Pearl 50??

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desperatelyseeking

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I was browsing the pages of the latest MBM classifieds and spotted the aft cabin Pearl 60. I really like the look of it but probably too big for my needs. Then i discovered Pearl also make a 50. There is one for sale at £289k which seems a decent price for a 2006 boat. Shaft drives, two double ensuite cabins, flybridge, hydraulic bathing platform/passarelle - what's not to like? But after googling, there isn't a single review of the boat I can find. Anyone seen a review , owned one, know someone that owns one, opinions?
 
Both the Pearl 50 and 60 are indeed nice boats and the hulls are reputedly seakindly as well. The 'whats not to likes' are these. They lack any kind of lazarette storage for large items like folding bikes but thats not uncommon with aft cabin boats, the flybridges are relatively smaller in size than typical aft cockpit boats and engine access is via the saloon and is quite tight. Pearl is a relatively small builder, although they've been around for quite a few years, and I've heard that the quality of construction may vary so best get any boat you're considering thoroughly surveyed. Also because Pearl are small and less well known, selling the boat on afterwards might be tougher than a PrinFairSeeker. I have looked quite closely at a Pearl 60 recently myself and I liked what I saw but the lack of lazarette storage is a dealbreaker for me
 
I agree all that Mike says, plus i've also heard these boats didn't reach the stated max and cruising speeds, though I don't know what engines that related to. If I were buying one, i'd insist on a clause in the sales contract that allowed me to walk away after sea trial if it didn't reach a pre-agreed speed on test.
 
Nick_H said:
I agree all that Mike says, plus i've also heard these boats didn't reach the stated max and cruising speeds, though I don't know what engines that related to. If I were buying one, i'd insist on a clause in the sales contract that allowed me to walk away after sea trial if it didn't reach a pre-agreed speed on test.
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I've always assumed that's a given with a sea trial, at least on a used boat. On a couple of occasions, I've threatened to walk away when a boat didn't get close to the manufacturer's stated top speed on sea trial.
 
Deleted User said:
I've always assumed that's a given with a sea trial, at least on a used boat. On a couple of occasions, I've threatened to walk away when a boat didn't get close to the manufacturer's stated top speed on sea trial.
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That depends which contract you sign, but most only allow the buyer to walk away if there is a material fault. Does a boat have a material fault if it goes as fast as it always did, but doesn't reach the manufacturers guideline preformance figures, which are always provided with a caveat anyway? Personally i've always refused to sign any contract until after the sea trial, and accepted the risk that the seller gets a better offer.
 
Many thanks to all for posting - especially the attached report. Interesting points, as usual the forum is a great source of experience and information. Looks like it's one of those boats you have to buy with your eyes wide open - truthfully, I'd only go for it if I could get it at a price that makes me more comfortable about selling it in a few years without the Prinfairseeker premium.
 
I agree with mike. Nice boat if aft cabin floats your boat. The price you pay is a very small fybridge

As mike said, check build quality. Recent stuff seems ok and the fit and finish on the 75 is ok apart from the sloppy engine room. But I've been on a 55 or 60 from 2005 ish and it was built on a Friday for sure. So just check

Again as mike said be very careful on the economics. The residuals on these boats are scary and buyers of these new have taken a big bath generally. While some folks like aft cabin plenty more don't. And there is a very thin market for these in the med so you don't have the med market under pinning your exit price. Owners can perhaps sell these in Mallorca but in south of France forget it unless you give it away. If you like the boat then great and I can see it being a fine boat but don't pay too much and remember when bidding you are likely the only game in town
 
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Nick_H said:
That depends which contract you sign, but most only allow the buyer to walk away if there is a material fault. Does a boat have a material fault if it goes as fast as it always did, but doesn't reach the manufacturers guideline preformance figures, which are always provided with a caveat anyway? Personally i've always refused to sign any contract until after the sea trial, and accepted the risk that the seller gets a better offer.
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Yup thats a good policy but I would certainly argue that failure to reach the manufacturer's specified top speed is indicative of a material fault until proven otherwise. How do you get over the hurdle of getting a sea trial before contract because many sellers/brokers insist on a contract before sea trial?
 
jfm said:
Again as mike said be very careful on the economics. The residuals on these boats are scary and buyers if these new have taken a big bath generally. While some folks like aft cabin plenty more don't. And there is a very thin market for these in the med. you can perhaps sell it in Mallorca but in south of France forget it unless you give it away. If you like the boat then great and I can see it being a fine boat but don't pay too much and remember when bidding you are likely the only game in town
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Yup, I was just going to say that all of the P60s on the market now were on the market 6 months ago or longer so you definitely need to buy low in order to sell low
 
If you go ahead towards buying it sloosh a hosepipe on side decks. I've been on a Friday-build one of these that had a puddle on the side deck where the C pillar weight bears on the deck. No kidding. Port side, fwiw
 
Deleted User said:
How do you get over the hurdle of getting a sea trial before contract because many sellers/brokers insist on a contract before sea trial?
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Demonstrate you have the funds available, offer to get the survey and sea trial organised within a week to 10 days, and don't expect the seller to take the boat off the market in the meantime.
 
Nick_H said:
Demonstrate you have the funds available, offer to get the survey and sea trial organised within a week to 10 days, and don't expect the seller to take the boat off the market in the meantime.
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ON a prestige 36 I was buying second hand, I was sent a contract before sea trial to which I changed the wording to say that it was not binding and I could just walk away and have full deposit returned. It was accepted by the broker.

As it happened it was a fine vessel and lasted me 5 years, without trouble
 
Powersalt said:
ON a prestige 36 I was buying second hand, I was sent a contract before sea trial to which I changed the wording to say that it was not binding and I could just walk away and have full deposit returned. It was accepted by the broker.

As it happened it was a fine vessel and lasted me 5 years, without trouble
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Yep - did very similar stating that if it did not perform as expected and I did not like the way she handled at Sea (prestige 32 as it happens!!), I could reject the boat - owner and broker accepted the addendum. Like you, she was great and I had 3 great years with her.
 
I personally really like the Pearls, although maybe I'm a a bit biased, as we do some work for them. Lack of lazerette is always going to be an issue with an aft cabin boat, so this is a personal choice thing. Compared with Fair/Prin/Sun they are a bit left field, which for me makes them more interesting.
I love the 75, but am wary of the pod drive system, but the style and features are really stand out.
I believe that aftersales care is really good, as Ian, the MD takes as really personal interest in each boat! and with Pearl, they are small enough for him to do so.
I'm sure that if you know the hull number if the boat you are interested in, give Ian a call, and he will know the history.
 
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