NEW sailboat manufacturers?

[druid]

I was just dreaming about winning the Lottery (I figure my chances are just marginally worse than if I actually buy a ticket!), and thought "If I was to buy a new boat, what would I get?" Unfortunately all my favourite mfrs (like Cal) are long out of business. So... what ARE my choices? What mfrs are still in business? The ones I know are:
- Catalina
- Hunter
- Beneteau
- Jeanneau
- Is C&C still around?

Of course, there's my Pet Peeve that nobody makes a decent cruising sailboat under 30 ft any more, but the "Lottery boat" would probably be in the 32-37ft range. And the more I look at new boats, the more I like my idea of buying a Cal 34 and spending the money on a rebuild/refit.

druid

 

[Ross]

Morse yachts in Maine.

 

[Maine Sail]

Morse yachts in Maine.

Yes Lyman-Morse can build you want ever you want but you might need more than a lottery..

Morris Yachts, not to be confused with Lyman-Morse, will be glad to build you a Justine 36 (perhaps my all time favorite 36 footer) or even an M-38 if you wish... If I won the lottery I would be on the phone to Cuyler Morris before even collecting the money.... Beyond building some of the finest quality vessels on the planet they are also some of the nicest folks you'd ever know..

Sweeeeeeet Boats!

M-38 Interior

Nothing cookie cutter here:

Photos courtesy Morris Yachts

 

[Ross]

Then there is Hinckley. http://www.hinckleyyachts.com/

 

[kloudie1]

Island Packet? Oyster?

 

[dscribner]

I think Saber Yachts is still around. They're over in Casco (Maine). I had a friend who was a carpenter there for a while.

 

[Ted]

New sailboat manufacturers

Yes, C&C is still around and so is Tartan. I'm sure the present state of the economy will shake down some boat builders like it did in the 80's.

 

[Steve Dion]

Druid: Just because you can run it into a seawall and only the rocks/concrete are damaged does not make it a good boat.

If you are NOT interested in a production boat there is always the next level. These boats have better hull design, better living accomodation and most of them even sail better. Granted you can get a Cal 34 for a bargin $12k -35k does not make it a good investment.

I think if you look around at some of the more modern boats you will see that they will take a lot less TLC to make them the boat of your dreams.

 

[CarlN]

Shannon in Bristol RI is still very much in business with Walter Schulz still at the helm. They launched another 53ft motorsailer three weeks ago. They also do refurbishment of old Shannon's as part of the business -- the hulls are pretty much indestructible. I saw a 30 year old one they did a few winters ago that came out looking brand new - with a warranty.

http://www.shannonyachts.com/Yacht_refurbishment.html

Carl

 

[Stu Jackson]

That M38 was sweet, Maine Sail

Similar layout to my C34. If they'd put an aft head to port it'd be just perfect.

 

[Joe]

There is no shortage of sailboat builders... here's one list... I'm sure it is not complete:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sailboat_designers_and_manufacturers

 

[Ross]

There is no shortage of sailboat builders... here's one list... I'm sure it is not complete:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sailboat_designers_and_manufacturers

A long ways from complete but many notable builders on that list.
Samuel Morse- builds Lyle Hess designs
Lyman-Morris- builds Chuck Payne designs

 

[druid]

Morse yachts in Maine.

Ah - Actually I didn't mention one of my other "Lottery-boats" - the Sceptre 42. It's also semi-custom, built here in Richmond, and would take up most of the winnings

I don't like the layouts of the more modern boats: they're basically designed for parties at the dock rather than sailing (for instance, there's rarely anything resembling a decent wet-locker to hang up your wet oilies.

And they try to pack in so much there's no room for me to move around - putting the head aft sounds good, but there's no way I can get through the skinny little door when I'm wearing my heavy-weather gear.

And I'm surprised at the number that have sail-drives: eek!

I've looked at a lot of more modern boats but I prefer the style, lines, and layout of the older ones. And I prefer the "ride" of a narrower, more seaworthy hull in heavier weather.

But the purpose of my post was to find sailboat mfrs that are still in business, and Joe's list is pretty much what I was looking for - thanks!

druid

 

[Ducati]

Grandmas Parlour

Just my opinion but the interior looks like something my grandmother lived in.

Maybe some nice floral drapes and doilies will make it real homey.

Just kidding.

 

[Ross]

Druid, If you could get a modern construction of Finisterre by Sparkman and Stephens you wouldn't go wrong. You would probably have to win the powerball.
To demonstrate the odds of winning a lottery, name a poker hand and then see if you can deal that set from a shuffled deck .http://www.sparkmanstephens.info/doc/xxxxxm2FgKofLBMqvVwg1wx5arXyMH2Y.pdf

 

[OldCat]

Lottery Boats

I don't like the layouts of the more modern boats: they're basically designed for parties at the dock rather than sailing (for instance, there's rarely anything resembling a decent wet-locker to hang up your wet oilies.
druid

Since you are talking about a lottery boat - why not go either full custom - or - check out stock plans from designers such as Ted Brewer or Dudley Dix? Then find a boat yard to build it...

OC

 

[druid]

Since you are talking about a lottery boat - why not go either full custom - or - check out stock plans from designers such as Ted Brewer or Dudley Dix? Then find a boat yard to build it...

OC

Cuz my "lottery" ain't that big I'm thinking of $1M, minus paying off the house, setting up retirement, other things... leaving maybe $250K for the boat. That would buy a DAMFINE Cal34, but not even a semi-custom like a Sceptre 41 (although I see some nice used Sceptres within that budget...)

druid

 

[Ray T]

Bill Lapworth designed a whole line of boats based on the Cal 40 I had a 227 that I loved. It had a ballest ratio of approx. 50% and I never buried the rail. It had a tree trunk mast that you never had to worry about and oversized rigging. The nice thing for me is that it would sail to its rating which ment I won lots of races with it.

 

[Tim R.]

I am currently enamored with the Caliber 40lrc. This will likely be my next home/boat.

Built in Clearwater, FL.

 

[Maine Sail]

I am currently enamored with the Caliber 40lrc. This will likely be my next home/boat.

Built in Clearwater, FL.

Tim,

I snapped some pics of the one you're interested in. She looks well equipped and fairly clean despite sailing from Texas all the way here. There are two in the anchorage right now one later model with the double spreader rig and the one you're interested in. Good looking boat..