Perfect Solent Dayboat?

[Nick_H]

We're still planning a move to the South Coast, probably somewhere in or around the Solent, but main boat will stay in France, so i'm thinking of possible dayboat for general blatting around, lunch stops and the occasional overnighter, and maybe a bit further afield in settled weather.

Preferences are:

25-35'
good hull for Solent chop
seat 4 comfortably at the cockpit table, 6 at a push
sunpad for 2 adults (can be convertible seats)
Spaciousness of accomodation not important, but must have berth, bog, cooler, and hob.
Sleek classy looks, quality build, not too jelly mouldish
Decent wind deflection, but not enclosed helm
2-6 yrs old
5 figure price

Top of the list so far is Windy 28 Giblets, or 31/2 Tornado. Cranchi 33 Endurance (old version) seems worth a look, F/L Targa 30/34. Maybe Hunton 34 if I stretch the budget, Superhawk 34?

Any others to consider? Chris Craft seem to make some nice boats, any other premium US boats, Scandi boats that don't look so utalitarian, or Italian boats i'd not have heard of? I quite like the idea of something a bit unusual so long as it works in the UK.

Not in a great rush, but looking for a good deal in the current climate, so figure I may as well keep an eye out over the next few months.

 

[jfm]

What about a Targa, the industrial ones not the fairline? They look the biz. Rod (mole sud) is thinking of getting one (the 40 summink footer) for the Solent, so go halves!?

 

[noswad]

The Swordsman 30 is a good Solent boat - built by Swordsman Marine on the Hamble. I think most (if not all?) are jet drive which is ideal for getting to the more shallow places and not having to worry too much about lobster pots and nets. Think it meets all your listed requirements except I'm not sure if the 2nd hand prices are sub 100k yet.

 

[Nick_H]

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. I'm afraid I wasn't able to convince SWMBO on the "purposeful" look, so it has to be sleek and swish. Also, I definitely want an open helm so I can ... umm... get cold and wet.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

This is pretty much the same thought process I went thru last year except not quite as big a budget/length spec. I ended up with a RIB which, in retrospect, was probably a mistake because I don't like getting cold or wet and there is no bog, no shelter, no nothing. On the plus side, RIBS are great fun to drive and a decent one will take a much lumpier sea than an equivalent all plastic boat. I did take a look at peche promenades also but neither I nor the SWMBO liked their utilitarian feel
jfm's suggestion of a Botnia Targa is a good idea but they are silly money both new and used because of high demand but they definitely do the business at sea
FWIW I'm thinking of changing my RIB for something with more shelter and a bog and I really like the Chris Craft Catalina range. They're beautifully made and detailed (go see the 23 at LIBS) and they do have a bog in the centre console but probably don't have sufficient accomodation for you. Supposed to be good seaboats
Other than that, I think the Windy's are fab boats and have that element of class that most other boats in their size range don't have

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Windy 28 is titchy down below; 31 Tornado has that odd cockpit/sunpad arrangement at the rear of the cockpit. Would have thought 32 Tornado would be favourite for your needs - it has the sliding backrest thing to turn the cockpit seating into the sunpad. Personally I really like the Superhawk but they are more of a two-person boat than a four-person I think. Gjgm has a Windy 34 (and previously had the 28) so I'm sure he'll be along in a moment.

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[jhr]

I was thinking of the Swordsman 30 as well, for something a bit off the wall. It doesn't have a twin sunpad (but I guess you could fabricate some kind of insert for the u-shaped cockpit seating) but it ticks most of the other boxes.

Not sure if there are any on the market but in any event - as you imply - I doubt that they would be sub £100k, yet.

I'd go for a Windy Ghibli - or even a Mirage /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif.

 

[Nick_H]

Yeh, I was seriously considering the Windy Oceancraft 760, which is sort of like a RIB in layout, but does at least have a bog and a very occasional berth, however I think boats that open are just too cold, too much of the time, in the UK.

 

[LAMBADA]

Something from the Cobalt range?

 

[Nick_H]

Titchy down below isn't such a problem ( /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif ), as we really only plan to stay overnight occasionally, then head back next day, and of course the cramped interior is the reason why it looks sleek and also helps the handling. I didn't realise the Tornado 31/32 had different layouts, so that's useful info, thanks.

 

[jfm]

OK what about getting much boat for your £ and getting another of the more recent Sealines. This c39 is very nice - (Sealines always fall into 2 types in my mind, the nice ones and the not nice, and the c39 is definitely nice). SonVida had one iirc, so he can comment better
http://www.essexboatyards.com/boats/view.php/191/Sealine%20C39.html

It's at EssexBY who are fantastic to deal with and can do any mods you want.

They also have a blue 42. More than your budget but I gotta say this looks much nicer in blue than white - I've walked past it several times (only came into stock a couple of wks ago). Why not get the 39 and ask them to paint it blue or black. They do a great paint job
http://www.essexboatyards.com/boats/view.php/331/Sealine%20S42.html

 

[Nick_H]

I like the Swordsman, but not really into retro boats personally.

 

[Nick_H]

Yep, i've seen some nice Cobalt boats, they seem more stylish than a lot of generic US built stuff, i'll take a look.

 

[Nautorius]

Nick,

I must admit that for me an Aquador 26 open or 28 open would be the one. Serious all weather hull, well built, lots of space, good cooker, heads, teak etc. In the UK the open versions bring less than the Hard Tops by 15%. Personally I would get the hard top version as when we had the Aquador as a day/overnight boat we used her a lot more than an open because we never looked at the weather! See 26DC Here and 28DC Here.

Another thing to consider is that most boats up to 30ft can be dry stored which means a lot less hassle and if you use MDL you still get 15 nights free in a maraina!

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Nick_H]

Funny you say that, the C39 did catch my attention as good value and hyper-practical UK boat. As with a lot of Sealine ideas, was a bit ahead of its time, now every Tom Dick and Magnum has a hard top. Certainly not the sleek Solent dayboat, but could also be used for longer trips to South West, France, Holland, which is a plus.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

The photos of this Tornado 31 show the rear cockpit thing quite clearly. Contrast it to this Grand Tornado 32 where you can see the sliding backrest arrangement. I really like the 32, I think it's probably the ideal day boat.

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[LAMBADA]

Ooh! ooh! just remembered Formula (real class).

 

[Nick_H]

Yes, 28DC, like that a lot. It's an artists impression though, which I guess means they haven't built any, so none second hand in the UK, and I certainly wont be buying a new European boat in Euro currency at the moment.

 

[MapisM]

Romance 32\'

[ QUOTE ]
Italian boats i'd not have heard of? I quite like the idea of something a bit unusual

[/ QUOTE ]

 

[SeaDave]

Maybe a Linetti?