Choosing the Perfect Sailboat: Neel 51 Performance Comparison and International Purchase Tips | S2T2

[@jaysonbowerman115]

Thanks for discussing the re-flagging process, very interesting to hear how long it took and the challenges involved. Glad to hear you guys found a boat you love.

[@oliverliddell613]

Congratulations. The Neel 51 is an amazing boat. The engine and mechanical rooms are a dream. I take delivery of hull number 1 of the newly designed Neel 52 this year. The master stateroom is still on the bridge-deck but the master suite has been extended to also include the whole of the starboard ama. Unfortunately the mechanical area has lost some useable volume; the fuel and fresh water tank have been laid down and are now under a double berth cabin in the center hull. The bulkhead between the mechanical room and the new center hull cabin has been move aft several feet. The focsle remains with either a double birth or bunk beds with a Jack and Jill wet head in between the two center hull cabins. There is still plenty of room in the mechanical/engine room but at the end of the day a quid pro quo for the extended master suite. Maybe we'll cross paths one day.

[@jamesaron1967]

That's odd. Isn't the new aft center hull cabin optional on the 52? I recall seeing various layouts and there was one with that cabin missing or am I completely mistaken? If you didn't need it couldn't Neel have simply omitted that cabin?

[@stephenmurray9850]

Congrats on the sale. I really like the Neel51. It would be perfect for me as well with nearly everything on the main deck and the engine /tech room all in one spot with heaps of room to work in. Look forward to your sailing video's .

[@carsonc1272]

Interesting, I never considered getting a lawyer involved in the buying process. Thanks for your insights

[@sailingkelpie]

There were no brokers involved, so the lawyer handled the paperwork. In this case, it was a very complex paperwork sale since the boats title was held by a french bank.

[@kirkb3473]

Congratulations on the new boat, definitely a great performing boat to go cruing on! Couple of things that were important in our search that you didn't consider in your analysis were displacement, draft, and quality of construction/materials. The Neel lightship is 19T, the Balance is 12.5T. The Neel drafts 5'9" while the Balance drafts 3'8" which is an advantage if you'll be in spots like the Bahamas or South Pacific, not such a big deal in other spots though so that may not be important to some. The big thing though is the overall quality of construction, the Neel is a polyester production boat where the Balance is custom built Epoxy Carbon Fiber construction. It's also nearly $1M more expensive, so you get what you pay for lol. Happy cruising and enjoyed the video!

[@kirkb3473]

@@sailingkelpie Totally understand your rationale for choosing the NEEL if you are spending more time anchored and less time Bluewater cruising, its an excellent living platform with everything one one level and built to a price point that makes it a pretty attractive option. It's tough to compare boats as they are all just a series of compromises, so when I saw these 3 completely different types of boats it definitely made me scratch my head a bit as they are such opposites of each other. With the NEEL being a deep draft keel type boat, what type of pointing ability does it have when sailing to windward? The 526 will pinch to about 28 degrees AWA, and the Fountain Pajot will just have its motor on when pointing so would be interested to know what you see in the NEEL. Cheers!

[@raibtube]

Great boat, love the design. How does she perform in 5-6 knots of TWS?

[@jamesaron1967]

@@sailingkelpie What about the mainsail? It isn't the one that comes with the Neel 51, correct? Someone else pointed out that it's not a square top main, which is standard these days on racing yachts providing increased performance.

[@MylesAK]

Excellent advice and very much appreciate your candor. We're still a bit of time before we purchase our next boat, but have the same short-list as yours. Your factors of comparison match ours. My only reservation has been mixed (albeit hearsay) reviews of the Neel 51. Have you had any issues regarding build-quality?

[@robertlataille4536]

I have not experienced any major build quality issues things break bit it's a boat... I would recommend joining the neel owners group forum. Before I bought our new boat I read every post to see what issues people have faced

[@MylesAK]

@@robertlataille4536 good idea. Thanks!

[@thecrazypinkcatlady]

Can I ask the price you paid? We’re looking at Neels and are curious if what a fully kitted used Neel costs right now. Hubby is 6’2” and likes the room/size on the Neels.

[@geniexmay562]

Such a well specced boat, no wonder you were prepared to go through a bit of pain for it !! 😂

[@sailingkelpie]

thank you. It was very worth it

[@willmills1388]

Very enlightening, thank you

[@bretc970]

Incredibly helpful video particularly given the loan on the boat from factory. I would imagine this would be common and with the ever increasing financial headwinds there may be some neels coming on the market in similar circumstances.

[@hughbethell2223]

@@sailingkelpie for those of us following the same path, it would be great to hear about what financing options you investigated. Your boat-to-boat comparison was well done, and I've been looking at a lot of Neel info over the past 6 months.

[@robertlataille4536]

@Hugh Bethell I ended up doing a second mortgage on my house and a rental property. It was the best rate option for us. I tried a lot of marine financing options, and there were 2 big holdups 1. They would not finance a foreign flagged boat 2. They want the boat to be in NADA, which only a few sailing manufacturers are listed

[@hughbethell2223]

@@robertlataille4536 Thanks for sharing that information. I'm guessing you're renting out both your house and the rental property? I've heard conflicting advice on whether to rent when you're away sailing, has it worked out well for you?

[@robertlataille4536]

@Hugh Bethell we would be, but our house flouded last year, and we are still fighting with insurance

[@hughbethell2223]

@@robertlataille4536 So sorry to hear that. Good luck with the insurance company. I'm looking forward to more videos about your adventures on the Neel.

[@alf970]

Great info. Thanks!

[@johnkosowski3321]

On the NEEL 51, where is the pump out receptacle?

[@sailingkelpie]

there is none.. you have to go sailing

[@TheDummytoto]

No square top main I think. Is it because the furling boom system can not handle it or it is a technical choice made by previous owner? Thank you!

[@jamesaron1967]

Probably, but there are furling boom systems with square top mains. The Neel 51 comes with a square top main on both the standard rigging and the optional high performance carbon rigging. A square top main will increase performance especially in lighter winds. It seems to me the previous owner didn't make the best decision to go with that setup on this boat, but that's just my humble opinion.

[@jamesaron1967]

@@sailingkelpie When it comes time to replace the main you could always opt for a square top then. Great boat whatever the case.

[@TheDummytoto]

Is the furling boom built by Neel or does it have a specific brand? Just curious if you are happy with it?

[@jamesaron1967]

@@TheDummytoto As far as I know, Neel does not manufacture a furling boom. This must be an aftermarket purchase.

[@TheDummytoto]

@@jamesaron1967 By the way and just for clarification, do you own this boat as well? Thx.

[@rightright6582]

Did u look for a Neel 51 in the open market?

[@helms5hieldmaiden]

There’s a NEEL 51in Martinique for sale called ARA

[@kosminuskosminus6668]

The true is that all suck like big time : catamarans (yes both are IDEAL) GUNBOAT OR SUNREEF

[@latitudeash]

What do you do for work? How much was the boat after all the import and everything. How long have you been sailing and are you an experienced captain? Lots of questions. One more do you intend to make babies and bring up your kids on the boat?

[@latitudeash]

@@sailingkelpie That's cool. I love the Neel...so much space and love the deck-level room. Very comfortable on a night sail. How much was it to buy?