I'm new at the coastal cruiser size sailboats. Is there a brand of production sailboat that is considered the Mercedez of sailboats? I would be curious to learn about them. Any response appreciated, thanks. M.C.
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What are you looking for, Mark?
I assume you mean you want high quality. But the next questions are key: - How important is speed - are you thinking of racing? - Comfort underway? This often compromises speed. - Comfort of accommodations in port, or at anchor/mooring? - Seaworthiness? - Length 20, 30, 40, or 50 feet? - Day sailing, week long cruises, long range cruises, live aboard? - Eye appeal? Without knowing any of these answers, I would recommend Tartan Yachts at the link below. They have a high quality reputation, and aiming for the Great Lakes market means they have their eye on the coastal cruiser. David Lady Lillie
I assume you mean you want high quality. But the next questions are key: - How important is speed - are you thinking of racing? - Comfort underway? This often compromises speed. - Comfort of accommodations in port, or at anchor/mooring? - Seaworthiness? - Length 20, 30, 40, or 50 feet? - Day sailing, week long cruises, long range cruises, live aboard? - Eye appeal? Without knowing any of these answers, I would recommend Tartan Yachts at the link below. They have a high quality reputation, and aiming for the Great Lakes market means they have their eye on the coastal cruiser. David Lady Lillie
David Foster...
Well, I did mean in general frankly. It may be impossible to equate automobiles to boats in quality given the many variables. However, a Mercedez usually means quality no matter what size. Are there boat lines of production manufacturing (production being mass produced boats usually of fiberglass) that make boats of all sizes, shapes, modes that have that "Mercedez" line quality. I'm most curious about the coastal cruisers between 25' and 40' that are not racers but cruisers. Thanks, M.C.
Well, I did mean in general frankly. It may be impossible to equate automobiles to boats in quality given the many variables. However, a Mercedez usually means quality no matter what size. Are there boat lines of production manufacturing (production being mass produced boats usually of fiberglass) that make boats of all sizes, shapes, modes that have that "Mercedez" line quality. I'm most curious about the coastal cruisers between 25' and 40' that are not racers but cruisers. Thanks, M.C.
Sunfish
Hi I have always be partial to a Sunfish. Great lines, durable, high quality standards. You can't go wrong. Buy 2.
Hi I have always be partial to a Sunfish. Great lines, durable, high quality standards. You can't go wrong. Buy 2.
You are looking at the wrong kind of boat
I used to drive a 300D MERCEDES for 10 years. Great car but slow as could be and expensive to repair. Yet at the same time it also as boring a car as could be imagined. There is no way that car could ever be compared to any sailboat (I now drive a Jag, now with that car you can make a comparison) I suggest that the only comparison is to a tug, like the Nordic Tugs I see on the bay. Reliable, slow, take the waves well, expensive, not much fun to drive, and you won't spill your martini. Russell
I used to drive a 300D MERCEDES for 10 years. Great car but slow as could be and expensive to repair. Yet at the same time it also as boring a car as could be imagined. There is no way that car could ever be compared to any sailboat (I now drive a Jag, now with that car you can make a comparison) I suggest that the only comparison is to a tug, like the Nordic Tugs I see on the bay. Reliable, slow, take the waves well, expensive, not much fun to drive, and you won't spill your martini. Russell
You want a Swan
But you may want to learn to sail first. Or you could hire someone to do it for you.
But you may want to learn to sail first. Or you could hire someone to do it for you.
Oxymoron
I think referring to Mercedes quality and a production boat in the same breath qualifies as an oxymoron. Of the main production boats Hunter, Beneteau, Catalina and Bavaria, you could never compare these to the custom stick built boats. They all make a very seaworthy affordable coastal cruisers which will give you more room and comfort. If you look in the archives you will find a very interesting article which talks about "In praise of the coastal cruiser"
I think referring to Mercedes quality and a production boat in the same breath qualifies as an oxymoron. Of the main production boats Hunter, Beneteau, Catalina and Bavaria, you could never compare these to the custom stick built boats. They all make a very seaworthy affordable coastal cruisers which will give you more room and comfort. If you look in the archives you will find a very interesting article which talks about "In praise of the coastal cruiser"
Naw, I don't consider a Hinckley a Mercedes
I thinks its more like a Rolls Royce. Almost everything is custom made in their own shop and hand built, very much like Rolls. Just look at their beautiful custom metal castings for the stem head and bow chocks -- just beautiful. Remember Mercedes is still built on an assembly line and not all Mercedes are the best cars available, they are starting to make some "entry level" Mercedes out there. But as you know the quality is still there on all their cars. That does not mean that the Mercedes is the best or right car for everyone, in fact for the money there are a lot of other cars that are very good and might have other qualities I am looking for (BMW, Acura, etc) I'd say Tartans and Sabres (when thinking of higher volume American production sailboats) are close to a "mercedes" type -- a bit pricey, traditional maybe a bit stodgy but very nice build quality. Remember all boats are built so differently than an automobile and most are built "one at a time" and by hand.
I thinks its more like a Rolls Royce. Almost everything is custom made in their own shop and hand built, very much like Rolls. Just look at their beautiful custom metal castings for the stem head and bow chocks -- just beautiful. Remember Mercedes is still built on an assembly line and not all Mercedes are the best cars available, they are starting to make some "entry level" Mercedes out there. But as you know the quality is still there on all their cars. That does not mean that the Mercedes is the best or right car for everyone, in fact for the money there are a lot of other cars that are very good and might have other qualities I am looking for (BMW, Acura, etc) I'd say Tartans and Sabres (when thinking of higher volume American production sailboats) are close to a "mercedes" type -- a bit pricey, traditional maybe a bit stodgy but very nice build quality. Remember all boats are built so differently than an automobile and most are built "one at a time" and by hand.
Why all the name dropping???
Figure out what kind of sailing you want to do (if you can sail). Then go test sail the boats that fall into that catagory. If you want to drive a sports car you wouldn't look at mini vans. Sounds to me like you're shopping for status not a boat.
Figure out what kind of sailing you want to do (if you can sail). Then go test sail the boats that fall into that catagory. If you want to drive a sports car you wouldn't look at mini vans. Sounds to me like you're shopping for status not a boat.
Awright, give the guy a break...
Okay, you got beat up on because you asked every SAILOR in the world their opinion on something. Now that we've had some fun here's my take on your question. If anyone doesn't like it, well, tough--put up your own... for boats 32'-52': Catalina=Buick Tartan=Cadillac Island Packet=Ford Hallberg-Rassey=Saab Beneteau=BMW Swan=Bentley Hylas=Rolls Oyster=Ferrari Etap=Volvo C & C=Porsche Jeanneau=Mercedes Hinckley=Bugatti If you're wondering why I don't equate any of these boats with Japanese makers, it's because, as you will soon find out, the boating industry tolerates a much higher rate of defect than any Japanese car would ever have...
Okay, you got beat up on because you asked every SAILOR in the world their opinion on something. Now that we've had some fun here's my take on your question. If anyone doesn't like it, well, tough--put up your own... for boats 32'-52': Catalina=Buick Tartan=Cadillac Island Packet=Ford Hallberg-Rassey=Saab Beneteau=BMW Swan=Bentley Hylas=Rolls Oyster=Ferrari Etap=Volvo C & C=Porsche Jeanneau=Mercedes Hinckley=Bugatti If you're wondering why I don't equate any of these boats with Japanese makers, it's because, as you will soon find out, the boating industry tolerates a much higher rate of defect than any Japanese car would ever have...
So, if a Catalina
equates to a Buick, does that equate a Hunter to an Oldsmobile? Great post Rich =) Regards, -Jim- s/v Forever
equates to a Buick, does that equate a Hunter to an Oldsmobile? Great post Rich =) Regards, -Jim- s/v Forever
Well Rich, I think a few of your comparisons
have merit like: C & C=Porsche But I have a bit of a problem with: Beneteau=BMW Jeanneau=Mercedes Any boat that has plastic laminate "faux" floorboards can't be considered a BMW. And any boat that uses an Iron keel instead of an almost universally superior lead can't be considered a Mercedes or a BMW. Rich, BTW which boat do you sail, I'm guessing one of the two above since you are rating them well above what I believe most anyone else would. But thats ok, we all love our own boats. (Not really knocking these boats just the auto comparisons. And if anybody has followed any of my posts they would know I am a bit "smitten" with some aspects of the Jenneau 43 DS) I'm curious where you would place J boats -- I'd call them Porshe's. But I wonder why you conspicuously forgot that other big boatbuilder Hunter.
have merit like: C & C=Porsche But I have a bit of a problem with: Beneteau=BMW Jeanneau=Mercedes Any boat that has plastic laminate "faux" floorboards can't be considered a BMW. And any boat that uses an Iron keel instead of an almost universally superior lead can't be considered a Mercedes or a BMW. Rich, BTW which boat do you sail, I'm guessing one of the two above since you are rating them well above what I believe most anyone else would. But thats ok, we all love our own boats. (Not really knocking these boats just the auto comparisons. And if anybody has followed any of my posts they would know I am a bit "smitten" with some aspects of the Jenneau 43 DS) I'm curious where you would place J boats -- I'd call them Porshe's. But I wonder why you conspicuously forgot that other big boatbuilder Hunter.
Real, physical rather than metaphysical difference
This thread is interesting, but perhaps a better piece of advice for Mark is to list the characteristics of a "Mercedes" quality boat and let him decide what is and what is not important. Here goes my list: Flanged base seacocks installed on a reinforced pad Hand laid reinforcing floors and stringers rather than a prefabbed grid Sole completely removable (by unscrewing) for full access to the hull inside. Stainless steel (or cast bronze if you are a traditionalist) portlights Midships cleat (the lack thereof is an acid test for a cheap boat) Force 10 galley stove (the Mercedes of boat stoves IMHO) Full electrical panel with extra DC and AC breakers for future items. AC/DC voltage and current meters. The list could go on and on. FWIW Pacific Seacrafts, Island Packets, Sabres and Halberg Rassys meet all or most of these criteria.
This thread is interesting, but perhaps a better piece of advice for Mark is to list the characteristics of a "Mercedes" quality boat and let him decide what is and what is not important. Here goes my list: Flanged base seacocks installed on a reinforced pad Hand laid reinforcing floors and stringers rather than a prefabbed grid Sole completely removable (by unscrewing) for full access to the hull inside. Stainless steel (or cast bronze if you are a traditionalist) portlights Midships cleat (the lack thereof is an acid test for a cheap boat) Force 10 galley stove (the Mercedes of boat stoves IMHO) Full electrical panel with extra DC and AC breakers for future items. AC/DC voltage and current meters. The list could go on and on. FWIW Pacific Seacrafts, Island Packets, Sabres and Halberg Rassys meet all or most of these criteria.
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