Hinckley are nice but.. this is nuts.

Well that is most encouraging for me. I have a Sabre 426, one of I believe two in Europe, and also made over in Maine. Sabre no longer make sailboats but when they did they took Hinckley as their role model and aspired to nearly the same quality and finish.
Mind you, after ten years of sailing we have covered quite some miles, and my servicing and maintenance is not done to the "no expense spared" standards over at Hinckley!
 
Am sure someone will be along at some point to tell you that what you are paying for is the 'mystique of the brand'; when actually the reason they are so expensive is because of the level of debt that was loaded onto the company as it passed through various Private Equity houses as a trophy asset.

They are very nicely finished boats, but there comes a point where 'craft for craft's sake' is a just a way of rinsing one's bank account for no real benefit.
 
Smart things, I love to see them.

They are not made for the likes of us, I doubt they are made for sailing much either. A circumnavigation of the Caribbean perhaps and then back to the maker for a refit.
 
I've spent a fair few months in Maine, where Hinkleys are like fleas on a dog, I never saw one under sail alone; they motor everwhere.
 
doug748 said:
Smart things, I love to see them.

They are not made for the likes of us, I doubt they are made for sailing much either. A circumnavigation of the Caribbean perhaps and then back to the maker for a refit.
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The late Alan Clark had a wonderful expression for the sort of over-restored classic cars that do the Concours D'elegance circuit, describing them as 'Male Costume Jewelry' for those of a certain age / wealth bracket. I often think of that when I see a Hinckley.
 
AndrewfromFal said:
The late Alan Clark had a wonderful expression for the sort of over-restored classic cars that do the Concours D'elegance circuit, describing them as 'Male Costume Jewelry' for those of a certain age / wealth bracket. I often think of that when I see a Hinckley.
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Th politician or broadcaster?
 
Seven Spades said:
Th politician or broadcaster?
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Alan was the politician; his father Kenneth was the broadcaster. Alan Clark had the most glorious and politically incorrect turn of phrase, and famously once dismissed Michael Heseltine as the kind of person "who bought his own furniture".
 
5 years ago I met a Japanese couple in A Coruna. They were cruising European waters for the second time , having been here 25 years ago when their boat was new, but this time heading North to explore Scotland and carry on to Scandinavia before heading for home . Both were in their early seventies, and lived with a varnish brush in their hands!
Really nice people, and I suspect THAT Hinckley didn't motor much!
 
Hinckley's are not merely yachting jewelry. The vast majority are used by their owners. Living in New England I see them frequently. Most are owned by "mature" sailors who appreciate the classic lines and can afford a well found craft. I've lusted after one all my life but they are a bit out of my range. Kind of like a Bentley. Clearly you may only see the finer examples in the U.K. The picture I've attached here was taken in Bermuda this summer. An older couple who had owned her for 35 years sailed her down from Massachusetts.
 

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rotrax said:
NO, NO, NO- Proper Triumphs come from Coventry or Meriden................................
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Bit off thread but I had a late Bonneville from Meriden (T140V US spec) which was a great bike but had a lot of flaws and then a Sprint ST 955 from Hinckley which was a fabulous bike and for me flawless. My biking days are gone now (probably) but I still look longingly at Triumphs of any vintage!

Back on thread, I would get a new Rustler 42 if I had the cash for serious cruising which would probably involve £500k fully kitted out but it seems that is around half a comparable Hinckley!
 
The Meriden unit construction twins were not suited to hard use unless expertly prepared.

The Hinkley fours and triples were pretty bullet proof, but lacked that " soul " that all the best bikes have.

I used a highly tuned 1938 Triumph Tiger 80 in Vintage Road Racing for many years. A similar bike-on Methanol and prepared IIRC by Ernie Knott-holds the 350 lap record at Brooklands at 105 MPH for all time now the track is no more.

Now, they REALLY had soul.............................

And oil leaks-and vibration-and a bumpy ride-and crap brakes!
 
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