Sailing Yacht brand ranking

[yacht]

Trying to find a ranking of sailing yacht brands in terms of build quality. Swan and Baltic Yachts are the best I would say but what comes next?

I'm potentially looking to buy a sailing yacht of around 40ft which can be sailed comfortably i.e. family cruiser aspects more important than racing as I have children aboard.
Looking to buy a yacht less than 10yrs old, price range 120k Sterling, any ideas? I would love a Scandi build as I'm from there myself, but cannot find any at this price point. What do you guys think of the German Boat builders Hanse, Bavaria ? I also like pilot houses but that's not a must, as only a few brands offer pilot houses on their boats, why is that? Who likes sailing outside in 5 degrees rain?

 

[Nostrodamus]

Trying to find a ranking of sailing yacht brands in terms of build quality. Swan and Baltic Yachts are the best I would say but what comes next?

I'm potentially looking to buy a sailing yacht of around 40ft which can be sailed comfortably i.e. family cruiser aspects more important than racing as I have children aboard.
Looking to buy a yacht less than 10yrs old, price range 120k Sterling, any ideas? I would love a Scandi build as I'm from there myself, but cannot find any at this price point. What do you guys think of the German Boat builders Hanse, Bavaria ? I also like pilot houses but that's not a must, as only a few brands offer pilot houses on their boats, why is that? Who likes sailing outside in 5 degrees rain?

It is nice to dream but you want the best of everything you will need to have deeper pockets.

 

[alant]

Trying to find a ranking of sailing yacht brands in terms of build quality. Swan and Baltic Yachts are the best I would say but what comes next?

I'm potentially looking to buy a sailing yacht of around 40ft which can be sailed comfortably i.e. family cruiser aspects more important than racing as I have children aboard.
Looking to buy a yacht less than 10yrs old, price range 120k Sterling, any ideas? I would love a Scandi build as I'm from there myself, but cannot find any at this price point. What do you guys think of the German Boat builders Hanse, Bavaria ? I also like pilot houses but that's not a must, as only a few brands offer pilot houses on their boats, why is that? Who likes sailing outside in 5 degrees rain?

Thought you were concerned about quality?
Just because they speak German, not quite the same as Audi/BMW levels.

PS
I wouldn't confuse price, with quality build.

 

[[2574]]

http://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats_for_sale/882871/

Not within your age range but otherwise right on spec. Our is twenty years old next year but with a quality build boat maintenance history is more important than age (in my opinion, anyway).

Rob

 

[yacht]

http://www.theyachtmarket.com/boats_for_sale/882871/

Not within your age range but otherwise right on spec. Our is twenty years old next year but with a quality build boat maintenance history is more important than age (in my opinion, anyway).

Rob

Thanks, sailed on a Nauticat 44 the first 15yrs of my life, so know them well. We had the first 44 ever built, so worked a lot w. Teak..

Anyways, does anyone have opinions on Hanse and Bavaria, can see loads of 5-10yr old within my price point referring to the first commenters point.

 

[Tranona]

Anyways, does anyone have opinions on Hanse and Bavaria, can see loads of 5-10yr old within my price point referring to the first commenters point.

Without wanting to sound trite - you get what you pay for. It is quite easy to see the difference between Bavarias/Hanses etc and boats such as the HR, but not necessarily easy to see why this results in such a big price differential - or rather justify paying the higher price.

However, speaking from having owned a Bavaria from new in 2001 the key things for me are that they are simply built in the sense of little hand finishing and clearly designed to be easy to put together. This means that in places the finish is a bit crude, but on the other hand it seems to result in reliability and easy maintenance. The basic engineering bits - engine, rig and many of the electrical fittings etc are the same makes as more expensive boats. Most models are lighter displacement than equivalent size more expensive boats and arguably more light weather orientated. Style is perhaps a personal issue, but newer boats are distinctly less "boaty" and tend to follow contemporary house interior style.

At the price/size point you are considering you have a wide choice, both of the type (from racy to cruisy) and perceived quality, but if you want a newish boat then you will be looking at one of the mass production boats, and if the type that were more expensive when new then you are looking at 15 years old or more. At that age many are in need of significant refits or replacements of obsolete kit so you need to consider the longer term costs of ownership, although history suggests that the higher priced when new boats retain more of their capital value over time.

So, there is no easy ranking, and the fact that there are so many choices of type of boats suggests that individuals make up their own mind about the boat that suits them.

Good luck with your search.

 

[GrahamM376]

Trying to find a ranking of sailing yacht brands in terms of build quality. Swan and Baltic Yachts are the best I would say but what comes next?

I'm potentially looking to buy a sailing yacht of around 40ft which can be sailed comfortably i.e. family cruiser aspects more important than racing as I have children aboard.
Looking to buy a yacht less than 10yrs old, price range 120k Sterling, any ideas? I would love a Scandi build as I'm from there myself, but cannot find any at this price point. What do you guys think of the German Boat builders Hanse, Bavaria ? I also like pilot houses but that's not a must, as only a few brands offer pilot houses on their boats, why is that? Who likes sailing outside in 5 degrees rain?

This is a can of worms as many will want to defend their own personal choice. What you haven't said is whether you're looking at a boat for weekend and holiday cruise use or have plans for future long distance sailing.

Sounds to me like you should be widening your search to include 20ish year old boats which generally have a heavier build, more traditional design and, plenty of money left over for a re-fit.

 

[[70521]]

Trying to find a ranking of sailing yacht brands in terms of build quality. Swan and Baltic Yachts are the best I would say but what comes next?

I'm potentially looking to buy a sailing yacht of around 40ft which can be sailed comfortably i.e. family cruiser aspects more important than racing as I have children aboard.
Looking to buy a yacht less than 10yrs old, price range 120k Sterling, any ideas? I would love a Scandi build as I'm from there myself, but cannot find any at this price point. What do you guys think of the German Boat builders Hanse, Bavaria ? I also like pilot houses but that's not a must, as only a few brands offer pilot houses on their boats, why is that? Who likes sailing outside in 5 degrees rain?

Where do you plan to sail, I take it Scotland is not on your list as we have horizontal rain, what type of sailing do you like doing, a three week passage or port hoping?

Boreal 47 would fit your spec, sadly no boats that old for sale.

 

[rotrax]

Where do you plan to sail, I take it Scotland is not on your list as we have horizontal rain, what type of sailing do you like doing, a three week passage or port hoping?

Boreal 47 would fit your spec, sadly no boats that old for sale.

They are not for everybody, but Island Packet Yachts are woth a look if you want build quality.

They are like the Tardis inside as well-lots of room and storage space.

Google IPhomeport and see what the owners say-warts and all!

Plenty of for sale as as well.

We love our 350-except going astern.........................

 

[dunedin]

They are not for everybody, but Island Packet Yachts are woth a look if you want build quality.

They are like the Tardis inside as well-lots of room and storage space.

Google IPhomeport and see what the owners say-warts and all!

Plenty of for sale as as well.

We love our 350-except going astern.........................

But not for actually sailing performance, which is kind of important for many of us for a sail boat ;-)

The OP needs to clarify what his priorities are before anybody can narrow the options down and give sensible advice

 

[rotrax]

But not for actually sailing performance, which is kind of important for many of us for a sail boat ;-)

The OP needs to clarify what his priorities are before anybody can narrow the options down and give sensible advice

Whatever floats your boat...................................

Now give me your thoughts on the build quality and ranking -which is nearer what the OP was asking about.

The OP specificaly mentioned family sailing, not performance.

 

[Marmalade]

Whatever floats your boat...................................

Now give me your thoughts on the build quality and ranking -which is nearer what the OP was asking about.

The OP specificaly mentioned family sailing, not performance.

OK then... (cat amongst pigeons time...)

In my mind (and I know nothing of the US market or elsewhere and I exclude one-offs)

=1. Swan, Oyster, Amel, Discovery
=2. A whole bunch of Northern European and mostly Scandinavian builders (e.g. Rassy, Sweden Yachts, Malo, Najad, Nauticat, Nordship, Contest and Hans Christian - yes I know they're Dutch and Sirius - German)
=3. Ovni, Southerly, Rustler, Vancouver, Maxi, Wauquiez, X-yachts
=4. Trad Brit boats: Westerly, Moody, Contessa, Starlight, Elizabethan, Sadler, Sigma, Hunter
=5. Dehler, Hanse,
=6. Modern mass produced boats: Bav, Ben, Jen, Catalina, Legend (Hunter in the US), Dufour

 

[grumpy_o_g]

Sirius from Germany. Nordship, Degero and Nauticat from Scandinavia. Northshore/Vancouver from the UK. All very good build quality by reputation and price and some models with deck saloons - the fixtures and fittings on the two Nauticats and the Degero that I've been on have been noticeably better than the Jeanneaus and similar that I've also sailed. Things just don't wobble as much and look better after some years use. Older Bavarias seem to have good build quality too if not quite as solid as the above.

 

[yacht]

Thanks! This is good stuff!

Will be surfing online loads of boat adverts in the coming months, so far Hanse 400 seems quite attractive to me, what do you think of Hanse 400?

OK then... (cat amongst pigeons time...)

In my mind (and I know nothing of the US market or elsewhere and I exclude one-offs)

=1. Swan, Oyster, Amel, Discovery
=2. A whole bunch of Northern European and mostly Scandinavian builders (e.g. Rassy, Sweden Yachts, Malo, Najad, Nauticat, Nordship, Contest and Hans Christian - yes I know they're Dutch and Sirius - German)
=3. Ovni, Southerly, Rustler, Vancouver, Maxi, Wauquiez, X-yachts
=4. Trad Brit boats: Westerly, Moody, Contessa, Starlight, Elizabethan, Sadler, Sigma, Hunter
=5. Dehler, Hanse,
=6. Modern mass produced boats: Bav, Ben, Jen, Catalina, Legend (Hunter in the US), Dufour

 

[Twister_Ken]

At that price you might - if you're lucky - find a Vancouver 38 pilot house for sale. If you can, and it's in good nick, I don't think you could do better. They are hen's teeth, though - they tend to be kept rather than traded.

 

[Tempus]

Thanks! This is good stuff!

Will be surfing online loads of boat adverts in the coming months, so far Hanse 400 seems quite attractive to me, what do you think of Hanse 400?

my strong advice would be to get out and sail one and make your own mind up. You'll get as many opinions on here as members.

Some pointers

1 you start with a quality ranking, but then have a price /length ratio which precludes the top Marques - is quality ranking really that important to you vs a lot of boat for the money? Hanse is a nice boat, but nowhere near the top of a quality tree

2- I think this is your first boat? If so, why 40ft? Bigger is harder to learn and heavier when things go wrong. When we had kids we went for a HR36. Trading solidity and a safe cockpit for size. Kept her 13 yrs so a good decision I think.

3- as others have said it depends where you will sail and with whom. I'd personally not fancy the v open cockpit of a modern Hanse with tiny kids, but you don't give any indication on this

4- All boats are a trade off between build weight/bespoke ness and cost or performance vs stability or any other of about 6 trade offs. Only you can decide where you are on those lines, and only by honesty rather than dreams -don't worry, we all dream!

above all I'd suggest you make sure you buy something easy to sell as most people learn a lot about themselves ad the boats they really like (as opposed to dream about) in the first couple of seasons and then change to something more suitable. Good luck

 

[pvb]

=1. Swan, Oyster, Amel, Discovery
=2. A whole bunch of Northern European and mostly Scandinavian builders (e.g. Rassy, Sweden Yachts, Malo, Najad, Nauticat, Nordship, Contest and Hans Christian - yes I know they're Dutch and Sirius - German)
=3. Ovni, Southerly, Rustler, Vancouver, Maxi, Wauquiez, X-yachts
=4. Trad Brit boats: Westerly, Moody, Contessa, Starlight, Elizabethan, Sadler, Sigma, Hunter
=5. Dehler, Hanse,
=6. Modern mass produced boats: Bav, Ben, Jen, Catalina, Legend (Hunter in the US), Dufour

Interesting! I'd have put Rustler in with =1, or certainly with =2. And I can't see that Dehler and Hanse are significantly better than the other mass-produced products.

 

[Tranona]

Thanks! This is good stuff!

Will be surfing online loads of boat adverts in the coming months, so far Hanse 400 seems quite attractive to me, what do you think of Hanse 400?

Hanses are more properly in the no 6 category in that ranking - but as ever there is a degree of subjectivity. However, they are priced and specced to compete with Bavaria, Beneteau and Jeanneau. They do try to differentiate in style and performance and are less active in the big volume charter market. The brand has expanded rapidly and there have been issues with quality in recent years.

There are very few really bad boats on the market and often the differences are subtle and subjective, so you need to look at a lot of boats to get a feel for what you are comfortable with. Might be worth doing a couple of charters to experience what modern mass production boats are like if you are going that route rather than an older more upmarket brand.

 

[yacht]

Thanks. I've owned some motor boats and currently own a Fairline Targa 34' a bit small that's why I want 40ft and prefer sailing as used to sail as a kid on a Nauticat 44.. My wife is finally convinced sailing is not as boring as it looks to her so now is a good time to move into sailing

Been on a few Beneteaus don't like em, cheap feel. Did my Day Skipper tidal on a Bene 41, the Hanses I've seen seem nicer.
The thing with these older premium boats is that I currently work 11hour days in Finance in the City so won't have time fixing and repairing stuff

my strong advice would be to get out and sail one and make your own mind up. You'll get as many opinions on here as members.

Some pointers

1 you start with a quality ranking, but then have a price /length ratio which precludes the top Marques - is quality ranking really that important to you vs a lot of boat for the money? Hanse is a nice boat, but nowhere near the top of a quality tree

2- I think this is your first boat? If so, why 40ft? Bigger is harder to learn and heavier when things go wrong. When we had kids we went for a HR36. Trading solidity and a safe cockpit for size. Kept her 13 yrs so a good decision I think.

3- as others have said it depends where you will sail and with whom. I'd personally not fancy the v open cockpit of a modern Hanse with tiny kids, but you don't give any indication on this

4- All boats are a trade off between build weight/bespoke ness and cost or performance vs stability or any other of about 6 trade offs. Only you can decide where you are on those lines, and only by honesty rather than dreams -don't worry, we all dream!

above all I'd suggest you make sure you buy something easy to sell as most people learn a lot about themselves ad the boats they really like (as opposed to dream about) in the first couple of seasons and then change to something more suitable. Good luck

 

[Eyore]

Unless I was trying to impress certain members of the Royal Yacht Squadron or suchlike I'd buy what I liked best at the budget I had. Never in my life considered boats as brands in the same way as cars which seems to be the way OP thinks.