North American Equivalents to Halberg-Rassy

[nemier]

Hi Chaps,
I'm well aware of the European quality boats, having spent so much time working over there. Halberg-Rassy, Nautor, Sweden Yachts, Finngulf, X-Yachts, Dehler, etc, but I'm not so sure which North American built yachts are their equivalent. In my mind I have Hinckley, Morris, Lyman-Morse. Is Tartan in this league too? Can anyone please list the quality builders here in North America? Thanks.

[Faster]

Not sure that Tartan still holds such a place these days, but certainly the others you mention would qualify. I'd add Island Packet and Pacific Seacraft (though the latter no longer in production) to that list. Gozzard yachts seem well regarded too in that genre.

In the used category the locally built Sceptres (41/43) have stood the test of time.

But in today's ecomony if you're looking at new it's anyone's guess who'll remain in business.

[JohnRPollard]

Originally Posted by Faster

Not sure that Tartan still holds such a place these days, but certainly the others you mention would qualify. I'd add Island Packet and Pacific Seacraft (though the latter no longer in production) to that list. Gozzard yachts seem well regarded too in that genre.

In the used category the locally built Sceptres (41/43) have stood the test of time.

But in today's ecomony if you're looking at new it's anyone's guess who'll remain in business.

I'd agree with Faster in most respects, except to add that Pacific Seacraft was purchased out of bankruptcy two plus years ago and is still in business.

Although they definitely have a more performance bent, some might add the larger, cruisier J-Boats to the list.

On more of a semi-custom level, the Cape George Cutters are a traditional but high quality option. Also, semi-custom builder Kanter Yachts in Canada is highly regarded.

[Freesail99]

On the European quality boats side wouldn't you add Swan?

[Cruisingdad]

Valiant Yachts are built about 100 yards from the back end of my boat and are argueably one of the best built yachts for long distance cruising anywhere in the world. Like their European cousins, though, they do have their tradeoffs. However, their is NO lack of quality.

For a more modest boat, Catalina and Hunter Marine are also located in the US. They are certainly not Swans... but depending on your use, they are either an ideal or poor choice.

Brian

[Cruisingdad]

Originally Posted by Freesail99

On the European quality boats side wouldn't you add Swan?

Nautor's (Swan) is Swan: Nautor's Swan - Sailing Boats and Yachts

Just like CD is to BBQ, Pollard is to CD-envy, and Wombat is to rodent-envy.

(anxiously awaiting a thoughtful response from my fellow mods)

HEHE!

- CD

[Freesail99]

Oyster is another one I would add on the European quality boats side.

Oyster Marine - Luxury Yachts

[SailorGregS]

Gozzard is a Canadian company, of Bayfield fame.

Another great company, I'm sure if it's American is Cabo Rico, awesome boats.

[sailingdog]

On the European side, I'd add Nauticat as well... they're very nice boats, for lead mines.

Tartan and C&C are definitely not in that league IMHO, just due to issues with the company behind the two brands.

[Jeff_H]

When you list boats like Halberg-Rassy, Nautor, Sweden Yachts, Finngulf, X-Yachts, Dehler, with the possible exception of Halberg-Rassy these are all reasonably modern, high performance and well constructed boats. Of the three US companies that you mention, only Morris makes a reasonable performance oriented boat and its a 54 footer. Most of the others that are mentioned above; Hinckley, Lyman-Morse, Island Packet, Pacific Seacraft, Cape George Cutters, Gozzard, or Cabo Rico would not provide the sailing ability of the European boats that you mention and some would not be in the same league with regards to the quality of their construction.

In a general sense, the quality European yards seem to be ahead of us in terms of the innovativeness of their designs. Up to date fractional sloop rigs and modern hull forms are much more popular over there than in the States.

I think that the closest U.S. made boats to the boats that you are considering would be the cruising series of J-boats. Sabre might also qualify except that their designs are still very dated. Tartan/C&C have been slowly updating their designs to be a bit more modern but as mentioned the net is full of alligations and records of lawsuits against the company related to lack of payment to suppliers and warranty issues.

At this point there is a real shortage of high quality, modern designed, dual purpose, reasonably high performance boats coming out of US yards.

Respectfully,
Jeff