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Suitable Yachts
Introduction
There are hundreds of yacht styles and designs to choose from for a suitable yacht. But to provide a balance between daytime living outdoors in a sunny climate, and something with an 'indoors' that feels like a comfortable hotel room or holiday apartment narrows the choice. For many yachts, 'indoors' is 'down below' and those unused to being aboard a yacht can find them claustraphobic and dark, even though they may be spacious and well-appointed.
However, some yacht builders have realized that a good market exists for a more modest version of the deck saloon configuration, and although choices are few, some very pretty and affordable yachts are available. Four alternatives have been selected and deserve keen scrutiny and consideration for our Suitable Yacht.
One of the best compromises is achieved in the 'deck saloon' configuration, where the main living accommodation is inside, but 'up' rather than 'down', providing great views of the outside. This arrangement is popular in large, luxury yachts that generally fall well outside the price range for our partnership, not only to purchase, but also to moor and to maintain where costs for both are high.
'Down below' on a Beneteau Oceanis 40
Light and bright 'deck saloon' of a Dehler 41ds
A Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 48 - a good example of a modern, deck saloon configuration cruising yacht
Suitable Yachts - overview
There are several parameters to balance when searching for a suitable yacht.
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These include:
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Physical attributes - size, style, sail plan, engine, electronics, etc;
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Quality of build, condition, history, outcome of a yacht survey;
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Purchase cost - €90-140k is a reasonable budget;
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Mooring costs; maintenance and other shore-based costs; insurance;
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Accommodation and layout:
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Live-aboard appeal: comfort, facilities, space and light, 'mod-cons';
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Sailing performance;
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Ease of handling, when sailing and under power;
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Location of point of sale in relation to preferred Home Port. That is, if an ideal suitable yacht is available in Denmark, but we want it to be in Barcelona, how feasible will it be to move it there if it is purchased?
Marques to consider:
Dehler 41ds
Built in Germany, Dehler yachts include a wide range of styles, lengths and designs. The only deck saloon yacht in the range is the 41ds. The main focus of the interior is the super, raised deck saloon which is the principal living area 'indoors'. With panoramic views from large windows, the 'dinette' is comfortable and inviting. Many were finished in a dark blue hull - very smart!
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Further 'below' is a corridor-style galley (kitchen) with meal preparation areas, a decent cooker, a built-in fridge and a microwave, This leads to a large, main double cabin forward with an en-suite shower room and loo. Aft (at the back) is another double cabin, also with a shower and loo.
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Topsides (on deck), a large cockpit is where all the action is, with sail and engine controls set up for short-handed working of the yacht both under sail and power.
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Dehler 41ds yachts come to the market quite rarely, but quite regularly. Price range: £85-125k depending on equipment, condition, year built etc.
Dehler 41ds
Dehler 41ds 'parked'
Van de Stadt Norman 41
Van de Stadt is a highly renowned yacht architect agency whose designs are made available to yacht-builders worldwide. Based in The Netherlands, many Van de Stadt yachts also come from this region, and are often found built in steel rather than the more usual, GRP, which makes them a popular choice for those seeking global adventures because they are so strong.
Their range of designs includes everything from racing yachts to family cruisers. The Norman 41 is their 'take' on the deck saloon idea, and the result is a voluminous yacht but which is possibly the most traditional-looking of the four brands selected for consideration as a possible Suitable Yacht, although it might be said that as a fairly dated design, it is not as 'pretty' as the Dehler, for example.
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But these 'looks' belie an innovative layout of very generous and comfortable accommodation for 6, in two double cabins, one forward and one aft (at the back). The interesting bit is how the space under the deck saloon seating is used to fit in another comfortable double, albeit with limited headroom.
The deck saloon living area is light and airy due to huge windows that, as with all the of yachts in this selection, provide fantastic panoramic views of the outside world, and the linear galley is well-equipped and generously proportioned.
Van de Stadt Norman 41
Van de Stadt Norman 41 For Sale
Van de Stadt Norman 41 'parked'
Franchini 45L Atlantide
​Franchini Yachts are a range of up-market, high-quality yachts, with the big ones popular with the rich and famous. Built in Italy, they are loaded with style and top-quality equipment and furnishings, all beautifully built. The Franchini 45L Atlantide, quite surprisingly, is in our price range and was built for a number of years from the 1990s to the 2000s.​
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The Franchini has a similar layout to the Dehler, although it's a little larger, featuring 3 separate sleeping cabins, two doubles, one in the forepeak (right at the front) and the main 'stateroom' aft (at the back). Just forward of the rasied deck saloon with the same, all round panoramic view the design squeezes in a twin 'bunk' berth.
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Not quite such a handsome yacht as the Dehler, being more traditionally styled, but a Franchini has lots to offer, not least three private sleeping cabins. Quite a few were built, so there is usually a selection available on the used market. Prices range from €85k for quite a rough, early yacht to €150k+ for a lovely one. The 45L was updated and restyled as the Franchini 47L in 2004, a fabulous yacht, but at €190k+, too expensive?
Franchini 45L Atlantide
Franchini 45L anchored
Wauquiez 40...48 Pilot Saloon
Wauquiez are premier brand, deck saloon (Pilot Saloon), blue-water cruising yachts from a well-respected French yard. They come in a variety of versions from more modest craft suitable for our partnership to mega-yachts for the exceedingly wealthy.
The range has grown in length from and original 40 (feet) to 43 in recent years, and have accommodation for four in two double cabins in a very similar layout to the Dehler. The larger, 48, has an additional two-bunk cabin. The deck saloon includes the sizeable galley and panaromic views from the seating area.
The yachts are et up for easy sail-handling with electric winches, and a powerful engine for motoring in windless conditions, and manoeuvring in ports and marinas. We would expect to pay €80k for an older 40, to €150k for a newer 43, or this may even buy us a 48.
Wauquiez 40
Wauquiez 40 deck saloon
Wauquiez 40 Pilot Saloon
Wauquiez 40 Pilot Saloon For Sale
Wauquiez 43 Pilot Saloon anchored
