medium size SD cruiser - advice needed

[captaingb]

looking at different boat built by Hardy, Dale and Broom. Intended use would be coastal cruising, channel island, France, Scillies, from base in Plymouth. Which one would yo choose if important considerations are (not in order) after sale service, reliability, fuel efficiency and ability to go home safely in a blow.

 

[Whitelighter]

I don't have any experience of those makes, but if it is a mid sized boat you are after Nimbus is worth a look, especially their 340 and 380 commanders

 

[peterb26]

[ QUOTE ]
Which one would yo choose if important considerations are (not in order) after sale service, reliability, fuel efficiency and ability to go home safely in a blow.

[/ QUOTE ]

As Jez says, the Nimbus 340 is well worth considering.

I brought one from Offshore and their ratings are thus:-

- after sales service. 10 out of 10, could not be faulted.
- fuel efficiency 9 out of 10 with a single D6.
- reliability 9 out of 10 (but I only put 150 hours on it)
- going home safely in the rough 8 out of 10.

The only thing that I didnt like was the (relatively) tiny tank at 88 gallons from memory. 150 gallons would have been a bit more sensible IMHO.

 

[captaingb]

Thanks, let me ask another condition, minimum range at cruising speed of 250 nm

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Good choices. For ultimate get you homeability, it's got to be the Dale which is based on a Nelson hull but they are v pricey and small inside, especially the saloon. The Brooms are much larger inside and pricewise more in line with mainstream builders but still a high quality boat with good seakeeping. The Hardy falls somewhere in between really with good rough weather capability and a bit more accomodation than the Dale
All 3 manufacturers offer high quality products and you would'nt go wrong with either. I suspect that Broom would offer better after sales service as they have an established dealer network whereas the others sell direct AFAIK. Fuel efficiency wise, I would expect the Broom to be best because Brooms have either a full planing hull or an easily driven SD hull whereas the other 2 are definitely in the SD camp
Pays your money, takes yer choice between more accomodation or ultimate seaworthiness, I suspect

 

[peterb26]

Rules out the 340 totally.

 

[volvopaul]

Quite simply the best all rounder is a broom, my choice for semi displacement would be a used 42 at the moment there are loads for sale, 2 at Newark marina, James Dickens has 5 or 6 on his books so its a buyers market if you like.

All mostly with yanmars either 300 or 350 you dont need any bigger, consider an old broom 44 too, I know where there are 2 that can be bought right price at this time, pm me if your interested.

 

[oceanfroggie]

You won't go far wrong with Nimbus or Broom depending on the layout you prefer. The Nelson's are almost as strong as pilot boats, lack internal space, but can handle serious seas. If your in serious "chill out" mode the Brooms have great range + economy when in displacement mode (ie not in a hurry). We burn just over 2gph in displacement mode or 10gph at economic planing speeds. WOT though @ 26kt your up to 25gph.

 

[Bandit]

Years ago I had a Seaward 34 ( Halmatic hull same as Weymouth 34 and Humber 34 ) A good sea boat but limited accomodation,

Depending on budget consider Aquastar 38 and 48. I have a 48 s and I am pleased with it . It depends how new a boat you want and what size and accomodation.

There is a definite crossover in capability with modern flybridge cruisers the Fairline sedan 36 which I had after the Seaward 34 was as good a sea boat for the conditions i wanted to go out in with superior accomodation.

Every boat is a compromise.

i am pleased to be going back to the semi displacement line however.