Manhattan 56

jrudge

jrudge

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Possibly looking at a Manhattan 56.

Would be interested as ever in the forum point of view.

Man 800 engines.

There are pros and cons of everything. Has hi lo platform, cassette paserelle as opposed to sticking out the back. Cockpit seating is wrap around which I quite like. Has utility / crew cabin giving 7 beds.

Downside is master at the front and this particular boat needs moderate work.

Mike f has suggested it might be bum heavy. Not sure how this will impact handling in practice. Same said of the Manhattan 50 by some but not by others.

views please !
 
I think they are a fine choice today .if anything under the radar .
Decent size ,power and reasonable running costs .@ that price point essentially depreciation free or insignificant .
If you have the time and where with all ? to takle the immediate " moderate work " then go for it .
Assume asking price reflects condition .

What i have found out when -- you have been around a bit boat wise ,enjoyment of upgrades , maintenance ,"moderate work " etc --- starts to equal actual using the thing in a blokey sort of way .

Even more so under Med sun with a few beers chilling in fridge :encouragement:


What sort of "moderate work " do you think needs doing ?

Master @ the bow in SS means there's a bowman circular "escape " hatch --- over the bed , that's a pro not a con in my book .No need for any fancy wind alarm either @anchor --you will be the first to know if it blows up !
 
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Portofino said:
I think they are a fine choice today
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I must disagree on this one.

Out of MANY (and I mean it!) f/b I've seen in the 55 to 60' range, the 'hattan 56 is probably the one I liked less.
Yep, the hi/lo platform is a nice feature, and can't be found on any other f/b boat of similar size/vintage.

BUT:
- the side passerelle is actually silly, because the transom access is in the center
- the boat is narrowish for her size, and it shows, both inside and in the ridiculous walkarounds
- the big lazarette under the saloon is a useful storage in theory, but its accessibility is bad enough to make it a total waste in practice
- I spotted more things that I didn't like in e/r arrangement than I can remember
- last but not least, as I recall, jfm told in a previous thread that the boat is awfully noisy under way. Actually I can't confirm this first hand, but I fully trust that he wouldn't tell that if it weren't true

All that said, she's a very stylish boat, and I can understand why jrudge can like it, in some respects.
Btw J, just in case you are interested: one of the two 56 I've seen, rather than the MAN V8, had the Cat 3406 (6cyl, but same power). And aside from the fact that the latter is arguably a better engine than the first according to many folks (including Latestarter of this parish, no less), the Cat installation allowed for a much better e/r accessibility.
If given a choice, I'd have a Cat rather than a MAN powered one anytime.
 
All of the Manhattan boats on V drives are really stern heavy. Speaking from personal experience fitting the Humphree interceptor system would transform the boat. Combine that with the Humphree fins which work in conjunction with the interceptors would make a great boat.
 
56 Manhattan has really a bad CoG making it just an average sea boat. The cockpit arrangement is silly with central entrance, and not overly spacious for a 17 meter LOA.
Also I think the split level saloon is to split (to much steps in between the layouts).

If you want British look at similar vintage Fairline 55 Squadron (such a better boat in all areas), or else I would take a Ferretti 53 in this size range any day.
The last is still the best boat in this size and vintage and type.
 
Whitelighter said:
you are assuming all boats are the same price.
How much cheaper should the M56 be before it becomes a good option?
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If you want to make a number to it I have to say it has be around 50k cheaper. But this always subject to condition, distance to your location, and age.
I would not make anything much of age though as all these are boats over ten years old, and how they are kept (have been) can be a big difference.
 
Whitelighter said:
How much cheaper should the M56 be before it becomes a good option?
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I'm not sure that's a right question, J.
Value for money is one consideration in every important purchase of course, but a boat ain't a good investment regardless of vfm.
In the last months, I came across boats whose vfm was mind blowing, and I mean it.
But by that criteria alone, I should have bought a Canados 86, an Akhir 22, a Leopard 23, and more other boats than I can remember, including (heaven forbid!) a triple digit speed Cigarette...! :ambivalence:
The M56 is one of the boats I ruled out regardless of price, together with several others.
Obviously, this doesn't mean that it can't be fine for jrudge needs, but in his boots (as well as in mine, or anyone else looking at what the market has to offer) I wouldn't consider vfm the most important criteria anyway...
Just my 2c.
 
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Thanks for the comments so far.

Everything is a compromise and this boat is no exception. The side paserelle but central entrance is a bit odd, but paserelle a in the middle of the boat and also used as a crane has issues also. It is however not a great design.

The boat is about 8 inches narrower than a s58.

The boat needs internal side panels as these have lost adhesive, engine service , steering hose replacement, anodes, new exterior fabric, new carpets and a series of other bits. The paserelle and hi lo were listed in a prior survey as not working but I am told I can see them working next week.

Ideal ? Maybe not, however I have other significant commitments at present.

Not made my mind up yet. There was a s58 2002 for 240k asking but that is already under offer, so I am looking at alternatives. Will check out other suggestions.

The price reflects most of the condition. The seller has one down but not to a point that in my view it is financially a decent deal.

Will keep u updated
 
jrudge said:
Not made my mind up yet. There was a s58 2002 for 240k asking but that is already under offer, so I am looking at alternatives. Will check out other suggestions.
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Would an Azimut 55 be any good? I saw a 2005 one not so long ago, low hours, interior like new and didn't seem to need much apart from a clean & polish plus a larger plotter, maybe. It seemed really good value, but we are after a semi-d, so not for us. Not certain if it is still available, but if it is, you'd likely be looking at a similar price. Can point you to the broker, if interested.
 
PowerYachtBlog said:
If you want to make a number to it I have to say it has be around 50k cheaper. But this always subject to condition, distance to your location, and age.
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I'd say thats about right. When i was looking 10 years ago the M56 was selling for 20% below Princess 57, and 30% below Sq 58. The numbers were bigger of course, but the proportions are the same. We dismissed the M56 for reasons similar to mapism.

Jrudge, i'd make any offer subject to your satisfaction with the noise and handling at sea trial, as most standard contracts would not allow you to reject a boat just for these reasons. As I understand it the M56 does not have dustbin silencers fitted, so is quite noisy, and can ride with the bow very high.
 
stillwaters said:
Would an Azimut 55 be any good? I saw a 2005 one not so long ago, low hours, interior like new and didn't seem to need much apart from a clean & polish plus a larger plotter, maybe. It seemed really good value, but we are after a semi-d, so not for us. Not certain if it is still available, but if it is, you'd likely be looking at a similar price. Can point you to the broker, if interested.
Click to expand...

Yes please ?
 
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