Comparison in ride quality-material quality

Hi, you have picked very similar boats. I should keep on searching for something more special...

Much depends on the size/model. Around the 50' (17M+-) I find the ride in a head sea much better in the Princess (Viking Sport Cruiser) than with Sunseeker. Wouldn't touch a Sealine. Very low bow, tends to stuff a lot. Don't like the lower helm in the Azimut, and there are other issues which have been writen about extensively here and elsewhere.

The OP means Force 5 to 6, and in Greece with the Meltemi it means short high 6 to 7 feet waves on Beaufort 6.
Many boats even bigger to this size will suffer this sea. More so production US boats in my experience.
Good handling in that list comes from the Windy if stern drive or shaft.
If you want IPS pods go for the Absolute, they handle the best and have among the longest experience in with the propulsion.
The Princess rides bow high for my taste and in my experience will slam quite a bit. I like the low profile ride of the Azimut. Both the now stopped in production 42, and 43 should fit the bill. I used to helm a 42 for charter for a season and that boat handled among the best in its class.
Atlantis are good. They have the Micheal Peters designed 39 (stop prod) and 40 which has a very good hull, but needs a little bit of play on trimming. New Sessa especialy the 38 is also a very good boat.

My choice would be between the Sessa 38, Atlantis 38 (or 40), and Absolute 40 SC. I like the lines and layout of the Sessa.
Princess have also a new V39 which is very good looking but in many areas does not offer anything new IMO.
You should also have a look at the Galeon 385 HTS designed by Tony Casto. Very nice ride, and interior with two heads.

For Absolute I can launch a line in favour having owned two Gobbi's in the last 18 years and never been dissapointed with the service, ride and quality.
FYI Gobbi owned Gobbi Boats founded in 1960s, sold to Azimut in 2001 and became Atantis, and in 2003 he founded Absolute with his partners.
The now stopped in production Atlantis 42, 425 SC, 47 where all Gobbi projects.

I handled old 90s Princess V52 or V55 few times, and few boats stuff the bow as much as that. But I agree Princess are usually a higher notch on quality to Sealine in many area. Though the SC35 is an ok boat from them, and has a hull designed by Micheal Peters as well.
You should also look at the Fairline 38 Targa.

Hope I have helped.

Sunseekers are very nice boats, and ride well, except in a head sea. They slam. On the 60 Pred a 7' head sea had our refrigerators emptying and was miserable. The 46' sent me to home in 4' head seas, etc.
I've had a 50' Viking Sport Cruiser (Princess) out in real nasty 8' & 9' head and following seas. I was glad to have the option of going to the lower helm station because any bridge helm gets uncomfortable in that, but the boat handled flawlessly. I never experience any slam. It doesn't take it under the belly like many and the bow cuts well. Although the bow doesn't ride high compared to many boats it was high enough that the bow didn't stuff as opposed to a Sealine that stuffed in 4'. I've had the Viking from Maine to Florida in all sorts of stuff and it was one of the most enjoyable boats I've run. It was also one of the most ecconomical at about 30gph including gen.
The only disadvantage I can think of for IPS is the initial cost. I've run that on several boats. Love it. They sip fuel, increase top speed, decrease turning radius and for close-quarters maneuvering are a dream. I remember bringing one into a marina that there would be just no way to get a shaft drive into. There's precious few places I'd ever refuse to bring a boat into, but this was one. Only IPS made it possible.

My experience in owning a 55ft pershing yacht a few years back with arnesson drives was that they were not very good in bad seas. She would take a bit of time to get on plane, and whenever out of plane the engines couldnt drive her very strongly, therefore, it was a bit of a delicate situation.... Definitely not a boat to navigate at hull speed....

A beauty to drive at high speeds, but I wouldnt want to be caught in bad seas.

This was around 2005, with 1100hp engines, common rail.

ASTAKOS wrote:

Dear ASTAKOS, there must be a considerable number of "previously Greek-owned yachts" in the brands, types and sizes you're considering, ever since the recent crack-downs by the Greek government "in the wake" of the current financial crisis. Presumably, any Greek yacht broker (or even any European yacht-broker) would today welcome you with open arms if you've indeed the wherewithal to spend a few millions of Euros in today's climate, or are we both simply dreaming...?!

The only way to find out if "the ride quality" is suitable for your purposes is to actually go out to sea on the vessel. Experiencing everything "at first-hand". Whatever the most-experienced YF members can contribute, if I was going to spend a few million Euros on a yacht, I'd take my own advice and a sea-trial. Of course, if daddy won't allow you immediate access to the funds necessary for a few years, I'd advise you to take heed, and bide your time. When (if) that day arrives, believe me that the yacht-brokers will be falling over each other offering you days out and sea-trials etc.

Cheers ASTAKOS, hope you won't hold it against me...?!

Pershing

Hi ASTAKOS,

I have no direct knowledge of Pershing, but a YF member, MaxPower, has posted on these boats.
Do a search on his posts and it might give you some information.

One of the "tricks" of the kind of advice you're seeking is that it boils down to some quite... strong opinions. And discreet people wouldn't want to throw those away.

Hint: there is a wide discrepancy in "average build quality" among the brands you listed (and some you didn't). Plus for a boat this size and budget, you really gotta look into local service available, it might make a huge difference. Ask around for private opinions.