Switching sides - Short list

[M_S_Dean]

Hi

I am looking for suggestions for my short list.

We are looking at switching from sails to power as we would like to spend more time exploring some of the inland waterways of Europe. Trips up the Thames and Paris are on the list of places to go.

The current wish list looks like this:

1. Good sea handling capability
2. Moderate Air Draft < 4m
3. 6 Berths in 2 Cabins + Saloon
4. Budget: up to 170k

I prefer the 'Trawler' type design and so far the list has the following:

1. Hardy Commodore 36
2. Aquastar 38
3. Beneteau Swift 42 (But not sure if this meets the seagoing requirement)

Any other recommendations that I should consider or comments on the above would be gratefully received.

Thanks

 

[Imperial One]

Looks like an Atlantic 38 or 42 would suit your needs perfectly.
A good sea boat, aft cabin, all Cat B certificated (one or two to A standard are out there) and designed to be used inland waterways with an air draft of a max of 3.45m.
If you need any help or advice either PM or call me, I used to be the UK agent for Atlantic and know all the boats out there as we probably sold them new!
Many of the owners had made exactly the same move as you are thinking of doing .

 

[Firefly625]

Hardy 36 nice.

But also have a look at a Corvette 320, there are a few nice ones around at that price, last of the UK built ones with the larger 315 yanmars. At nearly 14ft wide they give lots of space and are superb handling with nice wide side decks and ssave a few feet on berthing cost!

Aquastar 38, prices struggling a bit on these I have noticed, there have been a few for sale for a while which have been reduced and reduced and are still not finding buyers, great boats and I love them, may even end up with one..

Beneteau, depends what you have had in the past quality wise, they are a different standard of build to a Hardy or Aquastar which have greater depth of quality. But (not being sexist), your wife will love the Bene,

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

If low air draft is a factor, then definitely look at the Broom 41, 38CL/39KL and 42CL. You might even get an older Broom 44 for that kind of money. All Brooms are built to a very high standard and the later models as I have listed are excellent seaboats as well as being eminently suitable for inland waterway cruising. Many were built with folding radar archs to reduce air draft

 

[blueglass]

Just in case you think Imperial one has an (understandable) bias - just like to add my vote for Atlantic 38 as an independent user. Our Haines version of this hull took us 1000's of miles around UK and Med, both inland and offshore. All boats are a compromise if you want multi functionality, but Atlantics cover your brief perfectly.

 

[oldgit]

Broom.

 

[Nautorius]

Most of the obvious ones have been mentioned but also look at Nimbus 380 Commander and the Sealine F43....both offer something very different and both in the price range.

 

[stuartwineberg]

As a previous owner always happy to comment (mostly positively) on the Hardy 36 - if you need more PM me

Hardy 36 nice.

But also have a look at a Corvette 320, there are a few nice ones around at that price, last of the UK built ones with the larger 315 yanmars. At nearly 14ft wide they give lots of space and are superb handling with nice wide side decks and ssave a few feet on berthing cost!

Aquastar 38, prices struggling a bit on these I have noticed, there have been a few for sale for a while which have been reduced and reduced and are still not finding buyers, great boats and I love them, may even end up with one..

Beneteau, depends what you have had in the past quality wise, they are a different standard of build to a Hardy or Aquastar which have greater depth of quality. But (not being sexist), your wife will love the Bene,

 

[M_S_Dean]

Thank you for your suggestions - some interesting ideas here.

 

[Elessar]

Broom.

Brooms are lovely if you have an oil refinery. Flippin thirsty things. No experience of some of the orhers which may be as bad.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Brooms are lovely if you have an oil refinery. Flippin thirsty things.

Nah thats unfair. The modern planing Brooms are not particularly thirsty. I had a 37 a few years ago which is a planing hull and forerunner of the 39 and 41 and it did about 1nmpg @ 18-20kts which is about average for it's size and weight. Agreed that the Brooms are not lightweight flyers but then neither are any of the other boats that the OP is looking at

 

[Ripster]

Another vote for Broom. Haines are worth a look too.

 

[Imperial One]

Broom are a good boat, we took a great many in part exchange against the Atlantic's over the years and they always sold on well enough.
I must say that compared to an Atlantic 42, the Broom 415 is the only real equivalent hull wise as that is a proper planing hull.
Because of their Semi Displacement hulls, the others can be "wet" boats in a seaway as a few of my ex Broom owners can testify.
The Atlantic 38 came in 3 hull forms, displacement, Semi and planing.
The planing AT38 hull was the one which was used by Haines and is the most commonly found one here in the UK - basically because we tend to go to sea more than the Dutch who are mostly happy with the other hull forms.
Not looking for an argument on which are better boats just trying to better inform the OP.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I must say that compared to an Atlantic 42, the Broom 415 is the only real equivalent hull wise as that is a proper planing hull.

Don't want to be pedantic but the 415 line started with the 37 which became the 39 which became the 41 which became the 415OS. All are fundamentally the same type of hull ie variable V planing hull with a vestigial keel. Also the 44 was a similar kind of hull design too. Yes you're right the 38CL/39KL and 42CL were semi d hulls with bigger keels and are a bit wet but with a softer upwind ride so pays your money etc
What I will agree with is that the Atlantic 42 and indeed the other Atlantics, at least the ones I saw, were finished to an even higher level than the Brooms

 

[Firefly625]

Brooms are lovely if you have an oil refinery. Flippin thirsty things. No experience of some of the orhers which may be as bad.

An aquastar 38 going to be similar

 

[RogerRat]

If low air draft is a factor, then definitely look at the Broom 41, 38CL/39KL and 42CL. You might even get an older Broom 44 for that kind of money. All Brooms are built to a very high standard and the later models as I have listed are excellent seaboats as well as being eminently suitable for inland waterway cruising. Many were built with folding radar archs to reduce air draft

+1
The Broom offers much to meet your brief. The Atlantic is so similar, it has to be a serious contender.

Beneteau make better sailing boats and should stick to it. imho of course.

RR

 

[sailorman]

Hi

I am looking for suggestions for my short list.

We are looking at switching from sails to power as we would like to spend more time exploring some of the inland waterways of Europe. Trips up the Thames and Paris are on the list of places to go.

The current wish list looks like this:

1. Good sea handling capability
2. Moderate Air Draft < 4m
3. 6 Berths in 2 Cabins + Saloon
4. Budget: up to 170k

I prefer the 'Trawler' type design and so far the list has the following:

1. Hardy Commodore 36
2. Aquastar 38
3. Beneteau Swift 42 (But not sure if this meets the seagoing requirement)

Any other recommendations that I should consider or comments on the above would be gratefully received.

Thanks

Look @ the Dutch market but be very careful with surveyors & brokers contracts

 

[rustybarge]

Just thought I would throw a wild card into the debate.
How about diesel power catamaran?
Low draft.
Incredible fuel economy.
seaworthy.
Big decks saloon/cockpit

This design has a single diesel engine, narrow beam; perfect all rounder.
http://www.aspenpowercatamarans.com/

this 38' version looks nice:http://www.aspenpowercatamarans.com/pages/C111 _Motoryacht.html
Nearly 2.5mpg at 19kts for a 38' boat:http://www.aspenpowercatamarans.com/pages/C111_Motor_Yacht_Specifications.html

more luxurious: http://translate.google.co.uk/trans...h?q=Pro+Boat+46+cat&safe=off&biw=1600&bih=774

 

[jfm]

Poster Observer on here has a very nice indeed Atlantic 42 listed for sale (unless it has been sold). It is/was in Ipswich. You could PM him. Also Essex Boatyards have just taken an Atlantic 42 in as a trade in, so it will be a stock boat for them. It will be in Essex in couple of weeks. Phone James Barke there if you want to be first in line to see it and buy it. They might take your current boat as part exchange

 

[Cashbuyer]

Hi

I am looking for suggestions for my short list.

We are looking at switching from sails to power as we would like to spend more time exploring some of the inland waterways of Europe. Trips up the Thames and Paris are on the list of places to go.

The current wish list looks like this:

1. Good sea handling capability
2. Moderate Air Draft < 4m
3. 6 Berths in 2 Cabins + Saloon
4. Budget: up to 170k

I prefer the 'Trawler' type design and so far the list has the following:

1. Hardy Commodore 36
2. Aquastar 38
3. Beneteau Swift 42 (But not sure if this meets the seagoing requirement)

Any other recommendations that I should consider or comments on the above would be gratefully received.

Thanks

I would do more research on air draft. In Holland EVERYTHING will have to fold...