FLIBS Yacht Sales?

Pound? In comparison to what? A 50-meter displacement hull with a bulb, weighing 500+ tons and a top speed of 14 knots? It better be good in a head sea, because you won’t outrun any weather. In contrast, for a boat to ‘cruise’ at 24 knots like a Westport 112’, it will need to be lighter and have a planning hull. And yes, weighing a mere 100 tons, it may pound more in a head sea. Everything’s a trade off. I’d rather pick my weather and make good time.

That may be the most uneducated statement ever posted to YachtForums. Until you’ve run an operation of this magnitude, you best leave economic conjecture to the experts. Westport’s approach to building yachts has evolved from decades of experience. The level of engineering, refinement and execution they’ve achieved has culminated in a world-class business model.

WRONG! There are people who pay for the perception of high quality. Henning, you really should go to work in a yard before making unqualified statements. You’re making a materials and labor comparison, but you’re NOT factoring a yard’s operating costs, debt, overhead, efficiency, execution, buying power, etc.

Let me see if I’ve got this right… you’re comparing a new yard in China who’s first two boats required 1-2 year, multi-million dollar refits to correct all their problems; to Westports 100’s of successful launches??? Henning, take another hit of the bong.

This is EXACTLY the reason I visited Westport this year; to see their boats in various stages of build. That ‘framework’ in which you speak is the result of highly automated routers, accurate to hundredths of an inch, cutting perfect pieces to an elaborate puzzle. The fit and finish of the bones behind ANY boat will always vary slightly, but if anyone has this down to a science; it’s Westport.

The customers and the philosophies of these two companies are very different. Westport builds semi-custom. Delta builds fully custom. The price is reflected in the latter! Speaking of reflections, that's me in the lower right hand corner of this picture taken onboard a W-164 in build at the Port Angeles facility. The framework looks pretty darn good to me.

Funny transition of this thread, informative and enjoyable. And I believe that all positions have valid points as two boats from the same mold can have vastly varied fit & finish depending on the owner's project management and the yard's supervision.

You must remember that every ship is a compromise: Speed vs range, size vs expenses, quality vs cost, etc., etc.

Yet you can be sure that you will get what you pay for, and often even pay more for what you get in the name of pedigree.

There used to be a bit of One-Up-Manship on the large yachts based in Antibes between crews.

Oh, your yard only makes Med boats. 24 Knots, is that all? Ooh, only 3500 mile range, laughable...etc, etc.

Whatever boat meets the owners spec, built by who ever, where ever at the right price; is the right boat for that owner.

May I interject a little fun to this discussion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mYY1QGK0jQ

I ran this same boat for some time (Hull #1) so I understand where Henning's opinion of Westport originates. I think there was a learning curve that Wesport had to overcome when they made the jump to the 130. I can't say for sure, but I would bet that they rushed this particular boat out of the yard in order to make the FLIBS (where the boat was purchased by the guy I worked for). Let's just say that I'm sure the later models are much more refined.

The one time I wasn't able to outrun weather (the owner limited us to 12kts because he didn't want me "blowing $100 bills out the tailpipe") was one of the most uncomfortable rides I've had since my 13' Boston Whaler. That being said, I don't believe that anyone ever marketed the 130 Westport as a white water vessel (although I have a friend who took one trans-Atlantic).

In an 8' head sea or so in a 112' you're down to 10 knots and have spray shooting over the flybridge hardtop, and a very very uncomfortable pounding ride.