Phil Eslinger wrote:

Thoughts on the Duck:  It appears very ocean capable, but as a custom
boat is not really in the same category as the Krogen 44 and the
Nordhavn 43

REPLY
The original question specifically asked about the diesel Duck 462,
which is a production boat. Something like 11 boats are ordered so far.
Hardly what I would cal custom.

Arild

Good point Georgs.  I'm sure there are other capable boats out there.

Thoughts on the Duck:  It appears very ocean capable, but as a custom
boat is not really in the same category as the Krogen 44 and the
Nordhavn 43.  It has no flybridge or Portuguese bridge.  After having
spent time in the saloon of a boat with large glass ports (OK windows),
I think I would feel a little claustrophobic with just small ports.
And we can resurrect the discussion of fiberglass vs steel, something I
went through when considering the Cape Horn.  Is there room for a wing
engine on the Duck?

Thoughts on the Selene:  They have come a long way since I first
looked at the Solo.  I dock in the boat yard in Seattle that
commissions all of the Northwest Selenes and see a lot of them.
Their interiors are wonderful.  They are moving from being a coastal
cruiser to entering the passagemaking market.  The 43 is their oldest
design and was originally conceived as a semi displacement hull, hence
the 10.5 kt max speed.  They are gradually shifting to the full
displacement lineup but only refer to some of their boats as
"displacement" hulls.    They are well built boats and would make
wonderful long range coastal cruisers, but I would not want to take one
to Hawaii.  I have not seen many of the 43's; they are selling a ton
of the 53's and the 57's.  I have not seen all of the boats, but I
have yet to see one with a wing engine.  Only fairly recently did the
new boats start appearing with active stabilizers.

Does anyone know the price of either of these boats?  And what other
boats should be in this discussion that we are leaving out?

Phil Eslinger

Phil,

I went to their website last Spring to look at the small end of their line
and noted one thing about the specifications of their entry vessels - they
use Chinese components. For example, they use Chinese wire throughout. This
is not necessarily a negative, but it is something to be aware of and
scrutinize. To me it means that it places great emphasis on Selene's on-site
supervision. Preferably, a part that would normally have to be replaced
would not be of Chinese origin.

On the other hand, Seahorse seems to do a fine job and also uses many US
components. Since so many things we use are now made in China, I imagine if
you specify well enough, you will get wire and other components at a level
equal to the best US products.

Also, I think that I own a passagemaker, a Willard 40. But she's remaining
coastal till I complete sorting her out.

Ron Rogers

----- Original Message -----
From: "Phil Eslinger" pslinger@mindspring.com
|
| Does anyone know the price of either of these boats?  And what other
| boats should be in this discussion that we are leaving out?