seaworthiness of flybridge boats

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columk

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Of the flybridge motor yachts available on the market, is there much difference in the build quality. All the brochures look great but for someone like me who has no knowledge of boats I would like to hear opinions of which boats perform better in the open seas, is there much difference between speeds, fuel consumption, smoothness etc from one manufacturer to another, and is any one country known to produce better boats than others. I had heard the Italian boats were very good, and have since read some claim the Italian boats such as Azimut are built for show rather than sea-handling.
The Fairliner, Princess and Sunseeker boats look good, is build quality equal on them all, and how about price. What other boats are considered to be of excellent quality? Which boats hold their used prices best, and so on. I would be interested and grateful to hear views of experienced boat users.
 
My 'experience' that the reason that you have had no responses is likely to be that, as in so many things, forumites have pretty srong views on these things and are not backward at having a go at anyone who may dare to hold a different view, no matter how well-informed or balanced.
Have a look at some of the previous threads on specific models or makes and you will see what I mean.
I have a Sealine and I am delighted with it. But... (see following threads) :)
 
Hi, columk. I think the only reason you haven't had a response already is that the question covers an enormous amount of subject matter.

A lot is going to depend on where you are going to base the boat. If I was buying a f/b for use in UK waters I would look first at the big four Brit builders: Fairline, Princess, Sunseeker and Sealine.

Out of these F/L and Prin are basically the same or similar hulls with different finishes, Sunseeker is maybe more directed at building product for the mediterranean market and S/L is a bit more focused on maxing out the accommodation.

You might easily find something else you prefer but, if you go outside this group of builders, ask if you will sell it as easily.

Whatever you buy will lose money but some will hang around more than others.

Italian yards also seem to be viewed as building for the med market.

Jeanneau (French) and Rodman (Spanish) have to be worth a look.

In terms of build quality there are many on here who have a detailed working knowledge. I'd just say that you can get a good idea by the volume of mastic used.

Well worth reading tests (MBY has a good library of them) on whatever boats you are interested in.
 
If you compare older (8 years plus) princess, fairline and sealine then the fairline and princess's are better sea boats and some would say better built. If you are looking at newish boats then there is very little in it
 
Flybridge boats are Mediterranean of origin..... so the early Princess, Sunseekers etc., were copying their designs.. Early on, Italians and some of the French yards (Guy Coach inclusive), had a very different build quality to the British yards. The Italians stayed more true to the deep V hulls for a longer time than the French and British counterparts and modified V hulls came in. You cannot compare a 80's boat from any of these yards to the ones produced today. 80's design and quality, I'd hold a preference to Italian and some French... the 90's saw a change of pace in the UK and in the smaller ranges (28 - 45 ft), they were getting closer to their Mediterranean competion and in some cases surpassing them.... Late 90's and into 2000, it becomes a question of preference of Marque, Layout and what you focus on as being of value to you as a owner/user.

So in summary... what are you looking for and what do you value ? Only by knowing this, would anyone be able of objectively advising you..
 
Listen to the 11 different opinions from 10 different boaters and then hit the brokerages and Marina "For Sale" boards.find the one you like(ie, what the wife likes) and buy that one.
You can then make all the mistakes that everyone one on here has made and maybe end up finally with the boat you NEED as opposed to the one you think you want.
Main consideration is where and when are you going to use it UK or Med how big ?
Ferrinstance around the Solent,you will need something fairly quick and probably newish,basically because ever other boater down there wants to be in Studland to see the seahorses over the weekend and you need to get there first.:)Also accomodation,unless you intend to undertake long and extended voyages,most outings will be day trips,do you really need 3 cabins or instead some decent living/socialising space.
On the Thames,does not need to be quick (5 mph max ) and flybridges can be a disadvantage, a command bridge ie. Broom are more practical.
Other thing to remember,you may be lucky enough to have a other half who really enjoys going boating,but if not and you run out of friends,will the boat be too big to handle on your own.
A rough guide to boat running costs is around 10% PA of the purchase price.
There are loads of people on here who keep boats all over the place your boating area would help.
 
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Welcome columk
There is a load of knowledge on here.
You mention you have no knowledge of boats.
That's fine.
It would help however if you could give Us Lot an idea of what you want to achieve in this Mad boaty World

Most flybridge usefull boats start at about 35 ft
Which is quite big for a first one but again that's fine.

The title of your post asked about seaworthiness then you go on to ask about build quality etc.
Yer pays yer money etc etc it's mostly the same with boats
Depreciation and which make /brand etc
Well
That's like being down the Pub and all the 'experts' are harping on about Mercs Audis Volvos de blah de blah!!!

If you are looking at your first boat
I would not go down the new route
Most on here will agree
It is really hard to find the vessel that suits you first time
Take a look at the titernet
Pick-- say a 50ft Princess fly or a Fairline etc etc
Look at 3 year old ones.
Then price similar new
One thing is for sure
If you choose a 'recognised' make like those you have mentioned this definately the way to go ref cutailing too much depreciation
Sometimes a more obscure manufacturer's offerings look like good buys or bargains
But thats when you loose when selling.

Again, back to seaworthiness
It's back down to the Pub again!!

See what peeps come up with on here
Look at lots and lots of boats
Take your time.
But yes, it would be nice to know where you want to sail and what you intend to do
Has anything particular caught your eye?
 
I don't think either of us lending each other a few coins is going to help. Can we steal one - the police and other organisations on the Thames have a few! I'm sure they wouldn't miss one :)
 
columk said:
Of the flybridge motor yachts available on the market, is there much difference in the build quality. All the brochures look great but for someone like me who has no knowledge of boats I would like to hear opinions of which boats perform better in the open seas, is there much difference between speeds, fuel consumption, smoothness etc from one manufacturer to another, and is any one country known to produce better boats than others. I had heard the Italian boats were very good, and have since read some claim the Italian boats such as Azimut are built for show rather than sea-handling.
The Fairliner, Princess and Sunseeker boats look good, is build quality equal on them all, and how about price. What other boats are considered to be of excellent quality? Which boats hold their used prices best, and so on. I would be interested and grateful to hear views of experienced boat users.
Click to expand...

How big a boat do you want, what do you want to pay. Remember an older 35 ft boat, It's new equivelent is classed as 40 plus feet these days.

Look for Bernard Olsinki boats. What ever you buy, you wont go wrong with a Princess or fairline. Newer sealines seem ok. Though they will have changed
the anchor chain locker into some sort of bed room. If marina based go for Sealine. If wanting to cruise seriously go for Princess or Fairline.
 
BrendanS said:
Ignore everyone else. If what you are concerned about is sea worthiness, then what you need is one of these. Everyone else is completely wrong! :)

http://www.targa.fi/
Click to expand...

Ha Ha Ha,..... only ever seen parked up on sheltered waters above Wapping (Police)or tied up at Marinas for 53 weks a year(EA boat at MBM at Rochester).
Bit like the old Volvo is a safe car myth ......if you believed the adverts .:):):)
Has anybody actually seen one on salt water or even moving for that matter.?
Now what he really need is


http://www.rnli.org.uk/assets/lifeboats/Tamar 228x186_228_186.jpg
 
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omega2 said:
what about one of these??
http://www.goodchildmarine.co.uk/leisurecraft.asp
Click to expand...

yes please...... sod the flybridge idea

orc-fpc.jpg
 
Azimut used Bernard Olesinski from end of eighties until a couple years ago early 2000s, before now switching to US Michael Peters in the new hulls.
Michael Peters is considered the best hull deep vee designer of recent times, togather with Brunello Acampora from Victory in Italy.
Olesinski hulls are ok, but this idealization to him to what is a very similar copy to a David Napier design (eighties Bertram) is beyond my understanding....
What never worked so well in the Olenski hull is the bow high ride his boats create with tunnel props
 
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