Beautiful Salon?

[FantomFingers]

I'm now saving for something in the 30 foot range. I'm one of those people who will plan to keep their ship clean and pristine. Here's my question: who makes ships in this size range that have beautiful interiors? I mean, some of the salons I've seen on boats in this size range look like they were designed by the Winnebago company, or Sears. I plan to sail around the bay, day trips. No crossing the Atlantic in my plans. Thanks all.

[bljones]

Look for a TES magnam- it is a very well appointed 28 footer.

[Faster]

What do you consider 'beautiful'?.. Some like deep varnished teak everywhere, others find the white w/trim 'herreschoff' look attractive. Light coloured wood or dark? Liners or not?

I daresay you may find a nicely finished interior in some boats whose layout really doesn't fit the bill... As you can see this is a complicated issue.

The Catalina 30 has a good interior for its length - you might find one that meets your standards if it's been looked after..

[DonScribner]

Phantom,

My dream boat is a Catalina 30 in the 1986 range. The interiors still looked like yachts with lots of teak and wood grain. Newer models in most companies have become molded FPR with a smattering of wood. Some are good looking in their own right, but hardly luxurious. So, depending on your pockets, I would look around 1986 or . . . a Beneteau Oceanis might be nice!

[MarkCK]

Look at the old Islanders. Nice looking boats with acres of dark teak to take care of. They were well designed and well built. They were solid, but not meant to be sailed around the world in. The company has been out of business for a while, but there are plenty of them on the secondary market.

[JimMcGee]

Originally Posted by FantomFingers

I'm now saving for something in the 30 foot range. I'm one of those people who will plan to keep their ship clean and pristine. Here's my question: who makes ships in this size range that have beautiful interiors? I mean, some of the salons I've seen on boats in this size range look like they were designed by the Winnebago company, or Sears. I plan to sail around the bay, day trips. No crossing the Atlantic in my plans. Thanks all.

Fantom,
As Faster said it depends on what you consider beautiful. It also depends on your budget. I love the Morris and Hinckley interiors but have a Catalina budget.

It will depend as much on how the boat was kept as on the original design. We have a Catalina 30, if you prowl through YachtWorld you'll see everything from original 70's interiors to complete rennovations that may or may not be to your taste.

Remember you're not stuck with the interior that's in the boat. We completely re-did our interior and made the salon seats wider. I'll even add a teak & holly sole this spring. The one bit of advice I'd give you is if you do buy a boat with the intention of re-doing the interior, I'd live with her for a season first. I'm glad we did as it gave us a better understanding of what we really wanted.

BTW, we do the kind of sailing you mentioned and love our 95 C30. Here's what we did in the salon and v-berth.








Now if the snow would just melt...

Enjoy your boat search,
Jim

[GaryHLucas]

My Etap 26 is done in a light mahogany, which I find I prefer to the teak. Big shock though, a mahogany plank I purchased was MORE than teak at the same supplier! The Etap also has a molded liner everywhere, on the ceiling, in the lockers, a side benefit of the double hull and foam floatation. So the boat looks very 'finished'.

Gary H. Lucas

[Bene505]

Jim M,

Beautiful interior. Nicely done.

Ummm, what's in the ottoman?

Regards,
Brad

[MarkCK]

Is that carpet in the Catalina?

[SlowButSteady]

It doesn't get much prettier than a Baba 30.