Why would you buy a hardtop ?

Dont talk to me about weather, I dont even need to look at it, it always the same, think they just print up yesterdays /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

It will be F4 - F5 sea state Moderate, all of the time, when its not that, it much worse. I know thats not bad, but slight or smooth would be nice a bit more often, especially as we have to cross a sand bar to get out so a rough day is even worse there.

I quite like these web page
 
There I agree with you on the layout of the boat. Nice large cockpit, comfortable and lots of storage too. However, the hardtop looks far too heavy to me. Not really elegant and that's a shame because that boat had lots going for it.

Re. the weather and sea state, as I'll be buying larger next year and therefore also be going further away (my dream is to come and visit you all in the UK with a crat of Stella or Jupiler of course), maybe I'll change my ideas about open cruisers too.

It's a tough choice. Seems none of the designers make the boat I want or it's too expensive.
 
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I think hardtops are a really good option for Northern Europe

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Problem is you've painted an unreal picture as if it's always raining... Fortunatley that aint so and you hardly ever get caught out in a shower. I've done 700 hrs in the last 5 years and been caught out by the rain less than a handfull of times. At least with a sports cruiser you have the choice - covers up or covers down, with a hard top you're in a fish bowl regardless of the weather. How crap is that....

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oi - I am happy in my fishbowl ............ /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
I can seat 6 people on my flybridge comfortably (Sealine F43), 8 if a couple sit on the sunbathing area /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif !

Plus there's the cockpit if more shelter, but open air needed, then there's the saloon which is great for Winter cruising, with plenty of space for 8, or 10 if you use the helm seats! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Perfect boat really for the UK!

IMHO anyway /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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Seems none of the designers make the boat I want or it's too expensive

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Now that's something we can all agree on /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Cheers

D

Looking forward to your visit already /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
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Talking about flybridges - (for example on the AZ 39 there's really only 3-4 places plus a sunbed) so flybridge boats for me only make sense once you go beyong 45-50ft. Or am I wrong ... mind you been on one, so can't tell from experience, only guessing.

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You're not wrong but the Azimut 39 is the best example of a Med. spec. flybridge in this size range. It's next to useless in the UK IMHO, which is why I went for the Phantom (and so did a few others on here) The P38 can seat 8-10 people upstairs but also has the choice of cover and warmth in poor weather in the saloon. The covers are quick and easy and the cockpit covers can be rolled up and left in place inside a pelmet (quick and easy) that stays in place.

The two best Flybridge boats approaching 40' are the Sealine F37 and the Phantom 38. They're good value, well proven and large enough on the flybridge to be sociable, yet fairly economical to run.

I liked the BMB330 but thought the layout and swim platform on the 35 and models above no improvement. The hard tops also look rubbish to me, but that's personal.

I always drove the BMB with the covers down and on the Phantom, I stay up top even during the winter. I only drive from below in heavy rain. Both these boats give good wind protection but of course, you need to wrap up in the winter.

When it's really cold I wear a flotation suit and wooly hat /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
I agree the Elan looks nice, my other favorite is the Windy Grand Mistral

37_4LG.jpg


Is there a hardtop in the Westline range?
 
I dont remember it being like that when I went on the one at the boat show. It obviously did the trick having the pretty lady demonstrating the boat /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I currently have two double aft berths, one each side. I would like something like that again but you never see it.
 
Windy 37 Grand Mistral HT
would be the best bet for a good construction and solid hull in the Hardtop

I don't like quality of Bavaria and Elan 35 has so much a small coclpit that you can compare that to 25 footer

I can give you some other tips but it might be some unknown Italian builder....
 
Because Flybridge are a waste of space - ie all backend and no accomodation (circ 40') and open tops are more suitted to Miami or someother country - haivn had all three I can 100% say that hard top sports cruisers are the way to go ...
 
I have to agree with RogerRat, as another Phantom 38 owner. Plenty of room on the Flybridge for 6 or 8 people while underway and we have had 10 when tied up in a marina for Sundowners. We often cross the Channel downstairs but it is easy to see around you in close situations from the Flybridge.

If we were ever to change to a sportscruiser I would certainly go for a hardtop.
 
Morning chappies and chappesses!

My opinion for what its worth.................When the sun shines...........and it seems to shine quite a lot dan sarf! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I dont think you can beat the open appearence of a Targa type boat. The lowslung lines and lack of height must assist handling in dodgy windy conditions too.

I think boats like cars are purely down to the beholder, and if we all liked the same wouldnt marina's be boring places to look at boats! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

On a personal note, my mate Bob got down to the boat before me on Saturday last weekend, and completely ignored my request to only remove the rear section of the covers untill I got there to help him! He took the bloody lot off...........everything off, never had I seen it so stripped as it was................mild panic overcame me, I found myself having pulpertations..............the bloody cover would never go back on 'Surely'!!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

The boat looked gorgeous, free of all things blue and faded, BUT would it ever go back on? Anyone in the general area of 'Marina Jaks' would have heard our Chuckle Brothers........Me to You routine, but YES it all went back on again /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I love the Targa type look myself. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Jas.
 
Yep, your bang on !!!

Old Gits Buy Flybridges!!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Jas. The Young Git!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Well I'm happy in my fish bowl too. My Seawings is massively practical. Roof always off unless raining (takes 10 seconds), then I can sit down and be in a windless environment if it's a cool day, or I stand supported by the seat cushion, and have all the wind in my hair I could possibly want , well what hair I have left anyway.

The kids factor hasn't been mentioned here. My two at three yrs and one yr climb everything in site and that includes the steps up to every flybridge I've taken #1 son on; there's no way on earth I'll be buying a flybridge until they grow out of that.

Hardtops pointless.... nope; just incredibly practical.
 
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