halcyon
Well-Known Member
It says Rustler, Starlight and Bowman over the workshops, so take your pick.
Brian
Brian
What Boat to resurrect
- Thread starter Sailfree
- Start date
Sailfree
Well-Known Member
If I may clarify please.
I intended this thread to be aimed at what old boats were so good that you think with modern economies of construction (as opposed to the Cottage industry approach) would you like to see built again today and secondly would they be commercial sucesses.
As Ken stated the Rustler 36 is built today but it is a very specialised market it is aimed at. When I mentioned starlight I was unaware that they were still available - please excuse my ignorance. I started wondering as another thread mentioned the Typhoon and I wondered what could give modern AWB's a run for their money or would they all be now in the swedish price range but not with swedish quality OR have designs really improved and none would have a future if trying to sell them as a new boat today!
I intended this thread to be aimed at what old boats were so good that you think with modern economies of construction (as opposed to the Cottage industry approach) would you like to see built again today and secondly would they be commercial sucesses.
As Ken stated the Rustler 36 is built today but it is a very specialised market it is aimed at. When I mentioned starlight I was unaware that they were still available - please excuse my ignorance. I started wondering as another thread mentioned the Typhoon and I wondered what could give modern AWB's a run for their money or would they all be now in the swedish price range but not with swedish quality OR have designs really improved and none would have a future if trying to sell them as a new boat today!
G
Guest
Guest
A CO32. Well bless my soul, what a coincidence - I did!
FullCircle
Well-Known Member
I would like to see some smaller boats making a family comeback. I always admired the Leisure 23SL for its clever use of space and looks.
...and in the slightly larger boats the Hunter 27TK still perform well and look good. Could be home completed, so economical.
A bygone age perhaps, but I always emjoyed my smaller boat sailing.
...and in the slightly larger boats the Hunter 27TK still perform well and look good. Could be home completed, so economical.
A bygone age perhaps, but I always emjoyed my smaller boat sailing.
halcyon
Well-Known Member
What do you mean by cottage industry approach?
Brian
Brian
ChrisE
Well-Known Member
Funnily enough I was going to nominate a Rival 38 aft, rather like Rival Spirit.
xstucker
Well-Known Member
I'd resurrect the Oyster Lightwave 395. The lines achieve some likeness to the bauhaus principle and it certainly is a nicely put together collection of plastic and wood. Ahead of their time in the late Eighties, I suspect they were just too expensive to make a long production run. Unlike my Bav. 37. Back the earth with a slight jolt ;-)
Whitelighter
Well-Known Member
I think it would be nice to see some of the manufacturers still around producing smaller boats again. It's the same for MOBO and Sail. We had a string of cruising Moodys from the 29 up to the 38 (ok, so the 38 is not a small boat, but the 29,31,336 we had were), and now all they make sre 50ft + jobbies. Its the same with makes like Fairline who have most definitely forgotton their roots. Not neccessarily an old model revived, but more a modern take on those boats would be nice.
nigelhudson
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
but even boats that were successful sellers and sailers in their day - Contessa 32, Swan 38, Westerley Storm, Wauqiez Centurion – probably wouldn't sell today in numbers without considerable caravanisation below decks because the great boating public now seem to value accomodation above sea-comfort.
[/ QUOTE ]
Take a look at the Westerly Storm and then look closely at the new Westerly GK35. It's a 21st century make-over of the original design. This is exactly the scenario referred to in the original post. Let's see how well it sells.
but even boats that were successful sellers and sailers in their day - Contessa 32, Swan 38, Westerley Storm, Wauqiez Centurion – probably wouldn't sell today in numbers without considerable caravanisation below decks because the great boating public now seem to value accomodation above sea-comfort.
[/ QUOTE ]
Take a look at the Westerly Storm and then look closely at the new Westerly GK35. It's a 21st century make-over of the original design. This is exactly the scenario referred to in the original post. Let's see how well it sells.
Twister_Ken
Well-Known Member
Is the GK35 selling at all? I've never seen the demo boat off its mooring.
Incidentally, Moody actually went smaller than the 29. The Moody 27 was quite a tasty little number.
Incidentally, Moody actually went smaller than the 29. The Moody 27 was quite a tasty little number.
bedouin
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I'm struggling with this one. There are some one-off designs (Clarion of Wight, for example) which I'd love to see revived, but even boats that were successful sellers and sailers in their day - Contessa 32, Swan 38, Westerley Storm, Wauqiez Centurion – probably wouldn't sell today in numbers without considerable caravanisation below decks because the great boating public now seem to value accomodation above sea-comfort.
[/ QUOTE ]
I believe the Contessa is still being produced in small numbers - and the Rustler 36 is a survivor from the same era of yacht design.
A modern take on the same sort of philosophy is the Hunter Mystery - but I think that also sells in small numbers.
I'm struggling with this one. There are some one-off designs (Clarion of Wight, for example) which I'd love to see revived, but even boats that were successful sellers and sailers in their day - Contessa 32, Swan 38, Westerley Storm, Wauqiez Centurion – probably wouldn't sell today in numbers without considerable caravanisation below decks because the great boating public now seem to value accomodation above sea-comfort.
[/ QUOTE ]
I believe the Contessa is still being produced in small numbers - and the Rustler 36 is a survivor from the same era of yacht design.
A modern take on the same sort of philosophy is the Hunter Mystery - but I think that also sells in small numbers.
ColinHuggins
N/A
Only the other day I was shocked to find that I could sell my sea angler, buy a Conti 32 and still have some small change.
A Conti? C'mon, if you have any taste for a classic line that must be your ultimate wish. And I can afford it!
But no. I've owned fatter, higher, drier, faster designs and I wouldn't go back. It's not just more accommodation (I still expect a yacht to have sea-berths, a chart table too) but the performance: going to windward at 6 knots when others are motoring, planing at double figures - jeez - even parking in a tight berth without hesitation! And the glow of satisfaction when, every but every weekend, crew thanked you for a great sail.
There is a better life beyond a long keel, gentlemen.
A Conti? C'mon, if you have any taste for a classic line that must be your ultimate wish. And I can afford it!
But no. I've owned fatter, higher, drier, faster designs and I wouldn't go back. It's not just more accommodation (I still expect a yacht to have sea-berths, a chart table too) but the performance: going to windward at 6 knots when others are motoring, planing at double figures - jeez - even parking in a tight berth without hesitation! And the glow of satisfaction when, every but every weekend, crew thanked you for a great sail.
There is a better life beyond a long keel, gentlemen.
KRG
Well-Known Member
Thanks, i was trying to remember the name of that Hunter, it's the first new boat review I've liked for a while, apart from the Swedes.
I don't find the modern broad stern, vertical stemmed, yachts pleasing on the eye.
I don't find the modern broad stern, vertical stemmed, yachts pleasing on the eye.
Signed Out
Well-Known Member
Maybe I'm odd, but as a supposed update of the CO32, I find the Sadler 32 a more interesting looking boat, and far better looking than the 34 (rather ugly in my eyes). A shame it comes from just before the unsinkable (read: well insulated in my book).
As for the GK35, but in the mags I seem to recall it being silver and black- rather than modern, that strikes me as an 80s view of space-age, like some cheesy retro sci-fi from the Thatcher era. Also a shame as the original GK range would probably be my resurrection boats- I love the 24 and 29, but the 34 was a tad bland to look at (in pics, not sure I've seen in the flesh).
Jem.
As for the GK35, but in the mags I seem to recall it being silver and black- rather than modern, that strikes me as an 80s view of space-age, like some cheesy retro sci-fi from the Thatcher era. Also a shame as the original GK range would probably be my resurrection boats- I love the 24 and 29, but the 34 was a tad bland to look at (in pics, not sure I've seen in the flesh).
Jem.
RupertW
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Also a shame as the original GK range would probably be my resurrection boats- I love the 24 and 29, but the 34 was a tad bland to look at (in pics, not sure I've seen in the flesh).
Jem.
[/ QUOTE ]
They're still going - I went back to a GK24 a couple of years ago and it sails wonderfully but for a boat which can sail in a breath of wind, it's surprising how many modern bigger boats are now just as light and quick off the mark. It somehow makes the GK seem heavier than it used to when I first had one nearly 20 years ago. Maybe I'm sailing it more cautiously.
Also a shame as the original GK range would probably be my resurrection boats- I love the 24 and 29, but the 34 was a tad bland to look at (in pics, not sure I've seen in the flesh).
Jem.
[/ QUOTE ]
They're still going - I went back to a GK24 a couple of years ago and it sails wonderfully but for a boat which can sail in a breath of wind, it's surprising how many modern bigger boats are now just as light and quick off the mark. It somehow makes the GK seem heavier than it used to when I first had one nearly 20 years ago. Maybe I'm sailing it more cautiously.
Sans Bateau
Well-Known Member
Opps Roger! Sorry, I'll consider myself told off! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Anyway I did make a point early on about the Sadler 34, so at least I did contribute something. With regard to the Sadler I even looked at one inside to see if it would be possible to update the interior.
I see that the Contessa 32 mentioned, I thought you could still buy one of those, to order?
Anyway I did make a point early on about the Sadler 34, so at least I did contribute something. With regard to the Sadler I even looked at one inside to see if it would be possible to update the interior.
I see that the Contessa 32 mentioned, I thought you could still buy one of those, to order?
Sailfree
Well-Known Member
Cottage Industry Approach -I believe one of the reasons that British Manufacture went into decline is that it was run by amateurs. My understanding is that Westerly had a number of good craftsmen but had no idea what the boats were actually costing them.
I find it sad that Japanese management can sucessfully make cars in the UK while British management eg Rover could not.
Without knowing the facts I suspect the same lack of management expertise was a contributing factor to the demise of the UK mass production boatbuilding Industry.
I suspect if Westerly had been a French or German company they would now still be making updated versions and possibly outselling Bavarias.
UK manufacturing is a dirty hands business that educated, clever, people generally do not aspire to. Investment banking, accountancy etc is far better!! I do not believe our EU colleagues look on it the same way!!
I find it sad that Japanese management can sucessfully make cars in the UK while British management eg Rover could not.
Without knowing the facts I suspect the same lack of management expertise was a contributing factor to the demise of the UK mass production boatbuilding Industry.
I suspect if Westerly had been a French or German company they would now still be making updated versions and possibly outselling Bavarias.
UK manufacturing is a dirty hands business that educated, clever, people generally do not aspire to. Investment banking, accountancy etc is far better!! I do not believe our EU colleagues look on it the same way!!
RupertW
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
UK manufacturing is a dirty hands business that educated, clever, people generally do not aspire to. Investment banking, accountancy etc is far better!! I do not believe our EU colleagues look on it the same way!!
[/ QUOTE ]
I qualified as an engineer and in my final year at university did a management module which included writing an essay on some current topic. I did mine on how the UK status of engineers affected their salaries compared to the rest of Europe. The obvious conclusion I reached was enough to convince me that I either went into defence and wore old cardigans for the rest of my career or went into the City and abandoned engineering.
UK manufacturing is a dirty hands business that educated, clever, people generally do not aspire to. Investment banking, accountancy etc is far better!! I do not believe our EU colleagues look on it the same way!!
[/ QUOTE ]
I qualified as an engineer and in my final year at university did a management module which included writing an essay on some current topic. I did mine on how the UK status of engineers affected their salaries compared to the rest of Europe. The obvious conclusion I reached was enough to convince me that I either went into defence and wore old cardigans for the rest of my career or went into the City and abandoned engineering.
Georgio
Well-Known Member
I have seen the Contessa 32 mentioned a couple of times, these can and are being made to order by the origional builder Jeremy Rogers see www.jeremyrogers.co.uk
It may be expensive for 32ft (whwn compared to BenJenBav) but you have the pleasure of owning the most beautiful boat in the world /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
It may be expensive for 32ft (whwn compared to BenJenBav) but you have the pleasure of owning the most beautiful boat in the world /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Sailfree
Well-Known Member
I agree.
I qualified as an Engineer and the problem I found was that design and construction was so interesting many did it for that reason alone and hence were paid peanuts! I then did enough law to be in a position to seriously increase the profit on a job and effectively doubled my salary.
It seems to be a left over from the English public school /class system that manufacture is trade (please use the back entrance!) while banking/ civil service is good (but produces nothing!!). While this may be a contributory factor I am sure the decline of UK manufacture is due to many causes.
I qualified as an Engineer and the problem I found was that design and construction was so interesting many did it for that reason alone and hence were paid peanuts! I then did enough law to be in a position to seriously increase the profit on a job and effectively doubled my salary.
It seems to be a left over from the English public school /class system that manufacture is trade (please use the back entrance!) while banking/ civil service is good (but produces nothing!!). While this may be a contributory factor I am sure the decline of UK manufacture is due to many causes.