Advice please- how to find the best motorboat.

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Can you help please. In the 35 to 55 foot range, is it possible to make a list of the top 5 manufacturers of semi-displacement boats? I want to be able to start with a reasonable shortlist.

The issues I am concerned with are quality of build/fit-out, reliability and customer service. Is there a recognised order of the top players?

I had tentatively put Aquastar, Nelson, Linssen and Nordhavn on the list, but that was based on boat show memories, rather than science.

 

[Wiggo]

That's a challenging one. 35-55' is a huge range to cover, particularly if you then factor in age as well.

Give us some more clues and people can help, but I'd guess you need to start with:

Location
Number of berths
Budget
Must haves
Cruising area/distance
Number of crew
Age range (for the boat)

 

[MapisM]

I'm sure this will seem harsh, and I apologise in advance, BUT!
If you're in doubt between a 35' and a 55', and you think of Linssen and Nordhavn as SD boats, a short list is the last thing you need at the moment.
Not to mention that there's no such thing as a "recognised order", neither for these nor for other types of boats.

 

[epervier]

not wishing to piss on your chips, but there's no such thing as "the best motorboat" ask ten different people and you'll get ten different answers.

As Wiggo points out there is far more criteria to consider first, also the difference in price and fitout of boats in your chosen range are huge.

but, what ever you choose in the end best of luck.

I'm only envious because I haven't got your sort of budget

 

[jhr]

If you really mean semi-displacement, then Fleming should be on your list.

Trader probably shouldn't

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

not wishing to piss on your chips, but there's no such thing as "the best motorboat" ask ten different people and you'll get ten different answers.

As Wiggo points out there is far more criteria to consider first, also the difference in price and fitout of boats in your chosen range are huge.

but, what ever you choose in the end best of luck.

I'm only envious because I haven't got your sort of budget

I fully realise that the best boat is a matter of lots of factors, so perhaps let me rephrase the question.

What are the best made/ best quality boats? I am not looking for details really, just a starting point, as I only want to take a serious look at a few boats at the top of the market.

We all know that Mercedes are better made than Fiats (well, most people think so), and that Hinckley's are better made than Bavarias. I just need some pointers to the top end of the market, in Europe.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

I'm sure this will seem harsh, and I apologise in advance, BUT!
If you're in doubt between a 35' and a 55', and you think of Linssen and Nordhavn as SD boats, a short list is the last thing you need at the moment.
Not to mention that there's no such thing as a "recognised order", neither for these nor for other types of boats.

Not harsh, but a reflection of my bad question.

1. Should really have said "Not planing" as opposed to SD. I bet if I asked for the top 5 car manufacturers we would.
2. I am not in doubt. Just playing out several scenarios. I want to pick few manufacturers at the top end of the market and look at their ranges. The issues around boat size will become clearer at a later time.
3. I am not looking for a recognised order, I am just looking for personal opinions on what that order may be. In the sailing sector there is very much a group of upper tier builders and lower quality/lower price mass producers. For example, ask 50 sailors to list Oyster, Rustler, Bavaria, Hanse and Dufour is quality order and you may get difference at the top or bottom, but i bet no-one puts Rustler at the bottom and Bavaria at the top. I thought that by asking the question here I would be able to do my own min-survey and save myself some frog-kissing!

 

[jhr]

in Europe

Ah; you didn't specify that at the outset. Scrap Fleming (and Trader) in that case.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

That's a challenging one. 35-55' is a huge range to cover, particularly if you then factor in age as well.

Give us some more clues and people can help, but I'd guess you need to start with:

Location
Number of berths
Budget
Must haves
Cruising area/distance
Number of crew
Age range (for the boat)

Many thanks. I realise these are all potential selection criteria, but I am not yet at that stage, and we have several different ways of going so things like crew numbers will not be resolved yet. I am simply trying to create a "longish" shortlist of manufacturers to evaluate at the top end of the market.

However, i am talking new, as opposed to used boats.

 

[Wiggo]

Many thanks. I realise these are all potential selection criteria, but I am not yet at that stage, and we have several different ways of going so things like crew numbers will not be resolved yet.

OK, each to their own. I can kind of imagine the reaction I'd get if I announced that I had found the perfect boat, but that it meant that the kids would have to be put into foster homes as it was strictly a two berth jobbie...

 

[pvb]

Ah; you didn't specify that at the outset. Scrap Fleming (and Trader) in that case.

Err, and Nordhavn too, I guess.

Actually, at this end of the market, it wouldn't be sensible to restrict the choice to European makers. It's surely a global market?

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

OK, each to their own. I can kind of imagine the reaction I'd get if I announced that I had found the perfect boat, but that it meant that the kids would have to be put into foster homes as it was strictly a two berth jobbie...

Each to their own indeed. Nothing as sinister as you suggest. In the interest of getting a fuller answer let me explain. We have another boat and access to two others. The issue is all about consolidation, or not, holiday homes, etc.

So, I want to look at the top manufacturers, see what they offer and then have a sensible discussion about what we do.

 

[Tranona]

Walk around the Southampton Boat Show - most will be there and make up your own mind. When you are clearly thinking about spending lots of beer tokens you owe it to yourself to do the leg work - then you stand a chance of understanding how you arrrived at your short list. You might then ask for comments on here based on a much better set of criteria.

BTW there are a couple of glossy magazinez that regularly feature the general kind of boat you are looking for.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Walk around the Southampton Boat Show - most will be there and make up your own mind. When you are clearly thinking about spending lots of beer tokens you owe it to yourself to do the leg work - then you stand a chance of understanding how you arrrived at your short list. You might then ask for comments on here based on a much better set of criteria.

BTW there are a couple of glossy magazinez that regularly feature the general kind of boat you are looking for.

Of course I will be doing that, and at the time I will have my own criteria. The only question I have now is shout build quality.. Surely someone has an opinion on this?

 

[hlb]

Of course I will be doing that, and at the time I will have my own criteria. The only question I have now is shout build quality.. Surely someone has an opinion on this?

Your questions are not specific enough for anyone to answer.

Have you thought of getting a boat yard to build to your spec??

Mind I recon they might want a bit of a clue as to how big and how many cabins.

 

[Coaster]

Without being more specific about your own requirements the question of "quality" is impossible to answer properly.

For example, ask 50 sailors to list Oyster, Rustler, Bavaria, Hanse and Dufour is quality order and you may get difference at the top or bottom, but i bet no-one puts Rustler at the bottom and Bavaria at the top.

For example, if the main interest is club racing, Bavaria might be at the top and Rustler at the bottom.

There are many different qualities that could be taken into account - comfort, durability, value for money, fashionablity, snob value etc. Why not let us know your main criteria?

 

[Tranona]

Of course I will be doing that, and at the time I will have my own criteria. The only question I have now is shout build quality.. Surely someone has an opinion on this?

You have a huge advantage over most here because you have had a boat designed and built for you by one of the best (?) and probably most expensive yards in the country.

The principles for MOBOs are the same and you should be able to sus out easily which you consider are the best quality. By definition, very few people have direct experience of owning such boats so if you do get any feedback it will be based on published material and personal opinion rather than direct experience.

The list, anyway is going to be fairly short, particularly if you limit yourself to UK, slighly longer if you go Europe wide and a bit longer if you include US or US designs built elsewhere.

The most obvious starting point is price. The most expensive is likely to be the "best" but not necessarily the best for you, but expensive products don't survive in the market if they don't meet the needs of discerning buyers.

Happy hunting!

 

[grumpy_o_g]

Semi~displacement; Hardy, Seaward, Dale Nelson, Belliure, Skagen, Aquastar in Europe. Fleming (US compoany owned and.run by a Brit using very good Far East mouldings), Marlow in the US. Plus Trader of course

No idea how good they are respectively but I thought you might like some names instead of an argument.

 

[Kawasaki]

Listen ere you grumpy o g
What's wrong with an argument
Der want the 5 minute one or what?

 

[Bandit]

Comparing35 ft boats say £300k to 55 ft boats up to say £1m is a tall order.

Norhaven and Linssen are displacement boats 6 to 12 knot range.

Flemming are beautiful boats, smallest 55ft I believe and although reach 20 knots plus I understand tend to be operated at slower speeds 8 to 15 Knot.

Hardy 42 I understand cruise at about 20?

Aquastar, Dale Nelson are semidisplacement and although can reach high twenties with large engines but tend to be operated at cruise speed low 20's. My AS cruises at 19.

Depending on how you want to operate it, sea condition wise if you are considering the last 3 you should also consider Fairline, Princess and European equivalents etc as these can be operated at cruise say 20 to 22 knots.

I am biased as i have one but look at the Aquastar 38 and 48.