Opinions please

[nicho]

We sold our Sealine S48 motor cruiser two years ago after 20 years of boating, both power and sail, and used the money to pay off the mortgage (mistake?). I am now hankering after getting back on the water, but having been retired for some time, I am not in any position to run a motor cruiser again (sensible some might say!) so it's back to sail.

It has not been easy persuading my "financial director" to spend on a boat again, but she loved our Bavaria 36 and is now happy(er) to spend a bit of dosh. A figure of around £35/40K might be found. There is one limitation, SWMBO will only consider a "modern" plastic fantastic (as I say she loved our Bavaria 36), so older Westerly's/Moody's are probably out.

I have a shortlist of makes/models, and would welcome your thoughts please - sailing ability is not a huge consideration, as we will only be Solent cruisers - Chichester to Lymington area, and keeping the boat in a Hamble Marina, yet to be decided.

So my shortlist is:

Dufour 32 Classic
Bavaria 30/32/34
Gibsea 33
Beneteau 331
Jeanneau 32.2

All these will be about 10/12 years old (except perhaps the Bavaria 30 which would be around 2006/7) - there are some reasonablly well specced boats around at our sort of budget. I am particularly keen to hear of experience/thoughts about the Dufour 32 and the Gibsea 33.

Many thanks for your time.

 

[Tony Cross]

I'd have thought your best option would be to go and view as many of these models as you can find so that SWMBO can decide which one she likes best? SWMBO's comfort is probably the most important factor I guess(?) so give her maximum choice and go with what she fancies (all other things being equal).

 

[nicho]

Hi Tony - yes we are doing that next week. However, I have seen a Dufour 32 Classic, and a Gibsea 33 advertsed, both 2002 boats and (from the photos) look very clean. Both are asking £39950, which is within budget. Perhaps they don't generate the same opinions on here as Bavarias (!), 'cos I'm sure of I'd just asked about the Bav 32, opinions (mainly negative?) would have been flowing!
To be honest, SWMBO is not too bothered about make or model as long as it's "modern" and has been looked after to her standard. She is being being brave, because two years ago she fell off the S48 at 2300 in Yarmouth Harbour (no booze involved), knocked herself unconscious and I found her face down in the water. Luckily I heard the splash and managed to grab her with a boat hook before the tide took her away.With the help of the Yarmouth water taxi driver I managed to pull her back onboard, but it was very nasty.

So you can see I'm letting her get very involved in boat choice - I asked with particular interest in the Dufour and the Gibsea because I don't know too much about them and was hoping someone might have some experiences to tell. We'll see........

Cheers anyway

 

[30boat]

I'd go for the Dufour.The GibSea 33 doesn't have a good reputation as a sailing boat and is IMO a bit weird looking.

 

[Tranona]

Those two only sold in low volumes in the UK so you might not get much feedback. Dufours are generally pitched a bit above the others although the 32 classic was a very basic boat and quite popular in the Med charter market. Bavarias of that size/age are usually priced a bit higher than your budget and the 32 is quite a bit bigger than the 30, but usually more on the market. You are probably more likely to get in mast reefing if you want it with a Bavaria.

For the proposed use any would be fine - really is a matter at looking at what is available and buying the boat that appeals.

 

[PeteCooper]

I have sailed a Dufour Classic but I'm not sure if it was a 32 or possibly slightly larger. It was an OK boat to sail, but I felt that the primary winches were too small - perhaps a minor consideration.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Hi Milke, great to read that you and M are getting back into sailing!

Dont forget to keep some cash in the kitty for replacements and improvements, both above and below decks.

Hope to see you in Lymington sometime soon.

 

[nicho]

Thanks Nick - to be honest, I'm sure it will be a Bav of some sort - I would miss the sarchy comments if I chose something else! Lymington will be one of first ports of call, so we'll be in touch! The only improvement above decks will have to be the performance of the skipper!

 

[photodog]

40k might just get you into a circa 1999-2003 or so Bavaria 32 or 34... You should be able to get a 1999-2001 31 in that money.

The Dufour is a nice boat but frankly not a patch on the Bavaria 34 or 2... And I don't actually think its a CE Cat A boat either... versus the Bavaria 34 or 31 is not only Cat A ( and the 32 ) but are Germanischer Lloyds Certificated boats as well...

the GibSea is a POS. terrible sailor, poor detailing, bad interior layout... I doubt you will get a Bene 331 or SO 32 at that mney... But you might just get a Bene 311 which is a nice entertaining boat to sail, But lacks the accomodation of the Bavarias.. (the 31 or 32...)

Here is a absolute bargain if the price is including vat... (which it appears to be....).


http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...access=Public&listing_id=78824&url=&imc=pg-fs


The Bavaria 32 with deep keel is a good sailing boat, And the FB main on any of these helps a lot... The circa 2000 31 needs the deep keel and tends to be a bit tender at first which can be off putting for some as its not got the form stability that most of the others have...but settles into a groove well once going... And with its unique main sheet position is a doddle to sail short handed.. The 34 is not as quick to respond as your 36 will have been, but is a good solid performer with good space and a nice finish, Frankly it's probably the best all rounder of the bunch.. The later 32 was not quite as well built IMHO, but is a fine boat for a couple, especially as I said if you have the deep keel. (we had one for two weeks in the Caribean a few years back..)

There really is very little to go wrong on any of these... And our 31 has gone 8 seasons to date with little more than maintanence... By now I would expect that at least the forsail (elvstroms) on these vintage will need replacing... But our FB main is still doing well...

 

[Twister_Ken]

Here is a absolute bargain if the price is including vat... (which it appears to be....).


http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...access=Public&listing_id=78824&url=&imc=pg-fs

Appears to have teak decks, which might be why it looks like an 'absolute bargain'?

PS - welcome back, Mike.

 

[FullCircle]

We looked at the Gibsea range when we bought our Jeanneau. We thought they were very cheap and layouts not good. As an ex aircraft galley and interior designer, I thought they didn't make good use of space.

Mr Photodogs Bav31 is very nice, and seems cavernous for the length, decent cockpit.
Jeanneau 32.2 was our second choice, but usually a bit more expensive.

 

[photodog]

Appears to have teak decks, which might be why it looks like an 'absolute bargain'?

PS - welcome back, Mike.

If they are ok, I wouldn't have a issue.... It's just the typical glue down stuff... I am not a fan myself, but the boat is pretty well equipped with things like Roller bearing cars for the main... Etc.

Our cockpit stuff is still ok after 14 years...

 

[nicho]

Thanks Photodog, just the sort of information I was looking for. I am pretty sure it will be a Bav 32 0r 34, but was interested in hearing about the Dufour and the Gibsea. We are going around the Solent brokers this weekend, so will get some idea of what's available.

Thanks again.

 

[nicho]

Appears to have teak decks, which might be why it looks like an 'absolute bargain'?

PS - welcome back, Mike.

Thanks Ken, trust you are both well. The pull of the sea, eh!

 

[Tranona]

If they are ok, I wouldn't have a issue.... It's just the typical glue down stuff... I am not a fan myself, but the boat is pretty well equipped with things like Roller bearing cars for the main... Etc.

Our cockpit stuff is still ok after 14 years...

That will be plus VAT which puts it in line with VAT paid boats in UK at around £45k. The teak stands up pretty well if my cockpit is anything to go by - provided it is still stuck down.

 

[SimbaDog]

Hi Mike
If you need to convince SWMBO try & find a Beneteau 323 to look at, I showed mine one & after seeing at the huge heads/shower & we had to buy it
PS. Like your book View attachment 33616

 

[nicho]

Hi Mike
If you need to convince SWMBO try & find a Beneteau 323 to look at, I showed mine one & after seeing at the huge heads/shower & we had to buy it
PS. Like your book View attachment 33616

Thanks Simba! We are not closed to the idea of something other than a Bavaria, and will be looking at other makes. Pleased you like the book - it's been flying out the door and Motorsport News and Autosport are featuring it soon. Now, if enough people buy it, a Hallberg Rassy looks good............though right now I'd settle for recovering publishing/printing costs!!