Thinking of going to the dark side

[zarathustra]

Hi Magnum, am in a somewhat similar situation as yourself so I will be interested to see which yacht you choose. I like the Oysters, they are a very attractive yacht, but so far I am tending to favour the discovery 55. It will be some time before I make any decision. Best of luck with the search.

 

[jfm]

Hi Magnum. Wow! I dunno the right answer to your question but an Xyachts 55 should be on the list. I have a good friend with one in Monaco that I sail with him quite a bit and he's forever asking/inviting me to day-sail it with him so I can easily organise (and join you on) a test sail for you and Mrs Magnum any weekend you like. Owner is a very nice guy, mad mad keen on boats. His one is uber high spec - deep keel, carbon mast, beautiful thick teak decks, retracting bowthruster, carbon wheels, top electronics, all elec winches, designer biminis, and he has the antifoul sprayed on to make it smooth. Twas a mill and a half euros, that's how high the spec is. He doesn't get a crew to sail it, so we could test sail it "hands on". TCM is also in Antibes at mo on the cat
Best wishes anyway and to Mrs Magnum

 

[LeonF]

Or go the whole hog and sacrifice it all to style and go for one of these:

Oh this would be the one for me...how much please?

 

[JamesFrance]

For 40 years I have wanted one of these:
http://www.jongert.nl/yachts/?lijst=traditional

You must have seen many around being based in Antibes and a motorsailer would be a much easier change from a big power yacht. This is probably Benjenbavs first suggestion and more practical than his second, which is great to look at but probably a nightmare to own.

 

[zarathustra]

I would definitely take a look at the Shipmans. The smallest is just 1 foot over your limit, but you get a 63 footer weighing only 16.5 tonnes!

http://www.shipman.dk/yacht-range/63-general-overview.asp

According to the VPP you will get over 12 knots with two sails in a force 4.

a very beautiful boat I must say, and at that price they are giving them away!!!! I'll take 2!!!
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2009/Shipman-63-1871569/Italy

Seriously though, from the pics I would say the most attractive yacht I have seen.