Depends on the Sailor..
I would say that the usefulness of these new bling-bling day sailers depends upon what type of sailor you are. If you're the type of person who has a LOT of expendible cash, and want something to impress your fraternity brothers with how well you're doing, these new boats fit the bill nicely. If you're the type who can't make coffee without reaching for the salt shaker, AND you're considering dropping a third of a mil into a boat, you're probably going to invest your money in other forms of comforts. Personally, while the teak paneling with birch inlay is a nice touch, if I have to choose between that and a couple more feet of beam...hmmm....let me think about this one... And really, in my experience, the real creature comforts are something that a boat gets after the hull is wet, especially if you're a guy who's handy with power tools and knows how to operate a sewing machine. If you're main interest is spending a lovely day on the sound with Buffy & Biff, Ridge & Thorn, you're going to love these new day sailers. If you're the type who looks in the mirror & says, "I'd really like to see Carnivale in Brazil, and I don't want to purchase a ticket to get there," then you're probably gonna pass.
I would say that the usefulness of these new bling-bling day sailers depends upon what type of sailor you are. If you're the type of person who has a LOT of expendible cash, and want something to impress your fraternity brothers with how well you're doing, these new boats fit the bill nicely. If you're the type who can't make coffee without reaching for the salt shaker, AND you're considering dropping a third of a mil into a boat, you're probably going to invest your money in other forms of comforts. Personally, while the teak paneling with birch inlay is a nice touch, if I have to choose between that and a couple more feet of beam...hmmm....let me think about this one... And really, in my experience, the real creature comforts are something that a boat gets after the hull is wet, especially if you're a guy who's handy with power tools and knows how to operate a sewing machine. If you're main interest is spending a lovely day on the sound with Buffy & Biff, Ridge & Thorn, you're going to love these new day sailers. If you're the type who looks in the mirror & says, "I'd really like to see Carnivale in Brazil, and I don't want to purchase a ticket to get there," then you're probably gonna pass.