The next Magnum

[Magnum]

Quick (very) condensed history.

Bought new Princess 42 in April 2004 based in Torquay. Had great fun until sold in June 2005.

Bought new Princess 67 in August 2005 delivered in Gibraltar. Took her along the Spanish coast to Mallorca where we rented a berth in Palma. Loved the med weather, but terrible shocking service from Princess in Puerto Portals, got fined for diddly squat by the boys in blue, didn't work out and sold her in December 2006. Bough Fast RIB in May 2006 and can now be found looking for people to in the vicinity of the south Devon coast. Those that know me can fill in the detail.

To be honest the best boating we ever had was in the UK. Yes, the weather isn't as predictable but we actually went places, visited different marinas and felt our boating was much more accessable. The RIB is fantastic fun too, but it would be nice to be able to stay onboard overnight and a loo wouldn't go amiss.

I miss having a bigger boat, but I don't want another big ponderous flybridge boat. So, options are something like this.

1 - Buy a fast Superhawk 43/Hunton 43. Loads of performance, minimal accommodation (only 1 open plan cabin with Superhawk - would be nice to have 2, but not essential). Open helm is a bit exposed if the weather takes a turn for the worse. Maybe not the most stable option. But certainly fun.

2 - Try something similar to the Princess 42 but a little more stylish - like the Azimut 43S. Looks great, layout is identical to Princess 42 (minus flybridge) and its IPS drives push it along at 33 knots. Not sure of the supply/service position in light of today's Peters news though.

3 - Predator/Targa/V type boat around 55' to 65'. Lots of space, sporty lines and weather protection with hardtop/sliding roof. But what about handling? Would need to feel more responsive than my 67 which was roomy, but dull at the helm. Need to be 40 knots or more if possible. Predator 55 with arnesons maybe? New Targa 64?

1 & 2 easy to find UK berth for, 3 a bit more difficult.

Manufacturer's website are notoriously badly updated. Is there anything being launched at SIBS?

I realise there's a few boats that could fit into these categories. I just want to look at each option and decide which, if any, is worth exploring.

 

[captainalex]

SS predator 52 debuts at soton, could be a possibility?

 

[Ocean_Driver]

You could take a look at the new Targa 44 Fairline coming for SBS (I think)
With a slightly larger interior volume than the T 47 (cos of the D6 engines on IPS drives) the boat looks very well thought out and would of course have the finish quality and general wow factor that could suit your needs.
Contact me if you are interested!

 

[Local]

Hunton! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[DoubleVision]

I would go for the Pred 55. Fantastic looks and performance with reasonable accomodation. Having suffered at the hands of the same company and character you did at a UK branch I fully sympathise with you. I have only good things to say about Sunseeker and the way they have treated me even though I didnt get the boat from them and it is a very modest machine compared with what you are contemplating. When my ship comes in I will definately be down at Poole with my Cheque book. Good luck and enjoy looking! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[petem]

Azi 43S felt like a floating caravan to me.

Why not a smaller sportscruiser (40 - 50ft). Easier to find a Solent berth for.

Pete

 

[silver_boy]

I agree with Pete. I think you'd be better off with something like option 2 such as a 40' - 50' hardtop sportscruiser as you would still have the fun factor which bigger boats tend to lose and with the hardtop, it would be ideal to the UK weather. Although, I can't exactly say those big sunseekers wouldn't be fun!

 

[Nautical]

Oi I thought it was only me that did the commercial plugs /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[KCook]

Given the exchange rate what it is, this rude colonial would suggest one of these -

http://www.vikingyachts.com/models/pages/overview.asp?numIdVal=52O

They won't spool up as many knots as the Cigarette, etc. But they can certainly be run aggressively in heavy seas. Well out of the "caravan" category. The tall tuna tower is an option. You can order one without a tower.

Kelly Cook

 

[Bandit]

Accommodation, speed and comfort.

Nordwest 39 or 42 Good well thought out cruising boats with a good turn of speed.

I didnt buy one i bought semi displacment instead, but it was a close thing.

 

[petem]

Magnum,

Just so that you don't feel too embarrassed by a little (50ft) boat you could call it

"Trading Down"

or something like that!!!!

Pete

 

[Major Catastrophe]

Kelly, that boat has obviously had a terrible accident with a plumbers merchant and scaffolding suppliers.

 

[Col]

Paul. If you want the speed & fun of a rib- Why not go for one of These and get These people To really put a smile on your face!

 

[BrendanS]

Can you define a bit more exactly what type of boating you want to do. For me the Hunton would do it, but that's my ideal, not yours?

 

[Magnum]

Certainly. Day trips around the south Devon coast. A few days or a week away down to Cornwall, Solent or maybe Channel Isles. Mainly just me and Mrs Magnum onboard, but occassionally my two lads. I like going as fast as I am able to, weather permitting. Burning as much fuel as possible is one of my favourite hobbies.

 

[BrendanS]

Hunton then. Perfect for high speed blasts, with offshore developed hull. Just my opinion though. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[KCook]

[ QUOTE ]
Kelly, that boat has obviously had a terrible accident with a plumbers merchant and scaffolding suppliers.

[/ QUOTE ]
Well then, you may be relieved to know that a few of our builders will supply the same basic theme without "scaffolding" -

http://www.tiarayachts.com/Brix?pageID=47

However, these are a gentleman's imitation of the real thing. The Viking being the real thing. If I could afford the choice (in my dreams!) I would as soon have the real thing.

cowboy Kelly

 

[Nautical]

Take your point B but try living in one for a week, kinda of takes the shine off the fun factor, suppose though if speed is your king then no contest cracking boat just I have seen that process before and nothing would do but an all guns blazing performance hull only for it to end up as just a glorified day boat later cus livaboard was kind of a camping affair and a right pain bumping your head off everything and squashed into a shower designed for midgets spesh when the weather turns and you are sat in a tiny saloon with it piddling down outside while your mates next door are stretched out in big comfy saloon watching the F1 /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[BrendanS]

It depends on how you use boats. Me, I like to be out in elements, challenging them. Some like to arrive in ports and use them as holiday homes once there, and preferably if not too rough on way?
Hunton is not a holiday home, that's for def. But a great sea performer.

 

[Nautical]

No doubt about that, one went past me on the way past the needles to jersey and left me for dead and I was doing best part of 30 knts, mind you he did look bloomin cold though!