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Lobster Boats

Discussion in 'General Downeast Dayboat Discussion' started by stefandoc, Aug 10, 2013.

  1. stefandoc

    stefandoc New Member

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    Hello from germany,

    this is my first posting and knowing that this is a forum with mostly american readers maybe someone could help me.
    i´m a great fan of the american lobster boat design and i´m thinking about buying one of these boats.
    the one i like most is the san juan 48 with two volvo ips 900 engines.
    i would use the boat in the mediterranean.
    i need the boat for serious and fast cruising, not only as a weekender.
    is there anyone who could tell me something about the seaworthness and the behavior in rough seas of this type of boat ?

    thank you very much

    stefan
  2. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    I haven't taken a close look at San Juan's, but with the asking prices of similar upscale brands, you would certainly have to consider other manufacturers.

    BTW, about half of our readers are international.
  3. stefandoc

    stefandoc New Member

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    hello yf,

    thank you for your answer.
    in germany there is a saying : who buys cheap buys twice.
    i compared to hinckley and huckins and i would say they are all in the same league reguarding the price.
    i´m not so much into the american boat market but maybe you can name me a brand, american or international which builds lobster boats at the same quality for less money

    thx
  4. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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  5. lobo

    lobo Senior Member

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    If you are looking for high(er) tech, and some unique solutions, along with high prices, look also at the MJM yachts.
  6. sagharborskip

    sagharborskip Senior Member

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  7. ombreetsoleil

    ombreetsoleil Senior Member

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    Have you checked out the new Dutch built Mulder favourite 14?
    muldershipyard.com
    More classic look than a San Juan but it's a retro beauty!!
  8. stefandoc

    stefandoc New Member

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    hello ombreetsoleil,

    many thx, mulder is a great idea, i also took a look at wajer`s zeelander, beauitful boat as well.
    not easy for a german to admit but dutchmen are great boatbuilders
    ;)
  9. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    There are some very nice boats built right in your home country too.

    If you are interested in a great yard with proven track record in the Bremen area send me a pm and I will send them your address.
  10. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    Agreed, it is a beautiful boat. I sea-trialed one of the Tiara built Zeelanders not too long ago. I've only been offshore in a couple of New England style boats, but I can tell you the Zeelander rode extremely well and was very dry (unlike some Tiaras I've been aboard). We were running WOT in 3-4 foot seas and it's a rock solid, smooth riding boat but there are some ergonomic issues that made the boat uncomfortable for me.

    For example, if you're over 6 feet tall, the curvature of the roof line impedes upon your personal space. A passageway runs along the starboard side of the salon and the handrail on the ceiling is a bump in the head in the making. There is really no salon space for guests to gather, only the passageway behind the helm. It's also difficult for two people to pass one another in the passageway.

    Once you get past someone running human interference, you find yourself a few steps below on a landing foyer for the lower accommodations. Actually, the word 'accommodations' might be an exaggeration. The midship master has about the same headroom as sleeping under your dining room table... and that's not an exaggeration.

    And finally, when we returned to port, I was offered the wheel to back the boat into a slip but I declined. This boat was equipped with a joystick, yet I was still fearful the extreme tumble home transom on the Zeelander would be like a wiggle stick seeking pilings. The skipper was a very experienced Dutchman who was Heesen's delivery captain for many years. Needless to say, docking was uneventful with him at the helm.

    Other than the fact that I can't fit on the boat and was laden with fear of docking the darn thing, I loved it.

    Attached Files:

  11. Pilar

    Pilar New Member

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    Sj 48 ips

    My first post ever, as well.

    We run a San Juan with the IPS 900s in Florida and the Bahamas. Fast, solid performer that is a comfortable cruising platform for a couple. Modern systems, timeless style.

    You should contact REMOVED at San Juan if you are truly interested. The yard has a new build available, which is unusual.
  12. captaintilt

    captaintilt Senior Member

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    Great thread on Lobster / "Lobstah" boats depending on where your at.

    I was in Marblehead, MA last week, and noticed a ton of Ellis' and other Lobster boats that have either been built as, or refitted into private boats. While I'm a fan of San Juan's as well, I haven't been on a Zeelander yet, but I did run a 40'+ H&H Lobster Boat, had a single CAT in her, and it was one of the best running boats I've ever been on. This one was the commercial version, it came through Charleston while I was living there and was being shipped to the West Coast.
  13. carelm

    carelm Senior Member

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    Thanks for the tip on H&H. I did some perusing on their crafts and they look pretty well designed and cost effective. They seem to oriented towards functionality as opposed to being luxurious. My guess is that the typical owner would spend a lot of time on the water fishing etc as opposed to spending time on the dock.
  14. kkreicker1

    kkreicker1 Senior Member

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    Zeelander are built about 15 min north from me. It could be a fun trip north.
  15. Kafue

    Kafue Senior Member

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    Palm Beach Yachts

    If you are looking at this type of yacht then you must consider Palm Beach Yachts.

    Palm Beach Motor Yachts
  16. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Pretty model. Like to see more.
    Boat was nice also.
  17. 993RSR

    993RSR Senior Member

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    Excuse me but none, zero, of the boats discussed are lobster boats no matter how you stretch the definition.
    Lobster boat (in my opinion) refers to using the hull design of the NE lobster boats like:
    Bruno Stillman
    Jarvis Newman
    Duffy
    They all have a keel and a soft chine. One design with the long keel and a hard chine has been very popular with commercial and yachtees but I can't recall the name.. stand by

    Oh yea... WESMAC is the hard chine version.
    Also Holland at Pettigrow...

    Many builders have taken these real Lobster hulls and constructed "yachts" on them. Like American Pie built on a 46 Jarvis Newman hull, added 2 feet and finished by Pettigrow & Hinckley
  18. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Lobster boat designed yachts

    I've found it interesting to note how similar they all are. I guess you start with Hinckley in this category and then realize they've sued quite a few competitors over the years including the Vicem/Genmar groups for copying. Then you have Hunt and San Juan. I always commented on the fact it seemed to me Hunt and Hinckley were just copying each other back and forth with the most recent being Hinckley now offering pods. Well, it's taken another step now as the owners of Hinckley, Scout, have now purchased Hunt.
  19. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Lobsta boat, Picnic boat, Bass boat, Down-easter, Yada Ada.
    They are all attractive looking boats.

    Now a real Lobsta boot has a winch, spare traps & floats on top, a well full of bugs, big numbers painted on the side and smells better if some wine gets spilled on her deck.
  20. Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    You forgot the daft dog sitting next to the skipper. :)

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