Camargue44

[MRC]

Im starting to look around for a Camargue 44, has anyone had any experience with these and anything to look out for?

Is Air Con a must have option for re sale, even though the boat will be UK based.

Were there any changes since its 1998 launch?

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Your post is looking a little lonely here! Cant say I've owned a C44 but I've looked at plenty in the past few weeks before eventually plumping for a Targa 48, mainly because of the 3rd cabin. I dont think there have been many changes if any in the lifetime of the boat which, as you may know, has now been replaced by the Portofino 46 although the C44 is still on the Sunseeker price list so I guess you can still buy one new. There seem to be plenty of used C44's about and my impression is that only the best/cheapest sell quickly so, if you buy, make sure it does have aircon (its always a selling point even if you dont use it) and a hyd passarelle or crane is worth having. An extended bathing platform was an option but all the ones I looked at had this fitted
Engine-wise, I believe the options were Volvo 63P (370hp) and 74P(430hp) and Cat 3216 (426hp). I was told that the Cats are slightly noisier than the Volvos in this installation and, for sure, any 63P engined boat struggles to hit 30knots and is a bit of an orphan so steer clear of this one. IMHO, the one to go for is the Volvo 74P preferably with EDC controls. You may already know that the C44 has a V-drive gearbox which sits at the front of the engine with the prop shaft coming back under the engine. I dont think there are any particular technical disadvantages with this arrangement and it does free up more accomodation space but the sternglands are hard to reach
The accomodation is pretty good in my opinion although I much preferred the cherrywood rather than the maple woodwork and I dislike Sunseekers practise of using woodwork rather than Corian on the galley worktops because it gets damaged. The cockpit is also well laid out IMHO but watch out for the fake burr instruments panels peeling especially on Med boats
The standard generator was 4KvA but Sunseeker offered a 8KvA upgrade if aircon was fitted and I think the bigger generator was worth having
Many C44's have been chartered both in the UK and the Med so watch out for high engine hours on some although thats not a problem if condition/price is right. Some C44's currently on the market have been brought back from Egypt and Switzerland so make sure price reflects condition. Also there are many C44's about without VAT having been paid so again make sure the price reflects this.
In conclusion, I would say a nice '99 boat with aircon, 8Kva gennie, hyd passarelle, cherrywood interior and Volvo 74P/EDC engines at about £200k inc VAT would be a good buy but there are some boats for sale, particularly thru Sunseeker dealers, priced at over £250k inc VAT which I think is very optomistic. As I say, there are plenty about so bargain hard

 

[MRC]

Thanks very much for you time in the reply. Will be keeping an eye out for a 99/00 boat with the options you describe.