GC1
N/A
This is the result of a test we had on a Cranchi Zaffiro 34 with twin Volvo D4 260hp engines.
Swmbo and myself are looking to get a bigger boat, we have always had a liking for the internal layout of the Cranchi Zaffiro 34 and the great friendly service from the dealer in Port Solent. Today we went for a 2hr test drive, both swmbo and myself drove the boat and what blistering performance it produced for us. The boat is ultra stable, has a superb turning circle and is very, very responsive. The power from the D4's brings the boat from a standstill to 'on the plane' very quickly and effortlessly, and the cruising is so easy even taking large wake in it's stride.
The inside of the boat is of a very high specification giving a large forward and lovely aft cabin with twin beds that can easily adapt to a double with a simple manoever. The centre lounge/kitchen area is large enough with a lovely wood finish and good quality fittings.
The engine bay is very large and gives plenty of storage and easy access to the state of the art D4 engines. Both engines had 50hrs on them and were as clean as a whistle and have had their first service.
The exterior of the boat is interesting, the best point being the large flat bow that has easy access by two large walkways one each side of the boat. The bathing platform is large and finished in Flexi teak to complement the rest of the cockpit which is finished in the same. The helm position is one of the points that I felt let it down for me, the bolster seat when raised gives an uncomfortable pain to your bum as it is not that well padded and you can feel the edge of the plywood base, this is such a simple point that you would have thought it would have been addressed by now. The height of the wind shield screen is another problem for me, with my height my eye line is directly in line with the top of the screen, this made me want to either duck a little or stand up to see over it, sitting with the bolster down was not a problem but then vision over the bow was reduced.
The upholstry of the boat is in what swmbo described as the colour of the ceiling in a working mans club, a yucky type of off white which complemented the totally white cockpit and off white canvas, all in all disgustingly boringly white and off white. The shelter from wind when travelling at 40knts is non existant, the low profile of the boat and the screen gives no shelter at all to the occupants from the wind and would for us be a major issue on a long journey. We have a 4yr old and some retired relatives, this was one of our big concerns as swmbo had her hood up on her coat throughout the trip and this is summer! My 25ft er gives much more protection than this boat in this area which is very surprising. The lack of an outside cooker is dissapointing although a cockpit fridge is a welcome addition, together with a sink.
So where are we now? In simple terms the WOW factor was lost, the boat looks bland from the outside due to it's colourings, that is a shame as it doesn't do it justice as they seem to have got the inside right with the lovely wood. We looked at two other boats afterwards due to our feelings, one was the Endurance 39, which is now replced by the 40 and an Esmeralda or something like that. The Endurance gave up it;s forward cabing for a larger social lounge area, something the 34 lacked, but the rear cabis were almost identical. The Esmeraldo looked dated, the radar arch was square and I think this model is probably on it's way out.
I have to say that I love the look of my boat, it is more of the Targa colours and appeals to my eye, I can't for the sake of me fall in love with the Zaffiro as it is from the outside. There are some corrections that could be done, new covers in blue, blue fenders and blue lines, this 'may' help.
We are still in discussion, swmbo have taken serious note of what people have said on this forum, and all I can do is thank you all for that. What I do see is that it doesn't seem we will get our dream boat in a 34 ft er, and does it make economic sense to give up a most fantastic new boat for the sake of building up confidence. swmbo and I had no problem whatsoever adapting to driving this boat, and what concerns me is that after another 6 weeks we would want a 42 ft er.
I don't even know why I got myself into this situation, we should embrace the moment and thoroughly enjoy the boat we have which is a fantastic setup, economical, speedy, well finished and stylish.
I will see what the morning brings, but I can see now how easy it is to take things for granted and want more, but when that more is for the sake of it and not the end of wanting, then why do it?
The new Cranchi 43 is being launched in a couple of months and is just this side of £300k and great value for money. It seems from the dealer that we could get a good px deal on our boat on one of these, so perhaps finishing the season in my boat is a prudent move.
BUT no decision has been made as yet as there is a flickering flame still alight regarding the Zaffiro 34 that has not yet been extinguished /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Thanks again to all for your advice and support, I promise you that it has all been taken into consideration /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Swmbo and myself are looking to get a bigger boat, we have always had a liking for the internal layout of the Cranchi Zaffiro 34 and the great friendly service from the dealer in Port Solent. Today we went for a 2hr test drive, both swmbo and myself drove the boat and what blistering performance it produced for us. The boat is ultra stable, has a superb turning circle and is very, very responsive. The power from the D4's brings the boat from a standstill to 'on the plane' very quickly and effortlessly, and the cruising is so easy even taking large wake in it's stride.
The inside of the boat is of a very high specification giving a large forward and lovely aft cabin with twin beds that can easily adapt to a double with a simple manoever. The centre lounge/kitchen area is large enough with a lovely wood finish and good quality fittings.
The engine bay is very large and gives plenty of storage and easy access to the state of the art D4 engines. Both engines had 50hrs on them and were as clean as a whistle and have had their first service.
The exterior of the boat is interesting, the best point being the large flat bow that has easy access by two large walkways one each side of the boat. The bathing platform is large and finished in Flexi teak to complement the rest of the cockpit which is finished in the same. The helm position is one of the points that I felt let it down for me, the bolster seat when raised gives an uncomfortable pain to your bum as it is not that well padded and you can feel the edge of the plywood base, this is such a simple point that you would have thought it would have been addressed by now. The height of the wind shield screen is another problem for me, with my height my eye line is directly in line with the top of the screen, this made me want to either duck a little or stand up to see over it, sitting with the bolster down was not a problem but then vision over the bow was reduced.
The upholstry of the boat is in what swmbo described as the colour of the ceiling in a working mans club, a yucky type of off white which complemented the totally white cockpit and off white canvas, all in all disgustingly boringly white and off white. The shelter from wind when travelling at 40knts is non existant, the low profile of the boat and the screen gives no shelter at all to the occupants from the wind and would for us be a major issue on a long journey. We have a 4yr old and some retired relatives, this was one of our big concerns as swmbo had her hood up on her coat throughout the trip and this is summer! My 25ft er gives much more protection than this boat in this area which is very surprising. The lack of an outside cooker is dissapointing although a cockpit fridge is a welcome addition, together with a sink.
So where are we now? In simple terms the WOW factor was lost, the boat looks bland from the outside due to it's colourings, that is a shame as it doesn't do it justice as they seem to have got the inside right with the lovely wood. We looked at two other boats afterwards due to our feelings, one was the Endurance 39, which is now replced by the 40 and an Esmeralda or something like that. The Endurance gave up it;s forward cabing for a larger social lounge area, something the 34 lacked, but the rear cabis were almost identical. The Esmeraldo looked dated, the radar arch was square and I think this model is probably on it's way out.
I have to say that I love the look of my boat, it is more of the Targa colours and appeals to my eye, I can't for the sake of me fall in love with the Zaffiro as it is from the outside. There are some corrections that could be done, new covers in blue, blue fenders and blue lines, this 'may' help.
We are still in discussion, swmbo have taken serious note of what people have said on this forum, and all I can do is thank you all for that. What I do see is that it doesn't seem we will get our dream boat in a 34 ft er, and does it make economic sense to give up a most fantastic new boat for the sake of building up confidence. swmbo and I had no problem whatsoever adapting to driving this boat, and what concerns me is that after another 6 weeks we would want a 42 ft er.
I don't even know why I got myself into this situation, we should embrace the moment and thoroughly enjoy the boat we have which is a fantastic setup, economical, speedy, well finished and stylish.
I will see what the morning brings, but I can see now how easy it is to take things for granted and want more, but when that more is for the sake of it and not the end of wanting, then why do it?
The new Cranchi 43 is being launched in a couple of months and is just this side of £300k and great value for money. It seems from the dealer that we could get a good px deal on our boat on one of these, so perhaps finishing the season in my boat is a prudent move.
BUT no decision has been made as yet as there is a flickering flame still alight regarding the Zaffiro 34 that has not yet been extinguished /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Thanks again to all for your advice and support, I promise you that it has all been taken into consideration /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
