Royal Cape 53

[LivingWhale]

My wife and I are considering purchasing a Royal Cape 53. We plan to live aboard much of the time, but will dock some as well. We like the space and luxury of the boat. Does anyone have any information or experience on this company/boat? Is she a good one?

[colemj]

There is one where we are now, and I have talked to the owners of another. They are very heavy boats with almost negligible bridgedeck clearance. The interior volume is large indeed. The owners I talked to said it sailed OK, but needed a lot of wind and didn't point well. They admitted they mostly motor-sailed it everywhere. They were also very happy with it.

Both of these are older boats, so RCC may have changed things since.

Mark

[svrevelations]

Originally Posted by LivingWhale

My wife and I are considering purchasing a Royal Cape 53. We plan to live aboard much of the time, but will dock some as well. We like the space and luxury of the boat. Does anyone have any information or experience on this company/boat? Is she a good one?

Very dated and old angular look, not architect designed, lots of space, slow (very slow), very heavy, not a popular boat, poor resale value, low bridge deck, do not sail well, etc. I would not buy one of these boats. You can find better, faster, lighter, more modern for about the same money or a little more.

[LivingWhale]

Originally Posted by Revelations

Very dated and old angular look, not architect designed, lots of space, slow (very slow), very heavy, not a popular boat, poor resale value, low bridge deck, do not sail well, etc. I would not buy one of these boats. You can find better, faster, lighter, more modern for about the same money or a little more.

Thanks for the input Revelations. I've heard repeatedly that she's slow. That will probably be the reason we keep looking. Open to suggestions!!

[svrevelations]

Originally Posted by LivingWhale

Thanks for the input Revelations. I've heard repeatedly that she's slow. That will probably be the reason we keep looking. Open to suggestions!!

If I have to do everything all over again, I would go for a Fountaine Pajot probably a Salina 48 Evolution. However, it depends on what you require but keep in mind that a 40' (and bigger) catamaran is a very large boat.