Help with Boat Brands

[swhite7007]

Hello,

I am coming into the market for a new 45 ft + monohull. I would like some recommendations on brands. I am very familiar with powerboats but making the transition to the sailing community has presented challenges as to builders and their reputations.

Can someone give me examples of the following brands?

- Coastal Cruisers (lower priced boats that are fine for coastal cruising)
- Coastal Cruisers / Passagemakers (good for coastal cruising and the occasional passage)
- Passagemakers (high end yachts that would be overkill for coastal cruising)

Any help would be appreciated.

[T37Chef]

Check out the Boat Builders Thread on the Boat Buying Forum for some info. http://www.sailnet.com/forums/buying...lder-list.html

All the builder bio's are not finished, but should be helpful

[JohnRPollard]

Hi swhite7007,

Welcome to SailNet!

It's very difficult to give a comprehensive answer to your question. If we had some additional details about your intended use, itinerary/cruising grounds, and budget we could help you to focus the search a bit. Also, if you are in North America, Europe, Aus/NZ, etc that will also make a difference.

[swhite7007]

I live in Texas and I will use the boat for intermediate term (1 - 4 weeks) cruising both coastal and passages to the Caribbean, Florida and surrounding islands.

[blt2ski]

If you want to spend a $million, look at Morris, Hinkley, shannon to name a few that will be as nice as you want. If you want to be in the mid $200-400K range, jeanneau, Beneteau, Catalina would be on my lower cost list. Hunter is another, altho not one I like, nor do I really like the newest I series Jeanneau's or the Oceanus bene's. I do like the old Sunfast Jeanneau's or First series Bene's.

On the other hand, Cam, one of the modes on here, has a very nice Tayana for sale, not my style of boat, but another style of boat that will go anywhere, where as the brands I listed, will go most if not any where, but are lower on the quality list etc.

In the middle, you will find Sabre, J-boat, Hanse, Dehler, baveria, swan, C&C, Grand Soleil, Tarten, altho last two seem to have some quality control issues, some real and some not if one asks me! These are more middle to upper cost production lines.

You may want to start looking at the boat reviews on here, or Cruising worlds back yrs of Boat of the Year winners. Europe has an equal, altho not sure what mag(s) print the European awards.

All brands have faults, all are good, depends upon what you really want in a boat! I personally like racer cruisers, most on here seem to like cruisers.......take your pick!

marty

[T37Chef]

Originally Posted by blt2ski

In the middle, you will find Sabre, J-boat, Hanse, Dehler, baveria, swan, C&C, Grand Soleil, Tarten

It's TARTAN

[camaraderie]

In the 45' range ANY NEW BOAT brand you choose will fulfill your cruising dreams without a problem and in safety. The only question is how much luxury you want to pay for above and beyond the production cruisers from Hunter, Catalina, Beneteau, Jeanneau, Bavaria, Hanse Dufour and Wauquiez
...and how comfortable you want the ride to be and how much tankage and storage you will need.
If the answer is...not a lot of luxury but comfort and tankage are important...then Caliber and Island Packet, Outbound and Valant should be considered as they are reasonably priced bluewater boats. If you are more into well boat boats with speed and less comfort and tankage...Tartan and Sabre and J boats and Moody, Dehler Malo Najaad X-yachts Finngulf, Grand Soleil and Contest come to mind.
If you are into high ticket luxurious bluewater boats then...Gozzard, Cabo Rico, HR, Swan, Oyster, Hylas, Passport, Tayana, Hinckley, Shannon, Morris should be considered.
If you are open to used boats then a whole universe opens up.
I've left dozens of boats off my lists I'm sure, but the main point is that for what you want to do...ANY currently produced 45 footer will do the job. Go to some boat shows and see wht you like and can afford!

[sailingdog]

I think Cam forgot to add Valiant to the list. IIRC, they're still in Production and make a pretty decent boat.

[camaraderie]

right Dawg...I just edited and put them in the middle price range thought they are closer to the high end these days. No question about their pedigree though.

[max-on]

Cam, you forgot Malo too. If you include HR and Malo, then probably should include Najad. Oh, do not forget Finngulf and X Yachts too.