Sub 24ft Hardtops

Moonshiners

Moonshiners

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Solent-ish
www.speedandstrip.co.uk
Were seriously concidering stepping up (for us) to a second hand Aquador 23 HT, are there any other hardtops within this price range (sub 40k and less than 24ft (berth restriction) that we should be seriously concidering.

Also does anyone know what the headroom in the cabin and under the HT is like, we havn't had time to actually go aboard one yet, but seems to tick most of our boxes on paper so far. hoping to view soon. I'm 6.2ft and not worried if I can't stand up in a cabin, but would def need full headroom in the Saloon/under the HT.

Any comments on these boats appreciated.

Cheers.
Moonshiners.
 
I guess Nautorious will be along any minute as he had one of these.
 
didnt MBM do a review of smaller h/tops..SUBs or something, they called them? though I dont recall if they were as small as sub24ft?
Finland territory, I d guess.. Flipper/Bella etc.
I cant help thinking you are "losing" alot of the boat going hartop at that size, but maybe the HT is your top criteria.
How about some of the peche promenade fare.. Benteau/Janneau/Arvor sort of thing ?
Is there no chance of changing berth?
 
Hi Guys, thanks for your quick reply.

We've just gone from a swing mooring to Marina, but are on fingrette, hence restriction.

Happy with the HT. Dismissed the "fast fishers" as not "comfortable" enough for our purposes - but understand why they suit so many others.

Would be looking for something very similar in style to the Aquador.

HT suits us on paper as were out in winter alot as well as summer. were trading up from a 21ft Sealine Sports cruiser/cuddy which was too open for us during the not perfect days.

There's so many informed people on here, seemed scilly not to ask... Also interested in current/previous owners experience with them.

Not sub'd to MBM but do buy frequently, didn't notice anything relevant recently but easily could have missed that issue.
 
the marinas sometimes let you stick out a bit, as long as its not too much of an issue into the fairway. Maybe ask the berthing manager just what he ll let you get away with, bcz every foot really counts at this size.
 
Boats advertised as 24ft LOA is our maximum, bearing in mind this doesn't usually include everything.
he's okay if they're a little larger inc. platforms and rails etc... but a 25ft Boat + extras would be too much.
 
Before I bought a sailing yacht I looked at powerboats, and saw a Finnmaster that was vey similar in style to the Aquador Hard Top.
This appears to be the current model at about 23 feet overall.
 
Nautorius of this parish used to own an Aquador 23 HT and will no doubt be along in a while.

We moored up next to one in Yarmouth a couple of years ago and it turned out to be the boat that had been the subject of an article in MBM (one of the articles where they ask the owner what his boat's like, after a couple of years' use) I don't know the date of the issue but you may be able to get a reprint. We had a quick look on board and they're nice little boats, well-appointed down below and capable of some fairly ambitious journeys - this one had been to France and the Scillies, inter alia. I didn't take note of the headroom but I'm 6ft and I don't recall having to stoop under the Hardtop.

I've often cast covetous glances at them myself.

Bella etc. are possible alternatives but rather more basic in fit-out, iirc.
 
The Finmaster equivelent is superb, we have one berthed opposite & can't tell you how many people stop & take a look.

Its very well appointed & the quality looks superb.
The angle of the rearward cabin looks awkward but I assume this gives a bigger feel to the aft cockpit.

Very practical looking & a hint of "Nimbus" about them if you know what I mean.
 
They're certainly nice boats. There is an Aquador along our pontoon (the 28 foot model) and it's a cracking boat with great build quality. I seem to remember that Ms. Frew of the MBM parrish is a big fan of these boats.
 
I was looking at something like this a couple of years back. The yanmarin looked good, but I think Aquador or Finnmaster would be my personal preference. You might also think about a Jeanneau Merry Fisher or similar. They don't look as smart as Finnmasters, but they do have a headroom in the wheelhouse, they come in various sizes and you can also choose either outboard or inboard.

Mike
 
Hi guys,

Yes I did own one so here goes.

Firstly the cabin head room is more like a large cuddy...you have too stoop. However there are three usable berths and a decent head with a sea toilet and a holding tank. You can sit up in bed and there are plenty of spot lights to read with. The main issue is that it has two really decent windscreen wipers and the motors hang down from the cabin roof. So in the cabin you have to be careful of hitting your head. I never did...swmbo did lots. A really nice touch is two opening ports and the opening front hatch which you can climb through meaning that mooring and anchoring is a doodle! It has a huge anchor locker and a well to sit in securely whilst sorting it out. no other sub 25ft boat can do this. So if you do not mind a bit of a squeeze in headroom the cabin is nice and comfy. All lockers are fully GRP lined and there is soo much storage space it is great!

The cockpit is a brilliant design. It does not have a walk through transom but it does not need one. The swim platform (in Teak) has a built in step over the transom and the engine cover or middle seat is the step down into the cockpit. The huge rear U shape seating will fit 5 in comfort and it should have an infill which will make a 5ft by 7 ft sunpad or double berth. In the summer I always slept up there! There are two good helm seats and it is comfortable to sit or stand to drive although you do have to open the sunroofs. The helm is a really great design and there is even room for a chart. The best thing though (apart from the HT) is that the galley is in the cockpit under the co-pilot seat. make sure you get one with a double wallas diesel hob as they are great and you can use it to heat the boat in the winter. There are also excellent (better than a car) demisters so you never steem up.

The HT works well in the summer and winter. In the winter you never need more than a fleece and in the summer it keeps the Sun off you. Oh and the sunroofs never leak.

The handling is as good as an S28...you really think you are in a much bigger boat. It really is the ultimate small day/weekender!

In summary if you want a boat to use all year round, which sips fuel, is capable and safe and is well built and are willing to compromise on the cabin (cuddy) then go for it! I would have another Aquador tomorrow. If you want more info let me know.

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Came back from Guernsey in a bit of a lumpy sea with 3 Aquadors last year in our bayliner. Even the little one was vey impressive and we had to hold back when we went round the top of Alderney in a particularly yucky bit. They seemed unphased with their effective wipers and the roof shut, I was getting drenched on the flybridge (alone as my wife had gone to bed once the first 3 drips hit her jeans) and they ploughed on. Nice finish too but a quirky layout thats a bit marmite.
 
Yammarin a very good quality...but Outboard and very expensive! For the money you can get a similar spec diesel Aquador a few years older (although I do like new generation Outboards!).

The Flipper is built by Aquadors parent company (Bella Boats)and is very good but is a cheaper version so it has a few more compromises like no seperate head and a slightly smaller cockpit. However they are nice boats but only about 3 sold in the UK (Flipper 23HT that is)

Aquadors are all weather sports boats with Deep V hulls...a Peche Promenade is a very different boat for life at a more sedate speed (IMHO)

Cheers

paul /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Thanks guys, esp Paul. just to carify whats the headroom under the HT like? I'm 6.2ft and well used to ducking and diving through ports, heads and cabin berths, but could do without the hassle in the saloon/under the HT.

It does seem to be coming out tops in all my research, but previous owners experience is a big part of that.

This is the most cash i've ever dropped on anything (except our house) and want to make sure its a good decision, especially i regard to ongoing ownership.

Cheers,

'Shiners.
 
The headroom situation/measurement may well depend on where you are standing. I believe there is a "well" that runs down the middle of the boat so that you can stand relatively easily there. However, I don't think you can stand at the helm without sticking your head up through the roof - especiially at 6ft2".
I may be wrong about this and my comment may refer to a different model.

Up your budget a bit and you could get a Botnia Targa 23, or persuade the marina that a Targa 25 is only really a 24. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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