Full displacement boat search

[Seejay]

Hi, First time poster (well I was an assiduous contributor here 15 years ago with my previous boat but no longer have company email I used!). Looking for a return to the sea with a full displacement boat for mostly coastal extended summer med cruising for early retirement next year. Previously had a wooden 37‘ semi displacement fly bridge for 8 years, now looking for a full displacement boat for 6-8 knot cruising. 42-45 feet. Don’t like the tug/forward-leaning pilot house look and also wary that semi-displacement boats with eg 2x350 hp engines etc are thirsty, over powered, less stable at displacement speeds and was warned here that running my Volvo TD 260hp engines would clog them at continual low speeds, plus a sunseeker etc at 6 knots doesn't quite seem right.....
Anyway, budget around £200k.
Living in Italy so would preferably buy in Med, but would travel. Like the look of Linssen style etc but never been on one and concerned about interior hull rusting In salt water, excessive rolling and limited seafaring ability (although I must say that we would have plenty of time and modern technology to avoid weather - I still remember a paper French weather forecast 20 years ago giving a 2/3 which turned out to be a 6 with waves onto flybridge....!). Grand Banks etc are really semi-displacement as are Broom, Aquastar which also seem dated ( as opposed to ‘classic’). First Mate would appreciate outdoor space (her only other musts are 3 cabins, separate shower room and A/C over heating...).
I just can’t seem to identify a boat for my needs.... Any and all suggestions/comments very welcome!

 

[Dino]

I saw this today and it caught my eye... unfortunately it’s way out of budget https://www.apolloduck.com/boat/van-vossen-1500-trawler-yacht/643009

but this is a very nice alternative
https://www.apolloduck.com/boat/almkotter-1280-ak/636583

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I saw this today and it caught my eye... unfortunately it’s way out of budget https://www.apolloduck.com/boat/van-vossen-1500-trawler-yacht/643009

Surprised its only certified Cat B

 

[Sticky Fingers]

What about this. A Semi D hull, engine options vary but this one is 'only' 180HP Cummins so at the lower end of the power scale.

Elling E3.
View the changing range of Elling yachts | Elling Brokerage

209K euro.

 

[Seejay]

Surprised its only certified Cat B

I’ve seen that many are B, which would preclude many of the Med islands. I was wondering what is out there as an alternative to Dutch steel?

 

[Sticky Fingers]

I’ve seen that many are B, which would preclude many of the Med islands. I was wondering what is out there as an alternative to Dutch steel?

The Elling ^^ is Cat A. Some have done transatlantics (fitted with additional tankage).

 

[longjohnsilver]

If you’re going for a full displacement boat I’d definitely be looking for one with stabilisers. Rolling at slow speeds can be unpleasant and tiring. And all full displacement boats will roll.

 

[Seejay]

What about this. A Semi D hull, engine options vary but this one is 'only' 180HP Cummins so at the lower end of the power scale.

Elling E3.
View the changing range of Elling yachts | Elling Brokerage

209K euro.


View attachment 97903

Lovely looking boat, and thanks for this. Interesting to find this style from Holland in GRP, I thought they were all steel. Looking her over I realise that I would miss an external helm too much, which understandably vessels built in, or for, northern climes often omit. I have seen a ‘cabrio’ type set up in similar boats though.

Are there any full displacement, external helm models you could recommend outside of Dutch steel?

 

[Seejay]

If you’re going for a full displacement boat I’d definitely be looking for one with stabilisers. Rolling at slow speeds can be unpleasant and tiring. And all full displacement boats will roll.

Thanks for this. Are many fitted with stabilizers as standard or is that an after market add-on? And I assume that SD vessels run at D speeds would also roll...?

 

[paradave]

What about this. A Semi D hull, engine options vary but this one is 'only' 180HP Cummins so at the lower end of the power scale.

Elling E3.
View the changing range of Elling yachts | Elling Brokerage

209K euro.


View attachment 97903

That is beautiful!

 

[IDAMAY]

I would entirely support LJS` views on stabilisers. Having owned two semi displacement boats, one with and one without, I wouldn`t contemplate going back to the one without. The potential advantage of an unstabilised SD boat is that it can gain some dynamic stability by increasing speed. albeit with a frightening increase in fuel consumption.

At your proposed length and price bracket, you won`t find many with stabilisers fitted as original equipment. Retro fitting can be quite difficult and inevitably expensive.

The Elling is, indeed, a beautiful and extremely well built boat. I have cruised in company with a friend who had an E4. I can confirm that it rolls heavily in a beam sea and, having a single engine, does not have the option of increasing speed to stabilse the ride.

Good luck with your search.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Lovely looking boat, and thanks for this. Interesting to find this style from Holland in GRP, I thought they were all steel. Looking her over I realise that I would miss an external helm too much, which understandably vessels built in, or for, northern climes often omit. I have seen a ‘cabrio’ type set up in similar boats though.

Are there any full displacement, external helm models you could recommend outside of Dutch steel?

Most Dutch is steel. Elling heavily influenced by the general layout but AFAIK none built with external helms.

Atlantic 42? Planing hull though.
ATLANTIC 42 motor yacht for sale | De Valk Yacht broker

Or have you looked at Broom and Haines? Not sure how well any of these will fare in the Med TBH (where outside living and shade are in equal demand) but at your budget and length you might find something. Many are planing but as they have a strong River contingent you might find a single engine one.

 

[Seejay]

Most Dutch is steel. Elling heavily influenced by the general layout but AFAIK none built with external helms.

Atlantic 42? Planing hull though.
ATLANTIC 42 motor yacht for sale | De Valk Yacht broker

Or have you looked at Broom and Haines? Not sure how well any of these will fare in the Med TBH (where outside living and shade are in equal demand) but at your budget and length you might find something. Many are planing but as they have a strong River contingent you might find a single engine one.

Thanks for this. I didn’t know Haines (yet to see one in the Med) but can’t see any older 40’ models (which would be min size I’m looking for) maybe a fairly new model?I also enjoyed your comments on another post for a search for a slightly smaller trawler type boat. In fact I’m coming round to the conclusion that a semi-displacement boat which is also suitable/designed for displacement speeds would be the best compromise, allowing for a bit of speed when necessary to stabilise things when sea conditions dictate. My point here would be to locate a make/model which fits this criteria, minimising roll as far as possible also at anchor....?

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Thanks for this. I didn’t know Haines (yet to see one in the Med) but can’t see any older 40’ models (which would be min size I’m looking for) maybe a fairly new model?I also enjoyed your comments on another post for a search for a slightly smaller trawler type boat. In fact I’m coming round to the conclusion that a semi-displacement boat which is also suitable/designed for displacement speeds would be the best compromise, allowing for a bit of speed when necessary to stabilise things when sea conditions dictate. My point here would be to locate a make/model which fits this criteria, minimising roll as far as possible also at anchor....?

It's all a compromise! Maybe decide which of the following are must-haves and which you can sacrifice:

1. Not steel
2. Cat A
3. Outside helm
4. D or Semi-D (vs planing)
Losing any one will open your options a lot.

My personal favourite would be the Elling (probably the E4) but I get the need for the external helm in the Med so maybe a non starter for you.

A Seakeeper 5 gyro might be about £50k installed but I;ve never had a quote so that's technically guesswork. Might find a boat that has one or with fin stabs though unlikely at 40'.

How about a Swift Trawler 44:
2014 Beneteau Swift Trawler 44 Power New and Used Boats for Sale

 

[Bajansailor]

Re displacement boats, rather than fitting an expensive stabilising system with fins or a gyro, you could have stabilising sails instead?
Nordhavn 46' 1992 ,



Or have paravanes on outriggers, like the commercial fishing boats?



The motor sailing version in the first photo appears to also have outriggers for paravanes.

 

[Greg2]

In fact I’m coming round to the conclusion that a semi-displacement boat which is also suitable/designed for displacement speeds would be the best compromise, allowing for a bit of speed when necessary to stabilise things when sea conditions dictate. My point here would be to locate a make/model which fits this criteria, minimising roll as far as possible also at anchor....?

We have been through this inasmuch as we wanted economy with retirement in mind so weren’t looking at another planing boat. Full displacement aren’t common apart from Dutch steel and very few have stabilisers fitted with the cost of retro-fit being exorbitant (to us at least). The conclusion was to go semi-displacement and we now have a Hardy Commodore 36. It is early days but the ability to go smoothly beyond hull speed is a plus and we think that a 12 knot cruise is the optimum, beyond which fuel consumption becomes a bigger issue but a matter of choice.

Our choice is to run slower and enjoy the trip but when it gets snotty to up the revs to shorten the experience. On the issue of engines running at lower revs potentially causing problems we have been inland based coastal cruisers for years and have never come across real world problems despite the theoretical debates online.

Our hull shape is round bilged so she does roll in a beam sea and in certain conditions at anchor but the reality is that all boats move and I wouldn’t say it is a major downside in the context of having had six boats and chartered yachts for holidays.
.

 

[Seejay]

It's all a compromise! Maybe decide which of the following are must-haves and which you can sacrifice:

1. Not steel
2. Cat A
3. Outside helm
4. D or Semi-D (vs planing)
Losing any one will open your options a lot.

My personal favourite would be the Elling (probably the E4) but I get the need for the external helm in the Med so maybe a non starter for you.

A Seakeeper 5 gyro might be about £50k installed but I;ve never had a quote so that's technically guesswork. Might find a boat that has one or with fin stabs though unlikely at 40'.

How about a Swift Trawler 44:
2014 Beneteau Swift Trawler 44 Power New and Used Boats for Sale

Yes! Very interesting. Semi D? Seems to have 1-4 of above... What would its ‘competitors’ be?.

 

[Seejay]

It's all a compromise! Maybe decide which of the following are must-haves and which you can sacrifice:

1. Not steel
2. Cat A
3. Outside helm
4. D or Semi-D (vs planing)
Losing any one will open your options a lot.

My personal favourite would be the Elling (probably the E4) but I get the need for the external helm in the Med so maybe a non starter for you.

A Seakeeper 5 gyro might be about £50k installed but I;ve never had a quote so that's technically guesswork. Might find a boat that has one or with fin stabs though unlikely at 40'.

How about a Swift Trawler 44:
2014 Beneteau Swift Trawler 44 Power New and Used Boats for Sale

And what’s build quality like? I chartered an Oceanis 41 few years back and although not bad wasn’t at the level of a Gran Soleil, seemed to be a massed produced boat...

 

[Seejay]

We have been through this inasmuch as we wanted economy with retirement in mind so weren’t looking at another planing boat. Full displacement aren’t common apart from Dutch steel and very few have stabilisers fitted with the cost of retro-fit being exorbitant (to us at least). The conclusion was to go semi-displacement and we now have a Hardy Commodore 36. It is early days but the ability to go smoothly beyond hull speed is a plus and we think that a 12 knot cruise is the optimum, beyond which fuel consumption becomes a bigger issue but a matter of choice.

Our choice is to run slower and enjoy the trip but when it gets snotty to up the revs to shorten the experience. On the issue of engines running at lower revs potentially causing problems we have been inland based coastal cruisers for years and have never come across real world problems despite the theoretical debates online.

Our hull shape is round bilged so she does roll in a beam sea and in certain conditions at anchor but the reality is that all boats move and I wouldn’t say it is a major downside in the context of having had six boats and chartered yachts for holidays.
.

Thank you, another very interesting boat, towards a ‘small ship’ design which I like. The 42 would give me space I need, would need to choose between this aft cabin (Of which I don’t have experience - pros and cons?) and eg the Beneteau which Scala pointed to above.....

 

[Sticky Fingers]

And what’s build quality like? I chartered an Oceanis 41 few years back and although not bad wasn’t at the level of a Gran Soleil, seemed to be a massed produced boat...

You'd have to go see one. 'Build quality' is pretty subjective. Beneteau is a factory production builder but that doesn't mean that the build quality is 'worse' or 'better' than anything else.