Sunbeam Yachts

[Capojo]

Does anyone have any experience of Sunbeam Yachts? On my shortlist, and holding out for something for sale, but I’d like to find some hands on experience with them. Found historic threads, but they didn’t go very far, so thought i’d ask for myself. The few reviews are very good, but there are no forums (not in English anyway), so I’d be interested in anyone’s experience notably any known issues. I’d be looking at 1999 models onwards, probably 34.1 or 37.

 

[stranded]

In the absence of any response specific to the models you are interested in, I can at least say that we are impressed with the build and sailing qualities of our 11 year old 44, and the builder continues to be responsive and helpful. We would definitely look at a Sunbeam again if we were thinking of trading up/down, but as it is we are perfectly happy with Nooka, our first “all ours” boat, and probably the last too.

 

[Capojo]

Thanks for the response. I’d be looking probably be looking at a 34.1/2 or maybe a 37 (but possibly a little old). On paper and from reviews they fit the bill, but very slightly reticent about buying something which few people know, and no knowledge of any potential issues. A little moot at the moment as nothing around, so whether I hold out or look for something else is another question.

 

[lpdsn]

Thanks for the response. I’d be looking probably be looking at a 34.1/2 or maybe a 37 (but possibly a little old). On paper and from reviews they fit the bill, but very slightly reticent about buying something which few people know, and no knowledge of any potential issues.

They're built in Austria and are pretty rare in the UK, so YBW isn't really the best place to be looking for info on them.

 

[Capojo]

They have had a UK distributor on and off for years (and have advised they are talking with another). Unfortunately, even Googling in German is limited, yacht.de forum (via google translate) has a group, but in all honesty I can’t find anything negative, from quality to support. But you can’t beat personal experience.

 

[Yngmar]

From what I've seen on Nooka and another Sunbeam (a 42 DS, I think), I think they're well designed boats, and look solidly built too, although I didn't stick my head into the dark places where that would become apparent. The ones I've seen had an undeniable affinity in looks and design to certain Bavarias (a good thing, in my opinion), from the hull shape, blue stripes on the coachroof down to the lovely dark and well varnished Sapele. The yard is much smaller though and relies more on manual labour than on automation. They do generally review well in the German yachting press.

 

[dbodingbauer]

In the absence of any response specific to the models you are interested in, I can at least say that we are impressed with the build and sailing qualities of our 11 year old 44, and the builder continues to be responsive and helpful. We would definitely look at a Sunbeam again if we were thinking of trading up/down, but as it is we are perfectly happy with Nooka, our first “all ours” boat, and probably the last too.

On the Hydrovane website I’ve seen you have installed a Hydrovane on your Sunbeam 44 and I wonder how to mount the lower bracing to the hull? I can hardly imagine how to approach the inner side of the hull to fix the screws so would appreciate if you can elaborate on this task a bit. Many thanks / Dieter

 

[stranded]

Hi Dieter. Sorry, I can’t really help with that - the hydrovane was fitted by the original owner and we had it and all the fittings removed when we acquired the boat.

 

[dbodingbauer]

Hi Dieter. Sorry, I can’t really help with that - the hydrovane was fitted by the original owner and we had it and all the fittings removed when we acquired the boat.

Thanks anyway.

 

[roaringgirl]

In the absence of any response specific to the models you are interested in, I can at least say that we are impressed with the build and sailing qualities of our 11 year old 44, and the builder continues to be responsive and helpful. We would definitely look at a Sunbeam again if we were thinking of trading up/down, but as it is we are perfectly happy with Nooka, our first “all ours” boat, and probably the last too.

I sailed on Nooka when she was brand new. A lovely boat, and *fast*!!

The motion at 8kts made my wife seasick though.

Nooka is rare in that she has slab-reefing instead of in-mast, at the request of the original owners.

I've seen Ibex around a bit - she has a funny anchor arrangement where the chain exits the bow some way below the pulpit. This presumably limits anchor choice.

 

[stranded]

She is fast - actually went to the yard to look at a different and sportier boat and came across Nooka, looking rather sad and green (and not, if we’re honest, classically pretty). I expressed my reservations about her performance but the broker, a keen ocean racer, put me right. I was smitten and any lingering doubts were cast completely away when shortly after taking delivery we did our first cross channel to Cherbourg on a glorious champagne sailing day and maintained 8.5 - 9kts all the way across without trying (and tbh without really knowing what we were doing). She still occasionally embarrasses fellow “we’re not racing” boats with sportier pretensions, despite us fitting a smaller Genoa so we could actually see where we were going, and when we entered the round the island race we actually got a more severe handicap than a sister ship of the reputedly more performance orientated one I originally went to look at. Definitely a keeper.

 

[roaringgirl]

She is fast - actually went to the yard to look at a different and sportier boat and came across Nooka, looking rather sad and green (and not, if we’re honest, classically pretty). I expressed my reservations about her performance but the broker, a keen ocean racer, put me right. I was smitten and any lingering doubts were cast completely away when shortly after taking delivery we did our first cross channel to Cherbourg on a glorious champagne sailing day and maintained 8.5 - 9kts all the way across without trying (and tbh without really knowing what we were doing). She still occasionally embarrasses fellow “we’re not racing” boats with sportier pretensions, despite us fitting a smaller Genoa so we could actually see where we were going, and when we entered the round the island race we actually got a more severe handicap than a sister ship of the reputedly more performance orientated one I originally went to look at. Definitely a keeper.

By massive coincidence, I was with her original owner yesterday. She'd love to know where Nooka is now, if you'd care to share?

 

[stranded]

Yes of course. We got as far as Mallorca heading east when we got the “grandchild on the way” call that dragged us back to the UK in 2019, since when we have been cruising locally and to northern France. She is obviously too much boat for that, but we can’t bring ourselves to let her go for something more ‘coastal’! We have managed to get ourselves some sea leave this year for the first time since then, but Schengen rules being so restrictive we are planning 6 months anround Atlantic France and Spain.

 

[Mr-O]

Hi, just looking at a Sunbeam 44 2007, beautiful boat but we have some questions posed to us by another sailing friend (he has a Hallberg Rassey), 1) shape of hull not good? 2) position of bow thruste?r 3) handling? Would be interested for your opinions especially when compared with other sailing boats.

 

[stranded]

I’m not really qualified to compare our sunbeam 44 (same year) to other boats - she was our first, bought 11 years ago, and we wouldn’t swap her for the world. But we find the hull fast and sea kindly. Not sure where the bowthruster is supposed to go - it couldn’t get nearer the bow, it is deep enough, and very effective. The handling is not as lively as a good aft cockpit setup, I believe because of the distance from wheel to rudder, but it is neutral, light and responsive when properly balanced, and she will sail to windward “all day” without autopilot or touching the wheel. Fine under engine too, ahead or astern. You may find your friend’s comments tell you more about hallberg rassy owners than they do about Sunbeam 44s.

 

[roaringgirl]

I wouldn't worry about any of these things. It's possible to turn her in her own length without a bow thruster using 'back and fill'.

 

[LittleSister]

Sunbeam yachts (no relation!) -

 

[FB911]

Morning, I am looking at a Sunbeam 37 for sailing 2 handed with my wife, it seems to tick a lot of boxes for us to move up in size from our Maxi 1000. I have done as much research as I can but can find no information on sailing performance - is there anybody here that is prepared to comment. The 37 seams quite beamy so wondered if it is ok in a bit of sea, would like to sail the French coast and maybe to the Canaries. Any thoughts would be welcome.

 

[Natsumi]

I have owned a Sunbeam 37 for 4 years , buying her in Germany and sailing back via the Kiel canal. What can I say about her? She is beautiful, well built, beautifully finished below , with lots of wood.
Sailing is delightful. Needs a bit of wind to get going but once you get 10 knots , your off! Seems to be close winded compared to my old mast head rigged Moody. We often slip past bigger and more race type vessels. We have three ( yes 3) electric winches . 2 x primary’s which only need the lightest touch after a tack . 1x on the coach roof used mainly for pulling out or winding in the main, which is in mast furled.
Blue hull is not a big problem either , once a year during the winter liftout I give a light cut and polish , so you can see your face in hull!
They are certainly set up for easy and VERY comfortable sailing , perfect for us as I’m not as energetic as I was!!!

 

[Baggywrinkle]

I have a friend with a 37, his experience echoes @Natsumi ... haven't been on it yet but he has just trucked it from the Ostsee to the Med and loves the thing. He has a smaller new one on the lake (21ft), I've sailed that and it's a dream, quality is excellent.