Click for YF Listing Service Click for Burger Click for Abeking Click for MotorCheck Click for Glendinning

Best 40-50ft Sporty Yacht under $2 million ?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by MikeMessiah, Jun 23, 2022.

You need to be registered and signed in to view this content.
  1. MikeMessiah

    MikeMessiah New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2022
    Messages:
    5
    Location:
    Pandamonium
    Like the title says, which would be your top preferences for a new boat yacht that:-
    1. We can personally drive without needing a crew at hand, so shouldn't be too big like those 60 footers.
    2. Has enough sleeping area for 4 (+1/-1) ppl for overnight trips
    3. Is satisfyingly fast (30-40knots max speed)
    4. Is under $2 million dollar price
    5. Is available for purchase in the USA
    6. Should have a tender garage that can have a motorized tender that can fit 4 people for island hopping near Bimini (Bahamas)
    7. Don't need a flybridge. Its so unnecessary unless u REALLY need it and ruins the aerodynamics, looks etc.
    Basically something you can live with. Like it shouldn't give you nightmares simply for owning it.

    PS: Additional out of topic question: Are Centre Consoles overpriced ? Do manufacturers overprice center consoles just because Americans will buy it anyway?
  2. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,120
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    Some things in your wish list maybe tough to combine.

    first of all, you seem to be under the impression that a 40 footer will be easier to handle than a 60 footer. Nothing could be less true. A smaller boat will be more impacted by wind than a larger one. Also for crossing or operating in open water the smaller boat will be severely limited.

    a dinghy garage on a small boat will be very difficult to find and if you do it will use up a lot of space inside especially in the engine room. Which is another reason for getting a bigger boat as an owner - operator… you will have to get in there do some some minor repairs and the bigger the ER the less unpleasant the experience will be

    if you think a FB is unnecessary, I guess you have never used one. Especially in the bahamas where you need to read the water and the extra height is critical.

    if you re just gojng to put out locally, anything will work other wise you need some storage and refrigeration space. For island hoping a watermaker is a must. All this takes space. Same with redundancy. Loose your generator and here goes the AC…. Turn around and go home. A second generator will not fit on a 40/50 footer

    finally… anything under 45/50 is pretty much a floating. camper. If you re fine with camping, great. Otherwise, consider a larger boat, even slightly used to stay within budget.
  3. GPO

    GPO Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2016
    Messages:
    91
    Location:
    Ladysmith, British Columbia
    Quote - if you think a FB is unnecessary, I guess you have never used one. Especially in the Bahamas where you need to read the water and the extra height is critical.

    +1 on everything Pascal said, especially regarding the FB. In the PNW skinny water isn't the issue but wood in the water is. At speed, the extended visibility that the extra height provides is very useful.
  4. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,120
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    It’s also very useful in SoFl at night with so many idiots missing running lights
  5. MikeMessiah

    MikeMessiah New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2022
    Messages:
    5
    Location:
    Pandamonium
    Can you give some recommendations above 50 foot. i can go for used one to fit it in my budget.
  6. SplashFl

    SplashFl Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2021
    Messages:
    425
    Location:
    S. Florida _ Bertram 46
    https://www.boattrader.com/boat/1995-bertram-moppie-8301467/ Very few ever built; same with the bridge model which took me over a year to find the one I just purchased.
  7. MikeMessiah

    MikeMessiah New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2022
    Messages:
    5
    Location:
    Pandamonium
    Can you elaborate on this part, about being a floating camper. Does this mean its not a fun yacht to drive? Does it lack basic amenities. What sizes boats have a water makers (within 2mill)
  8. MikeMessiah

    MikeMessiah New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2022
    Messages:
    5
    Location:
    Pandamonium
    Thats a fine boat, but no one in my family is into fishing. We are looking for something sporty like Pershing and Riva yachts but they are too expensive. So i am looking for a cheaper sub 2 mill yacht, preferably made in the last 10 years (used/new) so that we can use it for another 10 years till we can sell it.
  9. MikeMessiah

    MikeMessiah New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2022
    Messages:
    5
    Location:
    Pandamonium
    What do you think of Azimut 51 ?
  10. MountainGuy

    MountainGuy Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2009
    Messages:
    138
    Location:
    Austria
    The De Antonio D46 Cruiser has all you asked for, inkl little tender garage... and there is a larger 50 if needed...
  11. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,120
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    Cramped, no redundancies, little fridges, limited storage. Fine for a day and occasional overnight but not much more. Certainly not what I would call a yacht. :)

    you can install a watermaker on anything as long as there is enough room… which is always tough on a small boat.

    you best bet at this point is to go on yachtworld and put in your criteria : price, years, size and see what you like
  12. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2008
    Messages:
    2,111
    Location:
    Sardinia
    I tend to agree with Pascal that 40' to 50' can be a bit cramped, particularly if as I understand you are thinking to have up to 5 people sleeping on her.
    OTOH, there's a difference between a 40 and a 50 footer - as well as between a flybridge and an open boat.
    I spend at least half of each year onboard my 56' flybridge, and I might consider doing the same on a 50' flybridge - just.
    But I couldn't even bear the thought of doing that with a 40' sportboat.
    And mind, my view on boats is that they are all headaches, so you should go with the smaller headache which is large enough for your needs, rather than the larger you can afford!
  13. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,120
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    I don’t agree with your last sentence as it overlooks one important factor: how easily you can deal with the headaches! Access to the various systems for maintenance and critically for emergency repairs mid trip. The bigger the boat, the easier it is to reach atuff
  14. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2008
    Messages:
    2,111
    Location:
    Sardinia
    I agree that it's an important factor, but I'm more concerned about the daily headaches, rather than the occasional ones.
    I mean, keeping the boat clean, dealing with cushions and covers, handle the mooring lines and fenders... You name it.
    With these things that you must deal with every other day, size matters a lot, and they are the sort of headache that I like to limit as much as possible.

    It's true that the flip side of the coin is that adjusting the tappet clearance in the e/r of the 70 footer of a friend of mine takes less time and is more comfortable compared to almost identical engines with one third less cylinders in my boat, due to the tighter spaces.
    But at least you don't need to deal with this sh!t very often... :)
    T.T. likes this.
  15. BigChief

    BigChief Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2018
    Messages:
    81
    Location:
    CT
    I'm a sportfish guy, however a friend has a 54 cruisers cantius, another has a 50 Prestige and a 54 Riviara fly.
    2017 to 2020. They seem well thought out interiorly and systems look to be designed well.
    All with volvo pods I think it's worth a look.
    BTW there's no "perfect boat" you need to find the one that suits your needs the best.
    Good luck and enjoy the process it always makes a good story after the purchase.
  16. Fiammetta42

    Fiammetta42 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2017
    Messages:
    130
    Location:
    Liguria Italy ( boat )
    Take a look at the Itama range .The 62 or older 55 with 1360 Mans tops out at 42 knots on shafts .They do a myriad of older smaller .
    it’s just you say you need 30-40 knot capability , tender garage and large island hopping ability.
    They gave electro hydraulic Bimini s too .
    The 22 degree deadrise will be useful island hopping
    The Ferretti group are the importers ( one of there brands made alongside the Pershings on the same line )

    I run a smaller 42/48 with a geny and fantastic Frigomar AC with MAN 700 s good for easily in excess of 30 knots cruise at 1900 rpm all day . We have a 23 degree deadrise .They crunch miles in comfort and quickly.

  17. Fiammetta42

    Fiammetta42 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2017
    Messages:
    130
    Location:
    Liguria Italy ( boat )
    FWIW we just completed a 28 day stint on our two cabin 4 berth 42/48 .
    Did not feel cramped or camping like .They have huge cockpits .

    That’s a smaller one than ours a new 45 s ( really a 40 ) Hilo with a Williams .

    Advantage of going too large as well as lower consumption you can get in places .15 M ( 50 ft ) berths are common .
    Depends what you want , where you want to be on the sliding scale of performance ( your ask of 30-40 knot cruise ) or floating apartments the 22 / 24 knot fly bridge option with throttles on tight wire and the resulting extra maintenance issues .
    I can do 28 knots with only 75 % load = Uber relaxed motors @1750 rpm = longevity = lower total running costs .Fuel + serious breakdowns.

    Attached Files:

    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 18, 2022
  18. maldwin

    maldwin Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2009
    Messages:
    332
    Location:
    Dark Harbor Me/ Hobe Sound Fl
    The Pardo 54 checks a lot of those boxes. Might be slightly more than $2M, but I remember thinking it seemed like a lot of boat for the money when I went aboard at the Miami show. A friend of mine has a smaller Pardo, and likes it.
    Best,
    Maldwin
  19. FlyingGolfer

    FlyingGolfer Member

    Joined:
    Dec 25, 2017
    Messages:
    212
    Location:
    NC
    I am considering a Sportfish for the speed even though I don’t fish. Tough seaworthy boat and fast, still seems to check your boxes. Just my 2 cents.