Just wondered if anyone knew of someone that made a fiberglass
version of Seraffyn? I know that Sam L Morse makes the 22 foot
Falmouth Cutter that is very similar, but it would be neat to see if
someone made the wider beamed slighty longer (at 14 feet) version of
Seraffyn…
No, and No.
The Falmouth Cutter 22 and the BCC 28 are more than enough. These are
well proven, offshore capable and worthy of Lyle C. Hess. (and the Sam Morse
Company)
Tooling costs, marketing costs, building costs are high for a new model.
I doubt anyone would spend $500,000 because someone thought
it was neat, in the hope you would purchase one. They would have to
sell 25 boats to cover the tooling costs alone.
Very few can purchase a boat with the quality and seaworthiness of
a Lyle C. Hess boat. It is a narrow market.
Fair winds
Bob
i don’t know how i got into this conversation, but since you are talking Lyle Hess, etc. i am currently investigating building a BCC in the cold-molded technique here in Southeast Asia. The quote i got from a boatbuilder up the road in Mersing, Malaysia two weeks ago is US$150K for the finished vessel. i am now making inquiries about using the native woods available here; the cousin of deceased NZ skipper Peter Blake had a 50’ plus hull built in Terengganu, Malaysia and it is a very seaworthy vessel indeed. what do you guys think?
I think it is a waste of good money…!
Why go to all the trouble and expense for a wood boat?
When you add in commissioning costs, travel back and forth a few times
to inspect the boat, insurance, surveys, outfitting and the fact that nothing
ever costs what they quote overseas; you can take the $180,000
and use that as a large chunk towards a properly built BCC 28
built right and on budget at the Samlmorse.com boatyard in
Costa Mesa, California.
Why would you consider anything else??
Really…what were you thinking…?
Fair winds
Bob
did i mention I live in Singapore?
So…?!
California Girls are more fun. And when your boat is finished you will have
someplace to sail home to.
People who buy boats rarely think of another happy day; the day they
sell the boat. A wood boat is very hard to sell. It will never bring close
to what you have spent $.
On the other hand a factory built BCC28 has the highest resale value
(according to BUC) of any boat in its size range. The BCC 28 is a work of
art; more than a boat, it is a treasure that draws a crowd.
(some BCC 28s have actually appreciated in value over the years; how’s
that for an investment that gives you a home to explore the world in?)
I have never met anyone that doesn’t like the capabilities, strength, seaworthiness
and good looks of a BCC 28. It is larger than most 34 footers down below and
it will take you anywhere in the world. In style.
Welcome to America. Come and get your dream. I’ll buy the beer…
Fair winds
Bob
Channel Cutter Yachts of British Columbia builds a 34 foot GRP version.
Bob,
Whatever happened to your plans to build the 37 foot Hess design ? That was a magnificent boat and a perfect vehicle for a family to cruise the world ?
Jim
Yes, but only one has been produced in Texas ( I believe)
These would have to sell for $325,000 (displacement X Cost per pound)
I really doubt you would buy a 34 from a company with no track record. The 34 has been available for several years and only one boat?
Where-as the BCC 28 and FC 22 has been in continuious production for 30 years (plus or minus). More than 160 (plus) high quality boats. Some of the employees have been with the company for 25 years+.
These are real craftsmen building the boat.
Nicholas,
if you can afford a new BCC 28, you should really consider getting one.
Fly over and take a look.!
Fair winds
Bob
Dear Bob, i have to hand it to you for your passion; are you descended from Lyle Hess? i harbor some different opinions, part from a naturally contrarian personality and part from wanting to oversee a project close by. i had a big wooden boat that i lived on in Brazil for several years, which?a friend of mine built to on a Burgess Rigg & Morgan 10 meter design; it’s sailing off Charleston these days and i spent heaps moving it to the USA.?like Brazil this area has good native wood and inexpensive skilled labor. i would love to plunk down $200 K for a Costa Mesa boat, or even just a hull, but i have seen what can be done with native timber and it’s really beautiful when done right. you have a lot of valid points and i admire your loyalty to a fine American firm. i would perhaps explore a hull if i could get it into my sights, then have the deck etc. done in native timber. warm regards, nic.
Nic
Why not buy a hull and deck kit (BCC 28) and ship it home to have the
skilled labor finish her out?
Fair winds
Bob
Yes, I remember that a small company in North Carolina acquired the
molds of a 24’ Hess design. I tried to contact the company a few
years ago without success. Unfortunately, I do not recall the name
of the company. Does this sound familar to anyone?
AO Halsey, with his wife, Lindy, is sailing around on Polaris Jack, a Lyle Hess 26 that was built somewhere in South Carolina, I believe (maybe I am just confused because that’s where his mailing address is). I can get you his contact info if you are interested the boat is indeed fiberglass.?
Nica
Calypso, BCC #6
I believe the Lyle Hess you refer to is the 26’ hull which was layed up in either Moorhead City, NC or Beaufort , NC.
I stopped by there a few years back and they still had a hull and deck outside the building for sale.?
Mark
Does anybody know the name of the company or have any contact
information? I’d love to take a look at that hull. Thanks - Dave
Dave
Its long gone and the molds are broken and were beyond salvage
years ago.
That hull has been gone for years.
I think the company is also closed.
They only built maybe 2 boats (complete) and one or two hull kits.
(were talking back in 1981…?)
Bob