We are in the process of buying a new boat and are trying to figre out which options to go for. Some of the ones in question are: 1. winch upgrades? It would seem that they make enough of these boats to know what size is really needed. Are the standard winches really undersized? Keep in mind that the primary use of the boat will be cruising. 2. spinnaker halyard? We had a spinnaker for our last boat but really didn't use it much. Main use I see is an extra halyard to the mast head. Is it really necessary? 3. Volvo folding prop? This is being offered at an attractive price and seems like a good way to get somewhat better sailing performance (supposedly similar motoring performance). 4. Volvo vs. Yanmar? We haven't had a boat with an inboard diesel engine before. Will be sailing primarily in the Chesapeake, perhaps ICW to Florida and Bahamas at some point so I don't think parts availability will be much of an issue. Leaning towards Volvo... 5. Cockpit cushions from Beneteau? We've got sport-a-seats and really like them, is there any reason to buy cockpit cushions? 6. Finally, we have learned that the boat does not have a rub-rail. One can be added after-the-fact but for a lot of money. I initially thought this was very important but after hearing the price am having second thoughts. Any alternatives to consider or is the price worth it? Any other comments/tips/suggestions for the new-boat buying process would be greatly appreciated. We're really enjoying the process and can't wait to get the boat!!! Thanks! Steve
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Charlie Gruetzner - BeneteauOwners.net
My own two cents
Steve, you don't say what boat you are looking at or how many will crew on it when you are cruising so I will just throw in my two cent on the things you mentioned. If you are going cruising I would upgrade the windlass to a horizontal type that will handle both chain and rope. If you aare headed to the Bahamas and beyond you are going to want at least full chain on one of your anchors. I would definetely add the spinnaker halyard, in fact I would have them add all the equipment you need (I think that is a full package option with Beneteau) As a surveryor I have to say that the Yanmar seems to be the engine of choice and for what it is worth would choose that if it was my boat. They also run a aseries of great courses for there owners. As far a seat cushions I bought the ones from bottom siders for both my sailboats right on this site from Bly and Phil. The cushions are comfortable and durable and the staff is great to work with. Just a point I have dark green cushions and they do get hot in the sun. As far as the rub rail. that becomes a personal choice - for my money I would put that into an upgrade of electronics or some toy I wanted. Good luck with your new boat. if there is anything else I can help you with just give a shout Chrlie Gruetzner Oceanis Marine Services 845 225 6111
Steve, you don't say what boat you are looking at or how many will crew on it when you are cruising so I will just throw in my two cent on the things you mentioned. If you are going cruising I would upgrade the windlass to a horizontal type that will handle both chain and rope. If you aare headed to the Bahamas and beyond you are going to want at least full chain on one of your anchors. I would definetely add the spinnaker halyard, in fact I would have them add all the equipment you need (I think that is a full package option with Beneteau) As a surveryor I have to say that the Yanmar seems to be the engine of choice and for what it is worth would choose that if it was my boat. They also run a aseries of great courses for there owners. As far a seat cushions I bought the ones from bottom siders for both my sailboats right on this site from Bly and Phil. The cushions are comfortable and durable and the staff is great to work with. Just a point I have dark green cushions and they do get hot in the sun. As far as the rub rail. that becomes a personal choice - for my money I would put that into an upgrade of electronics or some toy I wanted. Good luck with your new boat. if there is anything else I can help you with just give a shout Chrlie Gruetzner Oceanis Marine Services 845 225 6111
J
Joe
Volvo vs Yanmar
I have a Beneteau 423 and we had our chioce of engines and we went with the upgraded Yanmar. I was informed a couple of days ago that all 432's engines are now Yanmar.
I have a Beneteau 423 and we had our chioce of engines and we went with the upgraded Yanmar. I was informed a couple of days ago that all 432's engines are now Yanmar.
Do it right...
Steve : My advice is, if you're going to do this...do it so you won't have regrets later. 1) Get the big winches...they make the job easier. 2) Spin. Halyard is necessary...See Latitudes & Attitudes Feb 05 issue (page 97) for a good reason in print...there are Lots of others later on even if you don't ger a spin. right away. 3) Get a Flex-a-Fold folding prop...DON'T get the 2 blade (they can vibrate a bit) get the 3 blade...it is worth the $$$ to sail faster. 4) Yanmar is the ONLY choice. 5) Bottom-Siders are the very best seats to avoid cases of "boat-butt"...& you'll be TOTALLY thankful if you get them. Get light grey with white stripes...("Not" a dark color) to avoid "butt-burn". 6) Rub-rails are a good thing, however, unless they were installed at the factory...think of re-sale someday...a perspective buyer will look at rub-rails as just a series of holes in the hull. Use fenders & a fender board if you need to. A couple of other points... Consider blue striping...it's more attractive than "green" & there should be no extra charge to do this as they have blue stripes on Moorings yachts. Upgrade the upholstery to the BEST & most expensive they offer...it wears better & you'll never regret doing that. Read more about how we set up Winpipe on our website...& Good Luck !! Cheers, Paul. www.winpipe.ca
Steve : My advice is, if you're going to do this...do it so you won't have regrets later. 1) Get the big winches...they make the job easier. 2) Spin. Halyard is necessary...See Latitudes & Attitudes Feb 05 issue (page 97) for a good reason in print...there are Lots of others later on even if you don't ger a spin. right away. 3) Get a Flex-a-Fold folding prop...DON'T get the 2 blade (they can vibrate a bit) get the 3 blade...it is worth the $$$ to sail faster. 4) Yanmar is the ONLY choice. 5) Bottom-Siders are the very best seats to avoid cases of "boat-butt"...& you'll be TOTALLY thankful if you get them. Get light grey with white stripes...("Not" a dark color) to avoid "butt-burn". 6) Rub-rails are a good thing, however, unless they were installed at the factory...think of re-sale someday...a perspective buyer will look at rub-rails as just a series of holes in the hull. Use fenders & a fender board if you need to. A couple of other points... Consider blue striping...it's more attractive than "green" & there should be no extra charge to do this as they have blue stripes on Moorings yachts. Upgrade the upholstery to the BEST & most expensive they offer...it wears better & you'll never regret doing that. Read more about how we set up Winpipe on our website...& Good Luck !! Cheers, Paul. www.winpipe.ca
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Charlie Gruetzner - BeneteauOwners.net
Hey Paul
where have you been hiding? I haven't seen you on here in a while Good to have you back Charlie
where have you been hiding? I haven't seen you on here in a while Good to have you back Charlie
Boat Options!
Steven, Paul is right on target, for the most part! Get the biggest winches that you can afford. Too expensive to upgrade later and they DO make work easier. He is all wrong on the choice of color. I know 'cause the Mrs. told me so. (She wanted "Seafoam" but settled for plain old Green.) Don't get the Beneteau cockpit cushions. Wait and order Bottom Siders or similar. Yes! Yanmar is the only choice. No rubrail. Just get some good fenders. Good Luck! Jon
Steven, Paul is right on target, for the most part! Get the biggest winches that you can afford. Too expensive to upgrade later and they DO make work easier. He is all wrong on the choice of color. I know 'cause the Mrs. told me so. (She wanted "Seafoam" but settled for plain old Green.) Don't get the Beneteau cockpit cushions. Wait and order Bottom Siders or similar. Yes! Yanmar is the only choice. No rubrail. Just get some good fenders. Good Luck! Jon
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Dragonfly
Other options to consider
Steve, what size are you considering? When we bought "Dragonfly" (http://home.att.net/~dragonflyb331/) we had several upgrades with the purchase and several after. With purchase we included AC, autopilot, electronic wind vain, engine upgrade to Yanmar, and windlass. Since purchase, we've added: Cabin fans - a high priority for air circulation, DC outlet at the helm and navigation station, Quality VISCO foam mattress in aft cabin, VHF with RAM Mic at the helm, Life sling, and Magma Grill. In hind site, I would have tried to get the dealer to have included the fans, DC outlet and upgrated VHF with purchase. Information on these is available at: http://home.att.net/~beneteau331owners/ Good luck with your purchase. Mark
Steve, what size are you considering? When we bought "Dragonfly" (http://home.att.net/~dragonflyb331/) we had several upgrades with the purchase and several after. With purchase we included AC, autopilot, electronic wind vain, engine upgrade to Yanmar, and windlass. Since purchase, we've added: Cabin fans - a high priority for air circulation, DC outlet at the helm and navigation station, Quality VISCO foam mattress in aft cabin, VHF with RAM Mic at the helm, Life sling, and Magma Grill. In hind site, I would have tried to get the dealer to have included the fans, DC outlet and upgrated VHF with purchase. Information on these is available at: http://home.att.net/~beneteau331owners/ Good luck with your purchase. Mark
Upgrade to Yanmar ?????
Just curious, what is so wrong with the Volvo, or better, why is Yanmar an upgrade?. With the cost of the Euro, I would have thought the Volvo would be the upgrade, at least in US$$ terms.
Just curious, what is so wrong with the Volvo, or better, why is Yanmar an upgrade?. With the cost of the Euro, I would have thought the Volvo would be the upgrade, at least in US$$ terms.
He's baaaaack !!!
Charlie : Thanks for the kind words, it's nice to be missed !!! We take the Airstream down to Florida for almost a month every December. We spent a few days in Lauderdale & then the rest of the time we were down in the Keys...mostly Marathon seeing friends on boats in Boot Key Harbor for the winter...it was sooo hard to leave !!! After we got home, I do my best to adjust to the c'c'c'cold & try to fit back into the office routine. That's the readers digest version... Cheers, Paul. www.winpipe.ca P/S BTW Jon...I was referring to the "stripes" on the hull...& not suggesting that the topsides be painted blue like that "Tommy Bahama" light brown treatment...just so ya'know !! Have a look at Winpipe's website to see what it looks like...blue stripe, blue Bimini & Dodger & blue interior upholstery.
Charlie : Thanks for the kind words, it's nice to be missed !!! We take the Airstream down to Florida for almost a month every December. We spent a few days in Lauderdale & then the rest of the time we were down in the Keys...mostly Marathon seeing friends on boats in Boot Key Harbor for the winter...it was sooo hard to leave !!! After we got home, I do my best to adjust to the c'c'c'cold & try to fit back into the office routine. That's the readers digest version... Cheers, Paul. www.winpipe.ca P/S BTW Jon...I was referring to the "stripes" on the hull...& not suggesting that the topsides be painted blue like that "Tommy Bahama" light brown treatment...just so ya'know !! Have a look at Winpipe's website to see what it looks like...blue stripe, blue Bimini & Dodger & blue interior upholstery.
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Dragonfly
Upgade from Westerbeke...
Jose, Sorry for the confusion. Volvo was not an option in 2003. Westerbeke was the base engine for the B331 in 2003. My research suggested the Yanmar was a better option. I can't comment on the value of Volvo vs. Yanmar. My only other experience with a Volvo was on a First 285. It was a 10 year old boat when we bought it. Never had any problems with it. It was easy to start, ran smoothly, never used a drop of oil. Mark http://home.att.net/~dragonflyb331/
Jose, Sorry for the confusion. Volvo was not an option in 2003. Westerbeke was the base engine for the B331 in 2003. My research suggested the Yanmar was a better option. I can't comment on the value of Volvo vs. Yanmar. My only other experience with a Volvo was on a First 285. It was a 10 year old boat when we bought it. Never had any problems with it. It was easy to start, ran smoothly, never used a drop of oil. Mark http://home.att.net/~dragonflyb331/
More Power
For me, I would buy the most powerful engine available. If you ever find yourself motoring back to safety in foul weather, upwind and up current, even once, you will be glad you did.
For me, I would buy the most powerful engine available. If you ever find yourself motoring back to safety in foul weather, upwind and up current, even once, you will be glad you did.
S
Steve
Thanks!
Thanks for all the tips! We've decided on a 423... Volvo is the standard engine, Yanmar (same HP) is an upgrade. It seems that the Yanmar is a bit more popular but I can't find a compelling reason not to go with the Volvo, so that looks like it's going to be the choice. Not going to get the rub rail or cockpit cushions, going for the Volvo folding prop (saw it at the Phila. boat show) and it looks good. Still not convinced of the need for winch upgrades. My father and I are the primary sailors and we are both pretty fit. It seems to come down to a cost vs benefit decision.... One owner mentioned that their 331 came wired for fans at the factory. Does anyone know if that is the same with the 423? We are definately going to install some fans and this will make that a bit easier. Does anyone know the details of the spinnaker halyard option? ie: without it is there still a cutout in the mast for one? if so, is there a turning block to exit the past or just cut aluminum? Getting VERY excited about the new boat! Eventually it will find its way to Rock Hall, MD. but with a mid to late summer delivery we might keep it in NJ at the dealer to explore some new areas. Thanks again for all the input! Steve
Thanks for all the tips! We've decided on a 423... Volvo is the standard engine, Yanmar (same HP) is an upgrade. It seems that the Yanmar is a bit more popular but I can't find a compelling reason not to go with the Volvo, so that looks like it's going to be the choice. Not going to get the rub rail or cockpit cushions, going for the Volvo folding prop (saw it at the Phila. boat show) and it looks good. Still not convinced of the need for winch upgrades. My father and I are the primary sailors and we are both pretty fit. It seems to come down to a cost vs benefit decision.... One owner mentioned that their 331 came wired for fans at the factory. Does anyone know if that is the same with the 423? We are definately going to install some fans and this will make that a bit easier. Does anyone know the details of the spinnaker halyard option? ie: without it is there still a cutout in the mast for one? if so, is there a turning block to exit the past or just cut aluminum? Getting VERY excited about the new boat! Eventually it will find its way to Rock Hall, MD. but with a mid to late summer delivery we might keep it in NJ at the dealer to explore some new areas. Thanks again for all the input! Steve
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