DreJ
New Member
Looking to purchase a 40-45 foot flybridge and would appreciate some advice on models and makers! Thanks.
[Flybridge] Galeon 420 Vs Prestige 420 Princess F45 vs Sealine F430
- Thread starter DreJ
- Start date
Portofino
Well-Known Member
Age effects condition so much so that any mag reports when new will be dated and pretty irrelevant deciding which is which , or which is the better modal from an armchair .Buy on condition and maintenance history .
My preference is to start with the hull and seakeeping then move to the engineering the engines marque in terms of reliability and spares availability and its ability to absorb abuse , which pans out in terms of reliability ( turn key every outing ) and low costs going forwards , piece of mind etc .
Not a fan of pencil anodic protection as they get forgotten esp with multiple owner changes.
Ideally go for straight shafts and the bigger blocks .Personally avoid Volvo Penta from the year 2000 onwards .Bolt on bits seem to corrode or need too frequent replacement .Imho .
Sorry i can’t be more specific and say buy x over y from the info provided.
My preference is to start with the hull and seakeeping then move to the engineering the engines marque in terms of reliability and spares availability and its ability to absorb abuse , which pans out in terms of reliability ( turn key every outing ) and low costs going forwards , piece of mind etc .
Not a fan of pencil anodic protection as they get forgotten esp with multiple owner changes.
Ideally go for straight shafts and the bigger blocks .Personally avoid Volvo Penta from the year 2000 onwards .Bolt on bits seem to corrode or need too frequent replacement .Imho .
Sorry i can’t be more specific and say buy x over y from the info provided.
kashurst
Well-Known Member
They are all good boats - but Princess have a reputation for being that bit better.
The Princess and the Sealine are IPS driven, Galeon has a shaft drive option, and Prestige is shaft only I think
IPS all works etc but it's complex so some people are wary of them. If you get a problem it can be hard to find a Volvo expert to sort it properly. IPS does give a lovely smooth drive and can make parking easier. However the fuel savings claimed don't always materialise so you need to bear that in mind when considering the extra servicing costs of IPS over shaft drive. After 20 years of boating I prefer to have the mechanical bits inside the boat- not hanging under water. I also tend to prioritise engines and drive access over everything else.
Volvo are very succesful in the European market, however recently some of their designs have been a bit too cost concious.The heat exchangers on the D series engines seem fragile. Cummins engines have a better reputation
Mid cabins always look great but my own preference after owning a 50" boat with a mid cabin, I liked the forward cabin better. It is quieter at night - unless you are anchored. So how often will you anchor at night compared to how often you will be tied up to a bouy or in a marina?
So based on your choices I would be looking at the Prestige with Cummins on Shafts, the Galeon with Volvo on shafts then the Princess on IPS. After my last Sealine I wouldn't go near another one.
The Princess and the Sealine are IPS driven, Galeon has a shaft drive option, and Prestige is shaft only I think
IPS all works etc but it's complex so some people are wary of them. If you get a problem it can be hard to find a Volvo expert to sort it properly. IPS does give a lovely smooth drive and can make parking easier. However the fuel savings claimed don't always materialise so you need to bear that in mind when considering the extra servicing costs of IPS over shaft drive. After 20 years of boating I prefer to have the mechanical bits inside the boat- not hanging under water. I also tend to prioritise engines and drive access over everything else.
Volvo are very succesful in the European market, however recently some of their designs have been a bit too cost concious.The heat exchangers on the D series engines seem fragile. Cummins engines have a better reputation
Mid cabins always look great but my own preference after owning a 50" boat with a mid cabin, I liked the forward cabin better. It is quieter at night - unless you are anchored. So how often will you anchor at night compared to how often you will be tied up to a bouy or in a marina?
So based on your choices I would be looking at the Prestige with Cummins on Shafts, the Galeon with Volvo on shafts then the Princess on IPS. After my last Sealine I wouldn't go near another one.
Momac
Well-Known Member
No doubt the Princess is the best build quality.
Sealine are very popular and the Sealine forum very active . Parts availability doesn't seem to be an issue. No Sealine factory backup of course .
ps I am thinking older boats ?
Sealine are very popular and the Sealine forum very active . Parts availability doesn't seem to be an issue. No Sealine factory backup of course .
ps I am thinking older boats ?
Hurricane
Well-Known Member
Where do you plan to use it?
Thats quite an important part of the decision.
Thats quite an important part of the decision.
Bouba
Well-Known Member
Take the wife on each boat and ask her
EricJ
Well-Known Member
I had a look at the F45 at Dusseldorf two years ago. Very nicely finished boat. Agree with the others that shafts would be preferred (which Prestige 420 has). The F45 is not so tall and that results in a lower intrusion over the bed. I had expected more room there. Otherwise a very nice, but pricey boat. I would take a good look at the Prestige as well. MBY test was pretty positive and it has Cummins engines on shafts. Why don’t other manufacturers use more Cummins...
I have not seen the Sealine or Galeon from close-by.
I have not seen the Sealine or Galeon from close-by.
Bouba
Well-Known Member
The Cummins QSB is the best engine in the world, but there are other factors that make it worthwhile to look at other makes. For example, how much space is there in the engine room. I think a well laid out engine room would tick a lot of boxes regardless of the motors. A biggie of mine is how often will I bang my head, I’m short but it’s surprising how often I’ve banged my head looking round boats at boat shows. But as I said before, take the misses, she will look at it in a whole different light, concentrating on the livability. We often get carried away by engineering and style
Bouba
Well-Known Member
I was at my boat today and I couldn’t help noticing a brand new Prestige 420. Looked really nice. I’d have one
