Shannon 39 or a valiant 42

[Snyper]

I have looked at both boats and like them both the valiant 42 is perfect but the price is a lot higher and the boat is a few years newer. The shannon is very nice and so well built, but has a few draw backs but is much less expensive. We are planning to retire to a boat and sail where the wind takes us so the boat has to be tuff and last and worth the money in the long hall. Any advice would help. Shannon 39 as bluewater boats is hard to find info on unlike the 38 or 43. Thanks

[Don C L]

Wow, what a choice!
Perhaps these threads will help:
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...-a-135901.html
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...2-a-78688.html

[UNCIVILIZED]

With boats you quickly (& slowly) learn that "tough & worth the money" has more to do with how well a boat has or hasn't been cared for, along with how easy it is to maintain her systems. And the number & quality of primary systems that she has.
For example, a custom dual roller for your ground tackle could cost several thousand dollars alone. Plus; the anchors, chain, windlass, windlass wiring...

Another example is how easy is it to work on the engine & it's ancillary systems? Such as changing her oil, accessing the packing gland, being able to bleed the injectors underway, quality of her fuel filtration & delivery system, ditto on her diesel tanks & their installation.

Similar critera & traits apply to everything onboard, & while yes, the quality of the hull & her structure do matter, that part is easier for builders to get right than a lot of "the little things", & they're what really make or break a boat. Not that it's just the boat's builders who determine such things, but also, to an even bigger extent, the quality of care given her by her previous owners. And the amount of wise thought that went into whatever systems or hardware that they added to her.

Also, the above types of things (added or original systems & gear) can add a huge amount of value to the boat if done well, & they're in decent shape. Far more than will be reflected in the boat's price. As adding them tends to cost many times more than if a boat already has X, or Y & said gear's in decent condition.

So it helps to make a list of must have features, & nice to have features, along with knowing what each is worth to you. Both in terms of practicality & comfort, & what it'll cost to add system X, or replace it if needed. Thus I advise folks to make up a spread sheet that covers all of these personal boat feature desires, & tally up what each candidate boat has or doesn't, in order to see what it'll cost to bring each boat up to your personal (ideal) cruise ready standard. As doing this kind of objective fiscal analysis is often quite a shocker to many buyers unless they've been at the sailing game for a long time. Thus this helps to level the playing field.

Though in the end you also have to love the boat, so don't buy one that doesn't make your heart swell, or beat a little faster when you think of/see her.