Beneteau First 35s5 vs. the Goman Express 30


Speed:
Beneteau 35s5 is the faster boat, even with the shoal draft. Period.

Quality:
The 35s5 stomps the Express in quality with better construction and
design. The Express ports, which have been known to pop out and her
primitive toy steering are indicators of yet another me-too design.

Design:
The Express 30 is ugly and Sloco knows it. I have posted pic after pic
of the Express and it's always a bad angle or whatever. No wonder the
Sloco tried to comment on the stern of Alien, when the Express 30 stern
is the worst I've seen on ANY boat. The Express 30 looks like a Pontiac
Aztec, boxy and ill formed.

Interior:
The 35s5 has far more room below, nicer fit and finish (By a MILE!) and
room for adults. The lame Express (by any 30 foot standard) has no
enclosed head, no room for two adults to sleep, cheap fittings and
hardly a galley at all. In fact I've rarely seen a cheaper interior on
a boat as the Express 30. The 35s5 also has better illumination, better
ventilation, better stowage and so on.

Features:
The Express 30 is a sailboat with a place to sleep if you HAVE TO. The
35s5 feels like a yacht above and below deck. There is lots of room for
guests and even a fun swim platform.

Rigs:
Both have French rigs. The 35s5 is more tunable.

Value:
If you can't afford anything better, buy a Express 30 for fast
daysailing. It's a good cheap boat to buy used, though not good for
even light cruising with the family. The 35s5 is so popular that EVERY
boat I looked at during the winter is now sold. Several sold for over
70K in the spring...far more that I paid. The reason for this is
simple. The 35s5 is one of those rare boats that offers nearly
up-to-the minute features and performance for cruising for about half
the money of a new boat. This has driven up the value as it has for
boats like the C&C 34+ and XL.

Winner:
35s5 by a long wide mile...faster, nicer, more comfortable, and worth
more than twice what the forgotten Express 30 is worth.

Going sailing, folks!


RB
35s5
NY