Boat test result

[BrendanS]

If you hang around for a while, you'll find most comments here are balanced out by knowledgable posts from a variety of sources. It's always interesting to hear what a particular poster has to say about a boat, and on the whole we grade the opinion by our perception of that poster. I don't think anyone is going to buy a boat based on the opinion of one person, but if several people wade in on behalf of a particular model, then it gains some credence. Have a look at the recent thread on walkaround deck boats for instance

Having said that, your post does seem to suggest you have a vested interest of some sort

 

[RupertW]

[ QUOTE ]
Who are you, Mr Mystery Boatperson? Something to do with Cranchi, maybe?

[/ QUOTE ]

Or maybe a dealer for Princess?

 

[GC1]

My initial enquiries regarding the boat led to some great words to be said about it, it was that which kept my interest in it against those who were looking more after my interests in wanting to end up at 42ft or so.

The report I wrote was truthful and reflected our views, that included having to consider a 4yr old and mother and father in law who may appear now and then. Had I been a single Italian stallion with a bevvy of beauties to scatter over my bow it may have done the job as the gel coat and cover colours would be the last thing you would be looking at

As for performance as I said it was stunning, as for dealer service and being available after hours, that will never be forgotten as dealer service is very high on our list of priorities, the professional way in which Abersoch treated us was a rare treat and a credit to their company.

I live in hope that the new 43 will be a stunner, but until then I am going to enjoy what I have.

I have tried to become Cranky, but unfortunately will have to stay very happy for the moment

 

[Nautorius]

Cranky,

First of all welcome to our DISCUSSION Forum! You have spent a long time in the business so we look forward to your input and insight. there are lots of other people in the business on here as well so you may even get some free advertising /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif (as long as you play by the Forum Rules).

Like you, a lot of people have experience of boating. It is also not neccessarily that they only have experience of the current boat/size/value as we are an amiable bunch and share thoughts and experiences. If boat sales are getting more difficult then it is because your customers are becoming more educated. This is IMHO a good thing as it pushes up standards all around.

Anyway i like your attacking style, best to be gentle on us while you bed in...ask DaCoastalot! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Paul

 

[leadersail]

{quote}
The upholstery of the boat is in what swmbo described as the colour of the ceiling in a working mans club,
{quote}

How the hell would she know what a working mans club looks like ?

Please describe FULLY what she was doing there and don't forget the photos you are so keen to promote the use of. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[GC1]

swmbo was brought up in that type of environment, working mens clubs up North, it was me who saved her after a private dance and brought her down South and educated her /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Now she fits in to any situation and you would never know, I just get embarrased when she gets her pole out when we have parties at home /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[KevB]

[ QUOTE ]
Now she fits in to any situation and you would never know, I just get embarrased when she gets her pole out when we have parties at home


[/ QUOTE ]

Git. I hope for your sake she doesn't read this. I may just print it off and leave a copy on your boat tonight. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Cranky - welcome aboard! You will find on this forum a whole bunch of people with a wide range of experience in boating, including the shipwrights, surveyors etc that you mention.

Boat sales are becoming more difficult as prices have rocketed way past inflation to the point where discerning owners are demanding value for money and looking to seek it out where possible. I'm sure you will agree that the concept of value for money and the leisure marine industry do not sit well together in the same sentence, as has been discussed several times on this forum.

Moreover, advise here is in no way restricted to buying new boats. The experiences of others in the avoidance of pit-falls when buying second hand is invaluable - I wish someone could have been with me when I bought my Windy! The surveyor (whom you seem to think could have helped) was blimmin useless and had much less about him than some of the experienced bods on here.

I can tell you without any shadow of a doubt that Coney Island is a far better boat today than the boat I bought and a great deal of her improvements have been brought about by the advice of good-hearted, experienced leisure boaters on this forum.

So there! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[cranky]

All right, settle down you lot.
My nerves stopped being tweaked by matters nautical years ago and I have no vested interest.
I think that if you are happy with the boat that you have had for only six weeks you should keep it a bit longer before falling into the 'must go bigger trap'. Having a bigger boat will not automatically enhance your boating pleasure. Some of the most enjoyable boating I have experienced has been on a punt on the upper Thames and in a 6m rib on the first Highlands and Islands rib race in 1990.
There are good and bad boats on the market but it remains a mystery to me that they both seem to sell equally well.
From my experience in sales I know that a lot of decisions are made at boat shows based on interior accomadation ( like buying a caravan ) but you do need to look at how the main structure is put together and you do need to get out in some sort of sea to see how the family feel onboard. If you are looking at 34 /36 footers, try out a good cross section before you form an opinion. Getting it wrong is an expensive exercise, and if you get caught out seas that are bigger than your heart, which WILL happen if you are to do some serious cruising, hindsight is about as much use as a parachute on a cross channel ferry.
Speak to owners and speak to the people in the trade, but be cautious, do some research here to, there are always exceptions to the rule. How many people who have just paid £30,000+ for a new car will tell their neighbours that they made a mistake and that it is a load of rubbish, until they have sold it. Just a thought!
Enjoy your research and happy boating

 

[duncan]

welcome - but..........

[ QUOTE ]
I think that if you are happy with the boat that you have had for only six weeks you should keep it a bit longer before falling into the 'must go bigger trap'. Having a bigger boat will not automatically enhance your boating pleasure

[/ QUOTE ] glad your opinion agrees with all the ones already stated

[ QUOTE ]
There are good and bad boats on the market but it remains a mystery to me that they both seem to sell equally well.


[/ QUOTE ] usually bit not exclusively this tends to be a function of price, availability and marketing budgets

[ QUOTE ]
you do need to look at how the main structure is put together and you do need to get out in some sort of sea to see how the family feel onboard. If you are looking at 34 /36 footers, try out a good cross section before you form an opinion. Getting it wrong is an expensive exercise, and if you get caught out seas that are bigger than your heart, which WILL happen if you are to do some serious cruising, hindsight is about as much use as a parachute on a cross channel ferry.
Speak to owners and speak to the people in the trade, but be cautious, do some research here to, there are always exceptions to the rule

[/ QUOTE ]
er this is exactly what this thread and his 5 previous ones are all about.................

not trying to be contencious but this post is reinforcing the process whilst your first was slagging it off - please make up your mind?

 

[MedDreamer]

Pete

We had exactly the same experience with a Z34 last year. Went across to Menorca to kook at one and it just didn't do it for us even though I had convinced myself it was the boat I wanted after seeing one at SIBS.

Why aren't you looking at Targa 34 or 37? seems to fit your bill perfectly


Martyn

 

[Major Catastrophe]

Cranky, welcome to the forum.

If Pete was happy to keep his Larsen, we may as well pack up, declaring that the show is over, please go back to your homes, there's nothing to see here.

Pete, GC1 is our soap opera and we tune in every day to hear the latest gossip from the Medway, to either to scorn him, praise him or simply sympathise with his long suffering SWMBO.

Honest mate, you haven't heard the half of it and I suggest you try forum searching for "Toaster", "Safety Equipment" "Ten man Liferaft", "Petrol filled boat" and most famously "Virgin 747 Jumbo Jet Massage Station".

I suggest you sit back, open a beer and enjoy the ride.

If during your searches you came across Haydn's Exploding Lavatory story, let me know and I have never found this legendary tale.

 

[Captain_Donut]

[ QUOTE ]
After over 30 years in this business I am still amazed by the number of clients who will willingly spend vast quantities of their hard earned cash based on the say so of a friend who 'knows about boats' because he has been at for ten minutes longer than they have.


[/ QUOTE ]

So knowing better you talked them out of it then? /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Anyway, welcome to the GC1 chronicles. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif


GC1, I am sure you have advice coming out of your ears by now, I haven't read everything (being a newcomer and all /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif) - but you may find that your 25 footer gets used more than a 34 or 42 footer, cos it just seems "too much hassle" to move the bigger boat for an hour or so, plus of course the bigger boat IS far more comfortable inside to just lounge around in (or whatever it is you do aboard /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif!)

 

[Major Catastrophe]

Captain Donut, mebbe you need to read this post Pete has just put up.

 

[cranky]

Yes I suppose I have, but considering the money that would be lost on the Larsen after only six weeks use, for what would be a stop gap boat, I think that this is probably sound advise.
If GCI really wants to go up to a 43 in the next year, it would make financial sense to hang on and make the move later.
If he chooses the new Cranchi it is going to be available with an opening hard top which will cure the visability and wind in the hair issue.
I understand that this model will be launched at Genoa in October, this is a worthwhile trip anyway as there is a more varied choice of boats than the usual fare found at the UK shows.
Also, as has already been stated, it will be just as easy to adapt to a 43 as it would be a 34 and the 43 will have the new IPS drive which is a major step forward on handling ease.
Finally I think it is almost impossible to sell someone a boat that they don't want and a thankless task, it is far more rewarding to assist in the purchase of the right boat and to use your experience to get the right set up.
A happy customer is a future customer.