Relative pros and cons: Broom Ocean 42 v Princess 414?

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NealB

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Central London: It's cold, rain is hammering the coachroof, the papers lie read on the saloon table, I've drunk too much coffee....

Does this august forum have any views on the relative merits of these boats: build quality, finish, likely depreciation, 'desirability'......anything at all?

For those that missed my post last week, we spend about 8 months a year living on board, so comfort and space rates very highly. Lots of stowage space, including hanging lockers for city suits. We've been looking at boats with asking prices of £60-80K ish.

Thread drift most warmly welcomed.
 
Neal,

Both boats have alawys done well on the secondhand market and have loyal supporters! I can only talk from the 'buying second hand reviews' in YBW etc but they are both great,if dated boats.

However if you could stretch the busget to £100k you could get a 3 cabin, 1993 52ft flybridge from a top UK Manufacturer. At this stage you are probably thinking Fairline...but what about a Sunseeker caribbean? This is the bargain of space V's value on the market at the moment, Slightly weird layout for cruising, but would make a great live aboard as the crew cabin which is accessed off the sunken galley can be turned into a large utility for washer dryer and 'stuff'.

See this bargain HERE!

Food for thought!

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Thanks - food for thought indeed!

Possibly too flash and 007ish for me, and almost definitely too thirsty (2 x 550hp = bloody juicy, doesn't it?).

BUT...my 17 yo nephew would love it!
 
I know the market favours the buyer at the moment but your price range would need a good discount off a Broom 42. I think it is entirely doable but sellers can sometimes take a lot of convincing that their pride and joy isn't worth what it was.

The Broom will have a lot more liveaboard space given the aft cabin and I would put the re-sale as better than the 414 but then I have a soft spot for Brooms. Excellent sea boats and built like tanks.
 
Thanks for your thoughts, Greg, that's exactly the sort or views I'm after.

I just wonder if we've got our Brooms crossed? I'm looking at at the Ocean 42 rather than the newer 42. Which did you have in mind?

Regards,

Neal
 
Hi , now for my bit.

Worked on both boats over the years.

The broom is the one for many many reasons, build quality, engine access, useable space for live aboard, useability in bad weather, the list goes on. I know where you can buy a 1984 one for peanuts, pm me if your interested.

The 414 were mainly fitted with volvo penta tamd 60b or c version engines, though some of the early mark 1 versions had the ford maermaids in which are simple to service and parts are cheap.

The mk1 version was similar inside to the older 41 model.

The later mk 2 version sported black alloy framed windows and a different more useable modern interior layout.

Again I would go for the broom if its space and quality you need, if its speed and looks then the princess is the one, you may even get a princess 435 for around 75/85k at the moment there getting a bit dated now.

Essex boatyards had a damaged boat at 60k but its gone now.

Good luckin your search and get a full survey including engines which I would be happy to carry out for you.
 
I love that Sunseeker!
First glance, I thought it looked a bit dated..........
2nd glance........wow, clasic good looks! V James Bondish, would love one!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for your thoughts, Greg, that's exactly the sort or views I'm after.

I just wonder if we've got our Brooms crossed? I'm looking at at the Ocean 42 rather than the newer 42. Which did you have in mind?

Regards,

Neal

[/ QUOTE ]

Neal, I think your budget may rule out the later model by some margin.
 
Yes...I agree wholeheartedly.

The later Broom 42s are beyond my budget by some multiples.

There are several older Ocean 42s, however, on for asking prices within my budget.
 
Hi Greg, the Ocean 42 is truely massive inside compared to the current 42 CL which is really 40ft with 2ft bathing platform, but the Ocean 42 has 42ft internal space bow to transom, and is massive inside with the awesome aft cabin. High free board. 414 also an excellent boat but the 42 out does it for shere living space.
 
As others have said surely as you want a liveaboard "first" and I assume fast cruiser second, the choice is obviously the one with the massive aft cabin.

I had Broom Crown 37 and even that had a very large saloon and spacious aft cabin, could have lived on it if my missus had'nt prefered our borin old three bed bungalow at the time.
 
Definitely the Broom. Agree with Oceanfroggie. The Ocean 42 is simply massive inside and therefore better suited to liveaboard use. The build quality will also be better than the Prinnie and Broom owners tend to be fastidious types who look after their boats. Another big plus for the Broom is that I think they all had fold down radar arch and upper windscreen so the Broom will be able to get under lower bridges and therefore be better suited to inland cruising, if you want to do that. Might be a factor for getting to the Med thru French canal system, for example
 
Sorry, I was referring to the older 42. They tended to be on the market for £100-£120k but in current conditions probably less - haven't really been looking lately so you are probably better informed than me on current prices. Mind you, asking price of circa £80k still sounds quite low. Not that long ago that a Crown would have cost you that!!

Update - Just done a search and see what you mean - lot of boat for the money /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Greg...you're right: a lot of boat for the money at the moment....but the fear (as a potential buyer) is how it will look in a year's time.

Where did I leave that crystal ball?
 
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