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Hargrave Owners

Discussion in 'Hargrave Yacht' started by Randy Hinden, Jan 10, 2021.

  1. Randy Hinden

    Randy Hinden New Member

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    I am looking at a 2004 68 Hargrave. I am curious to hear opinions about Seaworthiness and workmanship quality. I am going from a 55 Fleming which was a bull dog is tough seas. The Hargrave has stabilizers and a good heavy displacement. Please let me know thoughts. Thanks in advance.
  2. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    I'm aboard a 68' Hargrave built by Burger. The stabilizers are important. Their function on any vessel is critical to comfort and safety in rough conditions. Also as important is a willingness to alter course a few degrees within those conditions to find a sea rhythm for any vessel. I've been in some slop with her, and I've broken a few wine glasses. Fortunately I favor the rocks glasses.

    Hargrave designs a quality boat. I wouldn't be concerned. That being said as owners can add weight and change dynamics, during a sea trial have the boat placed on a quartering course in seas, and maintain that course while centering and locking the fins. Understand the impacts of those stabilizers, how to set them properly, and when to recognize any change in their function. But, again, Hargrave is a quality designer.
  3. Randy Hinden

    Randy Hinden New Member

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    Thanks for the quick reply. What years did burger mfg Hargraves? I am familiar with the stabilizers as we have them on our Fleming. Thanks again.
  4. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Burger builds boats designed by several, early on primarily Sparkman Steven and Hargrave. I have a 1980 product, hull 372. There were a dozen or so of that vintage, just prior and following the construction of mine. I do believe Burger built some Hargrave designs beginning back in the late 60's.

    Koala is still on the market. That's one that got my attention after my purchase due to the cockpit and significant fuel capacity. Solid boats. Classic designs, be them Sparkman or Hargrave.
  5. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    You're confused. The OP is not talking about a Jack Hargrave hull design that Burger or anyone else happened to build. He is talking about the Taiwanese manufacturer Hargrave. Totally different animal. Fiberglass boat, built in Asia.

    This Company:
    New Models – Hargrave Custom Yachts Official Site

    They're ok boats with varying levels of quality. For example the exterior stainless steel that was standard was poor quality and needed to be polished weekly. Better quality stainless was an option in the build, and there were several other items like that, that were options that should've been standard. But Hargrave is another price point builder. The hulls are strong, performance is typical Taiwanese tub.....14 knot cruise that wallows a bit. Check ALL of the salon windows, a friend of mine did a lot of work on a 68' Hargrave of the same era about 5 years ago and ALL of the salon windows were leaking and had to be rebedded. They're roomy for a 68' yacht. A customer of mine had a 100' Hargrave that the factory extended the mold to make the 100' it only had a beam of around 21' and rolled like crazy on anchor, but the 68' doesn't suffer from that as far as I know.
  6. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Indeed I think there is some confusion between the boats designed by Jack Hargrave for Burger, Hatteras and others vs the current Hargrave Custom Yachts which I believe was founded by Jack Hargrave and which builds semi customs over in Taiwan. Their boats are very popular on the charter market.
  7. Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    Somewhere, Jack Hargrave just rolled over in his grave! The only similarity is his name, which was bought by the current entity.
  8. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    Hargrave Custom Yachts was founded by Mike Joyce in 1997. Mike had previously worked for Hargrave and after Jack's death, he approached his widow to secure the rights to use the Hargrave name for a new line of boats; continuing the legacy.

    Mike hired a designer named Ben Doderal to pen the new Hargraves. Ben was a member of YF and I visited with him after he moved to British Columbia to work for Richmond Yachts. The first Hargraves that Ben designed were a bit boxy but the space was well utilized.

    Mike is very much involved in every aspect of the boats he builds and has many repeat clients. The boats are built in Taiwan and use primarily US sourced components. To the OP, I would have no reservations about these boats!

    On a side note, I met Jack Hargave when I was 10 years old, living aboard our boat at Bahia Mar. He was introduced to me by Dick Bertram who used to walk me down the docks of BM and play a game of ‘name that boat’.
  9. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Thanks for the clarification. I always thought there was a link between Jack Hargrave and the current company.
  10. Randy Hinden

    Randy Hinden New Member

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    Thanks for all of the clarification. I am checking her out next week. I will let you all know what I find.
  11. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    I certainly didn't intend to cause that stir...
  12. Randy Hinden

    Randy Hinden New Member

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    Any current Hargrave (Taiwanese) mfg owners have any input on my posting?
  13. maldwin

    maldwin Senior Member

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    A friend of mine chartered one a couple of years ago, and I spent some time on it. In my opinion it will be a step down from your Fleming.
    Best,
    Maldwin
  14. Brian G

    Brian G Member

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    Wow! What a great education. :)
  15. Steve F

    Steve F New Member

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    I live and work in Taiwan and was involved with a few projects at Kha Shing but mostly larger Hargraves. What year was the 68 built ??
  16. Randy Hinden

    Randy Hinden New Member

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    2014