While at the Annapolis Boat Show, I couldn’t help but to admire the design and built quality of Jeanneau’s most recent models (such as DS 49 and 39i). I am looking for comments of others who have made the comparison of both manufacturers over the other (yes, I know that they are sister companies)and what factors contributed to your final decision.
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Blue Water Sailing has Reviews in October Issue.
They reviewed the Hunter 49 http://www.bwsailing.com/01articles/issue/1006/bwb_hunter_49.htm, the Beneteau 49 http://www.bwsailing.com/01articles/issue/1006/bwb_beneteau_49.htm and the Jeanneau 49 http://www.bwsailing.com/01articles/issue/1006/bwb_jeanneau_49.htm in the October issue, and all are available online. Of the three, they seemed to like the Hunter the best.
They reviewed the Hunter 49 http://www.bwsailing.com/01articles/issue/1006/bwb_hunter_49.htm, the Beneteau 49 http://www.bwsailing.com/01articles/issue/1006/bwb_beneteau_49.htm and the Jeanneau 49 http://www.bwsailing.com/01articles/issue/1006/bwb_jeanneau_49.htm in the October issue, and all are available online. Of the three, they seemed to like the Hunter the best.
Dufour is a much better French Boat
Didn't want you to think I was anti-French! Dufour is a GREAT boat...
Didn't want you to think I was anti-French! Dufour is a GREAT boat...
The Hunter 49
The Hunter 49 first caught my attention early this spring, when there was very little information available. The more information I dug up, the more fascinated I became. My mind then started playing-out various scenarios, examining where I had been, where I was, and where I was going. When I retired from the Navy in 1981, my intention was to buy a sailboat, move aboard, fit it out and sail off over the edge of the earth. Well, I bought the boat, moved aboard, and in the process of making her ready to put to sea, I met a woman. We're still married... We've owned a number of boats over the years, including a canal boat in France and our current aft cabin motor yacht. My wife's idea of boating is to step ashore every evening; mine is much more exploratory. This spring, I bit the bullet and told my wife that I was ordering a new boat to sail around the world, and that she could fly to join me in some of the nice ports, if she wished. I looked at many used offshore-capable boats. While I have enjoyed the adventure of fixing-up older boats in the past, I kept thinking that this time I wanted to start fresh. After much more soul-searching and boat investigation, I ordered a Hunter 49 in mid-June for delivery next spring. I have been having a wonderful adventure planning the fit-out, and will be visiting the Hunter plant in Alachua, FL in mid-November, after which I will fine-tune my equipment and options. It is gratifying to see the strong reviews of the new 49 in Blue Water Sailing, Practical Sailor, Pacific Yachting, Canadian Yachting, Sailing and so on.
The Hunter 49 first caught my attention early this spring, when there was very little information available. The more information I dug up, the more fascinated I became. My mind then started playing-out various scenarios, examining where I had been, where I was, and where I was going. When I retired from the Navy in 1981, my intention was to buy a sailboat, move aboard, fit it out and sail off over the edge of the earth. Well, I bought the boat, moved aboard, and in the process of making her ready to put to sea, I met a woman. We're still married... We've owned a number of boats over the years, including a canal boat in France and our current aft cabin motor yacht. My wife's idea of boating is to step ashore every evening; mine is much more exploratory. This spring, I bit the bullet and told my wife that I was ordering a new boat to sail around the world, and that she could fly to join me in some of the nice ports, if she wished. I looked at many used offshore-capable boats. While I have enjoyed the adventure of fixing-up older boats in the past, I kept thinking that this time I wanted to start fresh. After much more soul-searching and boat investigation, I ordered a Hunter 49 in mid-June for delivery next spring. I have been having a wonderful adventure planning the fit-out, and will be visiting the Hunter plant in Alachua, FL in mid-November, after which I will fine-tune my equipment and options. It is gratifying to see the strong reviews of the new 49 in Blue Water Sailing, Practical Sailor, Pacific Yachting, Canadian Yachting, Sailing and so on.
Well, one of my all time favorites is...
the Jeaneau 45 (which, I believe is still being made)...love the deck and cabin layout, and I think it is the only boat in their line that has a blue hull...anyway, Jeaneau is owned by Beneteau, however they still operate fairly independently of each other...
the Jeaneau 45 (which, I believe is still being made)...love the deck and cabin layout, and I think it is the only boat in their line that has a blue hull...anyway, Jeaneau is owned by Beneteau, however they still operate fairly independently of each other...
I love the Jenneau layouts
after touring many cramp and dank feeling boats at the boat show last year, i zeroed in on the jeanneau 45 also. I was seriously considering buying one, i even toured the factory in France. The build quality and techniques i witnessed were very good, the wood working is mid-grade but better than most mass-production boats. I was worried about the term "high tech composite" for the hull material, thinking it might be a plaster hull like bayliner, but it turned out to be carbon-Kevlar twill. I see on their new brochure they are specifying Kevlar, very good. The pricing was very nice too, i think it is the best bang for the buck out there.. The only reason i didnt buy is that i decided to start another business and have dedicated my extra funds to that instead, maybe in another 5 years I can upgrade from my old Morgan..
after touring many cramp and dank feeling boats at the boat show last year, i zeroed in on the jeanneau 45 also. I was seriously considering buying one, i even toured the factory in France. The build quality and techniques i witnessed were very good, the wood working is mid-grade but better than most mass-production boats. I was worried about the term "high tech composite" for the hull material, thinking it might be a plaster hull like bayliner, but it turned out to be carbon-Kevlar twill. I see on their new brochure they are specifying Kevlar, very good. The pricing was very nice too, i think it is the best bang for the buck out there.. The only reason i didnt buy is that i decided to start another business and have dedicated my extra funds to that instead, maybe in another 5 years I can upgrade from my old Morgan..
Dissapointed
I'm not trying to pick a fight or anything but I was very dissapointed in the Jeanneau I saw at the show. Expecting to see a really nice yacht I looked in a drawer in the fore cabin and it stuck all crooked so I'm thinking JEEZEE I broke it! Trying to get it together I saw it was traveling on wood runners with a block on top. Just like cheap pressboard furniture. After spotting that I looked at Hunter, Catalina, and others and they had regular drawer runners. It's a little thing I know, but it gave me a sence of cheap. For $250,000.+ Jeanneau is not for me.
I'm not trying to pick a fight or anything but I was very dissapointed in the Jeanneau I saw at the show. Expecting to see a really nice yacht I looked in a drawer in the fore cabin and it stuck all crooked so I'm thinking JEEZEE I broke it! Trying to get it together I saw it was traveling on wood runners with a block on top. Just like cheap pressboard furniture. After spotting that I looked at Hunter, Catalina, and others and they had regular drawer runners. It's a little thing I know, but it gave me a sence of cheap. For $250,000.+ Jeanneau is not for me.
You Get Exactly What You Pay For
Just sold my 1996 Beneteau and I was not impressed with the quality. However, I should say that I got exactly what I paid for. That was a average- to-good quality vessel, which meets the requirements of 80% of buyers. Next time if I buy a boat I will spend more and get better quality. I am thinking that a Sabre, Island Packet, Tartan would be considered to be better quality vessels. Would like to hear from others who agree and also disagree with me. Thanks Ken
Just sold my 1996 Beneteau and I was not impressed with the quality. However, I should say that I got exactly what I paid for. That was a average- to-good quality vessel, which meets the requirements of 80% of buyers. Next time if I buy a boat I will spend more and get better quality. I am thinking that a Sabre, Island Packet, Tartan would be considered to be better quality vessels. Would like to hear from others who agree and also disagree with me. Thanks Ken
Why
would you limit yourself to only two brands--both built by the same company? The word "quality" has a connotation of how well something conforms to your expectation of the thing. Since I have no expectation of hand craftsmanship in my car I rate the Rolls Royce low, but some other person may rate it very high if hand craftsmanship is important to them. My point is that the first step is to really carefully examine what is important to you in a boat. Cruising or Racing? Offshore or Bluewater? Live aboard amenities, etc. When you have this nailed down there are lots of reports in the various sail mags and Practical Sailor that will help you narrow down your choice. Here is one: http://www.cruisingworld.com/article.jsp?ID=35035&typeID=395&catID=635 I also believe that virtually all brands are constantly evolving and what is "high quality" today would either not be possible in the past, or would be prohibitively expensive. I am referring to new technologies such as RTM (resin transfer molding), CAD/CAM especially the ability to machine hull molds with computer driven machines. Also computerized CFD (computational fluid dynamics) which help designers maximize performance and strength in their designs. So. which Jeanneaus and which Benneteaus are you comparing? Both built the same year? If you are looking at older "classic" models why not have a chat with some local boatyards to see if they have noted any differences in which boats have problems and which ones do not. Also if you have a boat charter company nearby check in with the guy that has to do the maintenance for the fleet and you will learn a lot.
would you limit yourself to only two brands--both built by the same company? The word "quality" has a connotation of how well something conforms to your expectation of the thing. Since I have no expectation of hand craftsmanship in my car I rate the Rolls Royce low, but some other person may rate it very high if hand craftsmanship is important to them. My point is that the first step is to really carefully examine what is important to you in a boat. Cruising or Racing? Offshore or Bluewater? Live aboard amenities, etc. When you have this nailed down there are lots of reports in the various sail mags and Practical Sailor that will help you narrow down your choice. Here is one: http://www.cruisingworld.com/article.jsp?ID=35035&typeID=395&catID=635 I also believe that virtually all brands are constantly evolving and what is "high quality" today would either not be possible in the past, or would be prohibitively expensive. I am referring to new technologies such as RTM (resin transfer molding), CAD/CAM especially the ability to machine hull molds with computer driven machines. Also computerized CFD (computational fluid dynamics) which help designers maximize performance and strength in their designs. So. which Jeanneaus and which Benneteaus are you comparing? Both built the same year? If you are looking at older "classic" models why not have a chat with some local boatyards to see if they have noted any differences in which boats have problems and which ones do not. Also if you have a boat charter company nearby check in with the guy that has to do the maintenance for the fleet and you will learn a lot.
Beneteau's Flex...Alot
My Beneteau had serious issues with decks that would flex. I actually had supports built in both lazzerets (spelling?) to eliminate it. I was always having the gelcoat cracks repaired due to this flexing. I do not believe they built solid vessels. Today, modern production boat costs are based on dollars/pound ratio. More material cost more $ and if you shave a bit you can make more money on the vessel. They all look real pretty their first year, but in 5-10 years the lack on materials/support will show. Why do you think the value of a sailboat drops? Used Beneteau's are a real good value if you are willing to accept their manufacturing shortcommings. More comments about my comments would be appreciated. Thanks
My Beneteau had serious issues with decks that would flex. I actually had supports built in both lazzerets (spelling?) to eliminate it. I was always having the gelcoat cracks repaired due to this flexing. I do not believe they built solid vessels. Today, modern production boat costs are based on dollars/pound ratio. More material cost more $ and if you shave a bit you can make more money on the vessel. They all look real pretty their first year, but in 5-10 years the lack on materials/support will show. Why do you think the value of a sailboat drops? Used Beneteau's are a real good value if you are willing to accept their manufacturing shortcommings. More comments about my comments would be appreciated. Thanks
The Benatoy
Benny's have really nice interiors and are good looking boats from the outside also. But, I have always thought that a Catalina was much better built.
Benny's have really nice interiors and are good looking boats from the outside also. But, I have always thought that a Catalina was much better built.
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