Hello all, I have compiled my test-sail results on sailboats I short listed for my next boat that included two Beneteau / Seascape boats but unfortunately the winner is not one one of them. Here is one-page view of it all. I'd appreciate any comments if I missed any important aspects
Comparing Beneteau First 27 to J88
- Thread starter JohnK Austin TX
- Start date
Looks like a good list. I might suggest adding two things: Off wind performance / Code sail or spinnaker options and ease of handling; and hot/cold pressure water as an interior amenity.
Not sure i agree with the Beneteau parts score. Beneteau has a pretty wide dealer network. To get parts you work with one of those dealers to get an account on their spare parts site. The site has a catalog with numbered diagrams for most of the boat systems. You add a part from the catalog to your cart then your dealer fulfills the order. I've had a couple items fulfilled with stock directly from South Carolina which ships quickly. Parts not stocked in South Carolina need to be shipped in from France which adds to the delivery time - They quote it as 2-12 weeks but I've seen it on the shorter side of that. For parts that are common off the shelf items I find they're often available quicker and cheaper elsewhere, but for Beneteau specialized parts they're a reliable source.
Not sure i agree with the Beneteau parts score. Beneteau has a pretty wide dealer network. To get parts you work with one of those dealers to get an account on their spare parts site. The site has a catalog with numbered diagrams for most of the boat systems. You add a part from the catalog to your cart then your dealer fulfills the order. I've had a couple items fulfilled with stock directly from South Carolina which ships quickly. Parts not stocked in South Carolina need to be shipped in from France which adds to the delivery time - They quote it as 2-12 weeks but I've seen it on the shorter side of that. For parts that are common off the shelf items I find they're often available quicker and cheaper elsewhere, but for Beneteau specialized parts they're a reliable source.
I'm curious about the large bonus to carbon fiber spars - how does that give such a significant lift to performance?
My speculation is:
- reduction of vessel weight - less than 100 pounds I think.
- reduction of angular momentum aloft. This would reduce the magnitude of response to waves when they are driving pitching/rolling.
Do these matter at all? Are there any other advantages?
My speculation is:
- reduction of vessel weight - less than 100 pounds I think.
- reduction of angular momentum aloft. This would reduce the magnitude of response to waves when they are driving pitching/rolling.
Do these matter at all? Are there any other advantages?
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Carbon spars will be much lighter and a lot more rigid than Aluminum. Why and where this is important: 1- if racing is not important, no difference 2- if the boat is a small one with a not so tall mast, the difference is negligible 3- if racing and if the boat is bigger than 25' and has a high aspect ratio sails that go on to tall mast, the effect on weight difference is very noticeable. lighter and weight down at the bulb makes a huge difference in upwind pointing and righting and speed
Maybe the difference is First27 is still made by Seascape in Slovenia.
Beneteau bought it in 2016/2017. Many dealers do not even know how to properly rig it and do not have the know-how to figure out which parts one needs and even the parts list... Inhauler set up on the the brand new F27 I test sailed was not properly rigged. Several owners on FB Seacape First group reported similar issues and lack of knowledge and support
Good point. I see the parts catalog on the site but it’s definitely a problem if the dealer network can’t help with support.
love the spec sheet, we use similar spreadsheets for justification on capex purchases at work. In the end it is YOUR opinion, YOUR weighting and YOUR ideals/needs that makes the answer what it is. Congrats on finding your next boat, J-Boats are fast, and typically well-rated.