The best production sailboat, period. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hatterasguy · #1 01-27-2008, 10:18 PM

Here is the boat we were working on, hull number 1 for the Swan 46 series. Swan makes the best damn sailboat in the world regardless of the money. Only Hinkley, and Baltic can match the quality. C&C, Tarton, Cal, Sabre are all fall far, far short. Then you have the real junk like Hunter, which are put together with chewing gum.

Some interesting Swan facts:
The 46 series comes with 14 winch's, plus one on the boom. $65,000 to replace.
They use 1/2 rod rigging, $60k to replace.
1/2 teak decks, $70k to replace. (this one had new 3/4 decks done in Mexico for $30k! The PO got an amazing deal!)
The rudder post looks like it belongs on a destroyer.
The keel is held in place by a massive steel frame system, talk about a stiff hull!
The base of the shrouds looks like 1in rod, with a massive metal flange, of which you can only see a part. No flexing decks like on Hunters.
All deck hardwear is mounted on tapped stainless steel plates! This costs a fortune to do.

And that is why a Swan 46 costs $1m, and a Hunter 49 goes for about $300k. Their is a BIG difference, and you do get exactly what you pay for.

Hatterasguy · #2 01-27-2008, 10:23 PM

Took a lot of work to get everything off, from the doghouse to the bottom of the keel is about 13ft-14ft. So everything wouldn't get shaved off under the first bridge we had to remove everything. I think it weighs about 40k pounds, maybe 45k.

Medmech · #3 01-27-2008, 10:32 PM

They are works of art; where is she going?

Hatterasguy · #4 01-27-2008, 10:39 PM

Milford, the buyer is the VP of marketing at some big company. He got the boat with new 3/4 teak decks, and a brand new Volvo diesel for an amazing price. So cheap that paying $20k for the cross country shipping still makes it a good deal. He could put it back together and sell it for a very nice profit.

The boat is in good shape, but it needs a good going through. All the seacocks are frozen, the rig is very tired ect. Nothing major, but he wants to do the Newport to Bermuda this year. Not on that rig! It probably needs about $200k to be ready for that race.

Rod rigging is really only good for 5-7 years in salt water, this stuff is at least 10 if not 15 years old. In CA they don't really pull boats or rigs unless they need repair, lots of marina's are now condo's so space is at a premium. Dockage is cheaper then where I live, but land storage is crazy expensive, $150 a day!

The local rigger said as a result the rigs just stay up until wind or gravity brings them down.

BobK · #5 01-28-2008, 07:42 PM

Hatty, back in a former life I did some side work in the sailboat business. Did the Annapolis boat show a couple of times. One time we could not get hotel rooms so we rented a boat owned by the hotel manager. Think it was about 46'. I know I'll spell this wrong: Tianna? That's how the name sounded I think anyway. This was 20 years ago.

rwthomas1 · #6 01-28-2008, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Rod rigging is really only good for 5-7 years in salt water, this stuff is at least 10 if not 15 years old.

Where did you hear that? Rod rigging will last 4-5 times that amount! The rod lasts indefinitely, the end which is hammer formed is the only area of concern as it can develop cracks from work hardening during forming. Rod can be checked for cracks and reinstalled. Its one of the major advantages.... Maybe you are thinking of the new PBO stuff?

I would disagree on your choice of best sailboat. Swans are very, very nice but overpriced. Teak decks suck. Who would want the maintenance? The new way of epoxying to the deck instead of screwing is a step in the right direction. If you want to race around the bouys a J-Boat is a better and more cost effective choice. If you want to cross ocean's or go around the world then a Valiant 42 or 50 is a far, far better choice. And built with the same loving attention to detail. Right here in the USA.

RT

waybomb · #7 01-28-2008, 08:13 PM

The only good sailboat is one that is at the b...

Oh, never mind.

nate300d · #8 01-28-2008, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

you do get exactly what you pay for.

I am greatly intrigued, although I could not even afford to piss off of the bow of such a thing. I have always liked the idea of sailing, but I know my experience of sailing will be limited to me 'sailing' on icy pavement in January.

Hatterasguy · #9 01-28-2008, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwthomas1

Where did you hear that? Rod rigging will last 4-5 times that amount! The rod lasts indefinitely, the end which is hammer formed is the only area of concern as it can develop cracks from work hardening during forming. Rod can be checked for cracks and reinstalled. Its one of the major advantages.... Maybe you are thinking of the new PBO stuff?

I would disagree on your choice of best sailboat. Swans are very, very nice but overpriced. Teak decks suck. Who would want the maintenance? The new way of epoxying to the deck instead of screwing is a step in the right direction. If you want to race around the bouys a J-Boat is a better and more cost effective choice. If you want to cross ocean's or go around the world then a Valiant 42 or 50 is a far, far better choice. And built with the same loving attention to detail. Right here in the USA.

RT

I think the company is Sound Rrigging, I forget there exact name. They do the rigging on the big boats, lots of serious racers use them. I got 5-7 years from a friend who raced off shore and won the Newport to Bermuda. In 60-90 knots of wind old rigging will crash down on your head. I can provide you with the website tomarrow if you want, I just need to dig it up. You can use old rig's in LIS and light air for 30 years. The rigging on this boat was beat, all the pins were corroded in, and the rod itself was bleeding rust.

Teak decks IMHO are the best, the wet traction is amazing. They also look really good. As far as maintenance its not bad at all if you know how to do it. Just wash them down with salt water. A screwed down teak deck is pretty rare these days, most are glued.

My friend lived on his Swan 46 for years, he said if he did it again it would be on a 60. 50 is about as small as I would go, even the 46 which is a big 46 would be tight.

I want a Swan 57 center board ketch, I think that would be a good boat to live on and sail everywhere in.

Jim B. · #10 01-29-2008, 12:19 AM

"I said I was impressed. I'm beside myself with jealousy. What do you want me to do, throw up?"

George, "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (1966)

Hatterasguy · #11 01-29-2008, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate300d

I am greatly intrigued, although I could not even afford to piss off of the bow of such a thing. I have always liked the idea of sailing, but I know my experience of sailing will be limited to me 'sailing' on icy pavement in January.

You don't need money to sail, good crew are always in short supply.

Hatterasguy · #12 01-29-2008, 12:40 AM

Here are some sailing videos just because:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-PpU8MUbHE

I live for the water, I grew up on boats. My dad said I have been on boats since right after birth. I worked on this boat for damn near free just because I love it so much. Winter is hard for me, in the summer I get on the water at least 2-3 days a week. Once I get out of school and get my own boat it will be almost every day.