Aquador 26HT or? Comments?

[TwoStroke]

A couple of boats have caught my eye: Aquador 26HT, Nimbus 280 Coupe and Falcon 26. Probably a couple of years old.

Am fed up with the weather here, but am likely to move to Plymouth next year - so prefer something with a bit of space, power nice to have and to be able to use / go down to boat more often so thought something with a sheltered cockpit maybe more suitable? Any thoughts on the above? /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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New boat?

 

[dog]

I've read and heard good reports of all three. I am familiar with Nimbus boats as my dad owns a 2600- not new, but very solid, spacious and suprisingly fast even with only 105hp. I went on the Nimbus 32 (I think) at the show, which felt very much like a 'little ship'. I also went on the Aquador 26ht. I was impressed with the cockpit area although it didnt feel as roomy in height as the Nimbus. One big thing that I noticed with the Aquador was the heads- there was less headroom than my little Fairline which I thought was a shame for a 26 footer.

My money would be on the Nimbus as they feel larger and have a warmer feel to the interior. Others on here may feel differently- only my observations.

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[Dave_Knowles]

I love the Aquador but I also like the look of the Saga range <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.wessexmarine.com/>http://www.wessexmarine.com/</A>

<hr width=100% size=1>Dave
Southampton - uk

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.MyCleopatra.co.uk>The site for cleopatra boat owners</A>

 

[Jenko]

I really like the Aquador range........

They are great value for money, and I thought I wanted a 23HT for my next boat. But, at the boat show I noticed that they couldn't be locked up. i.e. the back is open to the elements unless you have the cover on...not sure if the 26 is the same though....Still, they are stunning boats.

Paul.

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[Renegade_Master]

"Am fed up with the weather here, but am likely to move to Plymouth next year"

Brighton - Portsmouth better weather? eemmm

Aquador all write ups have been very good, i'd go for one plus they look sexy with that blue hull.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>

 

[TwoStroke]

Looks as if my initial thoughts were right. Just surprised at how few manufacturers there are of these types of boats. With our weather I would have thought there may have been a few more - and so few on the used market!

Just need to keep the funds coming in now for it all to happen. /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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New boat?

 

[TwoStroke]

Supposedly Plymouth does get better weather than Brighton - not much mind you.

Just frustrated that I can't go down to the boat more often - especially when it p....s down, so sheltered cockpit the way to go me thinks.

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New boat?

 

[DepSol]

Why not the Aquador 28?

try [ul]www.freeportmarine.net[/url]

<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.soltron.co.uk>the website</A>

 

[Renegade_Master]

couldnt agree more, youve got a difficult choice between Aquador & Nimbus both very good boats.

PS Brighton to Spain......Then you'd be talkin/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>

 

[whisper]

Aquador for speed (V hull), Nimbus for steady semi displacement progress - atleast at the 26-28ft size. Nimbus will have more privacy with accommodation as most have a separate aft cabin. Also now consider Bella Boats which have just started to be imported from Finland - similar to Aquador in style but may not go as big as 26ft.
BUT you can't stand up to steer any of them without having your head poking up through the sun roof /forums/images/icons/frown.gif

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[JEG]

WEATHER:

I recall, many years ago, that the navy built a covered dockyard in Plymouth but not at Chatham because of the huge difference in rainfall; 44" v 26".
Personally, I prefer the slightly lower [0.5C?] temperature to the extra skydrain.
Good luck

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[TwoStroke]

Price. Big jump from the 26HT and very, very few on the used market.

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New boat?

 

[martynwhiteley]

I spent most of my time at the boat show comparing the Aquadors with competition, in the form of Nimbus, Bella, and the french 'peche promenadas'.

If I could afford to buy new, then like many here, the Aquadors have always looked enticing, especially for northern based boaters.

I looked in detail at the fit and finish, and was surprised to (IMHO) find the Nimbus significantly poorer built, esp upholstery wise, with few of the clever touches of the Aquadors. The Bella had a very cheap feel to it, and of the french, Benetaux was acceptable, but I thought Jennaue (spelling?) was built like MFI cabinet from the 70's, and soon realised why their ticket price looked like amazing value.

Never managed to get on a Saga, but they'd need considerable 'sexing up' to steel the show from Aquador.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=blue> <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mboat.org>http://www.mboat.org</A></font color=blue>

 

[duncan]

Sensible type of boat.
As whisper says you really do have to consider whether you want a fast planning craft or the ones with a bit of a keel - still plane but ....
Nimbus and the Antares 760 fit the latter bill, interestingly so do some of the newer Benetau craft. Great stability , straight line etc but a few knots less cruise / top end than you would expect.
Aquador are nice, pretty but a bit pricey.
One model you might be surprised at in terms of boat for money would be a Ombrine 960HT - some around second hand at a price that reflects the very reasonable new prices.
I have never regreted buying a 25ft hardtop - and crashing through the seas with the wind blowing the water straight back over the boat (to the extent that the windscreen wipers couldn't keep up and the cockpit was permenantly awash) on the way back into Poole late last Saturday just confirmed the sense of it. Remembering back to last August it was never a problem either - we still got through a record number of disposable BBqs!
Only one downside I have found - at night you can't stick your head above the screen for 'a better look' - doesn't matter how clean the glass, all instrument lights off etc, the vis isn't as good.

Try this - amazing for about 60k
http://www.eyb.fr/fr/annonce.cfm?NumLangue=2&S_idPanier=7miYjxBgF9AUxgLsbumv&monnaie=0&unite=m&&Zouli_An_numero=515919 if it's in good nick then it's probably ideal - and built at a time when they built them heavy and strong!
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[TwoStroke]

SWMBO thought the Antares looked too much like a fishing boat - not her cup of tea! Ombrine doesn't quite have the look of the Aquador - and pushing funds a bit - although am keeping an open mind until I see them in the flesh!

Many thanks for your suggestions - 'food for thought' as you say. /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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New boat?

 

[Renegade_Master]

MBM Jan issue article on Aquador owner but I spect youve seen it

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>

 

[TwoStroke]

Thanks for that, and yes I had. That's what got me thinking.

Went down to the marina this weekend and had a good look around with SWMBO. Found an Aquador 23HT for her to have a little look at. Came away impressed - likes the lines and the colours! Not like a fishing boat at all! Although she did make the comment "it doesn't really matter what you get as you're the one that's paying for it! - but yes, it is nice." and in the same breath "that 50ft'er at the end is nice."

Can't win, but she is happy now!

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New boat?