Windy 58 versus Fairline Squadron 42

[johnf]

I have kept a sailing boat in Torrevieja Spain for last 4 years and have a friend with a 2011 squadron 42 flybridge who wants to join me down there. At present he owns a flybridge squadron 42 but it has UK specification so no air conditioner bimini etc. and he accepts he would need to add these. He has spoken to Fairline regarding the move and they have suggested he might like to look at a Windy 58 that they have in Essex Boatyards as this might be more suitable, and they could do a deal on. It is a 2005 boat commissioned in 2009 (not sure why). Any way I don't know much about motorboats but to me this looks like it could be a better bet. Although older I believe the Windy is a superior quality make and the sports boat design could work well. Also has an extra cabin for guests. I also wonder if the design and length would be better in the usual Med swell at speed.

Another consideration is depreciation, has anyone seen figures for a depreciation curve on motorboats. I guess he will keep the boat for about 5 years so this is another consideration. The mooring in Spain is very easy at the Club where we always have help and are on an outer berth with loads of room both boats have stern and bow thrusters, and so mooring should be O.K.

We are going to look at the Windy tomorrow so any tips on problems to look for would be most appreciated.

So what would the forum think about deciding between a 2011 Sqaudron 42 or a 2009 (ish) Windy 58

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Windys are indeed well built boats and the smaller models do hold their value very well but I'm not sure at this high end of the market that necessarily applies to the same extent because the quality of competitive boats in the 60ft market is excellent. it is difficult to quantify the depreciation on such a rare boat as the Windy 58 but in the present market you're probably looking at 7-10% per annum. Having said this, personally I think that hardtop cruisers like the Windy 58 don't make any sense in the Med. The whole point of boating in the Med is getting out in the sun and fresh air; who wants to be stuck under a hardtop either sweating or with the aircon on? IMHO a flybridge boat is a better choice for the Med. You get the choice of sitting up on the flybridge, under a bimini or not, where you can catch any breezes going or sitting in shelter of the cockpit or sitting inside with the a/c on but still having a good view out. So if it was me, I'd be looking to upgrade to something like a Fairline Phantom 50 or Princess 50 which can be bought for the same kind of money in Med spec; both are very popular boats on the secondhand market and shouldn't present any difficulty being sold on afterwards. The Windy might be more difficult to sell on which is maybe why Essex are suggesting it.
All IMHO and I know I'll get flamed for the flybridge v hardtop sports cruiser comments

 

[Erik C]

Here's the boat.

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/boatMergedDetails.jsp?boat_id=2533284&ybw=&units=Feet&currency=USD&access=Public&listing_id=68251&url=

 

[jfm]

It's personal choice really, esp the fly vs sportscruiser thing. I happen to prefer flybridge for same reasons as Deleted User but lots would vote the other way. Windy is fantastic quality and 58 feet is always better than 42. The med sometimes can be rough. Eg if you go for a medium cruise and need to get back for a flight, there will be some seas where 58 feet can and 42 can't. Just on that basis, if the deal to change boats is nice, I think I'd do it just to get the 58 feet.

That Windy is nice. I've been on it. Nice interior in gloss cherry, nice triple helm seats, Tecma loos (the best), and general Windy top build quality. It would have been most of £1m new. All that said, a Squadron 58 would be better than either boat. Essex have a stunning one for sale, 2007, stored indoors, owned by a guy on this forum, and already in Spain so no delivery costs.

I'm in Essex tomorrow too, to see progress on my tender that they are customising in the shed nearest the main road. Dark silver BMW 5 series. Give me a shout if you want to debate 42 vs 58 over a cuppa tea . Regardless of your final boat choice, I would make a strong recommendation of Essex Boatyards. They are great guys to deal with, their after sales is great, and you always get a no nonsense top quality honest service. If there are any snags on the Windy or if you want any upgrades, just list them out and Essex will fix them before handover

 

[johnf]

Hi Jfm interesting suggestion with the Squadron suggestion. I can see one in Sardinia it this the one you mean? I cannot see any 2007 Squadrons in Spain.

John

 

[jfm]

Hi Jfm interesting suggestion with the Squadron suggestion. I can see one in Sardinia it this the one you mean? I cannot see any 2007 Squadrons in Spain.

John

The one in Sardinia is the one I mean. It is actually in Cala D'Or, Majorca. The ad is out of date
Essex probably have another s58 on site so you look at it and see the roominess difference between 58 fly and 58 sportscruiser (though there is price difference too)

 

[kashurst]

another thing to consider is engine power. The warm water saps engine power and add in the aggressive fouling, if the 42 has the smaller engines it may struggle to get planing in the summer.

 

[gjgm]

another thing to consider is engine power. The warm water saps engine power and add in the aggressive fouling, if the 42 has the smaller engines it may struggle to get planing in the summer.

Another thing to consider is whether the shopping under the table is included.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

To the OP: how did the viewing of the Zephyros go?

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[johnf]

Hi Thanks for all the advice. We looked at the Windy at it was spectacular internally. Slight evidence of age but in general looked really tidy. The we looked in engine Bay and it was disappointing. Maybe easier to put right than first impressions but it looked like a 9 year old engine Bay and one that had not been very well maintained. Quite a lot of corrosion evident. Possibly much was superficial but it did not bode well for a boat to take away to Spain, so now looks like my frined is going to stick with his 42 Squadron. However had the engine room looked O.K. it would probably have been ideal.

 

[Gentlemanracer]

I looked at that Windy in the summer; agree entirely the accommodation and in particular the helm is magnificent however one look into the engine room with a black bilge soon makes you wonder what the history might be and what you would be inheriting. To me, it's not prepped for sale well, not to a retail punter like me, anyway!!