Newbie advice (Birchwood 290)

[shinyandy]

There are a couple of new (ex-demo) Birchwoods that keep catching my eye at a local broker but they seem far to good value for money and so I'm left wondering why. I've already trawled this site and Google for information but only seem to find an occasional mention of them going bust and being bought out a couple of times but nothing much about the actual boats.

Have spoken to the broker and he says the boats were built for the US market but with the dollar crash they've not sold so they're being brought down here to be sold

Can anyone shed any light on the situation, personally I don't see what the issue could be even if the company has gone bust ?

 

[Whitelighter]

Birchwood went bust about 18 months ago. The 290 was their last attempt at modern sports cruiser. No idea if it was a good effort or not, as the company went under soon after launch.

The whole US dollar crash is utter bollocks - the reason they haven't sold is the builder went pop and there is no warrenties available and no support if you have a major prob in a few years. They may be cheap, but then they need to be...

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

I would check with a surveyor if the construction is sound
then I would see if main warranties engines, main equipment etc are still covered by there manufecteres (e.g.volvo etc)

if the price is good it might be worth a try

 

[Nautorius]

It would depend on a full and clean structual survey and the right price. That is about 15-20% less than similar S28/Doral 280 Prestencia.

With Twin Kad 32's I would expect to pay about £55-£60k Max. Personnally I would be uncomfortable paying anything over £50k at the moment as it will not be the easiest thing to sell on.

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[petem]

Wasn't the 290 something else but re-badged?

Pete

 

[Nautorius]

Pete,

I am not sure. It is similar to a Sunline 31 hull, but could more likely to be a mould from the old Colvic stable!

No idea about that, you stumped me! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[[2068]]

Don't think so, it was a newly commissioned design.

See here

 

[volvopaul]

For sale through Carrera Yachting in Benalmadena I presume?

 

[Chris_d]

I believe it used a Falcon hull with a new superstructure.

 

[shinyandy]

[ QUOTE ]
For sale through Carrera Yachting in Benalmadena I presume?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, is there more to it ?

 

[shinyandy]

[ QUOTE ]
there is no warrenties available and no support if you have a major prob in a few years. They may be cheap, but then they need to be...

[/ QUOTE ]

Assume though for similar money/spec you could only buy something that wouldn't come with a manufacturers warranty anyway so why is that an issue ? Support wise, probably being a bit naive here, surely it's just a boat and any company worth its salt would be able resolve issues ?

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

[ QUOTE ]
I believe it used a Falcon hull with a new superstructure.

[/ QUOTE ]

looks so much you are right, cant stop thinking its a Falcon 27

 

[Chris_d]

Yes a Falcon 275 with extended bathing platform, it looked to be quite a nice boat.