Hi All:

My cousin and I have booked a Moorings 37.2 for a week in the BVI at the end of May. Its just us two guys this trip. We chartered the same model last year and we were happy overall, although there were some ergonomic design issues that we weren't thrilled about. Moorings has availability to upgrade us to a 43.3 for about $400 more dollars. Keeping in mind that it is just the two of us, I'm interested in hearing if some of you experienced bareboaters think it would be worth the extra money and why.

Your advice is greatly appreciated as always!

Mark

I would do it. 50% more room and nicer sailing!
G

It depends. Longer waterline better motion in the seas. Who knows what the winds will be like?

If you currently have only 1 head but will end up with two, then yes.

It sure sound like a good deal. Will it make your trip better? You might never know either way.

Out of curiosity what were some of the design issues you weren't pleased about?

Using the grill was extremely awkward. The stanchions from the bimini got in the way so you needed to reach around them with the fork or spatula. I wound up burning my forearm! The problem was that the cockpit area was so small that there really was no better place to put the grill. Also the Freezer was too small even for two people.

These are nit-picky complaints really. As I said, we are happy to charter the same boat again, but if it all the same we would prefer something better.

Incidentally, the boat sailed better than we expected.

Considering that you're on charter paying a hefty fee to relaxe you would think they would have designed the Bimini mounts in a way where it wouldn't interfere.
You're better off on a larger boat which is more comfortable at sea with the bonus of large water tanks which should easily hold you over for the week. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

$400 is well worth it. We own a 43.3 and I'd be miserable on the 37. It's just too cramped. The dual helms give a lot more room in the cockpit as well as having much more room to move around in the galley..etc. Cabins are also roomier. Two cabins have their own head and then there's also a 3rd head.

My wife and I have spent a number of weeks on our boat just the two of us and love it.

No doubt go with the 44.3

Don't know about the newer models, but we used a Beneteau 39 a few years back. I was horrified that a French designed and built yacht had absolutely nowhere to put a standard size wine bottle. Horror or horrors!!!!!

Have sailed both, not even close the 44.3 is by far a better cruising and sailing boat.

Your original post references the 43.3 and after the first post it seems people are discussing the 44.3. If I recall, the 44.3 is one of the Cyclades models and has an “A Frame” mainsheet instead of a traveler mounted main sheet.

I sailed a 44.3 in The Grenadines about 10 years ago. I still remember it as the single worst sailing boat I had ever been on. Upgrading to the 43 (which I believe has a traveler) seems like a good move. You would have to pay me more than a per diem to ever sail a 44.3 again.

The one good thing I remember about the 44.3 is it had a very large cockpit (It was a modular boat and the same cockpit was used in the 51.5).

I think the 44.3 reference was just a typo in the last few posts. That is not a boat Moorings has in the fleet anymore as far as I'm aware.

Thanks everybody for your responses. I was referring the the 43.3. The 44.3 reference was a typo on my part and it got traction. Now the bad news... I called yesterday to upgrade and was told that the price had changed. The differential is now $700+. I'll keep checking back but $700 goes a long way to covering our expenses for the week. If the price comes back down I will definitely try the bigger boat.

Thanks again for the advice.

Might want to call back and press them on the discount. The closer you get the more likely they'll budge too.

Thanks Matt. Will do!

I always like to consider how long a boat has been in the fleet. The Moorings charges more for the newest boats, but after 16 sails with the Moorings, it is well worth it to go with new when you can. Saltwater and boats just don't get along as time passes!

My wife and I usually try to charter boats even smaller than the 37.2. I see no reason to spend more money just to have more space to spread out in. We have spent two weeks on a 32' boat and were perfectly comfortable.

And before you say, well that's a man and woman, they don't need as much space. I have also done charters on a 28' boat with a buddy of mine. Even on a 28' boat the saloon is plenty big enough for two people. So is the cockpit. So long as you have two berths, how much more space do you need?

Your money, you choice, of course. For me (and my wife), though, it would most definitely not be worth the extra cost!

I 100% agree. My wife and I were perfectly comfortable on the Sunsail 32' boat last year. As they called it the "baby boat".

However this year we are chartering a big cat with a big group. Mostly since the group wanted the bigger boat.

Sitting on the back of the boat at sunset sipping a little rum, no matter what size it is, is always better than sitting anywhere here in the Midwest. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

I'm a big fan of the extra room. But another benefit to the 43.3 is the shore power A/C.

Fixed it for you. And that's really the bottom line, isn't it?

Definately brings it back in to prospective! Thanks! I will call them closer to the trip and see if they are interested in offering us a deal to upgrade. If not, we will certainly be happy with what we have!!!

Just got back from the VI, so I'm late to the discussion. We looked at the 37.2 and 43.3 layouts when we were boat shopping. The 37.2 v-berth was small for two, but would be fine for one. I do like the 37.2's L-shaped galley vs. the 43.3's port-side straight galley.

I was on a Cyclades 43 for sailing school and she was fine to sail. The dual helm allowed you to work helm as well as jib lines without shuffling people. I heard from multiple brokers that the Cyclades 43 suffers from a lot of flex and the stringers are just tabbed in instead of being attached for their full length that can result in detached stringers and shifting bulkheads. Depending on the boat, you might get some exciting flexing in the kind of big seas and high winds we saw last week.

If it was me, I wouldn't pay $400 more for the 43.3. The 41.3 is the Beneteau Oceanis 40 we bought, and we are very happy with her. The 42.3 is the new Beneteau Oceanis 41; we haven't seen the Moorings version, but the standard version is very nice. Given all that, we'd be very happy on a 37.2 with two or three people.

Cheers, RickG

FYI - The 43.3 currently available with Moorings is not a Cyclades. It's the Oceanis 43.

Matt, good to hear. We did not hear of any problems with the Oceanis 43.

Cheers, RickG

Still no movement in the pricing. I can only hope!

As an update to this thread, after the price changes that went into effect on 4/15, I was able to upgrade to a 41.3 for $264 for the week. Seems like a no-brainer. Wheels up one month from today! Can't wait!

That's great! Have a great time!