Solid/Bluewater Center Cockpit with modern interior?

[SloopJonB]

Originally Posted by bobperry

I'm no legend.

Bob, if you're not a legend you'll have to be an institution - your choice.

Oh, by the by, it's Wastrel and that's not a bad thing to be at our age.

[JulieMor]

CCR, if you can get away, you might consider the Miami Boat Show next month. We made the Annapolis and Chicago shows and if a picture tells a thousand words, walking the boats, talking to the reps and being able to compare them almost side by side, tells a million words. They might not have what you are looking for but you'll get a great feel for what's out there and you may even find yourself moving a bit on your position.

When I read your first post I immediately thought a slightly used Swan but to get the center cockpit I think you'd have to go back enough years where you'd lose the modern look. I've been looking for classic looks so there may be some more recent Swans that have the CC.

At Annapolis we got message the bulk of today's buyers want the European look. They also want party cockpits and boats that don't require a lot of sailing knowledge (joystick controls comes to mind). The oohs and aahs we heard were mostly for boats like the Beneteau Sense, a boat, that when we boarded her, made me think, "Party Central!!!", but would probably spend most of its life at the dock.

We were disappointed Swan, Hinkley, Shannon (except that ugly 53) and a few other premier makers weren't there. But Oyster had a couple, HR & Sabre each had one, and a few others that make my heart pitter-patter.

But center cockpits were hard to find. The only one that comes to mind is the Island Packet 465. And if you're not hell-bent on speed, that may be a boat to look at.

Good luck!
Julie

BTW, I got a chance to spend some time with Bob Johnson (IP designer) at the Chicago show. He was very approachable and seems like the kind of guy you can call and he'll actually talk to you. I'm not an IP fan but after our time together I have become a Bob Johnson fan.