Rate That Boat

[Panamax.]

Please rate the following sailboat brands from best to worst:

Catalina
Hunter
Benateau
Delphia
Jeanneau
Sabre

Comments appreciated....oh! And say I wanted a nice 30-38 foot cruising sailboat for the Puget Sound and North to Alaska...what would you buy?



Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by Panamax.

Please rate the following sailboat brands from best to worst:

Catalina
Hunter
Benateau
Delphia
Jeanneau
Sabre

Here we go again - LOL...

Beneteau
Jenneau
Catalina
Hunter
(all personal preference)

Unrated - no experience
Delphia
Sabre

Originally Posted by Panamax.

Comments appreciated....oh! And say I wanted a nice 30-38 foot cruising sailboat for the Puget Sound and North to Alaska...what would you buy?

None of the above.

As a guy who leans way towards performance cruisers and will likely end up in his last years on a mid-sized cat (in the tropics) I will go against my grain and say for the area you are talking about I would go "traditional" full/cutaway keel, heavy displacement boat. Probably a ketch or cutter rig. Preferably set up for storm sails with a natural (I.e. designed in) staysail setup.

The bendi-plastis will probably be OK but given a choice I'd go heavier and with multiple sail plan choices.

[boatpoker]

Each of them is the best at something.
Each of them is the worst at something else.

Although I must admit to general disdain for any builder (French boats) who install brass throughulls and ball valves (note I don't call them seacocks) for use in salt water.

[Greenhand]

Why not look at what is available and choose the one that best suits you, rather than choosing a boat then trying to find it?

[atoll]

sorry but they are all crap,buy a swan if you want quality

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Each of them is the best at something.
Each of them is the worst at something else.

Exactly. Without specific criteria for what you (the OP) mean by "best" and "worst" you cannot get a meaningful answer to this question. It's just not that easy. You are going to have to spend some time reading and researching, and then thinking about exactly how you will use a boat, and then you'll be able to ask a question that is specific enough to elicit useful responses.

Good luck.

[Sailmonkey]

I like boats.......what do you like?

[zeehag]

they are what they are--production boats. that is neither a negative nor a positive statement.
if you are sold on one, then iti s best in world for you.
not everyone is same, not every boat is same.
there is no best nor worst. they all production. big deal. what turns you on turns you on, go with it, then you wont have to blame someone else for your choice, or even the lack of satisfaction you find in dealing with other folks likes and choices not your own..
and, if you secretly crave a lord nelson or a hans, go with that, also. boat buying is not a personality contest nor a what is best in world cntest..it is a what do I like contest. it is apersonal quest. very oersonal. like seeking a spouse.
what makes your heart beat isnt same as what makes mine beat. is why i like heavy deep keeled crab crushers, as well as their traditional looks. i dislike the new every boat looks same look--is ugly to me. yet it is gorgeous to others...
good luck in your quest.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by Panamax.

Please rate the following sailboat brands from best to worst:

Catalina
Hunter
Benateau
Delphia
Jeanneau
Sabre

Comments appreciated....

Do you mean rate by perceived build quality? If so, and this only by reputation influenced by insight on the powerboat side:

1. Sabre.
2. the rest.

I have no first-hand experience with these, though I've been aboard some, including Sabre. I don't know the Delphia brand, though.. not being a sailor first.

-Chris

[Panope]

Originally Posted by Panamax.

.............. And say I wanted a nice 30-38 foot cruising sailboat for the Puget Sound and North to Alaska...what would you buy?

One with a fully enclosed, heated wheelhouse.

Steve

[jtsailjt]

Originally Posted by Panamax.

Please rate the following sailboat brands from best to worst:

Catalina
Hunter
Benateau
Delphia
Jeanneau
Sabre

Comments appreciated....oh! And say I wanted a nice 30-38 foot cruising sailboat for the Puget Sound and North to Alaska...what would you buy?



Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

None of the above except I've never seen a Delphia so can't comment on those boats. In a sailboat that would look a lot like those you mention but be a step up in both seaworthiness and performance, I'd take a look at a Nordic 40 if you could find one in good condition, especially since you're apparently looking in the NW where they were built. The French boats and Catalina's tend to not be as ruggedly built, and though I'm from Maine where they are from, I've never been a big fan of Sabre sailboats. They look OK from a distance but whenever I've been aboard one, I've constantly run into features that say "lightweight" or "cheap."

[ontherocks83]

Ahhh the un-answerable question. (what is the sound of one hand clapping?)

Again it goes to what suits you. For me and my needs ranging from design-build quality-price-and customer service, new Catalina's are what is best for me and my needs/tastes/budget. Would I love an oyster, swan or other hell yes. Do I think swans are better then Catalina's? Again hell yes. Do I think with my budget and needs that a Catalina is the best for me? Absolutely!!!! There is just something about them I like and I like where there company has gone with their latest line of boats.

You on the other hand? who the hell knows what is best for you, but you.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Panamax.

Comments appreciated....oh! And say I wanted a nice 30-38 foot cruising sailboat for the Puget Sound and North to Alaska...what would you buy?

A Waterline!

[Cheechako]

Never owned any of them but have sailed on some and looked closely at everything but the Delphi. Problem is, different models and decades mean a lot.

Sabre
Jeanneau
Catalina
Beneteau
Hunter

[sailcruiser]

For what type of sailing? Beer can racing, coastal cruising, ocean, Great Lakes...circumnavigation?
SC