Boat Short List Comparisons

updated 11/13/2005

Positives vs. Negatives Comparisons

Underbody, Engine and Capacities Comparisons

Specification, Ratio & Statistical Comparisons

Production and Price Comparisons

Positives and Negatives Comparisons

Mfg / Model

Designer

Origin

Positives

Negatives

Amel Super Maramu 53

Henri Amel & Amel Design Team

France

  • unique design
  • turnkey cruiser, everything included at the factory, de-bugged
  • watertight bulkheads & doors
  • great sea berths
  • protected helm station
  • exceptionally easy to singlehand
  • lots of lazarette space
  • very dry boat
  • copious interior storage
  • separate, standup engine / engineering room
  • no teak
  • full skeg rudder
  • 220/50 HZ world standard AC
  • 24 VDC ship's systems
  • loyal following
  • global factory support
  • large installed base
  • solid hull layup
  • monocoque construction
  • stock power furling & winches
  • dark below
  • very limited ventilation
  • quirky design (love it or hate it)
  • limited resale market compared to traditional design
  • no separate shower stalls
  • outboard facing nav station
  • no island berth in main or guest cabin
  • single passageway to aft cabin
  • balsa cored deck
  • split hull
  • transmission / drive train access
  • limited headroom in aft cabin passageway
  • non-flush deck lockers
  • no third cabin space
Caliber 47 LRC

Michael McCreary

USA

  • rugged construction
  • offshore cruiser oriented engineering & features
  • domestic manufacturing
  • dual passageway to aft cabin
  • excellent engine/engineering space access
  • limited teak
  • full skeg rudder
  • sea chest salt water intake
  • small company attention & relationships
  • outstanding range
  • large tankage capacities
  • nav area wet locker
  • pedestal design - helm instrument access
  • excellent ventilation
  • not a DS/RS design
  • uncertain depreciation rate
  • low volume production, may affect resale market
  • no third cabin/office space
  • limited lazarette space
  • 110 VAC / 12 VDC
  • long bowsprit
Hallberg-Rassy 53

Germán Frers

Sweden

  • great reputation
  • loyal following
  • excellent resale value
  • good design reputation (Frers)
  • excellent interior finish reputation
  • insulated hull
  • high latitude design and systems (heater, etc.)
  • engine access
  • 220 VAC / 24 VDC
  • third cabin area
  • teak decks
  • excellent range
  • large tank capacities
  • hard dodger w/top
  • split hull construction
  • bolt on keel
  • extremely expensive
  • single passageway to aft cabin
  • partial skeg rudder
  • limited inventory
  • Euro denominated for most available boats
Hylas 49

Sparkman and Stephens

Taiwan

  • S&S hull design
  • great motion
  • well appointed interior
  • dual passageway to aft cabin
  • third cabin space
  • flexibility / customization
  • centerline sink
  • solid fiberglass hull
  • dual anchor locker
  • large inventory / long production run
  • usually have teak decks
  • expensive
  • uncertain value proposition
  • Taiwan geopolitics
  • limited lazarette space
  • limited engine access
  • teak decks
  • steep and narrow companionway steps
  • long wait for new boat
  • many plans lack separate shower stall
  • bolt on keel
Island Packet 485

Bob Johnson & Island Packet Design Team

USA

  • well built
  • solid fiberglass hull
  • non-balsa deck core
  • factory support
  • loyal following
  • retains value - proven depreciation and resale value
  • domestic manufacturing
  • huge aft lazarette space
  • lots of interior volume
  • third cabin - office
  • lots of interior light
  • limited teak
  • fully protected rudder & prop
  • very well run company
  • dual anchor locker
  • nav area wet locker
  • expensive
  • full keel negatives (wetted surface, speed, maneuverability)
  • lack of offshore features (sea berths, etc.)
  • single passageway to aft cabin
  • aluminum tanks
  • single fuel tank
  • limited availability / inventory
  • molded pan limits access to hull
  • virulently despised by some sailors / brokers - may impact resale
  • 110 VAC / 12 VDC
  • limited sheeting angles, won't point well
Tayana 48

Robert Perry

Taiwan

  • flexibility / customization
  • well appointed
  • good motion
  • good design reputation (Perry)
  • large inventory / long production run
  • excellent stanchion support
  • roomy cockpit
  • available
  • relatively low cost
  • very large brand installed base
  • build quality
  • finish quality
  • uncertain value proposition
  • Taiwan geopolitics
  • limited - single anchor locker
  • extremely limited lazarette space
  • outboard/aft nav station
  • single passageway to aft cabin
  • limited engine access
  • can be teak decks
  • partial skeg rudder
  • no forward watertight bulkhead
  • no nav area wet locker

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Underbody, Engine and Capacities Comparisons

Mfg / Model Underbody Keel type Rudder type Hull layup Pan Y/N Deck Coring HP D/HP Fuel # of fuel tanks Fuel tank material Range under power Water # of water tanks Water tank material Holding # of holding tanks
Amel Super Maramu 53 cruising fin encapsulated full skeg two piece, hand layup, solid N Balsa 75 2.13 158 1 SS

1,000  

264 1 plastic 50 2
Caliber 47 LRC cruising fin encapsulated full skeg single, hand layup, solid N Marine Ply 75 2.27 277 3 integral       1,400 225 2 integral

70

1
Hallberg-Rassy 53 cruising fin bolted partial skeg two piece, cell core above waterline N Divinycell  110 2.17 225 2 SS

1,000  

270 2 SS

30

2
Hylas 49 cruising fin bolted full skeg single, solid below waterline, Balsa core above waterline N Balsa 75 2.34 145 2 SS

700  

250 3 SS 27 2
Island Packet 485 cutaway full encapsulated contiguous single, hand layup, solid Y microballoons 100 2.56 300 2 aluminum

1,200  

300 2 aluminum 60+40 2
Tayana 48 cruising fin encapsulated full skeg single, hand, solid, foam insulation layer N Balsa 75 2.14 150 1 SS

900  

250 2 SS

30

1

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Specification, Ratio and Statistical Comparison

Mfg / Model Length LWL Beam Draft Displacement Ballast Sail Area L/B Ratio D/L Ratio SA/D Ratio B/D Ratio Hull Speed Capsize Ratio        (< 2 target) Motion Comfort Rating (> = better)
Amel Super Maramu 53  52.50  41.33         15.25  6.75          35,273  12,125        945    3.44 223 14.06 34 8.61 1.86 32.41
Caliber 47 LRC  52.92  39.50         13.17  5.17          33,000  13,000     1,014    4.02 239 15.77 39 8.42 1.64 37.83
Hallberg-Rassy 53  53.92  49.08         15.25  7.50          50,706  19,840     1,410    3.54 191 16.47 39 9.39 1.65 41.19
Hylas 49  48.83  39.50         14.25  6.00          32,000  14,500     1,251    3.43 232 19.86 45 8.42 1.80 33.99
Island Packet 485  51.58  43.17         15.33  5.25          39,000  16,000     1,234    3.36 216 17.17 41 8.80 1.81 34.80
Tayana 48  48.00  40.25         14.50  6.00          35,000  11,675     1,048    3.31 240 15.67 33 8.50 1.77 36.09

Note: Hylas Sail Area and resulting SA/D relies on 135% Genoa area

Inches Feet
0.0833
1 0.08
2 0.17
3 0.25
4 0.33
5 0.42
6 0.50
7 0.58
8 0.67
9 0.75
10 0.83
11 0.92
12 1.00

 

D/L Ratio
Ultralight < 90
Light 90 to 180
Moderate 180 to 270
Heavy 270 to 360
Ultra Heavy 360 and up

 

SA/D Ratio
Undercanvased <15 
Good performance 15 to 18
High performance >18

 

B/D Ratio
Tender <35
Average 35
Stiff >35

 

Motion Comfort Rating
Light daysailer 5.00
Moderate cruiser mid 30's
Super heavy high 60's

 

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Production and Price Comparisons

  Hull Production Retail Base Plus New       New Base Price / New Price Including Typical Options / Average Recent Used Asking Price / BUC Value
Mfg / Model Production Run Total Produced Base New 30% Wait Time Target Years Mfg / Model   2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
                                     
Amel Super Maramu 53 1990-2004 ~ 500       850,000       1,105,000  2 Years   recent  Amel Super Maramu 53  base new                     
                5%              -             -                -                 -                 -                 -                 -                 -                 -             -  
                 Avg. used                -    645,250     580,167       506,000       475,600       477,250       459,250       431,000       436,500  416,750
                 # of listings               -              4               6                1                5                4                8                2                4            8
                 % RV  0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
                 BUC Value                     
                 Average              554,750       521,000       489,750       460,250       432,750       406,750  
                 Better              627,000       588,750       553,500       520,000       489,000       459,750  
                 Bristol              676,750       635,750       597,500       561,500       528,000       496,500  
                                     
Caliber 47 LRC 1995- 18       383,000         497,900  6 Months   new or recent  Caliber 47 LRC  base new      382,950  357,950     332,950       332,950       316,950       301,950       291,950       281,950       281,950  274,950
                20%     459,540  429,540     399,540       399,540       380,340       362,340       350,340       338,340       338,340  329,940
                 Avg. used                -             -                -                 -         265,000       299,000               -         250,000       210,000  169,000
                 # of listings               -             -                -                 -                  1                1               -                  1                1            1
                 % RV  0% 0% 0% 0% 70% 83% 0% 74% 62% 51%
                 BUC Value                     
                 Average      483,750       424,000       396,000       370,000       346,000       323,750      261,750
                 Better      546,750       479,000       447,500       418,250       391,000       365,750      296,000
                 Bristol      590,000       517,250       483,250       451,250       422,000       394,750      319,500
                                     
Hallberg-Rassy 53 1993-2006 90       842,433       1,095,162  2 Years   recent  Hallberg-Rassy 53  base new      807,671  785,592     591,893       500,198       606,637       579,768       585,077       567,698       654,305  654,305
                20%     969,205  942,710     710,271       600,237       727,964       695,722       702,093       681,238       785,166  785,166
                 Avg. used    1,040,000           -       946,000       833,333       823,000       995,000       750,000       654,000       712,000  654,500
                 # of listings                1           -                 4                3                4                1                1                3                3            2
                 % RV  107% 0% 133% 139% 113% 143% 107% 96% 91% 83%
                 BUC Value   no    BUC   data   available   for   HR 53         
                 Yacht                     
                 World                     
                 Sold Price                -             -       865,000               -                 -                 -         705,000               -                 -    590,000
                                     
Hylas 49 1992- >50       458,000         595,400  1 Year   recent  Hylas 49  base new      448,000  438,000     428,000       418,000       408,000       398,000       388,000       378,000       368,000  358,000
                20%     537,600  525,600     513,600       501,600       489,600       477,600       465,600       453,600       441,600  429,600
                 Avg. used                -             -                -                 -         457,500       429,000       425,500       395,000               -    330,000
                 # of listings               -             -                -                 -                  2                1                2                2               -              1
                 % RV  0% 0% 0% 0% 93% 90% 91% 87% 0% 77%
                 BUC Value                     
                 Average                  399,000       369,000       346,750    
                 Better                  450,750       417,250       391,500    
                 Bristol                  486,750       450,250       423,000    
                                     
Island Packet 485 2003- 43       600,000         780,000  In Stock   recent  Island Packet 485  base new      538,950  498,950                
                20%     646,740  598,740                
                 Avg. used       609,000  580,000                
                 # of listings                1            4                
                 % RV  94% 97%                
                 BUC Value                     
                 Average      502,250  472,250                
                 Better      567,250  533,500                
                 Bristol      612,500  575,750                
                                     
Tayana 48 1989- 94       350,000         455,000  In Stock   new or recent  Tayana 48  base new      330,000  330,000     330,000       305,000       305,000       305,000       305,000       296,000       296,000  296,000
                20%     396,000  396,000     396,000       366,000       366,000       366,000       366,000       355,200       355,200  355,200
                 Avg. used                -    369,000              -         374,500       378,364       352,667       374,333               -         329,000  349,000
                 # of listings               -              1              -                  2               11                3                3               -                  1            1
                 % RV  0% 93% 0% 102% 103% 96% 102% 0% 93% 98%
                 BUC Value                     
                 Average      492,000       415,000       388,250         342,000       305,250       286,000       266,000  
                 Better      555,750       469,000       438,750         386,250       345,000       323,250       300,500  
                 Bristol      600,250       506,500       473,750         417,250       372,500       349,000       324,250  
                                     

 

Notes:

50' Cruising boat segment pricing considerations and factors:

Used boat prices in this range have recently often been higher than the price paid when the boat was new. This phenomenon has been driven by rapidly escalating new boat prices, in which the price to replace a used boat with something new has grown rapidly, often at a much higher rate than inflation or the Consumer Price Index. For instance, the product range of Island Packet has experienced annual price increases about double the U.S. CPI since 1981.

 

In addition, the average size of cruising boats has been growing. Ten years ago 40 feet was considered a large cruising boat for a couple, whereas due to increased demands for interior volume, convenience systems, powered winches and furling systems, etc. today's norm is around 50 feet. The relative lack of used blue water capable and suitable cruising boats in the 50' range and this rising demand has consequently driven prices higher in this segment.

 

Customer loyalty also supports high prices with at least three of these manufacturers: Amel, Hallberg Rassy (HR) and  Island Packet (IP). The customers and loyal supporters of these three brands keep their image polished and defend their reputations among potential purchasers. In this list, both Amel (non-yachty) and IP (full keel) must overcome specific design / marketing challenges when compared to more mainstream designs when it comes time for resale. Loyal customer bases are a great asset in this regard.

 

It is an open question if used boat prices will continue at their current lofty levels in this segment. As with any discretionary product in this price class, this segment is vulnerable to general economic downturns. In particular, a decrease in real estate values may undermine one of the primary sources of capital and leverage used to finance boat purchases of this type. Mitigating factors include the continuing relative economic wealth and health of U.S. baby boomers and their propensity to seek out experiences at ever higher ages.

 

In balance, it is unknown and perhaps unlikely that used boat prices in this segment will continue to deliver 100% and greater retained value three to five years from now. Any negative delta between the original investment and the resale value must be classified as a cost of shelter and experiences for the duration of the cruising lifestyle chapter.

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