boat show dreaming

[kashurst]

anyone driven or own a Pearl 60. SWMBO was very taken with the layout. second hand one could be in budget if I sell daughter and the dog.....oh yes and swmbo too. I need to know a few negatives to talk myself out of it and get a bit more realistic. Also is the 55 the same hull as the 60 (i.e just missing the submersible bathing platform). Or would a Squadron 52 be a better idea

 

[Nick_H]

I heard they're quite heavy and struggle to reach the stated speeds, but that's second hand info so could be wrong. As you'll know, the trade off with the Pearl is you lose half the flybridge in exchange for the aft cabin, so I think Pearl have suffered as the mainstream builders have introduced full beam master cabins, which makes the Pearl aft cabin less of a selling point.

For an interesting comparison, did you look at the new Princess 60? For me this is the perfect layout for a 60 footer, and is also 4 cabin like the Pearl because the crew cabin is so good that it easily passes as a fourth cabin. The master cabin is every bit as good as the Pearl aft cabin, all 4 cabins are en-suite, and of course the P60 also retains a full size flybridge.

 

[jfm]

I'd agree with Nick. A friend has Pearly 60 in Med (he rented my berth last year with it). Likes it and has had few problems. You are trading accom space for everything else though: smaller flybr and tiny engine room. There are some build quality issues with it eg port side deck aft has a dip in it which forms a puddle, and the aft patio door has not been intregrated well with the GRP mould so there is the widest section of silicone sealant I've ever seen. But you could check for all these things when buying and they're small in the grand scheme of things

Nick, is the princess 60 under 5m beam or does it need a 5.5 or 6m berth?

 

[kashurst]

thanks for the replies, swmbo likes aft cabins, and I like large cockpits, but I'm not that bothered about large flybridges as I prefer to slob about, cook etc at a lower altitude. I also want 3 cabins with the main one either aft or in the middle to avoid the slapping noises on the hull. swmbo also wants a washer dryer in next boat. (I suggested it would be cheaper just to buy new clothes) Quite fancy a sealine t50/60 or squadron 52 as both have a double cabin in the middle. pearl 55 covers all the bases and has space for dishwasher (can you tell who's deciding the spec yet?) but never been to sea on one, and I don't want to buy a floating apartment instead of a boat by mistake. I am guessing at anchor the Pearl might be a bit more stable as I think it's heavier and beamier.

 

[Nick_H]

Nick, is the princess 60 under 5m beam or does it need a 5.5 or 6m berth?

4.83m, which is exactly the same as mine/P58. I assumed it was the 57/58 hull with hi-lo platform added, but Princess assure me its a completely new hull.

 

[Nick_H]

I also want 3 cabins with the main one either aft or in the middle to avoid the slapping noises on the hull

To avoid wave slapping noises, nothing compares with an aft cabin. Actually mid beam cabins have a different issue, as the chines often break the water roughly in line with the mid cabin, and can slap down on the surface of the water as the boat rolls or wavelets come through.

 

[dabsolute470]

Hi Kashurst

i would recommend a pearl very much... we have one and we love it.
our boating history has been mainly princess last one being princess 470, we got our pearl last year and was dealing on a princess 50 when we see the pearl 43 for sale and went and had a look.... love at first sight!
my reservations was storage being used to a large lazzeret on the 470 but the pearl has much more storage that is usable as long as you can remeber were you put it. had stuff in the princess lazzeret in the far corners that i hadnt seen for about 5 years until i sold her, too much trouble moving things to get to what you want to try and find.
build finish quality imho is one of the best i have seen and the design is fantastic for the space.
she is no fast kid but we dont fly about at 30knts anymore and are happy with lower 20 knts engines happy at 2500 rpm. 300 below max.
very good sea keeping i our experiances, fly bridge is not at big but you feel more intouch with others as its only a few steps up and open.
was dubious about aft cabin but would not have anything other than that now.
we love the princess 60 and think thats a close second imho but we want to strive to get a peral 55 or 60 as our next boat.
guess we must be bias now but have had both and prefer aft cabin now.
only down side we have found is she is a pig to dock from down stairs as we dont have cameras aft.
hope it helps both are great boats

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I like the Pearl 60 especially the gizmos like electric sunroof/patio doors and hydraulic platform too but the thing you have to appreciate is that these boats are built in very small numbers which might be a good thing or a bad thing for build quality depending on who exactly is doing the building. Mass production boats, on the other hand, are specifically designed to be manufactured to a predetermined quality level and to a certain extent, the skill levels of the craftsmen building them are taken out of the equation. The other downside of course of being built in small numbers is that the brand is less well known on the used market and therefore will be more difficult to sell on. I too have heard that Pearls are heavy boats and may consume a little more fuel than other similar length planing boats. I would say that if you like the boat, go for it but make sure you get it at a good price. The Pearl MD, Ian, is a good guy and I've heard that he tries hard to look after his customers, new or used

 

[dabsolute470]

yes i agree with Deleted User comments and Ian Smallridge is very helpfull
think they have a tie in with bently... quality and standard of finish must still be good in the new boats for them to associate.
our boat is about 10 years old now and think they only made a few of them.

 

[Nautical]

Skippered a 60 for a bit, heavier build than the average production boat and as others have said she is not a racehorse or particularly nimble for ducking and diving, personally I think all that flannel about how nippy this or that flybridge 60 footer is that you read in the mags is complete nonsense. I don't know anyone that hoons around on a 30 ton plus FB yacht, 99% of people will leave the berth set AP and trundle off to where ever.

The upside to the heavier displacement and the very sure footed hull is she is a great sea boat, tackles most stuff with ease and you don't seem to get much if that banging and slamming in any sort of head sea (providing you don't drive like a loon) like some lighter builds.

Engineering wise, very good, nicely detailed and all very sensible gear and good install. Aft cabin is brilliant for sleeping, you don't get all that wave lapping against the forward sections and if you have two couples (or three or even four) you as the owner are a good distance away from them separated by the entire length of the saloon so you are not listening to nocturnal visits to the heads or er, other stuff !

Engine access is tight and on deck storage is limited but "doable". Flybridge is smaller than norm but I didn't find it a particular problem with four on board.

Thing to watch for is the companionway down to the lower forward cabins, it is right next to the spot you step away from the helm and if not careful you can miss the floor and end up down the bottom of the companionway.

Overall I very much like the boat and its quirkiness against the mainstream stuff really appeals to me, the four cabins are really good and all are proper cabins so you can genuinely sleep eight aboard in comfort.

Also agree Ian is a great guy and does look after his customers very well.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Skippered a 60 for a bit, heavier build than the average production boat and as others have said she is not a racehorse or particularly nimble for ducking and diving, personally I think all that flannel about how nippy this or that flybridge 60 footer is that you read in the mags is complete nonsense. I don't know anyone that hoons around on a 30 ton plus FB yacht, 99% of people will leave the berth set AP and trundle off to where ever.

Agree with that. Quite why the boat mags have decided that slalom handling is worthy of detailed commentary I have no idea. Far more important are things like whether it slams in a big head sea or whether it trips up in a big following sea. I understand that the ability to steer around waves might be a factor but lets face it, in boisterous conditions, most of us find a comfy speed and stick the autopilot on

 

[Imperial One]

Agree with that. Quite why the boat mags have decided that slalom handling is worthy of detailed commentary I have no idea. Far more important are things like whether it slams in a big head sea or whether it trips up in a big following sea. I understand that the ability to steer around waves might be a factor but lets face it, in boisterous conditions, most of us find a comfy speed and stick the autopilot on

Quite the best thing to do and do turn the stabilisers on, if you have them, as well.

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

Yes especially when it comes to a motor cruiser. May be it is important for you in the UK, because Italian mags are not bother much about handling with big shaft proped flybridge boats. They will tell you steering response is good, average or a pig.
May be in the Solent you have a slalom race every weekend so you better be prepared. I am sure a Ferretti will come last in this race
Have a Pearl 60 locally and once going up in a head sea from my marina to Comino/Gozo, it was a Force 4 head sea about 4 feet waves. I was going up at 21/22 knots and the Pearl was navigating very nice same direction as me with a speed of about 24/25 knots. Looked very solid to me, much more then other similar sized boats and lenght. If you just looked at the Pearl you tought it had cleaner water.
Nice boats, and I like a lot because they evolved the British, aft cabin design.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

May be in the Solent you have a slalom race every weekend so you better be prepared. I am sure a Ferretti will come last in this race

Maybe if it was my old Ferretti 46 which had very heavy and slow steering but my new F53 is a different animal altogether because the first owner specified the optional power assisted steering system which makes the steering much lighter and faster. There is a small electro-hydraulic power pack in the engine bay which pumps oil to the steering mechanism rams when the steering wheel is moved or the autopilot demands it. If I was buying a new Ferretti, this would be the first option box I would tick

 

[jfm]

Maybe if it was my old Ferretti 46 which had very heavy and slow steering but my new F53 is a different animal altogether because the first owner specified the optional power assisted steering system which makes the steering much lighter and faster. There is a small electro-hydraulic power pack in the engine bay which pumps oil to the steering mechanism rams when the steering wheel is moved or the autopilot demands it. If I was buying a new Ferretti, this would be the first option box I would tick

Buy a Fairline Mike . This has been standard for years (sometimes engine pto hydraulic, as opposed to electrohydraulic, but same effect)

Seriously, I am amazed freti supply this only as an option on a 53er.

 

[Nick_H]

Likewise, standard on a Princess at that size.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Buy a Fairline Mike . This has been standard for years (sometimes engine pto hydraulic, as opposed to electrohydraulic, but same effect)

Seriously, I am amazed freti supply this only as an option on a 53er.

There's a slightly different mentality with Italian mobos which filters down from the bigger boats. The expectation is that the hired hand drives the boat which is why he gets heavy steering and a lousy helm seat. The owner is expected to be more focussed on the bevy of totty he's invited on board
Yup power steering should be standard of course. Maybe it is on the newer boats, I dunno, but I wouldn't buy another used Ferretti without it now

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

New Fers have the ZFsteering thing as option, but standard on the bigger models AFAIK.
I helm a Ferretti 53 for a dozen miles, in a big longish swell and I was not bothered about this to be honest. Yes it takes a minute or two to get used, but compared to my stern drive boat this felt more assuring. May be an impression cause I was helming a boat I like....

 

[MapisM]

There's a slightly different mentality with Italian mobos which filters down from the bigger boats. The expectation is that the hired hand drives the boat which is why he gets heavy steering and a lousy helm seat. The owner is expected to be more focussed on the bevy of totty he's invited on board

LOL, guilty as charged, your honour. That sounds indeed like an IT mentality...
There might be other considerations, though.
In my boat, the a/p drives a straight electric actuator connected to the rudders, but the wheels have a direct (manual) hydraulic connection, hence making a/p and wheels completely redundant.
Then again, there's also a third system: a cover in the cockpit through which a 5 feet tiller can be directly connected on top of the rudders...
How's that for the IT mentality?

 

[jfm]

How's that for the IT mentality?

Bit crazy I would say. On my boat there is a mechanical device to lock the tillers in the centre postion, in case the steering system fails. Then you drive/steer on the throttles and thrusters. You never need rudders to steer a twin engine boat. A 5 foot tiller is a nice device to save some weight - chuck it over the side