Linssen Boats - good or bad?

[Greg2]

Use of accommodation is an interesting one. When we had a Broom 41 it was one of around six built that didn’t have a dinette but instead had a breakfast bar in the saloon and the fwd cabin and heads were more spacious than the dinette version. The thing is that the cockpit was magnificent in terms of size and comfort and that is where we spent most of our time aboard. We usually ate in the cockpit and only ventured down to the saloon later in the evening or if it turned a bit chilly. Never felt that a dinette would have been a helpful addition as in reality it would have little used and quite literally a waste of space.
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[SimonX]

Use of accommodation is an interesting one. When we had a Broom 41 it was one of around six built that didn’t have a dinette but instead had a breakfast bar in the saloon and the fwd cabin and heads were more spacious than the dinette version. The thing is that the cockpit was magnificent in terms of size and comfort and that is where we spent most of our time aboard. We usually ate in the cockpit and only ventured down to the saloon later in the evening or if it turned a bit chilly. Never felt that a dinette would have been a helpful addition as in reality it would have little used and quite literally a waste of space.
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I think the thought from the ladies is that we (and the others in the group) will be using the boat up to 44 weeks a year and it will get a little chilly upstairs. Also taking food across the saloon and upstairs rather than just turning from the galley and placing on the table. In the warmer weather we’d certainly eat upstairs and I want to look at barbecues for that.

 

[benjenbav]

I think the thought from the ladies is that we (and the others in the group) will be using the boat up to 44 weeks a year and it will get a little chilly upstairs. Also taking food across the saloon and upstairs rather than just turning from the galley and placing on the table. In the warmer weather we’d certainly eat upstairs and I want to look at barbecues for that.

Where you will use the boat is also perhaps as relevant as the weather. On an inland waterway in Northern Europe will you really want to dine outdoors and share every mealtime with random passers-by?

 

[PaulRainbow]

When we bought our boat the plan was for Susan (my partner) to use the dinette as her work from home office during the week, then use it as a dinette over the weekend. That hasn't happened, we prefer to eat in the saloon, bigger, brighter, better view etc. We should make more use of the cockpit, it's a great space. Also, the flybridge, we tend to only use that when we're out and about.

If i had to choose between the Linssen and a Broom, it would be the Broom, hands down for use of living space.

 

[Greg2]

I think the thought from the ladies is that we (and the others in the group) will be using the boat up to 44 weeks a year and it will get a little chilly upstairs. Also taking food across the saloon and upstairs rather than just turning from the galley and placing on the table. In the warmer weather we’d certainly eat upstairs and I want to look at barbecues for that.

It is all personal preference of course and having a dinette does provide another option. On a previous boat we had heating in the cockpit, which made it usable virtually all year round but we did prefer to eat below during the cooler months.
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[SimonX]

If i had to choose between the Linssen and a Broom, it would be the Broom, hands down for use of living space.

Its looking that way for us. My wife fell in love with the 42 CL we met in Amsterdam last year. A large part of it was actually seeing two people very similar to us living onboard rather than empty and prepared for sale. It didn't look cluttered but they had space for everything. The four of us sat for several hours drinking wine and eating snacks Claire prepared and it was like being in a living room. It would have been so nice upstairs as it was pissing down!
My only reservation is having two big engines but they said they had never had any problems (Yanmar 350s) and the boat we may be able to buy has Volvo D6's at 370. I have a question in another thread about low speed mode on these and obviously fuel consumption is going to be a lot more than the single 110 on the Linssen but otherwise I think we are decided.

 

[SimonX]

It is all personal preference of course and having a dinette does provide another option. On a previous boat we had heating in the cockpit, which made it usable virtually all year round but we did prefer to eat below during the cooler months.
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As I mentioned in the reply to Paul above, the cockpit isn't such a nice place to be when its raining. It was raining when we met the Broom couple in Amsterdam and it rained all week we were in Netherlands this week! The Linssens remained dry buy very noisy.

 

[Boaty_Pete]

We enjoy entertaining aboard and if that includes a meal (cooked or order-in) we'll almost definitely use the dinette. We find eating in the saloon is ok for 2 perhaps in front of the tv. Obviously if it's beautiful weather we'll be outside completely.
If preparing a 2 or 3 course meal for 4 or more (even if not especially gourmet) it's much easier and nicer to be i the dinette across from the galley. Everyone uses their biat differently, but when we window-shop boats we're always looking for a nice dinette which is why many sports boats designs are out, as the inside table commonly has seating one side, which I really dislike.

 

[SimonX]

Where you will use the boat is also perhaps as relevant as the weather. On an inland waterway in Northern Europe will you really want to dine outdoors and share every mealtime with random passers-by?

Well, we are starting in Northern Europe (Netherlands, Belgium, Northern France) but will be going south eventually. Obvious in sunny/warm weather its nice to be up top but even in the south teh weather can turn and, as you say, you might be moored somewhere were you don't want the locals watching you eat

 

[Whopper]

A left field idea could be a broom 44 or 450. There is material uplift in volume for the length. Appreciate it’s more of a sea boat than inland but so too is the Atlantic 42. A 44 is older but that could work to your advantage in negotiations. Theres a tax non paid 450 in Jersey at the min too.

 

[SimonX]

A left field idea could be a broom 44 or 450. There is material uplift in volume for the length. Appreciate it’s more of a sea boat than inland but so too is the Atlantic 42. A 44 is older but that could work to your advantage in negotiations. Theres a tax non paid 450 in Jersey at the min too.

The 44 would be a lot older than we want to buy and I seem to remember the 450 has a draft and/or airdraft that ruled it out. Also getting very big considering we started at 36 and 38s! Madame was quite happy with going for a 38 until she saw the 42

 

[Boaty_Pete]

They always tell us, bigger isn't necessarily better. Hmmm

 

[SimonX]

The 425 the in-laws are looking at next week has something I’ve not seen before.

 

[SimonX]

They always tell us, bigger isn't necessarily better. Hmmm

Not the size, its how you use it...

 

[Aardee]

I'm a firm believer in buying the smallest boat which meets your needs

 

[Whopper]

One other thing to consider would be a single engined 38/39/42 if your primary use is inland. They’re usually cheaper when they come up for sale. Servicing will be easier DIY and maintenance will generally be cheaper. The engines will see more run time at load too. You’ll also have less fumes at slow cruising speeds.

 

[SimonX]

One other thing to consider would be a single engined 38/39/42 if your primary use is inland. They’re usually cheaper when they come up for sale. Servicing will be easier DIY and maintenance will generally be cheaper. The engines will see more run time at load too. You’ll also have less fumes at slow cruising speeds.

Yes, we considered that but it seems very few were made. I’m not sure how true it is but one of the brokers told us only 8 of the 60+ 38s made had single Perkins engines. Most were for hire companies. We’d need to go down to the 35 to get one that was mostly single engine

 

[SimonX]

My in-laws have been busy over the past few days and have viewed three boats and had a quick look at a fourth. It was a 42CL which
the broker we had been saying might be available but he can't confirm yet so didn't get to look inside. My wife and I remotely viewed using Facetime
The others were a Broom 425, a 39 KL and an Atlantic 42.
The Atlantic was dismissed pretty quickly as its too old (1998) and neither of the ladies liked it. My SiL made the comment that "its feels like a man's boat". My wife said the saloon looked like a pub rather than a living room.
The other two are definite possibilities. The 39KL is the dinette version so is very similar to the 38 which I liked in the UK. The 425 doesn't have a dinette but the saloon is huge and very flexible. It also has a bigger kitchen with enough space to fit a dishwasher, has a washing machine, more flexible second cabin, solar panels, uprated batteries and generator.
There is another 425 for sale in Denmark which they were going to go and look at but this one would be easier
I'd be happy with either.

 

[Greg2]

My tuppence worth - the 39KL is a great boat but is noticeably less spacious than the 42Cl / 425 and in particular the bed in the aft cabin is too short if you are tall. The 425 you have looked at sounds well equipped and the model was a positive development of the 42 with the addition of steps on both sides of the bathing platform and more modern interiors whilst still retaining some of the Broom build quality that was lost a little with later boats such as the 430 and 395.

 

[SimonX]

My tuppence worth - the 39KL is a great boat but is noticeably less spacious than the 42Cl / 425 and in particular the bed in the aft cabin is too short if you are tall. The 425 you have looked at sounds well equipped and the model was a positive development of the 42 with the addition of steps on both sides of the bathing platform and more modern interiors whilst still retaining some of the Broom build quality that was lost a little with later boats such as the 430 and 395.

Yeah, thats my feeling too although it was hard to get an accurate impression looking through a camera. There is a KL for sale near here so might go and have a look. Also a couple of 425s a little bit further away but I always feel guilty looking at something I have no intention of buying. Cant get back over to Netherlands until next week as we are busy here.
It will come down to pleasing the ladies. Its bad enough with my wife and her twin sister but with the third female in the team (named Ilsa after Ingrid Bergman's character in Casablanca and looks a bit like an older version of her ), its like the three witches in Macbeth plotting!