Buying advice

[Idaven]

Hi there

I hope buying advice posts are welcome here - I have looked for the forum rules but couldn't see any...

I'm posting on behalf of my father. He sold his Squadron 52 about 12 months ago and is now looking to buy again.

He will berth it near Southampton, to be used in and around the Solent with the occasional trip further along the coast and/or channel crossing.

He is looking for a smaller and easier boat to handle on his own than the Squadron, but with enough space to comfortably stay on board over several nights.

He has his shortlist down to the following three. We would really appreciate hearing your opinions on them. Hopefully there are some owners or former owners on here that can give an honest review of the boats.

Thanks in advance!

http://www.boats.co.uk/boats-for-sale/sealine-sc39-1395

http://www.jdyachts.com/listed-boat/pri ... hp?id=1054

http://www.boats.co.uk/boats-for-sale/s ... no-35-1614

[BruceK]

Welcome to the forum. Have no knowledge of any of those fine boats myself, but their pedigrees speak for themselves. Well outside my price range I'm afraid.

[shibbs]

Welcome to the forum, hopefully someone will have some useful input for you but they are all boats hat my dreams are based around at present.

[Idaven]

Thanks Stu and Bruce

Would you be able to suggest any other forums I could post this to?

[Ianfs]

Hello Idaven
Thank you for joining and welcome.

Bruce said...

Have no knowledge of any of those fine boats myself

No but don't you have a cruising buddy with a Princess V42, the layouts would be similar would the handling characteristics.

Idaven

First of all, I doubt any of the short listed boats would be amazingly easier to handle than the S52, except that the air draft would be a lot less if used in windy conditions, close quarter maneuvering etc. As the S52 is a Flybridge, with a saloon helm to give better shelter, the C39 is the more obvious choice. Although I do feel Sealine interiors feel more basic.
Fairline do build a very strong hull and I was lucky enough to try one last year and their finish and attention to detail is excellent, however the Sunseeker finish and overall feel tends to win it for me.
As for other suggestions, I'm guessing he wants something more sporty than a Nelson 42 for example?

[Idaven]

Hi Ian

Thanks for replying

He is definitely after a sportier boat than the Nelson, although they do seem full of character. Maybe the boat after this one?

I think one of the 3 has remote control pods - could help him berth it single crewed maybe?

[Bigplumbs]

I would try the motor boat part of YBW Yaughting and Boating World forum for boats of this sort and size

Dennis

[Idaven]

Thanks Dennis, have posted over there as well now.

[Ianfs]

I think any of the 3 would handle well even without joystick control and especially as your dad was used to a bigger boat. It's not so much the docking but getting a line onto a docking cleat whilst on his own.
I mean if he's he's got wind or tide in his favour it'll hold him on whilst he makes sound, but if he has to come in with either or both against him, unless he was Herculean he may have a problem without crew.

Also ask him to look at Sessa, something like a Sessa 38.

[Idaven]

Thanks ian

Roping onto a cleat is exactly the thing he wants to be happy with actually - if I crew for him I have the pleasure of him shouting at me to get a rope on before we get blown into the neighbours boat

His partner isn't as comfortable roping though, so these boats being a little lower should put her closer to the cleat and make it a bit easier. He might get one of the rope stands for the pontoon too.

I'll suggest he has a look at a Sessa. YBW have also suggested a Jeanneau NC11 which I really like the look of.

Cheers