Would you buy a boat that didn't aesthetically appeal to you....

Since we're now info favorite actual designs - how about a Ferretti Custom Line Navetta 33? Ticks all my boxes. Just short a couple of million bucks

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Also I normally have a more conservative taste, as far as boats are concerned, I could live with the design of the Navetta 33. A lot of internal volume and plenty of deck space. Amazing, they even squeezed a captains cabin between the upper salon and the wheelhouse.

How is the quality of the Navetta boats? What are the engine options? What are they asking for?

No criticism from my side, it is just not my neck of the woods. Me and my family are only shopping between 15 and 25 meters for the reasons mentioned above and than from 50 Meters LoA upwards.

But this Custom Line Navetta 33 would qualify both for internal volume, layout and design and it pleases the eye looking at the boat. The compatriots of Mapism know how to design boats . I got an Italian designed fast boat myself.

From this point of view I must also say a hard No.

If you can sit on the beach, look at your boat and think "That's mine and I love it".

Growing-up with wooden yachts it was easy, these days I can think of only about 5 new boats that fill that criteria.

The way I read your question, I broke it down to preferring form over function for two competing boats. That's a tough call, but I think it really depends on the intended use, e.g. tough to pass on a Fleming vs maybe more modern styled long range cruisers that have perceived better lines but not the same build quality, Whereas maybe it's strictly a jump ball functionally between a Cruisers and Prestige in their express boat market segment and it comes down to looks.

I, too, love it when I'm walking down the dock to my boat and think, "Wow, she's gorgeous!" But the longer I've been a boat owner, the more concerned I've become about maintenance especially since I do most of the PM myself on a boat that's 18 years old. That's been the biggest takeaway for me as a relatively new yacht owner > these boats need a lot of love! If I ever buy another one, that will be a top consideration. Reliability is just as important to me as form and function.

I love a Volvo wagon as much as the next man, had 2, but wouldn't put them in the beauty pageant at Pebble Beach.

Curves and sexy lines cannot be made on a CAD computer and cut with a CNC machine. true beauty comes with being hand-built by a crew with skills.

My boat doesn't have the sleek lines, etc., of the sport fisher I had before it. On the other hand, it isn't painful to look at, either, the way some boats are. I don't grimace, I just never find myself admiring its beauty. However, since I couldn't find any other boat with the same functionality, I didn't give appearance a second thought (barely gave it a first thought). No regrets.

I would hope I would never buy an ugly (to me) boat. But then again, when I was young and before I had kids, my wife and I said we would never drive a mini van. 3 kids later and there we were with our mini van. So who knows, sometimes you have to do what you have to do.

Aww come on OB, I'm sure you're as handsome as a Riva! But it's what's on the inside that matters most. Right? Perhaps there is your answer? My little Ocean Yacht, it's ok on the exterior looks, but has a super interior layout for me and my long time girlfriend. I've looked at other boats '' in my lane'' so to speak , that I like better on the outside but the interior layouts are not so good. I'm happy and will stick with what I've got and subsequently, stay in my lane and keep her (the boat)going.

Key words there.

Just about my perfect garage. Had 5 Alfas and my Grandad was mates with Lyons.

Everybody has a love affair, even Canadians.