comes to opening and closing the acres of canvas. So a 48 - 50' hardtop boat would be ideal for us...I think that's a good enough reason to justify the popularity of hardtop boats as against flybridge's.

Agreed. Most flybridge boats do have the disadvantage that people passing between f/b and saloon are out of sight but there is a solution. Get a f/b boat with internal stairs. One of the reasons we bought our existing boat. At sea we lock the patio doors and restrict movement to/from the f/b via the internal stairs

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Bit touchy aren't we?, I was only making the point that there is a broad spectrum as to what people see as 'ideal' for them. I too have no problem about people enjoying the water in any way they like. Frilly curtains, running pretty coloured underwater lights in harbour, come one come all. Happy New boating Year to everyonel!!

Quite the opposite. It was you who accused me of lack of tolerance. I would say that makes you the touchy one

 

[Adrianwool]

Quite the opposite. It was you who accused me of lack of tolerance. I would say that makes you the touchy one

I do like you Mike full of your own shhh ant be a minute. It must provide you with great comfort to always be in the right

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

I do like you Mike full of your own shhh ant be a minute. It must provide you with great comfort to always be in the right

Calm down Adrian, Mike's a big contributor to this forum, and there's really no need for you to be so rude.

cheers
Jimmy

 

[Adrianwool]

Calm down Adrian, Mike's a big contributor to this forum, and there's really no need for you to be so rude.

cheers
Jimmy

So he is a 'big contributor' so what?

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I can't see the point of biggish hardtop boats either:

Ah yes but Mochi now offer that one with a flybridge now so they've seen sense

 

[Whitelighter]

So there is no need for rudeness.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

So there is no need for rudeness.

Although I've got to say JB, full marks for starting off a post that seems to have generated so many heated replies! It is very apparently the silly season...

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

So he is a 'big contributor' so what?

You really don't want to get along with anyone at all, do you?

Cheers
Jimmy