ugly modern boats

[WayneS]

Wow, I feel that there is a whole lot of cr&p being thrown around here.

Guys, it's all about horses for courses.

I have owned MAB's, but am now a proud owner of an AWB. The reason for my choice, it's what I could afford. I much prefer being able to sail 365 days a year rather than spend 3 or 4 months a year out on the hard preparing for the next season.


As for the discussion about motoring!!! Let’s get real people. If you are happy to slog to windward, fine. Some people prefer to make their guests comfortable. Others have time pressures. Don't get me wrong, I sail as much as possible but sometimes there are outside pressures that mean the engine is needed.

All you wingers must be a miserable bunch in real life.

 

[FullCircle]

Gentlemen don't beat.

Chipboard is not used in Dufours(or any other AWB).

 

[WindyOut]

Looking round the marina, why are there som many AWBs? Because that's where they live. The seaboats are out somewhere having fun!

Windy (HR35)

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

- do you look back and admire your boat whilst rowing away from her?

Always, and I thank her for keeping us safe and look forward to seeing her again..... and then I notice all the things I have forgotten to put away and have to get back on board and start again.

There are so many different designs out there. Who in their right mind would buy half of them???

 

[OLLIE45]

If you want a boat that goes like the clappers but isn't particularly luxurious, thats ok.
If you want a boat that is pure luxury but won't ever win any races, thats ok too.
If you want to sail, go ahead.
If you want to motor, feel free.
Its your boat, your choice.
Either way, it's better than standing on the beach watching other people and just wishing you were out there.
Simples!!

 

[Sans Bateau]

Looking round the marina, why are there som many AWBs? Because that's where they live. The seaboats are out somewhere having fun!

Windy (HR35)

It is always a shame to see boats in marinas. If you pick the right (or is it wrong?) time to visit our marina, you may think Galadriel never goes to sea, how wrong you would be. However, if you visit the many top of the creek type boat yards, you will find many many old MABs, left sadly forgot, unloved and decaying.

PS, and lets hope that all those boats in the marina, dont decide to all go sailing on the same day!

 

[Ubergeekian]

Always, and I thank her for keeping us safe and look forward to seeing her again..... and then I notice all the things I have forgotten to put away and have to get back on board and start again.

I have now had to train my crew (aged 4) to check the ensign because I have forgotten it every single time I've left the boat on her mooring so far.

 

[asteven221]

I've not been in here to much lately as I have gone to the "other" side with a mobo since February. It however great to see that the same old prejudices remain live and well, arguing over AWB's. I have been missing the jolly banter! I'll pop in more often so I can reminisce. For some reason we don't seem to have this rather pointless AWB vs MAB etc......issue in the mobo forum.

 

[Ubergeekian]

I've not been in here to much lately as I have gone to the "other" side with a mobo since February. It however great to see that the same old prejudices remain live and well, arguing over AWB's. I have been missing the jolly banter! I'll pop in more often so I can reminisce. For some reason we don't seem to have this rather pointless AWB vs MAB etc......issue in the mobo forum.

So what did you buy - a droop-nosed, oval-portholed jelly mould monstrosity or a proper trawler type?

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

So what did you buy - a droop-nosed, oval-portholed jelly mould monstrosity or a proper trawler type?

Like it!

Pity he hasn't read the postings more thoroughly, then that's possibly why he went mobo???

 

[Duffer]

Dufour 34

I agree on the sails well & look sleek and attractive bit.

I based my opinion on having chartered a Dufour 34.

Main things that annoyed me were

1) The genny winches being sited where the cockpit sole mounted mainsheet snagged them. It was a nuisance even when cruising, however it's a particular gripe of mine that people sell cruiser-racers where the genny trimmer has to face aft to trim the sails and has to be in continual conflict with the main trimmer to get to the winch. I find it annoying as main trimmer too when I can't dump the main down the track for risk of entangling the genny trimmer.

2) When the genny sheets were eased for a reach the headsail fell outside the pulpit and masked the nav lights. Bit of a bugger when dodging traffic in the Solent at night.

3) I had occasion to explore the inside of the boat when a key fell off the chart table, it went under the galley, through a cut out in the sole and into the bilges. I noticed the woodwork was all chipboard with exposed ends. Hence my MFI comment.

I'm glad you enjoy your boat, it was just the detail and finish put me off a boat that I otherwise liked.

Genny winches - they are ideally placed within reach of the helm. I've never had a problem with the mainsheet. The new 34E has the same hull but a more race-oriented cockpit with the primary winches moved forward. Easier for a race crew but less convenient if you are short-handed.

Nav lights - we use a masthead tricolour when sailing: much lower current draw from one bulb and more visible at a distance.

Chipboard? No. Marine ply. It has an attractive moabi finish where it shows (light mahogany) and is left plain where it doesn't (under seats, beneath galley etc). If you want top quality woodwork where it doesn't show then you are looking at the best Scandinavian yards and a price tag 50% to 100% higher. You pays your money and you takes your choice...

My overall rating after 6 seasons is 95% which I suspect is better than most owners of AWBs or even AAWBs. The boat got very good reviews in at least four mags and Dufour very quickly addressed any minor quibbles. We looked at a range of racier and cruisier alternatives and plumped for the Dufour after a test sail. Many of the competitors have since raised their game. The new Elan 350 looks great and I am sure is a lot of fun but I am not keen on the Ikea style interior. The revised Dufour 34E is more race oriented and as a result wouldn't suit us as well (SWMBO doesn't want an open transom for example) so we have absolutely no plans to change.

On the more general point, all boats are a compromise. To find the boat that's right for you you have to be honest about the balance you want between comfort(space) and performance, and of course decide how much you are prepared to pay. Do you want to be able to point higher or have a more spacious heads? Do you prefer a more generous galley even if it means you have to reef in under 20kts of wind to avoid broaching up into the wind in every gust?

Regarding aesthetics, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I like old classics by Fife and Mylne, as well as the latest performance cruisers from Wally and Swan. The problems tend to come when builders try to squeeze a quart into a pint pot, i.e. fit in an extra cabin or raised deck saloon into too short a length of hull. At best they look "over-inflated", at worst the handling and performance is seriously compromised.

So don't be seduced by the biggest heads/galley at the boat show, read the reviews and ALWAYS go for a test sail. You need to find the compromise that works best for you.

 

[smth448]

MOst people don't care how their shiney new boat sails. I made the mistake of buying an OCeanis 311 about ten years ago and when I asked for a test sail in one first the agent looked surprised. He said the vast majority of people who buy a new boat do not bother with a trial sail!
I had a trial sail, hated it. Still bought it because SWMBO liked the "kitchen"
After the first cruise with both kids throwing up in calm conditions it was sold and I now have a toy for the boys. Same length but half the headroom and twice the fun!

 

[Poignard]

I have now had to train my crew (aged 4) to check the ensign because I have forgotten it every single time I've left the boat on her mooring so far.

Last weekend we went sailing and couldn't understand why everyone waved and seemed so friendly.

Then I realised I had forgotten to raise the ensign (a blue one).
__________________________________
"No one likes us, no one likes us,
No one likes us, we don't care, "

 

[Ludd]

You maybe know this, but the original - and current - American version has no coachroof:

Gorgeous, but not exactly sybaritic luxury inside. I rather like the chunky design: I think it suits the hull. Others may not agree - that's fine with me!

Looks like a Zulu/Fifie cross,lovely hull!

 

[Ubergeekian]

Looks like a Zulu/Fifie cross,lovely hull!

It is. Somewhere I have an article by Chuck Paine on how the Frances design evolved. It's definitely a case of art concealing art - although very traditional at first glance, there is a lot of modern thinking in there too. So, for example, the hull is not a wineglass - it's much nearer semicircular and the keel is a NACA aerofoil. Not what you might expect!

I've only had mine a year - still infatuated!