nauticat or de vries motorsailor

[hatteras53]

The wife and I currently own a 44' Nauticat that is almost done now with a MAJOR refit involving almost every system on the vessel at a cost of more than 80,000 USD. In many ways she will be good to go for a long time now without a need for extensive repairs. So.........on Yachtworld we now see a 50' De Vries steel motorsailor. Our Nauticat is a wonderful boat in many ways and would be a lot easier to sell than a 'one off' custom De Vries. Both boats have things to offer. The De Vries has more room but it clearly has not had a major refit other than the engine and it is STEEL. Folks seem to love or hate steel don't they! The Nauticat is for sure better at sailing and less costly to maintain.We are in the Chesapeake Bay but you never know if our hearts will lead us to sail all the way to Manila where all of my wife's family lives. There seems to be little information out there anywhere on De Vries Motorsailors other than they were all built for the original owners at a very great expense.Maybe we should leave well enough alone now that our vessel is almost ready.Or is the De Vries that much better of a boat of course at the right price which is not the 180,000 that is being asked for the 50' year 1985.Our worry too is that we would ever be able to resell it.Any and all advice is most welcome.WHAT SAY YEH !!!!!!!!!!

Michael and Merly Gutowski
410-913-2330

[Steadman Uhlich]

My friendly sugggestion:
Stick with the Nauticat.
Take it on a long cruise, or cruising. Enjoy it cruising.
You have already put the money, time, and effort into the Nauticat Refit.
You know the Nauticat and should be able to trust the gear and systems after the Refit.

That is what I would do, if I were in your boat shoes.

The other boat is a big unknown.
It could require extensive and costly Refit.
It is nice that it has a rebuilt engine, and it looks nice. But that large steel hull may have some hidden costs, and from the photos I saw, the interior does not look nicer or much larger than the Nauticat 44s I have seen. It has the same number of berths and cabins.

Nauticats tend to hold value, due to the widespread respect for their quality. Big, old, one off or custom steel yachts not so much.

[ranger58sb]

I agree with Steady: You've got a great boat, made better during your refit. Stop shopping. Use your great boat.

More analysis: what does the DeVries offer that you don't already have? More space? How much more space do you need (not want). Older, tired systems? Why go there?

-Chris

[hatteras53]

After thinking it over again..............

STEADY IS RIGHT.

If and when we leave the Chesapeake he shall be my shipmate to Manila!

Kind regards,

Michael V. Gutowski
410-913-2330

[zeehag]

devries lynch are awesome boats BUTTTTT you have sweat equity in one of the bestest cruisers .. is right up there with devries, so, you have one.,. donot cheat on her with another one... smooth sailing..

[hatteras53]

The more I think about it all of you are right starting with STEADY.

There really is not need to cheat on her now that almost all the work is done.

Guess I just got a case of the little bigger and better..............

This has been such a long process for us.

There have been so many ups and downs along the way.

Hopefully in the spring we can begin to sail her.

I would like to thank each one of you to bringing me back to my senses.

Shipmate Michael

410-913-2330

[Tricolor]

@hatteras53, i think you made the right decision but a few word about the motorsailor "Grote Meid" (dutch for "Big Girl") First in my opinion its comparing Apples and Oranges to compare a 44' Nauticat with this purpose build, long range, De Vries Lentsch 50' motorsailer. Round bilge build from 8mm steel in The Netherlands this yacht was build to cross oceans, to sail long stretches autonomous. We all know that, as no other, the dutch can build beautiful round bilge steel yachts, this is a perfect example from a highly respected architect.

I have no connection with this yacht nor his owners, just hurts me that this De Vries Lentsch designed and build yacht is so under rated in this topic.

[hatteras53]

I do agree with you, Captain about the Dutch built motorsailor.

This is why she caught my eye in the first place.

Our Nauticat is one fine vessel that will serve us well.

The Dutch motorsailor for sure is an excellent ocean going little ship.

If we were going to circumnavigate the whole globe she coud do it.

So could our Nauticat but it certainly would not be as safe and comfortable.

Since we have put so much money into the Nauticat it is the one for us.

Again, I saw some real beauty in the Dutch boat too.

But as several sailors have pointed out she is in need of a major refit.

If she could be bought at a really low price then this is possible.

The original owner of 37 years would probably never consider this proposal.

He has been the only owner.

Probably the vessel will not sell for a long time.

Then one day finally the price will go way down.

Hopefully it can have a major refit and shine again.

If not, it will be bought for a low price and then just slowly die at the pier.

I hope not.

So a low offer now to the owner would probably be very upsetting.

Guess that's why it is best to finish our refit and start sailing sooner than later.

Think it will be a sad ending for the Dutch boat, Captain.