falcon boats

[roofer]

i am thinking of buying a 1988 falcon 22 stc 6 berth cruiser that is in exellent condition. my question is this, is this a good first time cruiser, is it any good on the sea and what should i expect to pay

thanks in advance
roofer

 

[wheneverIcan]

I can't say about this boat but as a first boat I had a Fairline Sprint which is a 21' 4 berth boat which seem to cost around 18k these days for a 1992 model. They are excellent starter boats and can be trailored if required. I part exchanged my old boat for bigger boat last year and I know the dealer still has it for sale. When I sold it they spent a few thousand on engine work so I would recommend looking at it if this is the sort of price and boat you are looking at.

Send me a message if you want me to give you the sellors details
Simon

 

[tripleace]

I thought the Regal 233 xl was better made than the falcon

Mixed feeling about falcon. there are good and poor examples. When I was looking a hell of a lot had been treated hard and brokers were bullying them up.



http://www.dic.co.uk/mortgages

 

[ari]

How much is it and what engine has it got?

 

[DepSol]

My FIL has his up for sale, has V6 engine 1988/9. I learnt on this boat before I bought my own so I am biased but I like 'em. Great round CI and not too heavy on juice with enough accomodation etc for weekending it or holidays.

Dom

My boats in he water, yipeee ;-)

 

[oldgit]

Re: falcon boats how many berths? NM.

NM

O my Gawd its still going ahead......

 

[cngarrod]

I Got one.....!

Hi,

Bought a Falcon 23 SPC earlier this year... with the 205 hp V6 as opposed to the V8 monster! Several people seem to think that the V6 is quicker as it is lighter on the stern!

Agree with some of the comments - a few have been unloved, but they are pretty well built, i think with only a couple of areas for concern (dinette table mounting i think was one... can't remember the other!)

Of course a good survey is essential and well worth the money. I paid £16k for mine in April - it is a 1991 model (although the surveyor found evidence it was a 1993), and had to spend some money on a battery, props and a new vhf.

If you do a search for Falcon on the forums, you will see my post when i was looking for one. Meridan Yacht Sales run a Falcon Owners Club, might be worth giving them a call for some advice on what to look for.

If you want to have a look at mine, PM me.. i am in Ipswich will be happy to take you out for a spin!

Cheers,

Craig.

 

[roofer]

question 4cngarrod

can you tell me how boat handles choppy seas. i will be mooring boat in fleetwood marina and sailing in irish sea

thanks in advance chris

 

[cngarrod]

Re: question 4cngarrod

Hi Chris,

Truth be told - i haven't been out in "Very" choppy seas... but have been through some swells and so on. She handles very well, doesn't slam excessively and seems to maintain her stance in the water (Am sure there is a nautical term for this... but i am too inexperienced to know!)

I woudl say the only negative thing is that she is quite high sided and therefore subject to wind - but all boats suffer this to some extent.

I think a boats handling is as much down to skipper experience than anything else... the knowledge gleened from reading the weather and tell tale signs on the water indicates how you should be cruising.

I have no qualms on recommending one though!

If you PM me with your address, i will photocopy my survey and also the MBM used verdicts from last year if you want it...

Cheers,

Craig.

PS - If you are unsure how to send a PM - click on my name on this response - shows you my profile - then towarsd the bottom you have the option to send a PM (Private message) - from there you are on your own...!

Craig.

 

[kimhollamby]

A surrogate response

Here is a response from a ybw.com web user who doesn't have the necessary IT permissions to post here from place of browsing:

"I have owned a Falcon 23 SPC from new, since February 1989. I think it was No.4 off the line, and was built on the 22 hull, so handling should be identical to the boat that "roofer" is considering, except the 22 has a rear bench seat as opposed to a pair of side seats, so the latter may be stern-heavy, if guests are sitting at the back. My boat is based at Port Hamble.

"Whilst I doubt that any boat of this size can be regarded as "comfortable" or "sea-kindly", I believe that it is superbly sea-worthy. My boat has been to the Channel Islands, across Lyme Bay (several times) and has met its fair share of inclement conditions. As an example of the more extreme conditions encountered, it has handled very steep three metre seas in the Swinge Channel ("wrong" side of Alderney) and longer five metre waves between Brighton and Chichester, after a night of storm force winds. Incidently, we maintained 8 kts in the Swinge and 15kts off Brighton, going directly into the wind on both occasions.

"It is very likely that the 22 SPC that "roofer" is considering will have an AQ211 (5 litre) V8, as I believe that the 205 V6 did not become available from Falcon (and presumably Volvo) until after my boat was purchased. There was an AQ231 as well, but I don't think many owners opted for this. My own boat has the AQ271C (5.7 litre) with Duoprop, so it goes quite well, cruising at 28 - 30 kts, depending on the weight of fuel. Fuel consumption is now c. 2.5 mpg (nautical), following valve overhaul and a different power valve in the Holly carburettor. For years, this was only 2.0 mpg, so the range has increased substantially.

"I agree that the quality of build was indeed variable, with some major pieces of equipment coming loose in the first two years - fuel tank, calorifier, etc. However, the hull does seem to stand up well and the transom (at least on my own boat) is considerably thicker than in many much larger boats. It would be worth having a look at the engine bearers, as it seems that Falcon did some strange things here. Mine had to be relaid a couple of years ago and the strength now is exceptional. In my opinion, fittings were generally of poor quality, unless specified at build time. It is entirely possible that previous owner(s) will have replaced most of the original fittings by now - I certainly have!

"In terms of price, I should have thought that a 1998 22 SPC might cost around £16 - £17K, but it could be cheaper on the basis that it has long since been superceeded by the 23, so there may be a bargain to be had.

"I hope this helps!"

ARIES II



kim_hollamby@ipcmedia.com

 

[Chris771]

Have a look at my Skibsplast 700. Presently at Dickies in Bangor, but could do it cheaper without commission privately.

Lovely little boat and I have done Preston to Isle of Man several times. Only selling her as I have bought a bigger boat. Being Diesel is very economical but will still do 28 kts if you really want to.

Follow the link below my signature

Chris

www.impact-computers.net/boat/cruiser.htm