advice needed on boat choice

[pathfinderstu]

hi, i live in sw turkey and after a long break from saling( used to sail wooden yachts when 30ft was considered quite a large cruiser) i am planning on returning to sail from power. am looking at a not too old 2nd hand 2007 onwards, around 40 to max 45 ft. i originally liked a beneteau oceanis 40 but after looking around quite liked jeannaeu DS models. now i have seen a bavaria yacht and quite like the finish and price...
so i would welcome any advice on the subject...thanks in advance.

 

[Monique]

I have a Bav and it is well put together... but mine is part of a short run (13 were built) of Lloyds 100 certified boats.

Given the kick in their reputation some years back when some of their racers lost their keels, gave their price a downward trend. Now you can get a very well fitted one for surprisingly little dosh.

They were the first builder to apply true production line techniques hence their sharp price point.

I suggest you look for one with the tall rig and deep keel. The "Exclusive" moniker means you get many high cost extras as standard; lead keel, big SS cleats, heavy duty rigging etc

IMO, they are very good value for the money. GL

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...ByPriceDesc|1&N=2285+2279+1784+4294958961+943

 

[jonic]

I have a Bav and it is well put together... but mine is part of a short run (13 were built) of Lloyds 100 certified boats.

Given the kick in their reputation some years back when some of their racers lost their keels, gave their price a downward trend. Now you can get a very well fitted one for surprisingly little dosh.

They were the first builder to apply true production line techniques hence their sharp price point.

I suggest you look for one with the tall rig and deep keel. The "Exclusive" moniker means you get many high cost extras as standard; lead keel, big SS cleats, heavy duty rigging etc

IMO, they are very good value for the money. GL

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...ByPriceDesc|1&N=2285+2279+1784+4294958961+943

+1 Sound advice. In the cruising yachts the sometimes poor reputation is undeserved especially in the mid 2000 models.
Good value yachts.

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

hi, i live in sw turkey and after a long break from saling( used to sail wooden yachts when 30ft was considered quite a large cruiser) i am planning on returning to sail from power. am looking at a not too old 2nd hand 2007 onwards, around 40 to max 45 ft. i originally liked a beneteau oceanis 40 but after looking around quite liked jeannaeu DS models. now i have seen a bavaria yacht and quite like the finish and price...
so i would welcome any advice on the subject...thanks in advance.

You shouldn't go too wrong with any of the yachts you mention, particularly at that age.

Bavaria's seem to have a bad name, but they are actually very good value yachts. You may find that re-sale is trickier on the Bavaria (although speak to Jonic for more advice in that department).

We have recently delivered a few Jeanneau DS - and they seem very good. I personally like the Deck Saloon design, making for light and airy living quarters.

You will find a variety of layouts in the range you are looking. If I were you I would consider layout, inventory and location as a way of narrowing the search. In this range you will find many yachts with in mast furling. Personally I would go for a single line reefing or traditional reefing system over the in mast (although many may disagree). Personal preferences like these should help you to make your decision on exactly which yacht to go for, rather than the specific model.

Best of luck, and happy hunting!

Pete

 

[Tranona]

I have had a Bavaria 37 from new in 2001 and agree they are sound. There is, however a bewildering variety of models and some are not so attractive as others. The 42 up to around 2003 was an excellent boat and the 40s from then until around 2007 were also very good. Some models in the 2007-10 period were not to my mind as well finished as earler (or later) as they "modernised" the interiors, but not very successfully. The Vision models were also very attractive, but did not sell well as they were relatively expensive.

Ex charter boats can be good buys as they stand up well to continuous use, but obviously you need to find out about the maintenance history.

 

[Skysail]

Agree with all above. We loved our Jeanneau 43DS as a comfortable cruiser for 2 or 4 ... good at sea and in port.

.

 

[pathfinderstu]

Thanks for all the replies so far. just the kind of stuff i am looking for.

 

[jonic]

Bavaria's seem to have a bad name, but they are actually very good value yachts. You may find that re-sale is trickier on the Bavaria (although speak to Jonic for more advice in that department).

If well priced and in good condition they sell well. I have just sold this one, for close to the asking price and had plenty of interest, In fact I have sold it twice in its lifetime

 

[Bobc]

I've got a 2003 Bavaria 49 (had it from new), and it's a very well built and comfy boat, and in your part of the world there are some really good deals on these from ex-charter companies. The 49 is a bit heavier and better build than the 50s (or so I'm told). Go for the deep lead keel option if you can find one.

 

[Monique]

Forgot to mention... Get one without teak decks. Ok in cockpit

Gl

 

[pathfinderstu]

any reason for that Monique? or are they just a pain to clean.
many thanks for your advice anyway.

 

[Bobc]

any reason for that Monique? or are they just a pain to clean.
many thanks for your advice anyway.

Totally agree with that. They are just an expensive pain in backside.

 

[Tranona]

any reason for that Monique? or are they just a pain to clean.
many thanks for your advice anyway.

While not a lover of teak decks, the Bavaria ones of this period seem to stand up better than most. Older boats used teak veneered ply panels and wore through quickly, but later boats use solid teak strips glued and vacuum bagged to the deck. They seem to last better - the cockpit on my boat has worn well over 10 years, mostly in the Med. One advantage of the Bavaria system (and some others) is that the teak is only stuck onto plain decks so there are no fastening through the teak to cause leaks.

The downsides of teak are keeping it clean and heat - not pleasant to walk on during the day. On a newish boat such as you are looking at it would not be a deal breaker for me, but on older boats, particularly those with mechanically fastened teak would be something to avoid.

 

[jordanbasset]

We have a 2003 Bavaria 38 (actually 40 feet), thoroughly recommend it and other models. Went from Plymouth to Greece in it, caught out, unintentinally, in more wind and sea than we would wish but never let us down. Now in the med the large cockpit and sugar scoop are great.

 

[Monique]

any reason for that Monique? or are they just a pain to clean.
many thanks for your advice anyway.

Yep. Mine is a ticking time bomb... will cost me lots to have it removed in the next few years. I will not replace it either.

Hot under foot too, makes the boat heavier and a PITA to keep clean.

Tranona makes a good case.

 

[MBM_Greg]

I had a Jeanneau 42DS 2006 onwards, but sold it for a grand Soleil in 2011. It was a fantastic boat and lasted a number of Biscay crossings, as well as being chartered. We always entered the Round the Island Race and came a moderate middle - not bad with having a fixed prop, shallow keel and in-mast reefing. Bav's are cheap, but they all look the same just with more portholes, but thats just my opinion.

The jeanneau look good, handle well and let plenty of light in and was very spacious... But we were not trouble free...

 

[pathfinderstu]

I had a Jeanneau 42DS 2006 onwards, but sold it for a grand Soleil in 2011. It was a fantastic boat and lasted a number of Biscay crossings, as well as being chartered. We always entered the Round the Island Race and came a moderate middle - not bad with having a fixed prop, shallow keel and in-mast reefing. Bav's are cheap, but they all look the same just with more portholes, but thats just my opinion.

The jeanneau look good, handle well and let plenty of light in and was very spacious... But we were not trouble free...

Greg, can you elaborate on the 'not trouble free' bit you mentioned, as very intersted in their DS models. Thanks.

 

[MBM_Greg]

The general structure was sound, in fact it often took quite a battering. In rough seas it had a habit of slapping - the flat hull at the bow would slap the water, causing a ripple vibration to run back through the boat and up the mast, rather than cutting through. But that is pretty standard of all modern shape yachts.

The coach roof had stress cracks appear, which were never fixed properly, even under warranty. The cockpit lockers seemed to not last very well - no gas struts often meant them being dropped and cracking at the corners.

We used her well, doing around 4,000 miles annually, so gave her a real test - the interior suffered from it. All the wood you can see isn't real - it is veneer and a little knock results in damage. The fittings are all a little cheap, the shower for example tap broke off for example.

We had the 2006 model, but as they got newer the quality dropped even more. First impressions were of masses of white plastic around the large windows inside, and cheaper floors etc.

Saying all of this though, she sailed well and we loved her, and still do.

Depending on what you value, the older the boat, the better the quality. If your budget could stretch the the 49DS, that will ouse quality.

 

[Monique]

...... Bav's are cheap, but they all look the same just with more portholes, but thats just my .......

The term "cheap" is too derogatory in my opinion. My boat is from 1997 and sees quite some use. True it will bang like all modern fairly flat hulls in heavy seas but my boat has not 1 crack in the GRP except some grazing.

The debate will rage forever about the merits of Ben/Jen/Bavaria. But having looked at them all, my Bavaria is better quality than the direct competition. It also sails better and faster except for the Ben First 45.5 or 47.7. I blow the sails off all the others

 

[MBM_Greg]

The term "cheap" is too derogatory in my opinion. My boat is from 1997 and sees quite some use. True it will bang like all modern fairly flat hulls in heavy seas but my boat has not 1 crack in the GRP except some grazing.

The debate will rage forever about the merits of Ben/Jen/Bavaria. But having looked at them all, my Bavaria is better quality than the direct competition. It also sails better and faster except for the Ben First 45.5 or 47.7. I blow the sails off all the others

Your Bav from 1997 is when they made very good boats. But a few years later they got the 'value' bug and the quality dropped - but before then they, as you say, were often better than any rivals.

Their recent poorer boats have damaged the name.

I would also agree about the speed, since your Bav had the same designer as Grand Soleil at the time...