SIBS viewing shortlist / sail to power

Sticky Fingers

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As you may have read elsewhere we're on a sail-to-power transition... we've now sold our yacht and she's currently on her way to Denmark ... we're now seriously looking for our first mobo. Plan to buy in the next 3-6 months.

We're spending a day at SIBS to try and narrow down what will work for us. What can people suggest that we see, that might fit this brief. Has to be a balance of performance vs seakeeing vs space vs cost vs... etc.. Impossible. to hit every target. And, of course, our budget is way too small...

About 40' plus or minus a bit
Cruise speed in the mid 20's
Twin diesel
Coupe or hard top, not a flybridge (says Mrs Scala for reasons yet to be properly understood)
Not dark or cramped below, big windows, light, skylights
Able to do cross channel trips in comfort, in fair conditions
and
Stylish / modern, nothing trad or reminscent of a caravan
Sizeable external space for relaxinhg
Minimal / no canvas
Big owner's cabin plus a good guest cabin
Separate shower (not a wet room)
Galley big enough to cook on night after night (but no roast dinners)

To be honest we're probably going to buy somethng a few years old, no more than 8-10 years old ideally, but it's instructive to look at new. We've looked at these so far, used / nearly new / new:

New / nearly new
Jeanneau NC33 and Merry Fisher 1095 (probably a bit small)
Sealine C330 (ditto) and Sealine C390 (about right but too dear and no used ones about)
Bavaria S40 coupe / HT (about right, a definite contender)

Older
Sealine SC35 / S390 (bit small) and Sealine SC42 (interesting if unusual option)
Princess V45 (2008/9) (interesting, I like this. Only one in the UK for sale atm)
Fairline Targa 44 GT (probably too dear or too used)

Ideas / banter welcome.
 
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I would throw in the Beneteau and Jeanneau models of around 40ft as well. I know of a well spec’ed Beneteau 42 Gran Turismo for sub €200k in France. With the Bene 42 you get a full beamed mid cabin as the master.
 
I’m completely biased having owned one until fairly recently but the SC35 ticked all those boxes for us & the 42 will tick even more. I’d buy another for sure. That’s my two penneth FWIW.
Enjoy the search.
L
:)
 
The Beneteau MC/GT 40/42 is a good shout.
Lots of roomy modern boat for the money second hand

I think it’s nicer than the equivalent Jeanneau models either the 38 or 42.

A prestige 400 coupe would be worth looking at.
One out of left field would be the green line 40.
 
Try Cannes or Genoa for inspiration away from VP outdrives or IPS .
Ship back .Its residuals will hold up .
https://www.mondialbroker.com/Barca.aspx?pk=cf76a9df-57ef-4ab5-af80-e17e50f7cf23

Here some pics of a blue one .












I ve asked you before on the numerous other search threads ( great fun reading btw :)) wether you are a BMW / AUDI type of bloke ( or Mrs S ) or a Peugeot/ Renault/ Fiat kinda guy + gall .

But you volunteer for VP grief it’s not mandatory.
Eg google “ Portofino “ boats for sale ———- yup I kid you not all shaft drive in your size range .
 
Try Cannes or Genoa for inspiration away from VP outdrives or IPS .
Ship back .Its residuals will hold up .
https://www.mondialbroker.com/Barca.aspx?pk=cf76a9df-57ef-4ab5-af80-e17e50f7cf23

...

I've asked you before on the numerous other search threads ( great fun reading btw :)) wether you are a BMW / AUDI type of bloke ( or Mrs S ) or a Peugeot/ Renault/ Fiat kinda guy + gall .

But you volunteer for VP grief it’s not mandatory.
Eg google “ Portofino “ boats for sale ———- yup I kid you not all shaft drive in your size range .

That's pretty :) but unsellable in the UK I'd expect.

Portofino boats - new one on me, found this one in the UK, it's a bit big but looks like a quality thing. You might have something there:
https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/boats/2003/portofino-marine-47-fly-3186741/

In my limited experience, "VP grief" is pretty much unavoidable in the length/price bracket that I'm searching. There's one SC35 with Axius outdrives. Oddball. The SC47 has Cummins / Zeus pods. Everything else I've seen is VP.

Range Rover / BMW / Mercedes / Audi by the way.
 
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Struggling with multi quote here...!

I’m completely biased having owned one until fairly recently but the SC35 ticked all those boxes for us & the 42 will tick even more. I’d buy another for sure. That’s my two penneth FWIW.
Enjoy the search.
L
:)

For some reason the SC42 is very expensive. If it was linear with age and length between the SC35 and the SC47 it'd be in a sweet spot.

The Beneteau MC/GT 40/42 is a good shout.
Lots of roomy modern boat for the money second hand

I think it’s nicer than the equivalent Jeanneau models either the 38 or 42.

A prestige 400 coupe would be worth looking at.
One out of left field would be the green line 40.

No Prestige 400 Coupes on Yacht market atm. The Greenline doesn't do it on the looks front I think...
 
Coupe or hard top, not a flybridge (says Mrs Scala for reasons yet to be properly understood)

Like you, we were dead set on a coupe/hard top and actually ended up with a flybridge. Thank goodness we did. We actually hardly ever drive from down below and spend a lot of lounging time up top. Love it.

So, my advice would be to look at a couple of flybridges and see what you both think. Bear in mind two things. First, many flybridges are accessed up what can only be described as a ladder. This was a complete non-starter for us old folks so we bought one with a staircase - very easy. Second, if you have inland waterway plans, check the air draft. Some are simply too high, others have folding bits that will get you under bridges.
 
I think Hardy are showing a 36, which might well be worth a look, probably with a view of looking at a 2nd hand one or a 2nd hand 42. (yes I know they have a flybridge, but have a look anyway, seen Simon's post above)
 
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Random list of ideas

Marex 375
Bavaria virtues 420 coupe
Jeanneau leader 40
Prestige 420S
Nimbus 405

I personally quite like the Marex
 
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