[Intentional Drifter]

Interesting question. Let's look at the value question, first. Bucnet says that a 2004 410 S2 in average condition would sell for $332 - $364K. If in Bristol condition, add 15 - 20%, to get it to $381 - $436K. These values are quite close to the retail selling price in 2004. This seems pretty consistent with what I'm seeing in other cruising cats: If you keep them up and in excellent condition (which, I construe as meaning "not chartered"), you should be able to sell them for about what you paid, retail at the time.

The 410, particularly the S2, is a very nice boat -- I actually think they are "prettier" than the 420's, personally. The S2 has a much better galley than the original 410. They are above average in sailing performance, but not outstanding, for a cruising cat. Interior space is significantly less than the 420 (which is only about 15 sq ft less than the 440, which is a spacious boat, even for a 44). Personally, I did not care much for the 410's salon layout with the hutch-backed seating. I think it restricts movement in the cabin. For that matter, I don't like the 420's "hassock" seating, either, especially with no back. (If Lagoon doesn't change it, then we definitely will -- probably with a couple of swiveling captain's chairs or something like them.)

The 410 does not have the island berths, so you end up having to crawl in or over your bed-partner, like most boats. The 410's shower stall has a fold down seat (another thing they left off the 420 that they should put back on). Ventilation on the 420 should be better, judging from the number and placement of the hatches. The 420's genset location is far better than the 410's, both for weight distribution and ease of working on it. Of course, the hard bimini designed into the boat rather than the soft bimini that was an afterthought. Running rigging should be better located on the 420, but we will see.

Those are my thoughts, for whatever they're worth.

ID