Start 7 Buyer's Guide
The Start 7 is a Philippe Harlé–designed 23-foot-6 coastal cruiser built by Chantier Mallard in France between 1978 and 1986, with 340 examples produced. On the used market she presents as a light-displacement masthead sloop with a fixed fin keel and transom-hung rudder — a straightforward small boat for a couple or a family weekend sailor rather than a serious offshore candidate.
Layouts on the Used Market
The Start 7 is a habitable monocoque, confirming the class was built as a livable cruiser rather than a daysailer. Buyers should expect the standard compact interior of a 7.20-meter French coastal design with a 2.64-meter beam. The 1,500 kg displacement suggests a lightly built interior fit-out consistent with the boat's size and market position.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Solar power is commonly fitted on used Start 7s, reflecting the boat's role as a simple coastal cruiser where a modest panel keeps house batteries topped without shore power. Buyers should evaluate any navigation or sail-handling additions on the individual hull rather than expect class-wide patterns.
What to Inspect
The construction is a solid fiberglass monocoque with no cited structural defects, so the survey focus should stay on the ordinary wear points of a 340-boat production class. Confirm the fixed keel attachment and the transom-hung rudder stock for movement or previous repair, and verify the masthead-sloop rigging for fatigue at the terminals given the boat's age. Weigh and measure a specific hull to confirm its light weight of 1,500 kg and 2.64-meter beam and catch any undocumented modification 1 500 kgDéplacement lège.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Start 7s are typically found in Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. For a buyer, the short list is:
- Verify keel and rudder attachment on the specific hull
- Check rigging terminals for age-related fatigue
- Confirm 1,500 kg displacement and 2.64-meter beam on the hull
- Inspect for any non-standard interior modifications
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Start 7. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 3 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25 | 2 | $11,467 | — |
| Feb 26 | 1 | $2,328 | -79.7% |
| Aug 26 | 1 | $6,286 | +170.0% |
Where they're listed
Start 7 listings appear across 3 countries. Germany has the most listings with 2 (50.0%), followed by Switzerland and Netherlands.
Country view
4 listings · 3 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | $7,159 | 2 | 1 | 50.0% |
| Switzerland | $14,901 | 1 | 0 | 25.0% |
| Netherlands | $2,328 | 1 | 0 | 25.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
4 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeanneau Fantasia 27 | 27.23' | $ 13,510 | 21 | 3 |
| Compromis 777 | 25.82' | $ 10,962 | 14 | 5 |
| Rydgeway Marine/Pegasus Yachts, Oulton Broad 700 | 23.33' | $ 4,006 | 9 | 4 |
| Mallard 7You are here | — | $ 7,159 | 4 | 1 |