Morven
New member
I worked with Mike a few years ago now at a Southampton boatshow, nice guy, just a shame this has happened.
Najad Yachts - bankrupt
- Thread starter BlueSkyNick
- Start date
arfa
New member
The Najad sales team at the boat show a couple of years ago were about the most decent of the lot there. Having told them I only sailed a little boat they welcomed a look around their show boat as "we all aspire and dream". I wish them well
jonic
Well-known member
That's a great shame, they were beautiful boats. One of the first brokerage boats I ever sold was a 331 and it was absolutely gorgeous.
snooks
Active member
I can remember feeling a bit sad, and lamented the loss when Najad decided to loose their skeg and long fin keel. The interior design changes I liked because the workmanship and the quality of wood used was typically Swedish, but I could see traditional Najad buyers not liking the new designs.
Going for deep fins and spade rudders on the bigger boats was a mistake IMHO on boats that people will typically go off around the world in. HR have at least kept either the skeg or the longer keel, or have a boat in their range the size that does ie newer 372 and traditional 37.
Najad tried to backtrack with their Aphrodite range the 38 was the old 380, which itself was the older 373, but I think it was too little too late, and the Aphrodite did have some strange features, bed knobs in the fore cabin and the wooden brightwork on the coachwood which screamed hard work, sanding and varnishing down the line, though I believe it wouldn't need it, but try telling a lazy mind that!
They were beautiful boats, and going on board them used to mean that nothing less than perfection could be expected. I felt let down by the 410 when I spent a couple of days on her, although watching Chris constantly hit his head on the cockpit mould in the galley in slapstick manner would entertain me for ages, it wasn't the sort of thing that should happen in a Najad. I watched half a dozen people do the same thing at Dusseldorf in the short time I was on board it. Najad's reasponse was most people learn to avoid it
May be this was the problem in the end Najad wanting people to adapt to their boats, when really the boat manufacture has to adapt to the owner.
Going for deep fins and spade rudders on the bigger boats was a mistake IMHO on boats that people will typically go off around the world in. HR have at least kept either the skeg or the longer keel, or have a boat in their range the size that does ie newer 372 and traditional 37.
Najad tried to backtrack with their Aphrodite range the 38 was the old 380, which itself was the older 373, but I think it was too little too late, and the Aphrodite did have some strange features, bed knobs in the fore cabin and the wooden brightwork on the coachwood which screamed hard work, sanding and varnishing down the line, though I believe it wouldn't need it, but try telling a lazy mind that!
They were beautiful boats, and going on board them used to mean that nothing less than perfection could be expected. I felt let down by the 410 when I spent a couple of days on her, although watching Chris constantly hit his head on the cockpit mould in the galley in slapstick manner would entertain me for ages, it wasn't the sort of thing that should happen in a Najad. I watched half a dozen people do the same thing at Dusseldorf in the short time I was on board it. Najad's reasponse was most people learn to avoid it
May be this was the problem in the end Najad wanting people to adapt to their boats, when really the boat manufacture has to adapt to the owner.
JomsViking
Member
Very true, especially in a high-end Yacht like this. Let's hope someone have the money to resurrect Najad (and give those boatbuilders their job back)..
Sans Bateau
Well-known member
On a negative note, when Najad took over Maxi, the UK dealer, SD marine, had their dealership pulled from under them overnight. Roger Moon had been selling Maxi's for a good many years and was an excellent ambassador to the brand. I understand he was treated very badly by Najad management. I just wonder how many Maxis were sold after his dealership was pulled?
Twister_Ken
Well-known member
Roger is one of the good guys in brokerage, and still sells used Maxis. Mind, I guess they'll all be used from now on.
Lee_Shaw
New member
And add me too.
jonic
Well-known member
Hear hear.
kyleview
New member
I have a 4 year old Malo 40 and like it a lot - still the traditional Swedish boat. When looking around 6 years ago I quickly discounted Najad as I thought they had lost the plot by going modern - just like many of the other far cheaper "white" boats. I told them this at SIBS and I have got to say the UK agents agreed but could do nothing about. Just reflects snooks and other peoples comments / observations. I hear HR maybe having a hard time also, just hope they and Malo stay the course.
murraynorth
New member
I'll second that James, Mike is one of the nicest guys you could meet and very, very knowledgeable
Andrew Murray
Andrew Murray
Seven Spades
Well-known member
Well if Mike Jennings is reading this there is at least one quality manufacturer not represented in the UK...
And their new models look fantastic and I think are a similar quality to Najad
BTW what is the anchor on this boat it is not a Rocna!
And their new models look fantastic and I think are a similar quality to Najad
BTW what is the anchor on this boat it is not a Rocna!
photodog
Lord High Commander of Upper Broughton and Gunthor
Bugel.
I quite fancy that 30 footer...
I quite fancy that 30 footer...
BlueSkyNick
Active member
I'd be interested in hearing from if you are planning to change boats!
skipper dice
New member
The Najad 380 was of extremely high quality. This was their best seller. Still used Najads are very desirable due to the quality built.