Jump to content

Birdsall 30 versus Lidgard 31


Neilk

Recommended Posts

Yes come on NZ, get voting if you want to keep the Lidgards in the contest :lol:

 

A couple of comments from my perspective:

 

- the quality and condition of the individual examples that you end up looking at is going to be a factor. If your budget is less than $20k and one needs a repower...at probably $16-18k by the time it's all wrapped up... :eh: A couple of new sails is going to cost (guesstimate) $6-7k. Things like furlers and autohelms can also set you back a bit if you need to add them after the purchase

 

- sadly the resale market for what I would have considered the "famous" NZ designs seems to be pretty limited. Personally I would have expected that the Lidgard name would have been slightly better known (particularly with a couple of generations in there) but the earlier comments in this thread would suggest I am incorrect in that view.

 

I have close friends that have owned a bigger Birdsall for many years and love it. One thing that I have noticed - certainly with the bigger ones - is that there is no "standard" look to them, which I think may be a bit disconcerting to future prospective buyers who are more used to thinking along class lines. No idea if that applies to the smaller designs.

 

- Davo 28s not on your list? or a bit pricey?

 

In that price range, you are getting a lot of bang for your buck

BUT

if you end up needing to pay for any work to be done, the equation can very quickly go upside-down.

 

So I would say that getting out on the water could be as important as identifying the "right" design, but equally, making sure you minimise the tidy-ups or add-ons that need to be done after your purchase.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I agree Murky. While there are pros and cons of both, buying a 30' boat for less than $20k, my advice wouldn't be to buy the one you can find in the best condition.

Link to post
Share on other sites

For anyone vaguely interested in the (satisfactory) end of my quest: I swallowed humble pie and bought an H28 -- fibreglass of course.

I'd been nuts on the Shoalcraft (dubious condition, no engine), and intrigued by the Birdsall and the Lidgard -- both timber.

The $12k H28 has turned out to be just the right boat, with some work. And oh the glorious chug chug of that Yanmar 12hp.

It all shows what perseverance -- and humble pie -- can achieve.

Thanks for your comments.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...