Are there boats to avoid, builders who just don't "have it?"

BenSeattle · Jul 23, 2006

In reading many, many posts, it's comforting to see that most boat owners have wonderfully positive feelings about their yacht. Still, one post did make mention that some owners consider Cheoy Lees to be "Cheoy Leakies" and while that certainly should not be an indictment of the entire line it brings up a useful question:

Are there boat builders who create yachts that are generally more trouble than they're worth? Please know that I've no intention of starting a thread that will serve as a venue for dumping on every possible make but your own, but it may be a fair question. Then again, perhaps boats are like automobiles: every once in a while even the best manufacturers can turn out a lemon but in general all boat builders produce worthy product for that particular price range, purpose and owner's personal style.

Opinions? Thanks and happy cruising.

AMG · Jul 23, 2006

Hi Ben,

Yes there are boats to avoid, but not brands. A surveyor can find problems on a Feadship and find a Cheoy Lee well worth the money. Just as a Swatch may keep the time better than a Rolex.

This question contains too many aspects to simply say yes or no to a brand and the bigger and more expensive a yacht is, the more has to do with what the first owner ordered and if he had a good project manager during construction. If he squeesed the shipyard so they cut some corners and so on.

You can not compare million dollar boats with cars really...

sailronin · Jul 23, 2006

Ben,
Your search here for information is a great way to learn.
At the moment you are "all over the map" with questions and getting a wide variety of answers. Before asking if there are boats "to avoid" you need to narrow down your parameters. I would prefer to think in terms of boats that have a better reputation/history for fit and finish, customer support, engineering and system design and installation, quality of components, success in fullfilling design objectives, economy of operation, long term maintenance costs and retaining resale value.
Before you can consider these factors you need to decide what size, price range and crew requirements and intended use.
What is better, a screwdriver or a hammer? It depends on what you need to do. Which is a better boat, a kayak or 200 foot Feadship? If you want to go white water river running the Feadship would be the inferior vessel. Every vessel that floats is a compromise, built to specific requirement. Trawlers for range and economy, oil tankers to carry liquid cargo, express cruisers for speed and flash, expedition boats to cross oceans.
From past posts it appears that you are looking for a boat/yacht in the 50 to 100 foot range, catamaran or monohull, trawler or express cruiser or motoryacht to run yourself or have just a captain or maybe a crew, with no idea of price range....and you have no experience with boating/yachting.

Go to a few boat shows, charter a yacht, see what will make you happy in the price and operating range you can afford. Then you can make specific inquiries as to build quality and resale and "best value" or "boats to avoid" in a narrow range rather than asking "which kind of food is best?"

Dave

KCook · Jul 23, 2006

I agree with the other posts here. Also wouldn't hurt to visit your marinas to see what is popular in your area.

Kelly Cook

JWY · Jul 23, 2006

I agree with the other comments responding to your question. How a vessel is to be used is a critical factor for appropriateness. And yes there are good manufacturers with an occasional lemon. Additionally, you sometimes get what you pay for and at times budget might necessitate a Chevrolet rather than a Rolls.

However, when dealing with a smaller manufacturer or custom vessels, a recommendation I frequently make (whether it is searching for a broker, builder, yard, or any aspect of the marine industry) is to ask for and check references. Don't just ask a bulder for references in general, ask specifically for references during a particular time frame, say either the last 6 builds or the builds from 70'-90'...you get the idea. Do your research!

I recently had a client ask me about a particular yard and my answer was to ask the principals of two manufacturers who had boats built at the yard and subsequently both had left to build elsewhere. Their reports might be more important than names the yard might give.

As far as production yachts built in large numbers, there are usually online owner groups or forums that you can join and submit questions. Most owners will of course be careful not to diminish their resale value by bashing their manufacturer, but nonetheless, there is a lot of useful information to be obtained about particular models, strengths and weaknesses. Read between the lines; also use "offline" correspondence.

BenSeattle · Jul 24, 2006

Almost right?

<< From past posts it appears that you are looking for a boat/yacht in the 50 to 100 foot range, catamaran or monohull, trawler or express cruiser or motoryacht to run yourself or have just a captain or maybe a crew, with no idea of price range....and you have no experience with boating/yachting.>>

This is a fairly accurate assessment... though "no experience" might be shortchanging me as I've many friends with boats and we've enjoyed some fine trips over the years, with me working as much as playing. Also, I have a general budget, but as we all know, that can change based on the features and requirements which most appeal to me. At this stage, I'll probably be looking at a medium-range monohull faster than a trawler which one day may be operated by a captain and my family/crew of four. Still, it's obvious, I suppose, that I'm still trying to determine what's best for me by inquiring what more experienced boaters at this forum enjoy. Still, I'm trying to make a very good decision the first time out. For example, I have a friend who just took delivery on a brand-new 70' Marlowe, but he made this choice with a wealth of experience as this is his FOURTH boat. Because I'm 50, I like the idea of making an ideal selection right away -- meaning in the next year -- so I don't look back six months later and say "Man... I wish I had bought one of THOSE!" While I appreciate the knowledge and wealth of experience available here on YachtForums, I'm also enjoying speaking with boat people here in Seattle face-to-face. I'm excited about potential ownership but I'm also enjoying the "process."

Happy cruising.

Loren Schweizer · Jul 25, 2006

BenSeattle said:

Because I'm 50, I like the idea of making an ideal selection right away -- meaning in the next year -- so I don't look back six months later and say "Man... I wish I had bought one of THOSE!" While I appreciate the knowledge and wealth of experience available here on YachtForums, I'm also enjoying speaking with boat people here in Seattle face-to-face. I'm excited about potential ownership but I'm also enjoying the "process."

Happy cruising.
Click to expand...

Ben, I am your age, and have been at this game for a while, so please take this to heart.
While the "ideal selection" does not exist ( not just for you, but for most everyone), and likely never will, you will be pleased to know that the "process" is/will be never-ending due to your growing experiences with the boat choices that you do make.
Your experienced friend with his new Marlowe--his fourth boat--is probably far from his last boat.
And, still enjoying the process, I might add.

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Are there boats to avoid, builders who just don't "have it?"

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