Delphia 29 with factory fitted tabernacle

[MedwaySailor]

We are considering buying a delphia 29 with a factory fitted tabernacle and a factory fitted raising/lowering aid, I can only describe it as being like a spray hood fitting, it's on hinges at both sides of the side decks just forward of the mast and runs through to the bow. This wasn't on our wish list at all but have now realised that this opens up the river Medway up to Tonbridge for us and potentially enables a trip to Paris so it might well be the decider between this 2006 Delphia and a similarly priced Moody without the tabernacle or electric windlass which is some 20 years older. We're also a bit concerned that the Delphia isn't a well known brand in the UK and resale might be difficult in the future. The Delphia also has heating which opens up some river trips in the late autumn and early spring, perhaps even the winter. All advice gratefully received.

 

[coopec]

Sorry I can't help you with advice

But it looks like a really nice yacht. Have you read this review?
https://www.clarkeandcarter.co.uk/boats-for-sale/2006-delphia-29-conyer-united-kingdom-7080175/

Specifications
https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/delphia-29

 

[PaulRainbow]

We are considering buying a delphia 29 with a factory fitted tabernacle and a factory fitted raising/lowering aid, I can only describe it as being like a spray hood fitting, it's on hinges at both sides of the side decks just forward of the mast and runs through to the bow. This wasn't on our wish list at all but have now realised that this opens up the river Medway up to Tonbridge for us and potentially enables a trip to Paris so it might well be the decider between this 2006 Delphia and a similarly priced Moody without the tabernacle or electric windlass which is some 20 years older. We're also a bit concerned that the Delphia isn't a well known brand in the UK and resale might be difficult in the future. The Delphia also has heating which opens up some river trips in the late autumn and early spring, perhaps even the winter. All advice gratefully received.

The raising/lowering aid is called an A-Frame.

As for your other points, are you buying a boat for you, or the next owner ?

 

[rogerthebodger]

Have a look at this video

 

[V1701]

Sorry I can't help you with advice

But it looks like a really nice yacht. Have you read this review?
https://www.clarkeandcarter.co.uk/boats-for-sale/2006-delphia-29-conyer-united-kingdom-7080175/

Specifications
https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/delphia-29

Review? It's just the broker's blurb & he's trying to flog it...

Which doesn't mean it might not be a good buy but please, "Puts it firmly in the luxury cruiser class" is utter tosh and brokers don't do themselves any favours spouting it...

 

[MedwaySailor]

Thank you!!!

 

[MedwaySailor]

Yes. That's the one that we're looking at. Thank you.

 

[pvb]

Review? It's just the broker's blurb & he's trying to flog it...

Which doesn't mean it might not be a good buy but please, "Puts it firmly in the luxury cruiser class" is utter tosh and brokers don't do themselves any favours spouting it...

True, anyone should disregard anything brokers write!

 

[skipper021]

True, anyone should disregard anything brokers write!

That's a bit harsh! Although these details written by C&C are rubbish and don't do them as a company, or this yacht any favours!
Writing descriptive, accurate and attractive sales particulars are a skill which many brokers struggle with, in my opinion.

 

[pvb]

That's a bit harsh! Although these details written by C&C are rubbish and don't do them as a company, or this yacht any favours!
Writing descriptive, accurate and attractive sales particulars are a skill which many brokers struggle with, in my opinion.

Harsh? Or truthful? There are very few knowledgeable brokers who can be relied upon to describe yachts accurately. One I'd single out is John Rodriguez of JR Yachts, who incidentally is a member of the forums.

 

[pvb]

Yes. That's the one that we're looking at.

It's already dropped in price, from a starting price of £29500. If you're serious, a lowish offer might work.

 

[MedwaySailor]

The raising/lowering aid is called an A-Frame.

As for your other points, are you buying a boat for you, or the next owner ?

That is a VERY good question. Really we're buying for ourselves but as I'm nearly 70 we reckon we have a limited number of years on a boat whereas if we were in our thirties or forties we wouldn't be considering how easy a resale would be. But yes, you're right, we're buying for ourselves.

 

[MedwaySailor]

It's already dropped in price, from a starting price of £29500. If you're serious, a lowish offer might work.

Yes, we were just discussing what price we think we can get the boat for, the Delphia is way more expensive than our original budget and is still north of our current budget. We can proceed immediately because we sold our first cruiser about 8 weeks ago, though that was a sound but elderly Invicta. We bought that purely to check out whether upsizing from dinghies would work. What it taught us was that if you buy sensibly you can sell more easily. The invicta sold 3 days after I advertised her on ebay.

 

[MedwaySailor]

Have a look at this video

That does look easy! I've moved onto my computer to view it as the speeded up video made viewing on my phone pretty dizzying! I can't work out what happened with the headsail but another few viewings will sort that out and I know what to look for when we view the boat again on Friday. Once again, thank you

 

[skipper021]

I know the Delphia 29 model very well, and I sold this actual boat (Suzi Too) in 2008 for the first owners in Poole, the next owners took it to Kent. At that time it sold for about £44,000 I think.

Most of the Delphia 29's in the UK are the lifting keel version, and nearly all of those have the mast lowering system. This mast lowering system is really easy to use - the cap shroud pivot point is in line with the tabanacle pivot point so the mast comes down in a controlled manner with the cap shrouds preventing any side to side movement of the mast.
One point with this actual system is if you have a stackbag/lazybag on the boom for the mainsail, it helps to ease the lazyjack lines so the bag falls to the side a little, otherwise you end up with a very acute angle between the mast and boom, or just disconnect the boom at the gooseneck.

Here is a boat test done by Duncan Kent at Sailing Today:

I hope that's useful.

 

[MedwaySailor]

I know the Delphia 29 model very well, and I sold this actual boat (Suzi Too) in 2008 for the first owners in Poole, the next owners took it to Kent. At that time it sold for about £44,000 I think.

Most of the Delphia 29's in the UK are the lifting keel version, and nearly all of those have the mast lowering system. This mast lowering system is really easy to use - the cap shroud pivot point is in line with the tabanacle pivot point so the mast comes down in a controlled manner with the cap shrouds preventing any side to side movement of the mast.
One point with this actual system is if you have a stackbag/lazybag on the boom for the mainsail, it helps to ease the lazyjack lines so the bag falls to the side a little, otherwise you end up with a very acute angle between the mast and boom, or just disconnect the boom at the gooseneck.

Here is a boat test done by Duncan Kent at Sailing Today: View attachment 81663View attachment 81664View attachment 81665View attachment 81666

I hope that's useful.

Wiw! That most certainly is useful. thank you!!!!!!

 

[V1701]

Yes, we were just discussing what price we think we can get the boat for, the Delphia is way more expensive than our original budget and is still north of our current budget. We can proceed immediately because we sold our first cruiser about 8 weeks ago, though that was a sound but elderly Invicta. We bought that purely to check out whether upsizing from dinghies would work. What it taught us was that if you buy sensibly you can sell more easily. The invicta sold 3 days after I advertised her on ebay.

I wouldn't be shy about offering around £20k (or maybe a bit more if you can), even better if you could look her over first & make your offer with no requirement for a survey. If it's refused or they counter you explain that's your max, at which point they'll either accept or you carry on looking. It's a buyers market & there are similar boats from the 80's & 90's from the likes of Jeanneau or Beneteau available for less.

BUT bear in mind any of these boats (theoretically) need new standing rigging if it's more than 10 years old, could possibly do with new sails and you could do with knowing how many hours the engine's done and whether it's been looked after, e.g. It could be that an older boat with more recent standing rigging & sails and/or a replacement engine represents a better buy.

Whatever you decide best of luck with it all, enjoy it and there's no need to rush into anything...

 

[MedwaySailor]

I wouldn't be shy about offering around £20k (or maybe a bit more if you can), even better if you could look her over first & make your offer with no requirement for a survey. If it's refused or they counter you explain that's your max, at which point they'll either accept or you carry on looking. It's a buyers market & there are similar boats from the 80's & 90's from the likes of Jeanneau or Beneteau available for less.

BUT bear in mind any of these boats (theoretically) need new standing rigging if it's more than 10 years old, could possibly do with new sails and you could do with knowing how many hours the engine's done and whether it's been looked after, e.g. It could be that an older boat with more recent standing rigging & sails and/or a replacement engine represents a better buy.

Whatever you decide best of luck with it all, enjoy it and there's no need to rush into anything...

 

[MedwaySailor]

That is exactly my dilemma. We are having another proper viewing on Friday together with engine start, check electrics etc. Our dilemma is do we go for an older boat with newish standing rigging etc etc or go for the newer boat and try to get her at a price which allows for the necessary updating. She certainly looks as though she's been well cared for but my husband won't consider buying her without a survey.

 

[V1701]

That is exactly my dilemma. We are having another proper viewing on Friday together with engine start, check electrics etc. Our dilemma is do we go for an older boat with newish standing rigging etc etc or go for the newer boat and try to get her at a price which allows for the necessary updating. She certainly looks as though she's been well cared for but my husband won't consider buying her without a survey.

Hope it goes well for you, I bet sailing a boat like this will remind you more of your dinghy sailing than the Invicta...