First time buyer advice on models

[joelang6126]

Hi all

Im looking at buying a motor boat in the next year or so around about 15m in length. Ive been looking about and a few models have caught my eye, most are of 1990s construction. Does anyone have any information on the BIRCHWOOD TS 54 M as to hull issues/mechanical problems? Also are Princess/Sealine boats a good make?

Im a serving Deck Officer in the Merhcnat Navy so I know the general things to look out for but hull construction im not so sure about.

Regards

Joe

 

[jhr]

Hi Joe, and welcome.

Some Birchwoods were good and some were (very) bad. I'm afraid I don't know which models were which, unfortunately. However, there is a guy called Byron, who mostly posts on the Thames Forum, who is a fount of information about stuff from the past and who I think will be able to tell you whether this particular model is a minger or a blinger.

Princess and Sealine are good, honest British boats. As with all model ranges there are one or two dogs (for example, there's a particular Sealine model that has a penchant for chinewalking) but your best bet, as with this post, is to ask for opinions about a specific model if one of them takes your fancy. It's also worth looking at Fairline. Lots of peeps on here own a boat built by one of these three; Birchwoods are a rather rarer animal so information may not be quite so forthcoming. I wouldn't bracket them, in terms of consistent quality or desirability, with the other three, so I'd be wary of going for a Birchwood unless the price is right, or else you could be looking at a substantial hit on depreciation when you come to sell her. Sealine have a rather lower-rent image than the other two and, personally, I'd avoid any of their "Dolphin-nosed" models from ten or so years ago, purely on aesthetic grounds.

With any second-hand boat (and even if buying a new one, in my opinion) get a survey done by someone who has a clear understanding of hull construction and the issues that can arise with particular marques. A query on here will, once again, give you some suitable recommendations.

Good luck!

 

[Mino]

Don't know what your budget is, but take a look at Nord West. Lovely yachts, great build quality. Same goes for Elling (the E3 and E4). Marvelous. Not sure what the second hand market is for these as I have only been looking at new yachts, but have a look anyway. You might find a good un within your price range. N W have been around longer, so should be more second hand yachts around than Elling. Much bigger range, too.