Alternative to a Wildcat?

[Dragon Lady]

Hi all, after much searching and looking around I thought I had found the right design for me in a Wildcat 350.
However after reading all the treads on this site I'm left wondering is there an alternative?
I want the accommodation and performance of a Wildcat but obviously no one wants the alleged problems this boats are supposed to suffer from.
So I have to ask is there an alternative?
I want to do coastal cruising on the Australian east coast so don't need a full blue water boat but I do need to get it here as the local market is, in my opinion over priced.
The Island Spirits look good too but there's not many around.
Does anyone have suggestions for a good 35 footer for around $150K USD.
I've looked at the Seawinds but they are not what I'm after and are expensive.
Or after all the hype are the Wildcats really not that bad?

[biltong]

HI Dragon Lady. You could try and get hold of Kevin at the Knysna Yacht Company (one of the owners) who once owned one of the Wildcat 350 and I am sure will be able to give you some personal information. He is also one of the owners Of the Knysna Yacht Company, South Africa who not only build great cats, is also very knowlegable and helpfull. You can mention that I have passed you on to him.
All the best,
Mark

[GringoOnStingo]

Another vote for Kevin from KYC being a good bloke.

Even if you did manage to find a good Wildcat, your problem will be selling it when you eventually want to upgrade. Have you considered an older Voyage 380 or Maxim 380?

[Canibul]

Nice boat, but I am curious as to why, when someone asks advice for a 35 ft. boat for $ 150,000.....the responses are for a 44 ft.boat that sells for around $ 400,000....used.

[KestrelBuck]

Nice boat, but I am curious as to why, when someone asks advice for a 35 ft. boat for $ 150,000.....the responses are for a 44 ft.boat that sells for around $ 400,000....used.

Hi Canibul,
It's always easy to be free with other people's money!

[GringoOnStingo]

Canibul, Biltong was suggesting that the OP ask Kevin about the problems with Wildcats, and with Kevin being a boat builder, he probably has a better insight into the problems of build quality of the Wildcat.

[Dragon Lady]

Thanks Guys, I really like the look of the Wildcat though I've never seen one in the flesh.
I've found Kevin's email address on the Knysna Yacht Company website so I'll try and contact him.

[biltong]

Quite so!!! If you are looking for a 35 foot yacht, why would you want a 44 footer? ??
I have, however recently seen a couple of Wildcats for sail on Apolloduck.com

[GringoOnStingo]

Originally Posted by Dragon Lady

.. I really like the look of the Wildcat though I've never seen one in the flesh.

DragonLady, when you do come across one, check for de-lamination very THOROUGHLY and then look at the shape of the outer decks - they are very rounded, which makes slipping off really easy. Which also means that anything dropped, even while at anchor, will make a nice splish, splash, splosh sound, swiftly followed by your very own variety of blue utterances.

Another nasty design detail is that the cockpit floor slopes and does not have effective non-slip.

[cnj]

Look at the FP Tobago35 flatdecks,higher brigedeck,and at 19'beam will fit in a 20' travellift

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by GringoOnStingo

then look at the shape of the outer decks - they are very rounded, which makes slipping off really easy.

Has there ever been a case of someone slipping off?
You could have square decks coated with stickum and the Ipod/bino's/camera/bolt/keys/wallet you drop will somehow still find its way to the water
On the upside, sloped decks shed water faster.

I agree about checking for delamination, and check for signs of leakage around the windows and balcony door.

[paulrack]

The slope of the deck will depend on the model, the later models had less of a sloping deck. There are a number with delam problems that has probably badly affected their resale value. That in itself is a bonus if you find a good one. Spend the money on the best surveyor you can find and give him a copy of all the reported problems on the boat. maybe you will be lucky and find a good one. I have seen lots in CT with delam problems, but have also seen ones that are fine. The resale issue is less of an issue in that you are buying it cheaper in the first place.

[Canibul]

Originally Posted by GringoOnStingo

Canibul, Biltong was suggesting that the OP ask Kevin about the problems with Wildcats, and with Kevin being a boat builder, he probably has a better insight into the problems of build quality of the Wildcat.

Ah, thanks for the clarification. Makes sense, now. ANd that guy sure does build some nice yachts, I was just drooling over that 44 footer.

And I can't tell you how strange it is for me to address someone else as Gringo. That's my online name just about everywhere else, and what people call me when they email or write us at the blog!

Name was already taken on this forum.

[GringoOnStingo]

Originally Posted by Canibul

And I can't tell you how strange it is for me to address someone else as Gringo.

The GringoOnCanibul just doesn't have a nice ring about it, does it?

[Dragon Lady]

Thanks, I've found an e mail address for Kevin at the website for Knysna Yacht Company so I'll try and contact him.
Has there been any explaination of the delam issue with these boats?
Is there a specific area that it occurs?
Have any boats experienced structural failure?
As for resale there is such a shortage of good boats at a resonable price in Australia that I don't think that will be a problem.
Also has anyone had any experiance with the Island Spirit 37?