Catalina v. Beneteau
Went; I had a C-22, moved up to a C-30, then up to a Beneteau OC400. The Beneteau is a sweet sailer, looks great, has a large interior (two stateroom version) and gets a lot of compliments. However, I believe Beneteau enjoys a reputation that they don't necessarily deserve. For instance, even though the boat was built in the US, there is plenty of evidence of shoddy construction. The wiring behind the DC panel looks great, but in other places it looks like it was installed by a stoned chimp. Corrosion protection is minimal and there are many system weaknessess that should have been addressed in the design process (the damned pan liner, for one, the freshwater system, for another, the fuel system for another, the freezer/reefer, etc.) In addition, all the added electronics; radar/plotter, inverter, larger alternator, smart charger, batteries, were very shoddily installed by the dealer, Southwestern Yachts in San Diego, CA, and then responsibility disavowed when I bought the boat through their brokerage. I've owned the boat for four years and am still chasing down electrical gremlims that have defied two electricians and numerous calls to suppliers, circuit boards sent to manufactureres, etc. Parts for the boat are frequently not available in the US and must be ordered from France. If I had it to do over again, I don't think I'd buy a Beneteau. In addition, the taxes and insurance are not cheap, either, and the boatyard bills are double what they were for my C-30.
