Boat Recommendations?

[pmorand]

Afternoon all. First posting, but I've been lurking for a while, picking up useful tips. Anyway, we're looking for a hard top or flybridge boat, somewhere around 37ft.

We've trialled a Nordic 38 (too small / low down below) and a Crownline 340CR which was too open (that's why we know we need a hard top). You seem like a knowledgeable bunch, so what would you recommend? Doesn't have to be new, but we don't really want to go more than 3 years old. Budget is a max of £225K, but if we spend a lot less than that I really won't mind. 6 berths. I think that covers it - over to you!

Thanks. And hello!

 

[DavidJ]

Hi and welcome
One of the best hardtops I've seen in your size range is the Windy. They are expensive because they are well made and do hold their value. A 6 berth would mean camping out in the saloon as with most boats of that size.

 

[gjgm]

might observe that a hardtop and a flybridge are different animals, with very different layouts.
Are you new to boating, or with years of experience, and quite what do you hope to do in your new toy, as that might point one way or the other.

 

[Sundays_Child]

At that size, I've had an itch for a Halvorsen Gourmet Cruiser 38. They have an optional flybridge too.

Here's a link:

http://www.islandgypsytx.com/h38gc.htm

Google for pictures of the real thing.

Unusual choice, but potentially available rather more cheaply than one might imagine.

 

[holderone]

You haven't said anything about budget but I would take a look at the Beneteau Monte Carlo hard top, its a well priced boat and great fun on the water, I also noticed on a few of the sites some great deals.

 

[Major Catastrophe]

[ QUOTE ]
You haven't said anything about budget

[/ QUOTE ]

<span style="color:blue">"Budget is a max of £225K" </span> /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[Whitelighter]

Welcome to the forum, and a nice frst post.

When you say your requirement is for 6 berths, are you looking for this as an occasional or a permanent feature? if occasional, you might find using the saloon once in a while ok. But if you want to have 6 on board every weekend you will probably be looking for a three cabin boat.

you budget is more than enough to get you a great boat, and you could get one that suits for a lot les if you dont mind going a bit older. Is the 38ft limits due to mooring constraints, or just the size that you feel most comfortable with?

Anyway, the above questions aside I have three suggestion which i think would be worth extra consideration.

1 - Elan 42HT

A bit of a rare beasty, and at the top end of your budget but a cracker. Bang up to date styling and the added bonus of three seperate cabins, so with six on board you can leave the saloon free (so in theory you might squeeze on a 7th). modern engines and design make for a boat that will last for a while too. Biggest issue will be finding one as your budget is probably 2nd user on one of these.

2 - Bavaria BMB 35 HT

Bavaria have always scored well in the maximum boat for your buck terratory, and the 35 is actually closer to 38ft loa. With two big cabins and a massve saloon this ticks all the boxes and will come in around £75,000 under budget for a nearly new example. The HT is good, and you will likely get one with the latest D series engines and all the kit you could want to go gruising. perfromance is also good and the 35 was the pick of the range until replaced earlier this year with the new 37HT. I havent reccomeneded that as I dont think the cockpit layout is as good.

3 - Fairline Squadron 43

A proper 'big boys boat' as some might say, you will struggle to find a boat with as much lasting style as fairline's Squadron range. The baby of the 90's Squadrons was the 43, but that doesnt mean they were any less of a boat. The one key area the Squaddy excelled was space and design. the 43 came with the very usefull option of three good sized cabins meaning, like the Elan, you havent got to use the saloon as a bedroom. Being a FB boat, the saloon and galley are much bigger, with the cockpit and outside areas being up top. The good news is these will come in again well under budget, sub £200k will get a mint example and they can be had in good condition now for under 3150k. the doen side is the age. naturally this type of boat will require a bit more TLC, and will use significantly more fuel than the other two I have mentioned. that said, it will be more comfortable for 6, especially if on board for longer periods.

 

[Sneds]

I'll take the Elan pls!
Great reply Jez, very informative.
We would love a hard top as our next boat, budget will be around £100k - don't know yet were its coming from /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
BTW have a look at a Jenneau

 

[segaerta]

On the Bavaria, the table in the saloon can (standard fitting) not be lowered so the bench is not very useful to sleep 2 people. If you need to sleep 6 comfortably, I would go for the option of 3 cabins instead !

 

[Whitelighter]

Yes, i forgot about that, dthough I have seen them changed to a telescopic support and different table which does allow the saloon sofa to be used.

Dunno why bavaria never went for the saloon conversion from the factory, it was the same on my 330 and always a shame as the saloons are huge.

 

[epervier]

my pick of your bunch would be the squadron.

lotaboat for the bucks.

 

[oldgit]

"my pick of your bunch would be the squadron."

Shame it looks like a badly designed 1950s fridge /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Renegade_Master]

tee hee astute as ever Fred

 

[pmorand]

"Shame it looks like a badly designed 1950s fridge"

I thought 1950s fridges were back in vogue? Smegs, I think they're called . . . .

Anyway, thanks to all who've responded so far - the Squadron looks good on paper / screen, but wouldn't mind having a look at the Bavaria once I find one. Looks as if I may have to search for a while to turn up an Elan within budget.

A few details I omitted from my original posting: We're new to the boat scene, and our intention would be to keep it on the south coast (probably Southampton area) for the first year - this should give us time to familiarise ourselves with the boat, pass all the RYA courses & gain a bit of cruising confidence. We'd then aim to move it to the med, as we know bits of it fairly well. No particular reason for going for a sub-40 foot, it simply seemed a reasonable size. As I'm fairly tall (about 6' 3") headroom's important! Most of the time I suspect there'd just be 2 of us using it for long weekends or 2-3 weeks at a time, but we have to allow for my partner's wallet-biters to bring their wives / girlfriends along as well. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[terryw]

Marcel,

You have mail

Terry

 

[BartW]

nice post Jez,
you showed 3 of my favorite "mid range sport cruisers" in the right order !
and good comments aswell