I imagine that like car makers there are certain boat builders that are "better" than others.

For example Rolls Royce is high end

Mercedes, Jaguar, BMW Mid to high end

Holden, Ford, and so on Mid range

and Dawoo, Kia and so on low "budget" end.

Excluding racing yachts, as I'm only interested in cruising at this stage. Can you give some makers names in the different ranges for a 20 - 30 foot cruising yacht that can be sailed single handed.

I mean is a Roberts better than a Hutton, or a Van De Stradt???

Yes, stuck at home just looking at boatsales.com with little idea if a boat is over or under priced.

Thanks for your help everyone.

Hallberg-Rassey = Rolls
Van de Stadt = merc
Catalina = Holden
Roberts = P76

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Ilenart said..
Hallberg-Rassey = Rolls
Van de Stadt = merc
Catalina = Holden
Roberts = P76

Not sure I can agree with all of that, in the case of Van de Stadt and Roberts they are not yacht builders they are designers so the quality of the boat is only going to be as good as what the builder decided to put into it. I agree that Hallberg- Rassy is top shelf as is Najad and Contest, Catalina out of the US seem to be reasonably well built.
People say that Roberts are absolute slugs yet there are hundreds of them out there sailing, when cruising it's not always about speed though it's nice to have at times. In the end people have what they have for any number of reasons which at the time was the deciding factor to purchase or build a particular type of boat.
There are many more things that could be said about many of the boats that are available and people get very passionate about their boat and this would not be the place to denigrate anyone's choice of craft.

We have been down this road a few times and there are generally no winners in a thread topic like this.
It has degenerated usually fairly quickly and people get offended.
We all love our boats no matter who built them or the designer, they are all a compromise at some point.
Have nice Easter everyone

i worked at a Toyota and Mercedes dealership about 20 years ago which sold a lot more Toyota's than Mercedes and guess which brand used to come in on the back of a tilt tray more often

Regards Don

It doesn't really work like that with boats way too many variables. Maybe to tell if something is overpriced just find as many of the same build as you can and compare asking prices. Also need to factor in condition, age of sails, condition of deck hardware, engine etc, etc.

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Ilenart said..
Hallberg-Rassey = Rolls
Van de Stadt = merc
Catalina = Holden
Roberts = P76

I really liked my p76, my Roberts spray is more like a series 2 Land Rover / rolls can hardly !

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LooseChange said..

Ilenart said..
Hallberg-Rassey = Rolls
Van de Stadt = merc
Catalina = Holden
Roberts = P76

Not sure I can agree with all of that, in the case of Van de Stadt and Roberts they are not yacht builders they are designers so the quality of the boat is only going to be as good as what the builder decided to put into it. I agree that Hallberg- Rassy is top shelf as is Najad and Contest, Catalina out of the US seem to be reasonably well built.
People say that Roberts are absolute slugs yet there are hundreds of them out there sailing, when cruising it's not always about speed though it's nice to have at times. In the end people have what they have for any number of reasons which at the time was the deciding factor to purchase or build a particular type of boat.
There are many more things that could be said about many of the boats that are available and people get very passionate about their boat and this would not be the place to denigrate anyone's choice of craft.

When I posted this I was thinking more about a comparison of the designs, rather than boatbuilders. However the OP did ask about Van de stadts and Roberts. Do have experience with all four; have chartered Catalinas, which could be described as a Toyota. Friend use to have Van de Stadt 34, which was a very impressive 34 footer. Use to own a Roberts, which really was a poor design. Now own a Frers Hallberg-Rassy, which is definitely the best designed cruising yacht I have seen.

Ilenart

ps I knew the P76 comment would get a few bites :)

If you have a P76 you can put your boat in the boot.

Back to the original question.
For me deciding factors would be.
Condition, not make.
Condition of (from the bow)
Anchor, rode, winch.
Rigging , turnbuckles.
Hatches.
Sails and running rigging.
Stanchions. pushput, pulput.
Sheet tracks and blocks.
Winches ST or not
and the list goes on and on.


Gary

It all starts with the design/designer. After that it is function of dollars.

Look for a book about a bloke called Joseph Slocum and his 36 foot spray ! Roberts reproduced this boat and there would b no car equivalent in hull design! It wouldnt win the Daker rally but would plow thru everytime