Old vs Newish quality

RichardS said:
I would far rather own the modern Wimpey 6-bed detached home rather than the Victorian semi, a million times over. In fact, I have made this choice several times over the last 20 years with my own money and always, without a moment's hesitation, gone straight for the brand new modern detached.

But so what? :confused:

Richard
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As an aside
It is not "Wimpey" any more & has not been for some years. The company that once managed to build a third of the houses built in the UK in one particular year, merged the housing part with the housing division of Taylor Woodrow, after they lost so much money that they almost collapsed.
It is now "Taylor Wimpey".
& guess what?-- They are a French company (Vinci)
A bit like boat builders in a way. :ambivalence:
& are they are better built than any Westerly? -- sorry!! I meant Victorian house:encouragement:
Got to be a comparison there somewhere.
 
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Daydream believer said:
Surely It is not "Wimpey" any more & has not been for some years. The company that once managed to build a third of the houses built in the UK in one particular year, merged the housing part with the housing division of Taylor Woodrow, after they lost so much money that they almost collapsed.
A bit like boat builders in a way. I thought that it is now "Taylor Wimpey". ( Now Vinci I think)
Is that right?
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I used the term "Wimpey" as a catch-all for house builders in general because that is what the OP had done and I thought it would be confusing if I substituted his choice for my own. Perhaps you should quote the OP rather than me. :)

Richard
 
johnalison said:
It can be very hard to keep warm in an old house. When we moved to a 15yr old house some years ago it was the first time I had ever lived in a house less than 100 years old, other than a few months rental. Effective draught-proofing and heating s a great improvement even if it doesn't meet my exacting standards. It's the same with boats, and cars. If you want something classic you have to be prepared to be uncomfortable or inconvenienced.
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I dont think the two owners of the 1970s Swan 48s that were racing last week in the Antigua Classics would except that they were inconvenienced or uncomfortable. It all look rather civilised and great fun. As for us racing on a Carricou sloop I can confirm it was very uncivilised and inconvenient but also great fun and bloody hard work. Not all old boats are the same. Like lots of comparisons in life the really good quality stuff is worth keeping.
 
I´m looking for a single hander and there are stacks of Nic 32s, Contessa 32s, Rivals, Halmatics on the market 40-50 years old and in good condition some excellent. I wonder how many of todays new boats will be around in 2070?

My first cabin boat 45 years ago was a 10 year old 22ft Galion and I know she is still around and being sailed... my 2nd boat was a brand new Jaguar 25 which broke it´s rudder 6 months after I purchased her and last I heard 20 years ago was she was in really poor condition...
 
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RichardS said:
I used the term "Wimpey" as a catch-all for house builders in general because that is what the OP had done and I thought it would be confusing if I substituted his choice for my own. Perhaps you should quote the OP rather than me. :)

Richard
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Using that principle, I think a few forumites would not be too happy if I referred to their boats as " Bavarias":ambivalence:
 
I'm inclined to agree with Daydream Believer.

I have an 1890s Georgian style house and a 2011 one. The Georgian one has horse hair plaster, its foundations are about 2' deep max, it is draughty, its solid walls quickly leak the heat out, the staircase is stunning, the bedrooms have high ceilings but aren't that big, and the roof is a PITA to maintain.

The modern house is brighter, more comfortable, miles more fuel efficient, more spacious, easier to clean, has a much better kitchen, more bathrooms, better showers, better provision for IT/electrical services, and is in many ways more solidly built. It is also designed for modern living not the old upstairs downstairs world of the late nineteenth century.

There are of course hopeless modern houses, but a good modern one wins hands down on all fronts other than nostalgia, where it can't compete for a 100 years or so :rolleyes:
 
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dom said:
I'm inclined to agree with Daydream Believer.

I have an 1890s Georgian style house and a 2011 one. The Georgian one has horse hair plaster, its foundations are about 2' deep max, it is draughty, its solid walls quickly leak the heat out, the staircase is stunning, the bedrooms have high ceilings but aren't that big, and the roof is a PITA to maintain.

The modern house is brighter, more comfortable, miles more fuel efficient, more spacious, easier to clean, has a much better kitchen, more bathrooms, better showers, better provision for IT/electrical services, and is in many ways more solidly built. It is also designed for modern living not the old upstairs downstairs world of the late nineteenth century.

There are of course hopeless modern houses, but a good modern one wins hands down on all fronts other than nostalgia, where it can't compete for a 100 years or so :rolleyes:
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I thought this was a forum about boats not Rightmove.....
 
I have a very beaten up 1999 Bavaria 36, 12 years in charter and 8 years with me - still does everything it's supposed to do but up-close you can see she's had a hard life - and boy have we had some fun in her ;). Every year I improve or repair something so everything is dependable and works .... I've spent more in marina fees than it cost to buy her but as long as you keep on top of cleaning, repairs and maintenance, everything will be fine - neglect is any boats worst enemy IMHO, regardless of "quality".
 
steve yates said:
Sorry, thats just bollox
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How can it be?Read what I said
I asked a question, I did not make a statement. There is a sort of comparison although I slipped it in as a bit of fun

But i am someone who won the Architectural Heritage year award circa 45 years ago for building my brand new house next to my 16Th century house.(I later joined as one)
I have also modernised over a hundred Victorian houses & built a couple of hundred new ones
I currently live in a self designed & built timber framed house.
I know which is infinitely better, but I also know which gave me most satisfaction to live in & gave me that "cosy homely" feel.
Once again one can compare that to boats. My current Hanse is infinitely better than my Stella of 50 years ago, but my Stella had a quality of sailing that one cannot describe & which I really miss.
Even Richard Mathews (Of Oyster fame) said that he could sail an 80 ft Oyster any time he wanted, but loved sailing his refurbished Stella.
That might be why people want to buy older boats.
 
JumbleDuck said:
I own the last one made. It's a dream.
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Wow, that's fantastic!

Teaching to suck eggs and all that, but may I suggest you treat it like a treasured antique, keep the miles to an absolute minimum, and only service with documented original parts, paints, etc.

It could be worth a fortune in the future if it isn't already ;)
 
dom said:
Wow, that's fantastic!

Teaching to suck eggs and all that, but may I suggest you treat it like a treasured antique, keep the miles to an absolute minimum, and only service with documented original parts, paints, etc.

It could be worth a fortune in the future if it isn't already ;)
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It's an oddity, built by Citroën SA after production had officially ended. Even the original parts weren't original (they used what they had) and it has been extensively worked on over the years. I had the back end full restored a couple of years ago and am saving up for the front, which isn't too bad. I do about 6,000 miles per year in it ... you won't find many UK-based DSes with Swiss motorway vignettes on display. Luzern last year and I hope to get to Italy this autumn.
 
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