Steeler Bronson 50 vs Vanquish VQ48…or other?

[andybranson]

Hello all! This forum has been a fountain of advice and I’m so appreciative. I’ve been looking at the two models above as a first time boat purchaser and wanted to get any thoughts the community might have…. They’re similarly priced, so looking for any experience with quality, design, seakeeping, maint or resale (eg any thoughts at all!!) … and if there are any better options in a similar look / style that present more value I’m totally open too. I looked the Wajer and the Van Dutch, and those seemed inferior quality for the price point, but I could be convinced otherwise!

Thanks so much!

 

[andybranson]

Steeler, and their Bronson series, don’t get much discussion around here so any views on their product at all are welcome too!

 

[petem]

I've never heard of them!

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Calling @Imperial One ... Mike you might have a view.

 

[Aardee]

Maybe @Portofino has some insight?

 

[Portofino]

Not knowing the intended location in terms of the HT or open question if difficult to pin this one .

If it’s a seasonal med use then it’s gotta be a shaft drive , mid mounted engines for balance - less proposing , open for lower CoG , and the deepest dead-rise the manufacturers do - for seakeeping in the rough .
Over 20 degree s to be in the deep V club , the big boys fast toys club .
Look at Itama or Magnum or Otam .

If it’s a HT then Baia or Pershings .The P 50 comes with shafts + lower maintenance or Arnesons with higher maintenance and speed . Not quite as deep V but second best if want more floating hotel to cart around .

Sustained speed means brute force which intern means heavy duty engines , larger than average displacement.
MAN or MTU ideally.CAT s secondary as they have chocolate tea pot cooling service requirements/ maintenance .
Don’ t look at any others like IPS or stern dives as you will bust them or they will bankrupt you . Hull/ Hp
For a 50 look for 700-1000 Hp .
For a 55 nearer 1000 Hp .
For a 60 north of 1200 pref the MAN 1400 Hp s
For a 70+ north of 1800 Hp .

 

[Portofino]

I looked the Wajer and the Van Dutch, and those seemed inferior quality for the price point, but I could be convinced otherwise!

Thanks so much!

They are rubbish in big seas as well .Bounce around all over and wet the occupants.
I have shot past many in the SoF ( where there are dealers ) in my Itama and left them for dead in a chop .

 

[petem]

Hello all! This forum has been a fountain of advice and I’m so appreciative. I’ve been looking at the two models above as a first time boat purchaser and wanted to get any thoughts the community might have…. They’re similarly priced, so looking for any experience with quality, design, seakeeping, maint or resale (eg any thoughts at all!!) … and if there are any better options in a similar look / style that present more value I’m totally open too. I looked the Wajer and the Van Dutch, and those seemed inferior quality for the price point, but I could be convinced otherwise!

Thanks so much!

Where are you going to keep this new boat Andy?

 

[andybranson]

Where are you going to keep this new boat Andy?

Cannes area!

 

[andybranson]

Thank you!

I think, honestly speaking, the heavy seas usage will be secondary to lazy days out in the Bay around Cannes / down the Riviera (now I'm just getting excited thinking about it).
I really love the feel of the Itama but I'm not sure the design suits me as well - I do like having the front seating area.

I chartered one of these in Ibiza for a day and liked the interior - also felt very well built: Bronson 50 - Steeler Yachts
By your chart it is not underpowered, and Vripak is the naval architect so hopefully the seakeeping is good.
The Vanquish has just gone up and up in price but you see them often around Antibes and they seem to be holding their value...

What do you think on either of those?

Not knowing the intended location in terms of the HT or open question if difficult to pin this one .

If it’s a seasonal med use then it’s gotta be a shaft drive , mid mounted engines for balance - less proposing , open for lower CoG , and the deepest dead-rise the manufacturers do - for seakeeping in the rough .
Over 20 degree s to be in the deep V club , the big boys fast toys club .
Look at Itama or Magnum or Otam .

If it’s a HT then Baia or Pershings .The P 50 comes with shafts + lower maintenance or Arnesons with higher maintenance and speed . Not quite as deep V but second best if want more floating hotel to cart around .

Sustained speed means brute force which intern means heavy duty engines , larger than average displacement.
MAN or MTU ideally.CAT s secondary as they have chocolate tea pot cooling service requirements/ maintenance .
Don’ t look at any others like IPS or stern dives as you will bust them or they will bankrupt you . Hull/ Hp
For a 50 look for 700-1000 Hp .
For a 55 nearer 1000 Hp .
For a 60 north of 1200 pref the MAN 1400 Hp s
For a 70+ north of 1800 Hp .

 

[petem]

@andybranson on well done for realising that ultimate sea-keeping is not the be all and end all.

If you're buying new and will keep it in warranty then IPS will be fine for you.

As for residuals, etc, I'm not sure this is the right place to ask. We tend to focus largely on the Brit made boats and the occasional Azimut, Pershing, etc.

One thing that does occur to me, what facilities do these boats have for a bimini? I keep my boat in the Med and would hate a boat that doesn't give some shade. It would be an absolute deal breaker for me.

 

[Portofino]

Thank you!

I think, honestly speaking, the heavy seas usage will be secondary to lazy days out in the Bay around Cannes / down the Riviera (now I'm just getting excited thinking about it).
I really love the feel of the Itama but I'm not sure the design suits me as well - I do like having the front seating area.

I chartered one of these in Ibiza for a day and liked the interior - also felt very well built: Bronson 50 - Steeler Yachts
By your chart it is not underpowered, and Vripak is the naval architect so hopefully the seakeeping is good.
The Vanquish has just gone up and up in price but you see them often around Antibes and they seem to be holding their value...

What do you think on either of those?

Crap .
Reason
Ips means two no no s .
1 the rearward weight bias .
2 a pancake flat aft section .

Vripak means it doesnt rattle and vibrate and you don’t hear the engines.It’s not related to its ultimate ability to spend a lot of time , any time in comfort while others is lesser boats stay roasting in the marina at the sight of a white horse .

Yes you do need sea keeping around Cannes esp the bay of Cannes it cuts up pretty bad as does Cap d Antibes .

You are wasting your time with toy Volvo engine’s punching above there weight via IPS .Theres no substitute for cubes or straight shafts .

Spent 15 yrs around Cannes on boats . Advice is free .
keep throwing questions .

I tried to be as succinct as poss in post #6 .

A Rivarama 44 is worth a look .

Edit Branson = tiny cockpit table not enough surface area inadequate for lazy lunches .

 

[Portofino]

Back of the boats more important in the Med than the front .It depends on how you want to use it .
Is this what you are looking for ?

For PeteM ….not an Itama in sight

 

[andybranson]

Back of the boats more important in the Med than the front .It depends on how you want to use it .
Is this what you are looking for ?

For PeteM ….not an Itama in sight

Looks like a good time to me!! Outing myself as not a boating purist for sure here

Re: Cockpit table, agree- I believe it folds out but if not would have to be expanded for those lunches!

Thank you for the advice, this is all much appreciated

 

[Portofino]

Folding tables shake about .
One of my red lines was a boat whereby one could lean both elbows on the table a spread the Sunday times and full mug of tea .
Then get up without a wobble spilling tea over the paper .
You can switch red wine and best friends wife’s white new dress for the tea / newspaper.


This does not wobble .
Taboo subject on here folding wobbling tables .= Avoid .

Oh and the floor is so easy to clean and maintain btw as you can see even with a dog .Just hoses down .

 

[andybranson]

@andybranson on well done for realising that ultimate sea-keeping is not the be all and end all.

If you're buying new and will keep it in warranty then IPS will be fine for you.

As for residuals, etc, I'm not sure this is the right place to ask. We tend to focus largely on the Brit made boats and the occasional Azimut, Pershing, etc.

One thing that does occur to me, what facilities do these boats have for a bimini? I keep my boat in the Med and would hate a boat that doesn't give some shade. It would be an absolute deal breaker for me.

The VQ48 has an automatic bimini cover for the cockpit area, and the Branson has a T-Top w retractable canvas roof. Agree you need shade....its just too hard to stay out in the afternoon otherwise!

 

[petem]

The VQ48 has an automatic bimini cover for the cockpit area, and the Branson has a T-Top w retractable canvas roof. Agree you need shade....its just too hard to stay out in the afternoon otherwise!

Cool.

Have you considered an Invictus 460?

 

[petem]

I've noticed that the Steeler is a foot or so wider than the Vanquish.

Vanquish VQ48: 4.1 m
Steeler Bronson 50: 4.45 m

Might be worth checking with your marina that is doesn't push you into a larger price bracket or limit berth options.

Have you driven both boats? I don't know how tall you are, but the Steeler looks like it rides quite bows high so it would be worth ascertaining if the visibility is OK.

Personally, as a Med boat owner, the Vanquish cockpit layout looks better to me. I prefer the single large table over the two smaller / split ones.

 

[Portofino]

You should test drive a boat before buying it .
Gets windy in the SoF
Noise .Visibility.Seakeeping . Spray levels .Manoeuvre. Engine access etc . Dock access to name a few .

Its hard I know the industry culture is dry boat shows with taped off fore decks , engine hatches and silent engines .
They big up fridge size and standing headroom over the master cabin bed , along with the number of helm screens for some peculiar reason .All while the things either tied up at a dock or jacked up on props in a hall .

Its as if the concept of actually moving the thing through water and all that is entailed is alien to the purchaser .
Some show even hide the underneath sections of the hull ( fit skirts ) and gloss over the propulsion systems .
Then to cap it all they have the gall to fit parking aids like joysticks on the pretence the potential purchasers are absolute numb ties at basic seamanship/ parking it .
What ever next a park it app on your phone by stroking a device as standard equipment ?

If you can hang on Cannes you can book a blast around the bay .
Genoa to a wet show too imho better than Cannes for “ testing “
Ferretti do a invitation only wet / test drive show the week ends before Cannes .It’s based in Monaco .Lightly attended and you get to drive anything .Well worth buttering up a Ferretti brand dealer getting on there “ list “

Honestly start with one at WOT just you your wife ( + Family ) and the sales guy or crew / skipper if over 100 ft. Turn it , run it at all points of the compass , check out the NVH levels , running attitude , ride quality.

Then when it’s back in the dock start the below decks malarkey……open a fridge . .Count the bedrooms etc .
Do all this AFTER a test drive .

 

[PalmaTarga]

Have you considered Fjords or Pardo?