Bestevaer 49 vs Orion 49 - which is the better aluminum pilothouse?

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Walawala11

I am interested in building an aluminum pilothouse cruising boat. I’ve narrowed choices to Bestevaer 49 and Orion 49. I have ruled out boats from Garcia, Boreal, and Onvi which do not have the pilothouse layout I am looking for. I am doubtful designs from Koopmans, Hoek, or van de Stad will work.

The Bestevaer 49 is designed by Gerald Dykstra and built by KM Yachts - very accomplished and renowned for its aluminum boats.

https://www.dykstra-na.nl/designs/katharos/
https://www.kmy.nl

The Orino 49 is designed by Kees van de Stadt at Satellite Yacht Design (no relation to van de Stadt Design) and built by Gebroeders van Enkhuizen - also accomplished, smaller yard than KM Yachts, with more experience building in steel than aluminum.

https://www.yacht-design.nl/designs/...ion49-cruiser/
https://gebrvanenkhuizen.nl

I have closely followed this forum’s discussions on pilothouses and the building of Noelex77’s Bestevaer 49 - truly outstanding.

I am interested in thoughts on how the Bestevaer 49 and Orion 49 might compare in terms of sailing performance, long-term livability, and sturdiness?

Thank you.

I have visited the KM Yachts yard and have been through a couple of Bestaever 49's. Don't know the other boat.


The Bestaever 49 is a lovely boat, but in its standard version, for me the pilothouse is too short to be really usable as a pilothouse. Check out Noelex and SeaworthyLass' custom expanded pilothouse on theirs. I would not consider one of these boats without that, personally. YMMV of course.