Corvette 320 - Anyone any experience?

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Wexfordian

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My family has increased in number (although not in enthusiasm for boating; still, who cares).
I am, therefore, looking to trade up from Aquador 26 to something like a Corvette 32 - lots of space (as much as I'm likely to need), not too large to handle single-handed, seems to get a lot of favourable mentions in MBY/MBM. Trouble is I've never met anyone who's been on board one or has experience of one. Don't suppose any of you can help.

Also, I can't afford a new one and all the used ones I've seen advertised are ancient (1990 or earlier). Did the manufacturers not build any between 1993 and 1999 or have they all sunk?

The aft cabin's not crucial but an outside helm position is, as is good walk-around decks and a safe fore-deck. I've also considered Nimbus 370 and Botnia Targa (also tricky to find used). Any other ideas?
 
Been on one, absolutely amazing amound of space for 32' of boat - brill deal when it comes to the berthing fees. Can't say about build age, but what's wrong with 'older' boat if it has been lovingly cared for?? Believe me, 'new' boats in wrong hands can take quite a hammering! The boat I refer to has also been modified to have a high upper helms position, looks a bit too top heavy but owners seem to like it, actually they've kept it from a good while now. The aft cabin is super with an island bed. Forecabin as I recall had seperate twins. Recall it to be valued approx £80K ish.
 
I had considerable experience with one when I gave boat handling lessons to the owner of one. I found the boat as manouvreable as a Broom 35 European (there can be no greater praise than that).
The exterior has the feel of a much larger vessel with huge side decks. The interior too uses the space sensibly and here too one feels there's not a wasted inch.
Unfortunately I have no experience of the boat's sea keeping qualities and know nothing of the quality of build. My experiences were all close quarters single handing and wining and dining aboard her.
 
Hi
I don't have any personal experience other than having been on one and agree with the points already made. Early Corvettes were built in Nottingham, quality of build was a bit of an issue as the company went from crisis to crisis until they eventually went bankrupt in the late 80's someone then took the moulds over which may explain the gap in production. If you find an early one just look out for the fuel tanks which i seem to recall were mild steel and the boat was built around them, so when they eventualy rust through it's big trouble.
 
Very good big sea boat

I have not actually been to sea in one of these - but a mate who I used to sail a lot with on his classic wooden sail job, purchased a Corvette in 2005. I have been on board and concur all above comments. My chum is delighted and has been out in some rough stuff , he has owned a Nelson too so likes tough boats that can handle the Wx.


That said some of the PDI stuff was a joke and there was an issue with the upper helm seat not correctly fastened......
 
Check with current distributors Boatshowrooms at Shepperton Marina on the Thames just west of London. They will inform you about earlier builds. I was told that earlier versions, pre Boatshowrooms involvement, were a bit suspect in the quality department.
Also seem to be a wide variation of engine installations, from full displacement (2 x 60hp) up to 300 hp +.
Horizon Yachts in the CI's often have a variety of used examples.
 
I know a couple of people with them and they love them. I have been on them and think they are great boats. Can be fast as well with the right engines. Seem to be pretty good in the rough stuff too. I know of someone that has done the West Coast up to the Western Isles without problems. Agree with everyones comments. MBM or PBO (can't remember) did a good article on the history of these boats sometime in 2005. It seems that if you get a good one, it'll be a great boat to have with some unique features. It definately has a "little ship" feel to it. Good luck.
 
You're right about New Horizon. I've just looked up their website and they certainly have a good selection. I noticed though that they (mysteriously) also have none advertised from between 1991 & 2001: the missing decade.
Perhaps all the owners of these boats are so pleased with them that they don't want to change them ...
 
Corvette 320

Would definitely recommend a Corvette 320 , a fantastic boat that's perfect for a young family, I had a 2001 called the Klara B for 3 years, sold it spring 2010 for nothing other than financial reasons. The build quality was excellent although it is true that some of the earlier models are not so good . There were very few built during the mid to late 90's. I just looked now and note that my old boat is back on the Market for 139k , its up at Rhu Marina boat sales I would say that that is a good price as I know that the new owner a well known movie /TV star spend some good money on some new upgrades so it will have been well looked after so well worth looking at.

Good luck
 
Very much a corvette fan myself, hope to make a step to one in the future. IMHO it seems a great boat for todays expensive south east marina mooring costs, as it does not just rely on length to give great space, but huge width which is free to berth! Good luck with your hunt.
 
We imported one from Florida and owned it for around six months. Good boat I reckon, would just about plane with 2x120hp but that was absolutely flat out. One thing I remember is how wide the decks were, you could get a wheelchair around them!
 
Don't believe BoatShowRooms are the distributors

miket said:
Check with current distributors Boatshowrooms at Shepperton Marina on the Thames just west of London. They will inform you about earlier builds. I was told that earlier versions, pre Boatshowrooms involvement, were a bit suspect in the quality department.
Also seem to be a wide variation of engine installations, from full displacement (2 x 60hp) up to 300 hp +.
Horizon Yachts in the CI's often have a variety of used examples.
Click to expand...

You need to speak to Karl Farrant - http://corvetteyachts.com/ he is ex - Boat Showrooms and an honest, down to earth guy who will be able to answer all your questions. They seem to have a number of 320s for sale that fit your requirement.
 
One moors astern of me. Owners had it from new. It's only got a pair of 70hp so not quick but they've done a fair bit in the salty stuff with no issues. He handles it very well solo getting in and out of a restricted berth.
 
Wexfordian said:
I've also considered Nimbus 370 and Botnia Targa (also tricky to find used). Any other ideas?
Click to expand...
Both cracking vessels too
The Corvette however beats them both for the 'Tardis' effect!
The Botnia is amazing ref seakeaping, had personal experience
Owned an old Nimbus, very good build quality
Was surfing the web yesterday ref Corvettes (always fancied one) but 'dreaming' at the mo!
However there does seem to be quite a few out there from £45000 upwards
Some great replies so far with good tips on who to contact etc
I can confirm the fuel tanks issues on early ones, having helped a friend some years ago replace His, not a 5 minute task!
As per byron, I have also given boat handling lessons on/in one
Good vessel to single hand, the single starboard hand cabin/wheelhouse door is not an issue whilst berthing (I thought it might be) because the side decks are so wide, it's easy to nip around to the port side to handle wharps etc
As for seakeaping
We only went out in the relatively sheltered waters of the Menai Strait but She handled a 1 metre chop with ease
Yep, I would buy one
 
Firefly625 said:
Very much a corvette fan myself, hope to make a step to one in the future. IMHO it seems a great boat for todays expensive south east marina mooring costs, as it does not just rely on length to give great space, but huge width which is free to berth! Good luck with your hunt.
Click to expand...

I like them too. But when you are on the beamy side yourself it can be a snug fit between two marina fingers if you happen to have one as your neighbour!

I remember, when I had a Portofino, being mildly embarrassed by the turn of speed of what I had assumed to be a bit of a lardy tub which i was sure would be well astern by the time I got to the tide marker on the approach to the channel into Bembridge, but wasn't. :D
 
The Corvette 32 / 320 was my primary choice of boat before I bought my Turbo 36. Karl Farrant is the expert on these, and his key advice to me was that anthing below £90 - 100k will probably need a lot of work and below £70 - 80 k is going to be needing so much that it will need at least a season out and a huge sum spent to get it decent.

During 2011 I viewed 5 Corvettes, the first of which was a 5 year old £200k model, and that set the stall by which to compare the older ones with, all of which disappointed, and then found the Turbo 36 by accident following a disappointing trip to Cornwall to view a Corvette that was a real dog (with great engines apparently !).

All in all my view now is that they are a lot of money for not that much boat. Lovely to look at, but small inside, and once they reach 20 years old a probable money pit.

I would suggest the Aquastar 32 or 38, or Turbo 36 with which I am still smitten.
 
Rather late in the day to reply but for what it's worth, we bought our 320 last March and have since re-instated a Corvette Owners Group (see appropriate thread on ybw). We have over 20 boats in the group now ranging from 1986 to 2008 models and a considerable combined experience. I have also started compiling a history of Corvettes since their start in Lymington in 1974. It is an iconic boat which appeals to many people. Sad that it's no longer made in the UK and only the 340 is available from the Taiwan yard these days.
 
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