80s Jeanneau and osmosis

[Boeingdr]

I have just sold my boat rather faster than expected and am left boatless and looking for a new (used) boat.
I am looking for something around 30-35ft up to max £27000 suitable for extended family cruising on west coat of scotland as well as single handed sailing.
I am interested in a 1982 Jeanneau Melody but have been told by a surveyer that Jeanneaus of that period are prone to osmosis and keel problems due to building techniques.
Any comments good or bad? I like the look of the boat but its been on the market a long time, makes me wonder ?
Not a lot else in the market that interests me at that price, I may just have to wait a while and save more money!

 

[MacW]

I wouldn`t argue with a surveyor, but the Melody in particular had a reputation as one very tough boat. No personal experience of other than standing on one, but there`s a small charter operation near Glenborrowdale Castle on Loch Sunart ran ( or maybe still runs ) two of them for donkey`s years. A survey would soon reveal problems on any particular boat.

 

[Aja]

I used to own a 1981 Jeanneau Rush, and this is the first I've heard that Jeanneaus had keel or osmosis problems.

As for the Melody, a big, heavy, go anywhere boat. Think there is one at Holy Loch? Used to race against another one at Rhu. Pretty bullet-proof boats.

Were they not designed to do some one-design ocean race????

Donald

 

[Salty John]

I had a Symphonie (32') of that era and after a particularly abrupt grounding the hull cracked alongside the keel. I could make water come into the boat by waggling the saloon table pedestal. The Melody has a good reputation, maybe the construction is different.
My Symphonie didn't have osmosis.

 

[Birdseye]

The osmosis comment is a red herring. The survey would say whether that boat actually had a problem so "proneness" doesnt matter. Most boats of that era that remain untreated will have some degree of osmosis problem.

Cant comment on the keel.

 

[FullCircle]

Wasnt this the period/era (late 70's early 80s') when DuPont were using a formulation in their resin that led to a higher risk of osmosis. Certainly I remember Beneteau winning a court case for compensation.

Just a personal view, but no boat I know has sunk through osmosis causing structural issue, and its a very well known route for negotiating a fair discount off the asking price. After all, once its done (correctly) you effectively have a new under the waterline surface!

 

[clouty]

Congratulations on selling your boat in the season, when best prices can be obtained. If you want a lot of boat for your money, perhaps you should keep your powder dry and wait for january next year to make a purchase, when prices are more negotiable. The money you will save will more than cover a charter or two...

Whaddya think? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[jamesjermain]

I agree with Birdseye.

The Melody was a particularly good design and, as far as I am aware, was well built.

Beneteau's osmosis problems were unique to them and, if I remember correctly, rather later than 1982 although I may be wrong.

 

[Aja]

I have sent a PM (private message)

Click on the flashing icon under your user name

Donald

 

[Boeingdr]

Thanks everyone for the replies, it sounds like the boat is at least worth a survey.