Colvic Suncruiser 35 - Advice please

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Megaera

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Hi
This is my first post, as I have just joined……
I am hoping for some views/opinions on a 1991 Colvic Suncruiser 35, as my endless Googling has not really born fruit.
The boat in question has twin Cummins 6L bta engines. I would really like to hear people’s views on how these boats handle coastal/offshore cruising. Are they good, bad or awful in a bit of chop?
I was all set to buy a beautifully restored 1992 Fairline Corniche (no worries on handling messy seas there!!) - then I came across this Colvic.
Information online seems pretty scant…..I would really appreciate any input here!
TIA
 
We have one of these in on our club moorings and in the distant past personally went to look at a couple during a search to replace a Princess 33.
Based on hulls designed by Bennet and moulded by Colvic, the boat appeared on the market under different names depending on who fitted it out.
Think it may even have appeared with different top sides ie sports boat or flybridge.
From memory engines were simply the choice of the first owner and the Cummins seemed to be the most popular.
In the end we ended up with a Princess 35 which offered a somewhat better use (more) of internal space and with more modern hull designed by Olesinki.
Think some may have been home completed and as a result not as well finished and likely to be worth less.
More internal space than the Corniche ?
 
As Oldgit says, Colvic moulded the hulls and these were fitted out by a number of different yards, with differing levels of quality and competence. They always had a lower perceived value than the equivalent size and age Princess, Fairline etc. Rather than focussing on seakeeping as a primary measure of a boat's worth to you, I would probably focus on the condition and whether it has the space and accommodation you need, because that's how you will experience the boat 99% of the time, especially if you are like most of us who tend to go out in relatively benign conditions rather than bashing through monster waves. Also worth considering that a well known brand will be easier to sell on, so make sure you factor that into the price you are willing to pay / expect to sell for.
 
Thank you markc. The resale issue is a big concern….you never know when circumstances may change and you need to sell.
Thank you for excellent advice - it make total sense to me
 
We had one for 5 years bust different engine , we now have a Sealine 42/5 and we have taken both boats to Ireland Scotland the IOM and up the North West coast. The Colvin performed very well they are heavy and good hull. Now it is the fly bridge I take . So as been said before the fit out is everything , so get a survey and engine survey and sea trial, I would imagine price is between 30 to 50K. Good luck.
 
Thank you very much to all who have replied…I do appreciate it.
I think, on balance, taking all factors into account (especially potential re-sale issues) I will pass on a Colvic. It is probably advisable to stick to tried and tested manufacturers such as Princess, Fairline etc.
Thanks again for your advice
 
If you say what you are looking for and budget , there may be someone who knows of one coming for sale without brokers fees.
 
Would not pass purely on price or the perceived resale value alone.
A well kept and much loved Colvic may well give you a period of reliable and trouble free ownership at a price you can well afford.
At this price point possibly condition might be of more critical than a builders name.
 
oldgit said:
Would not pass purely on price or the perceived resale value alone.
A well kept and much loved Colvic may well give you a period of reliable and trouble free ownership at a price you can well afford.
At this price point possibly condition might be of more critical than a builders name.
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I totally agree…but the boat in question has not been particularly well-maintained or cared for. Combined with my lack of knowledge on Colvics, it is probably prudent to walk away. The asking price is £40k, but the boat does require updating/upgrading etc
The Corniche, on the other hand, has outstanding service history and has been well-loved and perfectly maintained.
I do like the look of the Colvic - but looks alone are not enough :)
 
I have a Corniche and am happy with it. It's perfect for 2 people for longer trips. A bit cramped at anything more than that due to a lack of storage, namely hanging lockers. There's a good facebook group for Corniche owners if you do decide to bite the bullet. Is the Corniche shafts or outdrives?
 
bowler said:
I have a Corniche and am happy with it. It's perfect for 2 people for longer trips. A bit cramped at anything more than that due to a lack of storage, namely hanging lockers. There's a good facebook group for Corniche owners if you do decide to bite the bullet. Is the Corniche shafts or outdrives?
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Thanks for that - very interesting! The boat is shaft, which I do actually prefer. Which do you have?
 
Corniche 31 . Have around 4 or 5 of these on the club moorings with very long term owners who really do use these boats.
Shafts every time and preferably the 200HP engines .
The real icing on the cake would be a pair of hydraulic reverse gears, probably fitted by a previous owner.
The MS4 gearboxes have bit of a unfair reputation, but they have been giving sterling service in thousands of boats over the last half century, it is a bit undeserved.
We do have Corniche 31 and Princess 35 with both a replacement hydraulic and one original VP still installed.
In my very humble opinion the Corniche tends to have very nose up stance under way , the weight of davits and dinghy on the back does not help, as for outdrives and engines hard up against the transom adding to the inbalance....... :)
 
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oldgit said:
Corniche 31 . Have around 4 or 5 of these on the club moorings with very long term owners who really do use these boats.
Shafts every time and preferably the 200HP engines .
The real icing on the cake would be a pair of hydraulic reverse gears, probably fitted by a previous owner.
The MS4 gearboxes have bit of a unfair reputation, but they have been giving sterling service in thousands of boats over the last half century, it is a bit undeserved.
We do have Corniche 31 and Princess 35 with both a replacement hydraulic and one original VP still installed.
In my very humble opinion the Corniche tends to have very nose up stance under way , the weight of davits and dinghy on the back does not help, as for outdrives and engines hard up against the transom adding to the inbalance....... :)
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Really useful advice/info - thank you very much! I’m very glad I joined this forum - so much knowledge on here.
 
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