Aft Cabin Cruiser Options

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Prawn3415

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Hi,
New here and yes sorry another what boat thread, be gentle.

A little about us, we have been on the water for over 30 years, initially owning our own 69ft narrowboat for 15 years in the midlands, then a wide beam for 5 years and in later years on the broads in various hire craft (mostly southern broads, much more peaceful).

We are now looking to get back into boat ownership with a motor cruiser but a recent move to the South-East means Broads are a bit of a trek for an impromptu weekend.

So we are looking for 35ft to 40ft, aft cabin with island double, twin diesels ,plan is to potentially start on the Thames (Chertsey area only about 40 mins from home) and then move the boat to Eastbourne, Newhaven or Brighton, ideally not flybridge due to dogs and grandkids.

Budget is around £30K / 40K actual so have been looking at boats up to £50K, appreciate its a sellers market at the moment but in no rush so happy to wait and see if that changes.

Happy to do work on it myself ie servicing etc, spent mast of last 20 years building and racing cars so know which end of a spanner is which.

So far the favorite option is a Broom Crown 37, love the interior space and the fact its an aft helm rather than flybridge, wondered what other options people would recommend given above criteria?

Look forward to some suggestions.
 
Bit bigger (and possibly dearer) than your spec, but I had a Princess 435 for 15 years and always felt I'd got the right boat. The flybridge has three steps, not a ladder, which dogs managed fine (don't know about kids!)
Air draft may be a problem on the non-tidal Thames.
 
I have a Broom Crown and they are a great boat. I know of one coming to the market on the East Coast UK if you’re interested. It’s in budget too. PM me if you want contact details
 
I'd certainly have a look at a Turbo 36.
Not the best boat for the non tidal Thames (in my opinion) but will be great on the coast.
OK, it's a flybridge but with only three steps it's nothing like scrabbling up a ladder.
Getting on and off the thing can be a challenge for some but they handle nicely and are easy to hold alongside.

Great sea boats, ours kept us alive in weather we certainly shouldn't have been out in on one occasion...
 
Murv said:
I'd certainly have a look at a Turbo 36.
Not the best boat for the non tidal Thames (in my opinion) but will be great on the coast.
OK, it's a flybridge but with only three steps it's nothing like scrabbling up a ladder.
Getting on and off the thing can be a challenge for some but they handle nicely and are easy to hold alongside.

Great sea boats, ours kept us alive in weather we certainly shouldn't have been out in on one occasion...
Click to expand...
I think I met you in your T36 in boulongne. You recognised mine as coming from RCC
 
Prawn3415 said:
Hi,
New here and yes sorry another what boat thread, be gentle.

A little about us, we have been on the water for over 30 years, initially owning our own 69ft narrowboat for 15 years in the midlands, then a wide beam for 5 years and in later years on the broads in various hire craft (mostly southern broads, much more peaceful).

We are now looking to get back into boat ownership with a motor cruiser but a recent move to the South-East means Broads are a bit of a trek for an impromptu weekend.

So we are looking for 35ft to 40ft, aft cabin with island double, twin diesels ,plan is to potentially start on the Thames (Chertsey area only about 40 mins from home) and then move the boat to Eastbourne, Newhaven or Brighton, ideally not flybridge due to dogs and grandkids.

Budget is around £30K / 40K actual so have been looking at boats up to £50K, appreciate its a sellers market at the moment but in no rush so happy to wait and see if that changes.

Happy to do work on it myself ie servicing etc, spent mast of last 20 years building and racing cars so know which end of a spanner is which.

So far the favorite option is a Broom Crown 37, love the interior space and the fact its an aft helm rather than flybridge, wondered what other options people would recommend given above criteria?

Look forward to some suggestions.
Click to expand...
For that money it has to be a turbo 36. They still look good and there are plenty of them.

if you can stretch a bit more then a sealine 390 or 410 is a great choice too. (it became the f43 but that’s more again)
 
Hmm, sounds like a repeat of our predicament a short while ago, after owning three boats all on the Thames then a ten year break, we decided that we should return to boating but what should we buy with the thought of going coastal at some point.

We looked at a Corvette 32, lovely boat, great spec. but when we dug deeper, knowledge kicked in, more questions than answers and we pulled the plug on the survey.

Bitterly disappointed but determined, we came across an Aquastar Ocean 38 aft cabin, acres of space, safe, proven sea ability so great for our modest ability and a great inventory with a helm both inside and outside to boot.
 
Your budget and requirements inevitably mean that older boats will be what you are looking at. Nothing wrong with this per se but need to be mindful of condition and maintenance history, particularly as you plan to go coastal.. The Broom Crown is a great boat and may well fit your requirements and budget. The Broom Ocean 37 has the same hull, as does the Broom 37 Continental. Both have different layout and no island berth.

Another option (but no island berth) is this Broom 35 European - old but had a lot done to it Broom 35

This busts the budget but looks tidy Corvette

This is a bit off the wall and a bit beyond the budget but has been on the market a long time Brooke Marine
.
 
if you intend going coastal avoid the small aft cabin Carvers.
Sort of mini T36.
Club member bought one, it was left behind wheezing asthmatically on the first club cruise out. Sold shortly afterward.
The engines, pair of 4 cylinder Volvos , even flat out could not keep up 10-12 knots against the tide.
OK for non tidal but will struggle elsewhere.

Two Broom 37 seriously up for sale (bereavement ) on our moorings, one as original as the day it was built, big green radios and whirly sounder.
Worth a look. Contact owner direct, no 8% brokers commission.
 
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Thank you for all the responses, will have to have a look at the various options over the weekend.

Like the look of yours Rocksteadee , will get back to you on that if I can find some additional funds.
 
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