Looking for Coastal Cruiser

AB can build a good boat. I hear Riva builds a pretty good boat. Problem with Italian builders, is they're more like general contractors than builders, so their quality control varies considerably from boat to boat, depending upon WHICH sub-contractor did the electrical, which sub-contractor did the wood work. They hire many different sub-contractors to build the boat and do the electrical, the wood work, etc. Last I heard, Azimut used 7 different electrical companies, none of them follow the blue prints, or even use the same equipment/components in the same boat.

Take an American builder like Hatteras or Westport. EVERYTHING from bow to stern is installed by a long term Hatteras or Westport employee. The electrical is always run the same, follows the blue prints, uses the same components. If you have an issue, one phone call and either company can tell you within minutes: This is the part number you need, this is exactly where it is located, and this is where you can buy it. Also they don't close the factory for a month, twice a year for holiday. They build quality boats, with teak decsks that will last 15 years, paint that will last 12+ years, they don't have caulking anywhere (let alone EVERYWHERE on a Euro boat), bow rails are welded, not pinch fit with allen screws that back out, interior furnishings that don't come unglued within 10 years. Ceiling panels that don't fall down in 5' seas. Fiberglass fuel tanks that last the life of the boat, versus aluminum ones and S/S and Azimuts are prone to cracking for some reason.

Easy- Price. Also they sell the sizzle (flashiness) but not the steak......The boats are flashy and look good at the expense of a quality build. Bayliner was the largest builder in the world, where are they now? Galleon is chopping at Azimuts business here, left and right.

Blisters- were a thing on darn near every build from 80's and past......I've never seen a Hatteras where it became anything more than a cosmetic issue and I've seen LOTS of them over the years. Blisters that deep, is a rare event and the fact that the owner didn't catch, maintain and treat them earlier on.

I only see two of those on YW. I agree those two that are listed seem to be holding value quite well. Seems like 20+ year old boats are older than a lot of what we have been talking about in your search, how old is your pending deal?

I've run several Offshores, they have some very interesting handling traits as far as seaworthiness goes.

I ran a 66' and a 62'. Neither of which would do over 7.8 knots unless you had over 10' of water under their keel, made traveling the ICW a tiring ordeal. They both had slightly funky handling quarks in certain conditions.......would hunt left/right in certain sea states.....off of stern quarter etc.......