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45-footer for a roundbritain adventure with three friends
Mark is planning a round Britain trip with two friends and expects to take five months, mostly day sailing. Their wives, families and friends will also join them occasionally. They propose to purchase a yacht specifically for the trip, plus a further year of cruising before selling her.
The syndicate would like to invest in a yacht that doesn’t depreciate too quickly, will sleep at least six in three cabins, and ideally have a further two possible berths in the saloon. They intend to anchor regularly but stop every few days. Their budget is £150180k, including fitting out costs.
Joint ventures with equal-share partners require boats with near equal facilities, rather than layouts with a large master suite and two smaller cabins. Charter-style yachts are often evenly accommodated and easy to find, but their cost depends on their previous use. A privately owned boat with a charter layout is ideal.
Cruising around Britain will be in all weathers. In the absence of a full cockpit tent, large windows and hatches plus good ventilation below are essential.
Resale value is important, so it’s preferable to choose a popular, well-known European production yacht. While Scandinavian-built boats might retain more of their value, the budget would probably only stretch to a 37-footer, rather than 40-45ft, and would be unlikely to have three equally comfortable cabins.