Good advice needed to keep family relaxed!

It's difficult to appreciate exacltly how bad this slamming is. If it's really bad then you shouldn't be out in it as you'll damage the boat.

If it's minor then what is it they don't like about the slamming? Are they alarmed or uncomfortable? If they don't have the confidence then maybe take them out with an instructor who can persuade them that the behaviour of the boat is normal and nothing to be worried about. Might also be worth letting them take the helm so they can start to enjoy the sensation?

You shouldn't need a new boat to get over this.

Pete
 
Thanks to everyone for their advice. Several have mentioned better use of tabs and legs. I do trim down to lower bow, but guess there's always room for improvement. Drawing on all views including others I've got from reading and talking around, we'll probably go planing hull but longer, heavier, and with a deep V hull. I came across an MBM article looking for the most comfortable ride in a c. 37' sportscruiser. No1 was Windy 37, No2 Targa 34. Food for thought.
Thanks again everyone.
Ian
 
If you want to feel more comfortable in choppy seas, there's no substitute for weight and length. Also some might argue with this but shaftdrive boats tend not to be as lively in a seaway as sterndrive boats. The trouble is that your budget of £100k will only buy a significantly older boat in the 36-39ft range but I think you appreciate this. To be honest you're going to get most boat for your money by looking at the less prestigious brands like Sealine, Beneteau, Jeanneau etc. They all make good sea boats but perhaps not with the finish of the likes of Fairline and Princess. For example, the Sealine F37 is reputedly an excellent sea boat and you could probably get a 10yr old one for just over £100k. You could also look at the Beneteau Antares 10.80 and Jeanneau Prestige 36 and you'd get one younger than 10yrs for your budget. A bit of a left field choice but a good boat all the same is the Mainship 390.
You will note that I have only suggested flybridge boats. In my experience, families and people who are nervous about boating feel safer in the warmth and comfort of a saloon rather than in the cockpit of a sports boat. Also I would be a little wary of buying a boat much older than 10yrs. There are many superb 20yr old boats around but there's no question that older boats need more maintenance and if your family is of a nervous disposition, there's nothing worse than a mechanical failure at sea for setting nerves on edge
 
Deleted User said:
...some might argue with this but shaftdrive boats tend not to be as lively in a seaway as sterndrive boats...
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I would hope they wouldn't!

Shaft drive boat's generally sit in the water whilst outdrive ones sit on it, which results in what you have diplomatically illustrated!

There are of course other issues but I agree that shafts would seem to be a good starting point for the situation as presented.

On balance I have to agree with Petem though - this is more about wider issues; and your observation re saloons etc is also significant.

My wife and daughter would much rather be on an Elling 51 or a Nordhavn 47 than my 25ft planning craft; but it isn't going to happen! We get about (Chichester to Plymouth, Cherbourg CIs N Brittany etc, picking our fights with the weather as you have to. They know that nothing is more important to me than their comfort and safety - occasionally they grin and bear it...
 
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I've been watching this thread with interest as I've run up against exactly the same issue with my 27' sports cruiser. We've decided the speed isn't the main factor for us and being able to cruise along at 12 knots and enjoy the journey and then do a spot of fishing is what we want from our boat.

I've been quite impressed by the Corvette 320 as an alternative with good sized decks and an inside you can stay in whilst on the move but these do seem to be rather expensive, even at 10+ years old.

How good would the sea keeping be on a 32 ft semi-displacement corvette compared to say a planing Prestige 32 which I could get a lot newer for the same money?
 
Granthsmith said:
How good would the sea keeping be on a 32 ft semi-displacement corvette compared to say a planing Prestige 32 which I could get a lot newer for the same money?
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I dont have first hand experience of either but the Corvette 320/340 has an excellent reputation for seakeeping. It has a a rather unique semi displacement/planing hull which the original designer claims makes it both seaworthy at slow speeds but also capable of planing speeds. It also has a large beam relative to its length so it should roll less than an equivalent length planing boat. I like the wide side decks as well which would make getting around the boat safer for families plus it has an aft cabin so Mum/Dad can get some peace whilst the kids bounce off the walls up front.
On the down side its not a modern looking boat which may or may not be a factor. Also and this is something to watch out for but the companies building Corvettes have gone bust 2 or 3 times over the years and I understand that quality is variable on some examples depending when they were built. Boat Showrooms http://www.boatshowrooms.com/default.aspxhttp://www.boatshowrooms.com/default.aspx sold Corvettes for years so they might be worth a call for further info on this issue
 
You might be pleasantly surprised if you went out on a sea trial on a power cat - one of these beasts could prove to be what you are looking for.
Trouble is, there is not an awful lot of choice available, especially if you restrict a search to just the UK.

This boat would appear to tick most of your boxes - however she is in the USA.
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2001/Pdq-Pdq-Mv-32-2217530/Annapolis/MD/United-States

Victor Aspey on this Forum runs Motorcats - here is a second hand one for sale with him :
http://www.motorcats.com/index.php?act=viewDoc&docId=12

I know that this boat is not your cup of tea, but there is lots of good powercat info for reference here - http://www.bwseacat.com/index_files/Page390.htm
 
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