Back to getting a Beneteau

Davidasailor26 · May 18, 2021

I might be biased but I’ll add a recommendation to add the 37 to your list. The 38.1 is only a few inches longer in actual LOA, and having looked at it at boat shows it feels smaller than the 37 inside. (Though the 38.1 did feel better than the 38.). The 37 also has a traditional prop shaft, avoiding the maintenance issues associated with a sail drive. The 37 doesn’t have the fold down swim platform but does have an adequate fixed platform.

RickSegal said:
Bow thrusters. I'm told the newer versions of the boats have them integrated as part of the hull mold and that if you elect not to have it, you have plugs that go into the hull. Does anyone have experience with Bow thrusters on these boats? I've been jealous of people with Bow thrusters every since a dock and I got into a debate on coming into port. I lost. No damage, damn lucky.

I’m very happy to have a bow thruster on the 37. You’ll hear some argue that it’s not needed, but I think it’s a very valuable tool in some spots. After 7 seasons ours is running fine and has needed no maintenance other than replacing zincs.

sail sfbay · May 18, 2021

On this block of boats, the transom in the back drops down for a really sweet platform. I'm wondering about dinghy davits and how they would or wouldn't interfere with that transom. Newer Beneteau's can come with retractable davits built in............that is what I would opt for.
Bow thrusters. I'm told the newer versions of the boats have them integrated as part of the hull mold and that if you elect not to have it, you have plugs that go into the hull. Does anyone have experience with Bow thrusters on these boats? I've been jealous of people with Bow thrusters every since a dock and I got into a debate on coming into port. I lost. No damage, damn lucky. Pretty common on sailboats over 45 feet like my Hunter 46.
Lastly, the notion of value. It seems to me the sweet spot of value for the dollar is the 41 vs the 38 vs. jumping to the 44 and beyond. Comments would be greatly appreciated. Buy what you like...........the longer the sailboat the more waterline and heavier for a smoother and faster sail and greater the overall comfort.

Dr. D · May 18, 2021

In the more modern Benes the dual wheels are part of hull which maintains the beam all the way to the transom (or nearly so). I find the open cockpit a vast improvement over more traditional arrangements. Lots of room, choice of which side to steer from, ease of moving about the cockpit, etc. The boats usually also have dual rudders which I now greatly prefer.

OTOH, yes, buy what you like.....

ron2photo · May 19, 2021

With a sail drive and twin rudders you will use the bow thruster all the time docking. The swim platform is very nice on my 2016 Beneteau 38.

cymeyer · May 20, 2021

RickSegal said:
Greetings from Vancouver Island here in British Columbia, Canada.
After selling my Oceanis 32.1 and brooding for 8 months, I'm back looking to get an Oceanis 38 - 47, somewhere in there, used or failing that, new. Some questions for the gang here.

Beyond Yachtworld and Boats.com, are there other places where Beneteau owners/sellings put the boats up for sale or between those two sites, I'll see em all.

I'm told the 38.1 is no longer being made and can't be ordered new, yet I see 2021 "call for pricing" ads in Europe. Is that model only in Europe?

On this block of boats, the transom in the back drops down for a really sweet platform. I'm wondering about dinghy davits and how they would or wouldn't interfere with that transom.

Do owners find the dual wheels to be a material improvement for sailing or is a single wheel in the center (which is all I've ever known) good enough.

Bow thrusters. I'm told the newer versions of the boats have them integrated as part of the hull mold and that if you elect not to have it, you have plugs that go into the hull. Does anyone have experience with Bow thrusters on these boats? I've been jealous of people with Bow thrusters every since a dock and I got into a debate on coming into port. I lost. No damage, damn lucky.

Lastly, the notion of value. It seems to me the sweet spot of value for the dollar is the 41 vs the 38 vs. jumping to the 44 and beyond. Comments would be greatly appreciated.

I had the 321 for over 20 years and a few things have changed except my love for Beneteau and sailing.

Stay safe, all.

Rick

Hi Rick,
We also had our 321 for over 20 years and loved it. We traded it last year for a Jeanneau 389. Bow thruster is glorious for docking and not much maintenance other than new zinc (or magnesium).
We have the full transom which has been really nice.
Twin rudders gives much better control when heeling.
Hope to have the 389 for at least 20 years!
Chris

DougM · May 20, 2021

Chris,
Didn’t hear that you had a new boat.
I have been kind of skeptical about the sail drive, anything you don’t like about it?

cymeyer · May 20, 2021

DougM said:
Chris,
Didn’t hear that you had a new boat.
I have been kind of skeptical about the sail drive, anything you don’t like about it?

Hi Doug,

We are very happy with the Jeanneau 389. similar to the Beneteau 38, but we have a great Jeanneau dealer 10 min away who I have known for decades. Beneteau dealer is one hour + away.

I was not sure if I would like the twin rudders and saildrive but I do. No shaft seal or dripless coupling like on our Beneteau 321.

I also have a code 0 which didn't even know what kind of sail that was until I could see it available.

We have a real fridge with a freezer that works well. Top loading and also a door at the bottom. It is just huge for plain water, sparkling water, white wine, etc.

I thought i would be wanting a bigger boat, but after hand waxing this spring, this 389 is big enough!

Chris