Opinions- Orion, Hylas, Tayana or Pearson yachts

[BlueSkyNick]

Jonic, .... and others of course,

What about Mason's????

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...rina-del-Rey/CA/United-States&boat_id=2016724

Nice looking boat, but I cannot see the point in spending a lot of money on a boat over 40' without a centre line double berth. Moody's got this right on the 38 upwards, and it really is a significant comfort factor, especially when older owners cannot avoid getting up in the middle of the night !!

 

[Three kings]

I looked at Hylas, Contest, HR, Westerly and Moody - The Moody won.

 

[Monique]

One last one for my dreams.

A C&C is akin to a Swan... sure would turn all my buttons but GF would nix...

Time to change GF???

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/199...s-52-2512974/Nanny-Cay/British-Virgin-Islands

 

[Dockhead]

I had a Pearson. I'm surprised to see it on this list. It's a sturdy, in fact built like a brick outhouse, very seaworthy sea boat, but sails like a slug - it's from an entirely different era.

I now have a Moody 54 like Jonic's (except mine has the deep bulb keel). Now that's a yacht . . . Sparkling performance (average speed over 14 Channel crossings is about 8.5 knots, and I had one at nearly 10), rigid as a bridge (balsa cored partially Kevlar structure), beautifully designed in every detail. Very good rig with tall three spreader mast and 8 cockpit winches. Joinery is all teak and lovely - a cut above that of the Oyster I almost bought (a Holman & Pye 485). A great, long-legged blue-water boat.

I think the late Moody 49 is even better (and more expensive!) - both definitely worth considering in this class.

The Tayana 55 is an old-fashioned boat with a lower performance hull form - nicely built, but I would prefer any Hylas from late 90's on - the Hylas 54, especially, is a fantastic boat, designed by German Frers and beautifully built in Taiwan.

Why are Oysters not on the list? Pretty expensive for what you get, but they are also lovely boats, especially the Holman & Pye designed ones like the 90's Oyster 55's. I don't like the oak joinery much, but love the layout with the big forward facing salon windows. Watch out for under-specified rigs on many of these.