Jeanneau Sun 2000 - Feedback Please

[mikeshaw]

Hello,

Would appreciate some feedback on the Jeanneau Sun 2000 trailer-sailer. Have come from a performance dinghy racing background and now have 2 small children. Currently have a 20' daysailer which is quite quick (for me) but damp (for the kids above F3). Considering a Sun 2000 to provide some shelter, but still want reasonable performance and the ability to park nose-in at the local beach. Therefore max draft 18inches preferred.

Concerned about potential budget build, fitting spec and cheap sails, but like fully retracting centreboard, asymmetric spinnaker and 4 berths.

Any feedback or suggested alternatives very much appreciated.

 

[mikebees]

I have a Beneteau 211 which might also suit you.
As a sailing machine it is superb but assembly is careless despite the mouldings being excellent. Over 2100 have been built which is a pretty good recommendation!

 

[mikeshaw]

Mike,

Thanks for the thought on the 211. Have considered one, as they seem to be better-specced than the Jeanneau and less like a basic caravan. However I sail mainly in Chichester Harbour and suspect that the near 6' draft would be limiting while the pivot-up keel does not allow beaching easily. Nice boat though...

 

[StriderOzone]

Consider a small catamaran eg strider as an alternative. Stays flat, goes quicker than sun 2000, wide safe area for kids to run around on, 4 berths, but admittedly more spartan than sun2000, shallower draft and ability to beach, collapses for trailing.

see http://www.multihullworld.com/frameset.htm

several for sale.

 

[simonfraser]

you may find the strider a bit small inside, but as you can see from the link above there are other open decked cats with dagger boards, or lar keels that can get to the beach, richard woods has designed several.
my main prob with them is the width, i.e. where do you moor them
some cats in boats and outboard website too

 

[Bill1]

Westerly Nimrod? Shallow draft with centre plate up, decent turn of speed, resonably dry with a small child size cabin. My kids (9 and 6) seem to like it. Probably not big enough for a weekend though we use it as a daysailer only.

Bill

 

[Thamesider]

There is a Jeanneau owners forum somewhere if you do a googlesearch - I'm sure they'd be able to give you some expert, but maybe not unbiased, opinion.

But, on the theme of showing you something other than what you asked for(!) - there's a French trailerable trimaran with a small cabin big enough for kids or two consenting adults - details are here
http://www.astusboats.com/fr/astus201.photos.html

 

[Lakesailor]

I'd look for unbiased reviews. The Sun 2000/2500 seem to have less favourable reviews than the Benneteaus (x?) and Etaps.
There are lots of new centreboard trailersailors around now, mainly Eastern European, that may tick you boxes.

 

[seumask]

We sail regularly with friends who have a Sun 2000, they have 2 children (2.5 and 9mths) also based in Chichester harbour at HISC. The boat is very good for beaching and the performance is also good matching almost exactly our 25 ft Hunter delta (also lifting keel, and a boat you might also want to look at.) We have been up and down the solent and over to poole for a week with them and the boat has coped well. They are a little spartan down below for staying on, however have enough space for the 4 of them to sleep on. My only real critisim is that I would not want to be out in a real blow (over F6) as the blast plate can only give you so much stability. PM me if you would like to speak to them.

 

[danera]

The Sun 2000/2500 are made in Poland. The seem like nice boats, but the performance isn't as great as a Beneteau, which is why I've got a First211...

 

[mikeshaw]

Thanks for the varied feedback - and lateral thoughts. Catamaran unlikely to work on our limited-space swinging mooring, but will follow up other suggestions.

Regards,
Mike

 

[SimonW99]

sun 2000

Actually performance or the sun 2000 and First 211 are not that dissimilar as the round the island times and ratings show.

The interior of the 21.7 is slightly larger and more attractive, although the keel mechanism intrudes more. It feels higher off the water, but is quick in the light, but needs early reefing.

The sun 2000 is simpler and basic below, but has a slightly bigger cockpit and because of the centreboard has a noticeably shallower draft for shoal moorings.
Its also a bit cheaper.

For Chichester, Poole or coast hopping in good weather both are fine. Both of them are of course small boats