so who buys them?

[Daydream believer]

It looks like they're all heading straight towards me.

And every single one of them is on bloody starboard too...

But do not forget - overtaking boat keeps clear.
So even if you were on stbd you would have to give them room as you sailed past.

 

[Ray Purchase]

Charter companies.

 

[Bobc]

See, I haven't ever said that "fast" is interchangeable with "better". I was merely countering your post where you said they were slower for their size. Which they aren't.

Agree entirely that people have differing priorities when it comes to boats. I just think that there is this dominant narrative amongst large sections of the sailing press and "experienced sailors" that the modern boats are solely about interior volume and boat show sales to reluctant sailors, and that the compromise is that they are rubbish sailing boats. Which I don't think is true. The funny thing about these hull shapes is how much more forgiving they are. My own boat's hull shape is nothing like as extreme as that, and in cruising mode it's a complete pussycat. Which is quite different from the early 2000s C/R that we used to sail. Leave your reefing a bit late in that boat and you really knew about it.

Also agree that the trap door is crap design. I'm in no way saying that every detail of every modern boat is perfect. And for the record, I wouldn't buy that SO41, even if I could afford it.

Can't disagree with that. Leon was a bit of a revelation to me; not only was it bloody quick once you'd got your head around how to make it go, it was surprisingly easy to sail (but hard work to sail at or near 100% polars).

I can imagine that a modern chined cruiser will be easy to sail at speeds older designs could only aspire to.

 

[Birdseye]

I imagine so, yes. Modern electronics could easily take the difficulty out of foiling to the point a cruiser could use them. It takes a level of trust, but then so does the electronic only braking and steering in modern cars.

Neither steering nor braking are electronic only. Both will still work with a complete electrical breakdown. I wonder if you could say that about a foiler

 

[Tranona]

Can’t tell if you’re in favour or not. Also you seem to confirm that they lead to not entering via the stern so unsure whether you agree or disagree with my observation. Side gates are nice but modern boats are a big step up from a pontoon so stern entry is generally easier.

If that was in response to my post#94, then as ever there is no clear answer. For me it worked well. The 4 boats on my short list, Oceanis 31, Hanse 325, Jeanneau 33i and Bav 33. The Bav was the only one with a drop down transom, but it was also a newer design with a wider stern. The other 3 were very cramped at the aft end , partly through big wheels and sugar scoops. The Bav stern had a full width seat and space to perch on the side decks plus space to move forward round the wheel. Overall a much more user friendly layout particularly for a singles hander. I did not use the platform for boarding except when I wanted to move something large or heavy on board. Also not feasible to leave it down when the boat is unattended. Boarding via the gate was easy anyway See photo of the boat in its berth.

Not sure I would like a drop down for use in the Med as often you have to moor stern to a wall and there is potential for damage. However plenty of charter boats have them so there must be a way round it. suspect lifting the platform at night is the obvious thing to do. On the other hand as you can see from many brochure photos they are really useful for access to the water when at anchor, particularly with twin wheels as the platform becomes an extension of the cockpit

 

[lustyd]

Neither steering nor braking are electronic only. Both will still work with a complete electrical breakdown. I wonder if you could say that about a foiler

Both are fully electric on many vehicles now with the controls connected by wire only.

 

[shaunksb]

Both are fully electric on many vehicles now with the controls connected by wire only.

.

Steering??




_____________

 

[lustyd]

Steering??

Yup, Cybertruck is one example. To be fair, so is the Airbus A380 and most people don’t have an issue with that.

 

[Supertramp]

Not sure I would like a drop down for use in the Med as often you have to moor stern to a wall and there is potential for damage. However plenty of charter boats have them so there must be a way round it. suspect lifting the platform at night is the obvious thing to do. On the other hand as you can see from many brochure photos they are really useful for access to the water when at anchor, particularly with twin wheels as the platform becomes an extension of the cockpit

I normally support the "they don't build them like they used to" school of thought but I agree that drop down transoms or well designed stern access is a good feature.

You can of course adapt a boat but it's really not the same, especially when loading and unloading. But having a boarding ladder you can deploy from the water is big plus.

 

[seeSimon]

Its not that unusal these days to inherit large sums of money from parents via sale of their houses. Often over £1 million.

Not for much longer, certainly in the UK...

At one point our family were parting with over £5k a week to keep 3 old ladies in care.

...and then there's the inheritance tax which seems v unlikely to be reducing anytime...

 

[Bobc]

Not for much longer, certainly in the UK...

At one point our family were parting with over £5k a week to keep 3 old ladies in care.

...and then there's the inheritance tax which seems v unlikely to be reducing anytime...

With the way things are with IHT now, you really want to make sure you've spent it all, so buy a new boat. I can only see it going that way.

 

[Beneteau381]

I have bought 2 new boats of the type mentioned, although long enough ago that prices had fewer noughts on the end. The first was financed by an interest only mortgage against the house plus charter income. The second as in post#9 from retirement related capital sums and a trade in of the first boat. Like many of my generation, I bought my first house in my early 20s, had children early, eventually ended up in a secure reasonably well paid job which meant from around the age of 50 children were long gone, both of us working, no house moving or divorce to dilute capital values and mortgage free before retirement.

Many people in similar situations although they may not choose to buy a new boat, particularly as in the past 10 years since I bought mine, prices have increased at more than twice the rate of general inflation. Add to that the post Brexit restrictions on travel have made the retirement cruise less attractive.

Indeed
When I first started looking at boats, 2000ish, SBS was my holy grail. Rows of AWBs, 36ft, £75k was the mark! Now look what the start prices are!

 

[lustyd]

Indeed
When I first started looking at boats, 2000ish, SBS was my holy grail. Rows of AWBs, 36ft, £75k was the mark! Now look what the start prices are!

Those boats are still about that price if not a bit cheaper so maybe now is the time to pounce!

 

[Beneteau381]

I normally support the "they don't build them like they used to" school of thought but I agree that drop down transoms or well designed stern access is a good feature.

You can of course adapt a boat but it's really not the same, especially when loading and unloading. But having a boarding ladder you can deploy from the water is big plus.View attachment 189918

Was your boat in Pwllheli a few years back?

 

[Supertramp]

Was your boat in Pwllheli a few years back?

Yes, PM sent.