Shaft drive sports boats

[Guest]

I have my flybridge Princess 388 for sale at the moment, now after the weather and soaking we had last summer I really fancy something that has some shelter at the helm, and before you all say "Why dont you helm from downstairs" you cannot see too good and everyone wants to sit there anyway, so the next boat may be a sports or Broom type boat, now being in the repair trade then I know plenty about Brooms etc but have never been out on a sports boat, so lets hear it from them that have one if its on legs then fine, I just want your comments please, I quite like the Princess 406 Riviera, as theres one for sale in my marina.!

Paul js.

 

[Guest]

Hi Paul I'm a great fan of the aft helm on my Broom and the weather protection it affords. I have cruised
in frosty weather & rain, and was able to use the aft helm without freezing or getting soaked, the one
prob with flybridges as you say. Add to this that it is so easy to slip down into cabin if you need something
without having to climb down ladders.

As for sports cruisers we are looking to get a place in southern Spain soon and will be looking for a sports
cruiser as the obvious choice. Fancy the Riviera 36 or 46 (did'nt know they did a 406) its got an Olesinki hull
I believe, and is more likely to come with shafts than Targas. Regards CGN PS Piers is selling his Princess V39.

cneighbour

 

[ChrisP]

Re: Humber

Used to get a good ducking even on wet grass in the other boat. Never had so much as a drop of spray over the top in the Humber. Messers Bennett and Booker appear to have got it right.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I went through the same process myself, Paul. I had a succession of flybridge boats myself and got fed up with freezing half to death on my own upstairs so I thought I'd try a sportsboat for a change. I looked at loads of shaftdrive and sterndrive sports boats and was finally seduced by the newness of a Sealine S37. Big mistake. Apart from the old sterndrive v shaftdrive issue, I dont think sportsboats are well suited to cruising in the UK for a number of reasons. Firstly the accomodation is much smaller than the equivalent flybridge boat and that goes for everything, saloon, cabins, toilets, the lot. So we ended up sitting in the cockpit all the time which brings me onto the next problem which is the cockpit covers. They are universally a complete bitch to put up and take down especially at sea. However, despite all this there are some tasty shaftdrive sports boats out there which I understand are very good drives. I looked at Fairline Targas 41 and 42, Sunseeker Mustique 42 or Camargue 46. Princesses 46 and 406. The 406 has an odd accomodation layout with 2 toilets taking up the starboard side of the saloon and the galley/seating in line rather than opposite each other. I understand this arrangement didnt meet with universal approval and Princess only built a few of them. Being a Princess it will go well and there were some built with Cat 3208's although most had Volvos. I think the 406 is a bit of an oddball and not easy to sell on so dont pay the asking. I wouldnt pay more than £90-95k
After the S37, SWMBO decided we should look at Brooms and I must admit I had always fancied one particularly for the sheltered aft helm position. So we bought a Broom 37. In terms of speed, Brooms are obviously not in the same league as the average sports boat but the later Bennett/Wolstenholme designed hulls are pretty good sea boats by all accounts. The quality of the build is definitely a cut above the other mainstream builders and the accomodation is vast - we've always liked aft cabins. There are lots of other nice features like wide walkways, a step in the hull to help you up, folding radar arches, solid guardrails all round, lots of access hatches with markings to identify whats underneath, quality woodwork inside that can stand up to kids and so on. The aft helm position works well but the later models are better because the fewer windscreen frames allow better visibility

 

[miket]

I agree with much that Deleted User says, partly because I too own a Broom 37 (1991).

As for performance? Certainly not as lively as a targa but I have VP 306 hp and a top speed of 25/ 27 kts, cruising very comfortably at 20/ 22 kts. Not bad for a heavy weight.

At this sort of age they hold their value well, too.