Best motorboat........

[longjohnsilver]

Well we all know that there's no such beast, but we all have different ideas as to what's best, but size and style plays a big part.

So let's have some different categories, say sub 21', 21 - 30', 30 - 50' and 50' plus.

There are some great boats around, many of them no longer manufactured, sadly, and some that are still being made that look plain ugly.

I'll start the ball rolling with a Channel Islands 22, my previous boat which served me well for 7 years. A well made sturdy semi displacement vessel with great sea keeping, and the Seaward 23, still made and a real classic.

In the 30'+ I'd have to go for a Nelson of whatever size, and for planing boats a Princess 35 (so as not to upset hlb!) and a Oyster Powerline 39, both well made and great at sea.

So what boat do you covet, what has served well in the past , and does your current vessel cut the mustard?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[hlb]

Now come on John. You know very well that the best boat in the world is a P35. just admit it!!

Nelsons very good for sea but rubbish at parties.

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[lanason]

Based on impact - setting the standard to be followed - role model - standing out from the rest at the time
sub 21' - Fletcher arrow
21 - 30' - Fairline Holiday (had to say that didnt I)
30 - 50' - P32
and 50' - QE2

<hr width=100% size=1>Adrian - <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/kelisha>More Pics of Kelisha</A> /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Well, I think you need to give honourable mentions to

Princess 45 (the original one) - the first production planing boat to have real rough weather handling
Fairline Turbo 36 - another Olesinski classic with great seakeeping and huge space. Best boat I ever owned
Riva Aquarama - so cool, I'd lick it clean every morning
Fleming 55 - I just want one
Botnia Targa - for being heroically weird

And in the Dog corner, I'd place the Sealine 305 and Cruisers Holiday 224

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[longjohnsilver]

Yeah, the P45 always looks good with great reviews. Interesting you should say the T36 was the best boat you've owned, have a friend who also had one and now misses it, his new Fairline just doesn't have the same comfortable spaces to lounge around on.

Fleming are going to be kept busy by Mr S Claws, there must be half a dozen on order;-))

I see you're selling your F48, found something better?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[tico]

OK so i'm biassed
but 20-30'..... fairline Sunfury
Another of Bernard O's crackers!
Comfortable space for 2, Huge double berth and usable aft berth,Great access around decks, Fantastic seakeeping, Classy lines (almost with a bit of Sonny Levi reverse sheer)
Solid build quality.... need I say more?

<hr width=100% size=1>Been there, done that, got the oily T shirt

 

[Kevin]

all boats are great! as long as they are bought by the right person for the right use for the right money.


Theres not a boat about I wouldnt leap at the chance to go out on, just love being out in open water, one of the rare moments in life you can really feel free.

 

[lanason]

and yours has got to be one of the best Sunfurys around as well /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Adrian - <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/kelisha>More Pics of Kelisha</A> /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[jhr]

As you say, it's so difficult to chose just the one for each category, but this week's jhr selections (almost certain to have changed by midnight next Sunday) are:

Under 21' - Sea Ray 215. OK, (a) it's 21ft 6" and (b) I've got one, but in response to (a) it's the only way I can include both this and my selection for the next size up, and in response to (b)I think it's a great package and a beautiful looking and seaworthy (for its size) boat.

21' - 30' - Windy Mirage. No further questions, M'Lud.

30' - 50' - Bertram Moppie 31'. The original production Deep V-Hulled Powerboat, and still one of the best ever.

50' plus - Hmm, venturing into unknown waters here. P'raps a WallyPower? )

But then there's the Nimbus 25', Fairline Targa 34', various Princesses, Grand Banks, Faireys and Aged Thomas Cobley, my father's brother, and his associates. Where do you stop?

World conquering, all-time dog of the (last) century: Moonraker 36. (Runs for cover)



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Moose]

30-50 = Phantom 37/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif
50+ = Fleming 55/75 and Squadron 58

<hr width=100% size=1>My Moose is having a rest, he has done enough walking for the year.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Yeah, the T36 was a real tardis inside. You need to go to a 50 footer aft cockpit boat to get a similar size of saloon and the owners cabin was simply huge. Also it is a super seaboat for its size and generally well screwed together. I had one quite early in my boating career and we took it out in all sorts of conditions (we were too stupid to know any different) and it was one of those boats that you knew was going to look after you.
Yup, we're selling the T48, not because its a bad boat 'coz it ain't, but because we're finding we're using the boat more like a holiday home than if it were in the UK and we want more space inside so we're going flybridge again
Now, if only somebody made a modern version of the T36?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Dave_Snelson]

They're a bit on the expensive side, size for size, but Windy does it for me in all catagories....and mines a Windy.

For sheer style, class, pose value, investment value - and if you can afford one...Riva Aquarama.

<hr width=100% size=1>Madoc Yacht Club
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>

 

[theguvnor]

mine is loved to death - used on the thames - and its diesel

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[oldgit]

Re: Least best motorboat.....Moonraker...

Why do the things fetch so much money then after all this time.?

<hr width=100% size=1>If it aint broke fix it till it is.

 

[jhr]

Re: Least best motorboat.....Moonraker...

Search me...........

)

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Artie]

Got to agree Longjohn - Seaward 23 a terrific sea boat. I was always confident in mine and - because of work - I crossed the channel on many occaisions in a six. Rough yes but never did I feel the boat would let me or my crew down. Because of this experience in the "Little Nelson" I purchsed a Seaward 35 when I retired three years ago. I love my new boat but on going back on a 23 earlier this year I was filled with terrible nostalgia.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[tortuga]

I also wanted to buy a Sunfury but took on a Falcon 27 extremely happy with her

Long live Falcolns


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[AJW]

To put the categories in a slightly different way:

Pace - Scorpion 10m Cabin RIB. Yes they really do go as well as they are supposed to!

Grace - Something like an old Silver Motoryacht - acres of varnished woodwork and a couple of Gardener 6XLB's

Space - Santa can add me to the Fleming 55 list please!

Honorable mention in dispatches to Botnia Targa, HSL102, Fairey Huntsman and virtually anything Nelsonish.

The girl you dont want to go to the dance with - Anything Birchwood!!

AJ

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[truebrit]

For looks and go its got to be Lancers Corniche Express!!

<hr width=100% size=1>Mike....... V8s are sweet music

 

[nwclegg]

Having just bought an ex-Navy Nelson 34 - see username pisture - I am biased. I am now fitting her out for cruising which highlights her only weakness - lack of beam inboard but she's got style in bucketloads and wonderfull in a sea as noted variously above.

<hr width=100% size=1>