New AcquisitionsReeds
Yacht Buyers Guide; Fred Barter, ed.;
Adlard Coles Nautical, 2004; £19.99; CA
16503.
Our own Fred Barter has
made a splendid job of bringing together the mass of data in this new reference
book from Reeds. It covers the
market for yachts from 20- 40 feet. Whilst
the ultimate decision to buy will come from a complex mix of rational and
emotional thought, how helpful it is to have available such a comprehensive
survey of current boats as well as the more freely available ones in the used
market.
The data is indexed in
several ways. Two main sections are
devoted to Yachts Currently In Production
and Yachts currently Out of Production.
Each is then listed, boat by boat, in ascending LOA order with good descriptions
partly culled from the manufacturers’ published material but importantly with
additional material. Principal dimensions are given with rig and sail plans,
berth and accommodation layout, keel and engine types, tank capacities, and
designer and builder. This data is
supplemented with commentary on the yacht’s characteristics and guidance on
suitability for various types of sailing. Photographs,
plans and diagrams abound.
Following these main
sections are separate lists of both categories of boat in ascending order of
current price, and of LOA. Useful
further data is included in lists of commercial and small builders, Agents and Brokers, Sailmakers, and
manufacturers of electronic
equipment – all with full contact information.
Even sailors with wide
experience will find this an excellent starting point for narrowing the field
when thinking about the heart-wrenching process of changing boats.
For the relative newcomer to boating, the whole process can be narrowed
down by studying this material. Those
with no intention of changing will find interesting points of comparison in the
extensive data but I always wonder at the marketing policy of pricing 1p below
the round pound. - MD
Page prepared 4 January 2005
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