If You Had £100k to Buy a New Yacht...

...what would you purchase, and why?

Interested to know what you chaps and chapettes would go for if you had the dosh to buy new.

Personally, I find the Beneteau Oceanis 31 and 34 interesting.

There isn't anything on the market at that price new which would interest me. Rather buy older, heavier built and better equipped boat for less and spend the balance updating.
 
I wouldn't buy a new yacht, or possibly even one from this century. For £100K, I could probably get a yacht that cost £100k in 1990 - and that would be far better value for money.

Agree totally, or even something older like Guapa's of this parish. He's almost totally rebuilt it at cost of over 50k with new engine, deck, rigging and sails.

I would happily sail off around the world in her.
 
£100,000.00 is about US $156,000/157,000 -I know where I'd be looking!

You can buy a lot of boat for that money in the US or Caribbean these days. I probably convert a shrimper (you can get a 50 footer less than 10 years old for about £30K) into a nice world girding motor cruiser with all the bells and whistles and still have some change.
 
I would not buy new. I would buy a second hand boat already scratched. Because first time backing into the marina berth I am bound to get it wrong and scratch it.

When we bought ours, the dealer gave me a sharp knife, lifted the cockpit locker lid and instructed me to put a 1mm scratch in the gelcoat that was exposed beneath - on the basis that the first scratch was always the one that hurt the most! :)

In answer to the original question, we went for a Jeanneau 33i and are very pleased with it. I think we came away with nearly £10k change out of your 100.
 
Last edited:
With £100k you will not stay away from work for very long... Even at minimum wage that's only about six or seven years, isn't it?

I could do at least double that on £100k, some interest earned and maybe do a wee bit of work here and there when it arises. My needs are few, can live on minimum wage even in an expensive marina & my boat is very economical to run...

If I were to spend £100k on a boat it would probably be something like this...
 
I could do at least double that on £100k, some interest earned and maybe do a wee bit of work here and there when it arises. My needs are few, can live on minimum wage even in an expensive marina & my boat is very economical to run...

If I were to spend £100k on a boat it would probably be something like this...

Looks OK, but you are not answering the original question which was asking which new boat you would buy.
 
Looks OK, but you are not answering the original question which was asking which new boat you would buy.

Then I guess the best quality boat over mid to late 20's feet that can be had for £100k & that I can comfortably live on, but I don't think there would be much out there brand new for £100k other than the late 20's to mid 30's feet models of Jeanneau, Bavaria, Beneteau, etc. would there? My first boat was a 30ft Jeanneau with 2 separate double cabins but saloon settees that tapered to nothing, the Vega I have now I find is more comfortable and practical to live on. I just would never ever spend £100k on a brand new boat...

Maybe a more valid question to explore people's choices and the reasons for them would be asking what you'd buy with a larger amount than £100k?
 
Then I guess the best quality boat over mid to late 20's feet that can be had for £100k & that I can comfortably live on, but I don't think there would be much out there brand new for £100k other than the late 20's to mid 30's feet models of Jeanneau, Bavaria, Beneteau, etc. would there? My first boat was a 30ft Jeanneau with 2 separate double cabins but saloon settees that tapered to nothing, the Vega I have now I find is more comfortable and practical to live on. I just would never ever spend £100k on a brand new boat...

Maybe a more valid question to explore people's choices and the reasons for them would be asking what you'd buy with a larger amount than £100k?

Fair point. After reading the replies, started to wonder this myself and altered my budget accordingly.

Agree, some great second hand deals out there, just rather wary though...

Also interested in your opinions on lifting keels. Only ever had fixed keels.
 
Last edited:
Fair point. After reading the replies, started to wonder this myself and altered my budget accordingly.

Agree, some great second hand deals out there, just rather wary though...

So folks, what would you buy new for £200-250k? :D BTW, downsizing for a while so I can explore shallower waters. Shallow draft is key here: if the yacht was a beaut, I'd be happy on a 30 footer. Don't need much space right now.

Also interested in your opinions on lifting keels. Only ever had fixed keels.

We've got a lift keel. Advantages of a lifting keel - great for creeping up creeks and east coast sailing; much more access into and out of marinas and shallow rivers, you can anchor closer in, but still enjoy deep draft sailing.

Disadvantages - are that you have to maintain the lifting mechanism, it can get stuck; you won't have as much weight low in the water, so the boat tends to be more tippy (doesn't bother me though). :)
 
We've got a lift keel. Advantages of a lifting keel - great for creeping up creeks and east coast sailing; much more access into and out of marinas and shallow rivers, you can anchor closer in, but still enjoy deep draft sailing.

Disadvantages - are that you have to maintain the lifting mechanism, it can get stuck; you won't have as much weight low in the water, so the boat tends to be more tippy (doesn't bother me though). :)

Thanks Lady Celestial. Had wondered about the weight aspect. Thought the boat might move/roll more when moored during a fierce blow. Assume you've found that to be true? Cooking must be entertaining, then, even with your uber sea legs! :D
 
Then I guess the best quality boat over mid to late 20's feet that can be had for £100k & that I can comfortably live on, but I don't think there would be much out there brand new for £100k other than the late 20's to mid 30's feet models of Jeanneau, Bavaria, Beneteau, etc. would there? My first boat was a 30ft Jeanneau with 2 separate double cabins but saloon settees that tapered to nothing, the Vega I have now I find is more comfortable and practical to live on. I just would never ever spend £100k on a brand new boat...

Maybe a more valid question to explore people's choices and the reasons for them would be asking what you'd buy with a larger amount than £100k?

Well, all the big 3 AWB builders will sell you a very comfortable boat in the 33 - 35 foot range for less than £100k. Build quality will be reasonably good and sea keeping tolerable. They are rated for open water work but, as many will tell you, not as good as the more traditional blue water yachts. All depends on what you are looking to do with it. If it's coast hopping in good to moderate weather ad you want a comfortable floating flat, then visit Jeanneau/Beneteau/Bavaria to look at their mid-30 foot range boat, pick the one that most appeals to you and hand over your hard earned cash - they will all handle pretty much the same.
 
Top