Motor boat Choices 32-44 ft

[rich2925]

Hello

We have been boating for about 6 years now and now have decided to upgrade to something larger, but this is where it seems to get difficult. We currently have a 23ft Cuddy so it will be quite a difference.

We are looking for something in the 32-44ft range (quite wide I know) for mainly solent cruising with a few longer trips as we get more experienced. We need Accommodation for 4 (2 adults and 2 Children) and want something with a bit of speed.

The problem is that we are looking for something comfortable and with great sea keeping ability to improve confidence and the last thing I want is the family not to want to keep going. I have looked at lots of Fairline, and Princess boats even a couple of Windy's about 2003/4 year but then wonder if I should be looking for something newer for the same money but compromising on quality maybe. Our budget is around the 120-130K mark and would like to hear any thought or advice that I am sure many users here have and any other boat suggestions that may suit us. I am not a mechanic so will be leaving maintenance to others.

I am aware of the mooring costs and Fuel costs which I know will vary from boat to boat.

Really appreciate any advise and sorry if this is a post that regularly appears although I could not find any.

Richard

 

[tetleys]

Targa 40 would be an obvious choice and easy to re sell

cheers

tetleys

 

[rich2925]

Thank you,

I saw this Targa 43 but I think we have missed it now

http://www.boats.co.uk/boats-for-sale/fairline-targa-43-1716

The only 40 seems a bit out of budget though as much newer

 

[jrudge]

I sold my targa 40 2004 for £100k 3 years ago so they should be in budget. Really great boat.

 

[jon and michie]

Thank you,

I saw this Targa 43 but I think we have missed it now

http://www.boats.co.uk/boats-for-sale/fairline-targa-43-1716

The only 40 seems a bit out of budget though as much newer

There's a Targa 43 for sale at North Fambridge on boatshed Essex.
I can say it does look good

 

[kashurst]

+1 targa 43

 

[rafiki_]

I'm going to throw a 40' fly into the mix. The fly gives you more room all round, and for us more all year round usability as the saloon is nice and snug in the winter. Helming from the fly gives much better visibility.
We have several options. Fly when helming and great weather. Cockpit when chilling if the weather is not so good. If sunny in winter the cockpit soon warms up like a conservatory. Saloon in inclement weather, or when really cold in the winter, as the heating warms it up in 20 mins. The 2 en suite cabins for sleeping.
There are many great options, ours being the Azimut 39.

 

[Phildorset]

+1 for a flybridge boat, of course not everyone likes the style, certainly they can look a little tall, I'm happy I ignored some very well meant advice and went for mine. For me it just seems to give the best of both worlds, esp in the UK. But if it is about absolute looks then the sleeker lines from a non-fly boat do win, at least until the boats get pretty big (long).
+1 for an Azimut too, but ignore that cos I'm biased & not objective

 

[volvopaul]

At this moment in time your in the really difficult price bracket as I am, there isn't much around at the moment if your Looking for Princess or Fairline models , I'm actively looking but prices are holding very well , 2 years ago you could knock 15/20 % off , now people are paying nearly the asking price for good boats, I was talking to a dealer today who is selling boats they sold a year ago for 10% more.
We're stuffed now buying from abroad and I'd guess until we leave the EU it will stay like that.
Talking to others in the trade I discussed what they thought has changed, one of which casting our minds back to the days when our good old 4 main builders would sell anywhere between 20 to 40 boats at each of our UK shows, sadly Sealine don't build here anymore, Fairline don't make small entry level boats, Sunseeker are the same, Princess start at way above most people budget these days so we are left with Foreign entry level boats, this is all slowing down the used market , it's also emptying our marinas again, I've lost count how many boats I've enquired on that have left the country creating another empty berth. I wonder how long it will continue, sadly it looks like I won't be boating for a while in a boat I want to be in.

 

[Whitelighter]

Why does it matter where Sealine build? They could still sell the numbers at U.K. Shows (or EU ones).
If values are firming up that is a good thing, it makes buying a more reckonable process.

Why limit yourself to fairline and princess - they are great boats but there are plenty of other equally good boats out there.
One day on the water in an almost perfect boat is worth a month of looking for that Brit Boat Bargain

 

[oldgit]

Curiously many folks first consideration appears to be what the boat looks like. The preference for sports boats, possibly forgivable early on when all you really are looking to do is to buy into the life style and know no better, should be dumped as soon as possible.
All encouragement to buy a tent boat should be treated with the suspicion that it deserves, most folks grow out of the phase, some wilfully refuse to do so.
If however you wish to avoid spending half your day out fighting with zips/chrome tent poles and those nail breaking little clips holding the tent on (those that remain in the glassfibre that is ) coupled with impossible to actually walk on side decks needing the agility of a baboon to actually get out of the cockpit and go forward plus Hobbit accomodation down below, you may wish to buy a proper boat , basically any sort of flybridge.
At least from your sensible flybridge you will be spared while under way the constant faff as to wether to stick your head over the screen and get red eye from the wind and/or soaked by the spray or peer through the screen and see booger all in front of the boat.
Do not believe a word anyone tells you about canvas magically protecting you from rain or sun.

 

[[2068]]

If you want something a little newer, a Sealine SC35 could be an option?
8000kg, so fairly chunky with good seakeeping.
Sliding convertible roof, so only the canvas at the back to muck around with.
Big side decks that you can actually walk along.
Helm position is behind two very large windscreens.
Plenty of space for 2 + 2.

.

 

[Greg2]

I am biased but would add an aft cabin boat such as Broom/Haines/Westwood into the mix. They provide great accommodation with the the benefits of a raised helm position and good 'walk round' decks that make crewing a doddle and usually way better than sportscruisers and many fly bridge boats.

Our Broom 41 is an excellent sea boat and in great condition as a consequence of very good build quality and some careful owners. SWMBO says it is the only boat she has loved and the only boat she has felt safe going to sea in.

Paul is right about the current market in the price bracket mentioned by the OP. Our 41 is on the market and we have an idea what will replace her but a key factor in us accepting any offer will be what is available to us as the next boat, which at the moment isn't much! Brokerages have gaps and there is talk of used prices hardening so it may be that we have chosen the wrong time to think of changing. We will see what happens

 

[volvopaul]

I am biased but would add an aft cabin boat such as Broom/Haines/Westwood into the mix. They provide great accommodation with the the benefits of a raised helm position and good 'walk round' decks that make crewing a doddle and usually way better than sportscruisers and many fly bridge boats.

Our Broom 41 is an excellent sea boat and in great condition as a consequence of very good build quality and some careful owners. SWMBO says it is the only boat she has loved and the only boat she has felt safe going to sea in.

Paul is right about the current market in the price bracket mentioned by the OP. Our 41 is on the market and we have an idea what will replace her but a key factor in us accepting any offer will be what is available to us as the next boat, which at the moment isn't much! Brokerages have gaps and there is talk of used prices hardening so it may be that we have chosen the wrong time to think of changing. We will see what happens

For you it's all about price to change so if you get a buyer your happy with the deal then move on , you never know what you might find if there is something out there that needs to be sold , not everyone is advertising there boats just because the market is strong , winter is coming all too soon, prices will stabilise and there is also the boat show.

 

[Switch]

Curiously many folks first consideration appears to be what the boat looks like. The preference for sports boats, possibly forgivable early on when all you really are looking to do is to buy into the life style and know no better, should be dumped as soon as possible.
All encouragement to buy a tent boat should be treated with the suspicion that it deserves, most folks grow out of the phase, some wilfully refuse to do so.
If however you wish to avoid spending half your day out fighting with zips/chrome tent poles and those nail breaking little clips holding the tent on (those that remain in the glassfibre that is ) coupled with impossible to actually walk on side decks needing the agility of a baboon to actually get out of the cockpit and go forward plus Hobbit accomodation down below, you may wish to buy a proper boat , basically any sort of flybridge.
At least from your sensible flybridge you will be spared while under way the constant faff as to wether to stick your head over the screen and get red eye from the wind and/or soaked by the spray or peer through the screen and see booger all in front of the boat.
Do not believe a word anyone tells you about canvas magically protecting you from rain or sun.

In defence of the open sports cruiser I've always found them more sociable as everyone is in the cockpit and not half upstairs and half downstairs. You can keep an eye on everyone (good if you have young kids). I know from experience that a fly bridge can be a lonely and miserable place in anything short of warm weather when you're partner, kids and friends have buggered off down stairs cos they're freezing their @&%$'s off.
Canopies can be a pain but they are versatile - I have the option of driving the boat with all the covers on which is dry and warm, or, I can remove the front covers and leave the back covers on for shade or vice versa. I can also take all the covers off when warm enough to have a complete open wind in the hair (what's left of it) experience. I'm also dragging around less weight so use less fuel. I have no axe to drive with fly bridge boats I just want to balance the argument for the OP.

 

[asteven221]

+1 for FB for all the reasons stated.

 

[CLB]

+1 for SB as I don't like flybridges. Too cold, wet and windy most of the time. On the very rare days it is not, it is too hot and sunny.

+1 also for sterndrives, but that's a different matter entirely.

Seriously though, ask 100 boaters what boat they would buy with your criteria and you will end up with a shortlist of about 80 boats. You are going to have to decide for yourself, but that is half the fun of it. Get out there and narrow it down yourself. Then come back and ask for an opinion on your shortlist. You will then get some specific and useful info on the boats you like.

 

[Avalon]

I know from experience that a fly bridge can be a lonely and miserable place in anything short of warm weather when you're partner, kids and friends have buggered off down stairs cos they're freezing their @&%$'s off.

Why do people forget that flybridge boats have TWO helming positions? When your friends adjourn downstairs you can do the same and helm your boat from a warm, comfortable position inside. On a sportsboat you're either exposed to the elements or cowering under a sort of glorified pram hood.

I actually drive my flybridge boat from inside most of the time - and am always surprised to see how many people always drive theirs from on top even when it is obviously cold and uncomfortable to do so.

After spending most of my life helming sailing boats totally exposed to the elements, the merits of an inside helming position are very apparent to me, particularly in the UK.

 

[CLB]

Why do people forget that flybridge boats have TWO helming positions? When your friends adjourn downstairs you can do the same and helm your boat from a warm, comfortable position inside. On a sportsboat you're either exposed to the elements or cowering under a sort of glorified pram hood.

I actually drive my flybridge boat from inside most of the time - and am always surprised to see how many people always drive theirs from on top even when it is obviously cold and uncomfortable to do so.

After spending most of my life helming sailing boats totally exposed to the elements, the merits of an inside helming position are very apparent to me, particularly in the UK.

I think the problem is that many FB boats have rather poor visibility from the lower helm. I find my 'glorified pram hood' to be very effective, very versatile, and plenty warm enough. I have owned both, so speak from some experience.

 

[Freeloader]

To the OP -

I was in a very similar position a few years ago, when I owned a 22' cuddy and had two teenage children. It was great in so far as I could use it regularly for water skiing on a local lake, yet trailer it up to Scotland or down to the South Coast for holidays. However, 22' is clearly not something that can be used for accommodation for a week or two - particularly for 4!

At first we moved up to a Sessa C30 which initially seemed hugely roomy but, as we used it as much for holiday accommodation as we did for boating, it soon seemed a bit short of space for 4 (although quite comfortable for just the wife and I). The particular snag was having to convert the saloon table into a bed at night and vice versa in the morning. If you want to regularly accommodate 4, then get something with two separate cabins, plus a saloon!

We then looked to move up to something bigger... Boats around 34' offered the twin cabins but the extra 4' is not enough for a cabin, so space has to be robbed out of the saloon. Basically, to get back to the saloon space that we already had, we needed to move up to around 38' and so that is where we started looking. That decided, the next choice is whether to go for a sports cruiser or flybridge boat. As you will have read above, there are plenty of people who will tell you that one or the other is the 'best' - however, 'best' is only best if it suits your boating lifestyle. Fortunately, we are all different and have different priorities and, as a consequence, there is a vast choice of designs and layouts to choose from. Just remember, if any one choice was the 'best', then everyone would have exactly the same model. Try to identify how you will use your boat and buy something that will suit your lifestyle, not someone eles's. I would say, though, that it is probably better to go bigger than you think you need as you may otherwise grow out of your new boat too quickly.

My preference was for a sports cruiser, rather than a flybridge (not the 'wrong' choice because a sports cruiser suits me...) We considered lots of styles and brands and looked at quite a few before buying. It never ceases to amaze me how much people will spend on boats and then not look after them properly - but that is another topic! Eventually we found a Sealine S42, which pretty much ticked all my boxes - there is more room in the cabin than in anything else on the market (generous forward cabin, a huge mid-cabin, two en-suite heads, a separate shower compartment and a very roomy saloon & galley), the cockpit is simply enormous (have had 11 on board with room to spare), the semi-hard top is for me the perfect compromise (can just press a button to open / close the sunroof and / or take out the aft or fore canvas in no time - open boat and hard top in one), the side decks are wide, decent bathing platform, great engine bay access / room, etc etc. It would not be everyone's choice and some will knock Sealine but, for me, it's great!

Give it plenty of thought and choose carefully what suits you!