New 30ft day cruiser

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Coustea1

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11 Jun 2013
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London. Boat: South of Spain
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Dear members,

I'm new to the forum and must say that the exchange of ideas and information is absolutely fabulous!
If you don't mind, then I'd like to get some input on my upcoming boating decision.
After years of sailing (followed by years of inactivity on the water) it's time to get back out there. However, with young children and for various other reasons I'd like to go into the mobo world.
Our cruising ground will be the Solent, with hopefully some trips to the Channel Islands IF weather, sea etc permit us to do so.

We would use the boat mostly for day trips, so don't really need the cabins (do need a loo though - two kids, you know the story). Important factors are:

1) seakeeping: although I'd plan every trip in advance, the Solent can kick up some rough conditions so the boat should be able to cope with it.
2) cockpit safety: two children should be safe in the cockpit.
3) comfort: soft ride preferably.
4) general build quality.

Also very important: I want to buy a NEW boat.

I'm hesitating between the Cranchi Endurance 30 and the Windy Kharma 26. The Cranchi is cheaper and offers a bit more cabin space, but the Windy offers a better build quality imho. Both would fall within my budget. The Windy Coho 29 would be (just) outside the budget, but maybe some negotiating cold put it (just) back in.

I'd welcome any feedback on the two boats mentioned above (quality, ride, known issues,...), and also please feel free to suggest any other boats that I should look at and that correspond to my criteria listed above. Many many thanks in advance for your input! :)

C.
 
Hi there, I have a Cranchi CSL 27 - kept in Sardinia as a holiday boat. Bought it for a reasonable price but I have have to say I don't think build quality is all that good. The new Endurance 30 gets great reviews but I think I would go for the Windy. I wish i had bought a slightly older, better quality boat. I wouldn't mind selling mine but again, if you want to shift a Cranchi, you have to price it accordingly.
 
Based on your spec above, you can't go wrong with a nimbus nova - either the 27 or the 300R. You could also look at the Aquador 25WAe.

I don't know your budget, but since you are looking at a new windy I guess you aren't too budget limited. While ther dis nothing wrong with the two boats you list, and out of the two my choice would be the windy based on build quality and seakeeping as well as residual values, they both have same issues with regard to kids and moving around.

The Nimbus Nova range and the Aquador are both Walk Around style boats (hence the WA nomlecure). This mean your kids are safe in a deep cockpit but can also safely move forward to assists you with fenders etc, or just sit forward for more space as the boat has wide side decks and deep comings.

Pics below:

View attachment 32605
Nimbus 300R

View attachment 32606
Aquador 25WAe
 
Coustea1 said:
Dear members,

I'm new to the forum and must say that the exchange of ideas and information is absolutely fabulous!
If you don't mind, then I'd like to get some input on my upcoming boating decision.
After years of sailing (followed by years of inactivity on the water) it's time to get back out there. However, with young children and for various other reasons I'd like to go into the mobo world.
Our cruising ground will be the Solent, with hopefully some trips to the Channel Islands IF weather, sea etc permit us to do so.

We would use the boat mostly for day trips, so don't really need the cabins (do need a loo though - two kids, you know the story). Important factors are:

1) seakeeping: although I'd plan every trip in advance, the Solent can kick up some rough conditions so the boat should be able to cope with it.
2) cockpit safety: two children should be safe in the cockpit.
3) comfort: soft ride preferably.
4) general build quality.

Also very important: I want to buy a NEW boat.

I'm hesitating between the Cranchi Endurance 30 and the Windy Kharma 26. The Cranchi is cheaper and offers a bit more cabin space, but the Windy offers a better build quality imho. Both would fall within my budget. The Windy Coho 29 would be (just) outside the budget, but maybe some negotiating cold put it (just) back in.

I'd welcome any feedback on the two boats mentioned above (quality, ride, known issues,...), and also please feel free to suggest any other boats that I should look at and that correspond to my criteria listed above. Many many thanks in advance for your input! :)

C.
Click to expand...
I am not sure if you want new only, but the Ghibli is a great boat if you are looking at Windy, and the same hull as the 29, I think and will save a fortune over a new boat ;) Just get a single engine though. The only thing that is a fiddle is the overnight canvas.

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?132784-How-good-is-a-Windy-Ghibli-28&highlight=ghibli
Wont sleep 4, though?
 
gjgm said:
I am not sure if you want new only, but the Ghibli is a great boat if you are looking at Windy, and the same hull as the 29, I think and will save a fortune over a new boat ;) Just get a single engine though. The only thing that is a fiddle is the overnight canvas.

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?132784-How-good-is-a-Windy-Ghibli-28&highlight=ghibli
Wont sleep 4, though?
Click to expand...

I'm not too bothered about the sleeping arrangement, as we will mostly use the boat for day trips. The good thing about the new 26 and 29 is that they have a new ultra easy-to-use canopy system. It folds back in the engine compartment and sits on struts. No much fiddling with canvas...
 
Welcome to the forum. Sounds like an exciting time for you and your family, choosing your new toy. There are plenty of us on here to help you spend you money, and then step back and stroke our chins when you don't buy our personal favorite. :)

Are you tempted to wait until SIBS (Southampton Boat Show), where you will be able to compare boats, and even strike a deal?

Seriously, there is a heap of good advice on this forum, and i will follow this thread with interest.
 
Coustea1 said:
Fair point about moving around. I'll have a look at the Nimbus.
My budget is roughly £140k. Didn't Nimbus recently merge with another builder?
Click to expand...

Nimbus were sold by the original owners to a private equity group who did what they all do which is screw it up by mismanagement and had to place it in administration. Now back in private hands again.

Quality is very good. Speak to offshore powerboats in Lymington, they have been the nimbus importers for over 20 years.

Nimbus also own Paragon and Rhyds brands and also Storbero but I think the latter is not currently in production.
 
rafiki_ said:
Welcome to the forum. Sounds like an exciting time for you and your family, choosing your new toy. There are plenty of us on here to help you spend you money, and then step back and stroke our chins when you don't buy our personal favorite. :)

Are you tempted to wait until SIBS (Southampton Boat Show), where you will be able to compare boats, and even strike a deal?

Seriously, there is a heap of good advice on this forum, and i will follow this thread with interest.
Click to expand...

SIBS should indeed be optimal in terms of timing. That leaves me a few months to gather some more information and to narrow down the list of potential boats.
Great to see so many people who can help me spend my money. Now is there anyone who can help me making some more? :)
 
Whitelighter said:
Nimbus were sold by the original owners to a private equity group who did what they all do which is screw it up by mismanagement and had to place it in administration. Now back in private hands again.

Quality is very good. Speak to offshore powerboats in Lymington, they have been the nimbus importers for over 20 years.

Nimbus also own Paragon and Rhyds brands and also Storbero but I think the latter is not currently in production.
Click to expand...

Thank you.
Had a quick peek at the Nimbus website - lovely boats. How would you rank Nimbus, Windy and Auquador in terms of sea keeping and in terms of build quality? I'll get in touch with the guys at offshore powerboats. No pricing on the website so may be well above my budget.
 
It's subjective.

There is no doubt that the windy is a quality product and their see keeping is exceptional. I would rank the Nimbus 300R on a par - the difference is really style. Windy boats are super sleek with uber glossy woodwork etc. nimbus tend to be a bit more teaditional favouring Matt varnishes and solid joinery rather than the latest pallettes and if course have the walk around decks and solid practical details. Sea keeping wise there is nothing to split them.

The Aquador is very well made and handles well but IMO is a slight step down in both areas from windy and nimbus. That said, they are cheaper by a factor as well.

As for cost, windy are the most expensive, with nimbus next and Aquador the cheapest. All on a size for size basis.
 
Coustea1 said:
I'm not too bothered about the sleeping arrangement, as we will mostly use the boat for day trips. The good thing about the new 26 and 29 is that they have a new ultra easy-to-use canopy system. It folds back in the engine compartment and sits on struts. No much fiddling with canvas...
Click to expand...

Cousteau, have you seen and tried the new Windy canopy system? I ask because the photo of the 29 seems to have the lugs on the side of the windscreen frame the same as my Khamsin, suggesting you still have to pull lots of holes over lots of lugs, which is anything but "ultra easy", particularly when you're on the inside and the canopy needs fitting from the outside, and you've no side decks to walk along. I'd be interested to know how the new system works.
 
Nick_H said:
Cousteau, have you seen and tried the new Windy canopy system? I ask because the photo of the 29 seems to have the lugs on the side of the windscreen frame the same as my Khamsin, suggesting you still have to pull lots of holes over lots of lugs, which is anything but "ultra easy", particularly when you're on the inside and the canopy needs fitting from the outside, and you've no side decks to walk along. I'd be interested to know how the new system works.
Click to expand...

I did not try it myself (yet) but only saw a video demonstration of the system on the 31 Zonda. I'll ask the guys at Berthonnto demonstrate when I go see them. Thanks for pointing this out.
Are you happy with your Windy in terms of sea keeping, general quality and after sales?
 
Whitelighter said:
It's subjective.

There is no doubt that the windy is a quality product and their see keeping is exceptional. I would rank the Nimbus 300R on a par - the difference is really style. Windy boats are super sleek with uber glossy woodwork etc. nimbus tend to be a bit more teaditional favouring Matt varnishes and solid joinery rather than the latest pallettes and if course have the walk around decks and solid practical details. Sea keeping wise there is nothing to split them.

The Aquador is very well made and handles well but IMO is a slight step down in both areas from windy and nimbus. That said, they are cheaper by a factor as well.

As for cost, windy are the most expensive, with nimbus next and Aquador the cheapest. All on a size for size basis.
Click to expand...

Thank you - that's really helpful. The Windy looks and feels fantastic. From what I've seen on the website, you get more interior space on the Nimbus (size for size) but as you said a more traditional finishing. Are all the systems, valves etc as nicely laid out and labelled on a Nimbus as on a Windy? On a Windy you just feel that the engineering bit is their priority.
 
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