SIBS 17

[horatio_nelson]

I've been working at the show all week. Has been quiet at times but generally reasonably busy and the "try a boat" has been going really well. Got a few people buzzing on a little sail and keen to pursue things.

Of all the boats there, the one I'd take is the RM 890 - fantastic little rocket, typically quirky French but wonderfully designed and built. Cheap (relatively) too.

 

[D&T]

At motor shows do Ford Mondeos or Bentley Continentals attract more attention?

That would depend on whether you are a poor English Footballer (poor - ability, not wealth), lol

 

[Sailfree]

Just got back from sibs.
4hrs from there to Southwold with a stop for a bite to eat.

Overall I think the show was pretty good tbh.
Swmbo and I are on the look out for a 43-ish footer in a couple of years so we enjoyed looking at all the boats in that range.
The Rustler was by far the best fitted out boat we saw, by a fair margin, its just a shame it has such a dated hull and deck design.
The shock to me was I thought the Hanse 40 something was internally the worst fitted out, with both swmbo and I were reminded strongly of MFI.
The Dehler was also a bit disappointing in that it seemsq to have lost those distinct Dehler touches that the older ones had.
It was also noticeable that there was a lot of commonality with the Hanse such as the exact the same cockpit table and wash board system, to be expected I guess as they are under the same ownership so I guess any future Moody's will have the same.
What I did like about the Dehler was the very sexy Pontos Winches which were owner specified.

Had a look at the Ben and Jeanneau's, which were airy and spacious and appeared to be well put together on a superficial level but in a sea way I'd want far more grab handles and the galley on the Jeanneau was obviously designed with a marina berth in mind.
The Arcona's were interesting without being exceptional.
X Yachts, X43 was a case of nice legs, shame about the face.
Possibly a bit harsh as of all the boats I saw this is the one I'd most like to sail away on.

The brand new HR44 was very nice.
The hull shape is much more modern but the layout reminded be strongly of the Oyster 435.
I think this particular boat was rushed as there were bits that frankly just weren't finished properly but overall the fit out below was very good, though the wood work on the Rustler was still some way ahead.

The trouble is we have some specific requirements and getting a boat to match those requirements is proving to be harder than we thought.
So we've come away thinking that maybe we have unrealistic expectations.

Maybe a X43 fitted out by Rustler would do the trick.

You mention some good points but for most of us the other factor you don't mention at all is cost!!

 

[Concerto]

One of the reasons I went was to research boats in the large dinghy to weekender range and that area was very under-represented so I was a bit frustrated. The wayfarers were there, the Laser Stratos not so that makes me favout the former.

It was also noticable that many manufacturers seem to leave their smaller boats behind too - no Arcona 340, Hanse 31/34 etc.

If it is too expensive to bring the smaller boats then they need to look at reducing the costs

May be you should have looked on the Hanse 315 as I did. The basic price of £70,000 ex Germany ex VAT seemed cheap. When I specified it to closely match my Fulmar it came out at £125,000 including VAT, adding the double wheels and associated electronics for the pedestals increased this to £135,000.

 

[Tranona]

May be you should have looked on the Hanse 315 as I did. The basic price of £70,000 ex Germany ex VAT seemed cheap. When I specified it to closely match my Fulmar it came out at £125,000 including VAT, adding the double wheels and associated electronics for the pedestals increased this to £135,000.

That is par for the course for the bottom of the range when you spec them up. A Bav 34 specced the same as mine that I bought in mid 2015 has jumped to near £125k without the twin wheels, a 25% increase mainly because a £ bought 1.36 euros then.

 

[bedouin]

May be you should have looked on the Hanse 315 as I did. The basic price of £70,000 ex Germany ex VAT seemed cheap. When I specified it to closely match my Fulmar it came out at £125,000 including VAT, adding the double wheels and associated electronics for the pedestals increased this to £135,000.

Was it there? I must have missed it.

I have had a look at the smaller Hanse a few times and I quite like them - seem a step up on the BenJenBavs at little extra money. But the Arcona was definitely on my list of must see - but it wasn't there

 

[BelleSerene]

I suggest Düsseldorf in January is your answer. Several times the size of SIBS and all the brands. Oh, and far more and better eateries.