SIBS and Sea Sagas - Biggest Cockpit sub-30 foot?

[gr1mb0]

Toddled off down to SIBS on Wednesday evening -- sunshine, no crowds.... lovely!

I was a bit miffed at how difficult it was to get shown round a Sunseeker/Fairline/ Princess/etc, -- OK, so they're there to make a sale, but they seem to be ignorant of the fact that creating a spark of interest in someone c.40-ish might just lead to a sale when that person reaches retirement and might just look to buy something of that ilk (having sold the house to afford it!).

And I was surprised that the boats that REALLY caught my eye, were not the flash flybridge fancies, but more 'staid' boats like the Aquadors and particularly, the Sea Sagas (26/29). Semi-displacement speed is fine for 95% of what I like doing in boats (actually, no speed at all would cover a lot of it!) -- and what a fantastic cockpit for socialising (don't even have to leave the Marina - just invite a dozen or so friends over for lunch on the boat!).

Is there anything even remotely comparable in terms of cockpit space for a boat this size? I can quite see myself becoming a 'gentleman cruiser' next time round!




<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[gjgm]

had a look at the saga 29 too. bit two minds about the hardtops though. yea you get the protection, but then you cant be outside, except decapitating yourself thru the sliding top. i liked to open cabin.Cant stand those aquador patio doors. In fact all the aquadors seemed a bit to jack of all trades, and end up cramped everywhere you look.
I went on a Monday, and you could walk onto all but the biggest of the big boys toys. No queues at all. Fun first time, but show after a few shows my interest wanes somewhat at another 50sq metres of polished cherry...!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[gr1mb0]

Aquador HT was the one that caught my eye -- unlike the Coupe range, the HT has an open backed wheelhouse so none of the 'double glazed patio door' designs that plague a lot of boats (surely there are better ways of closing off a cabin?).

Still got the problem of having to stick your head through the roof to stand up though... and I wasn't too keen that everywhere you went you had to walk up or down a step (helm/cockpit area on 3 different levels) -- seemed like a recipe for frequent injury!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[miket]

Nimbus 350

I have recently purchased a Nimbus 345 (current model is 350) as a replacement for our previous 1992 Broom 37. So a major difference in cubic capacity and accommadation style.

Having just returned from a week's holiday I can thoroughly reccomend this style of boat. Lovely and light and airy. Plenty of fresh air from various opening windows/ hatches/ patio doors. Nice sized cockpit with lots of fixed seating. Sat 6 to dinner one evening in the saloon (OK, pretty chummy!). Jolly comfy fwd stateroom.

Best of all, 3 separate groups of passers by commented on the super lines and style.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I was quite taken with this boat as well. I think the combination of a hardtop open to a well sheltered cockpit is ideal for UK waters. I also liked the well shaped and comfortable cockpit seating which IMHO is so much better than the flat thin bits of foam you get on so many other boats.
Nice traditional lines as well so maybe wont date as quickly as others

<hr width=100% size=1>