Bavaria V Jeanneau

[derekgillard]

Looks like I've sold and am looking for a replacement. As previously mentioned this is a retirement boat so looking around for a 32ft that's easy to handle for two of us spending more nights on board with Solent work and some extended cruising, comfort as important as sailing quality.

Am 6ft tall and two boats are shortlisted, good examples of both are for sale locally ( I've looked at a lot of rubbish). First is the Bavaria 30 cruiser, it's roomy and loads of space, second is the Jeanneau 32 I liked the layout and reckon it will sail better, however, it's lack storage space and is more expensive.

I would welcome your views as always

Thanks delbuoy

 

[pathfinderstu]

If your talking about older boats go for Jeanneau imo

 

[Plevier]

I had a 2003 Jeanneau SO32.
My chum had a 2006 Bav 30 Cruiser. (Actually he still has it, it's for sale http://www.clippermarine.co.uk/boat-for-sale/Bavaria-30-Cruiser-FOR-SALE-4768606.html)
For style I would pick the Jeanneau.
For build quality and working equipment I would pick the Bav. Also as you say it's incomparably better re stowage if you're going away in it.
The Bav doesn't sail badly at all but the SO is probably a bit more spritely.

 

[nigelmercier]

You get more for your money with a Bavaria.

MRDA

 

[pathfinderstu]

You get more for your money with a Bavaria.

MRDA

The keel less versions are going quite cheaply, seriously don't know the market in the uk but out here in the eastern med. Jeanneau have a much better name in the older versions than Bavarias and that is reflected in the 2nd hand price and resale ability.

 

[jordanbasset]

Our next boat will probably be a Bavaria, maybe we were lucky but the build quality and relative lack of things breaking and or needing repair/replacement makes me want to stick with the brand. It sailed okay as well, it was a 2003 Bavaria 38, the deep lead keel version. If I were to criticise one thing is that in a some places the joinery left slightly bigger gaps than you would want, but it never caused us a problem.
To be fair I am sure if I had bought a Jeanneau I would be reporting similar good things, but the price differential would makes it a fairly easy decision for me.

As to the Bavaria 30 an aquaintance of mine sailed one single handed from the UK to the med. He had no problems with sailing performances and was aware he had some quite big seas/wind on the way.

 

[Budgieboy]

Buy a Bav ..... you will not be disappointed .....

 

[Mrnotming]

Looks like I've sold and am looking for a replacement. As previously mentioned this is a retirement boat so looking around for a 32ft that's easy to handle for two of us spending more nights on board with Solent work and some extended cruising, comfort as important as sailing quality.

Am 6ft tall and two boats are shortlisted, good examples of both are for sale locally ( I've looked at a lot of rubbish). First is the Bavaria 30 cruiser, it's roomy and loads of space, second is the Jeanneau 32 I liked the layout and reckon it will sail better, however, it's lack storage space and is more expensive.

I would welcome your views as always

Thanks delbuoy

Hi Derek,
I've not seen your previous post,sorry.
I hope you will welcome this viewpoint.
As you are in retirement,you will want to minimise maintenance hassle.
Therefore I suggest only looking at boats with a lead keel.
This aspect will ensure a hassle free ownership,hopefully for many years to come!
Good luck with your search.(I was impressed by very early Bavaria build quality in 30/32 range).

 

[jwilson]

I look at a lot of boats. 10-15 years ago I would have unhesitatingly said Jeanneaus were better built than Bavaria, but in the last few years the balance has shifted. Until about 2005-7 many Jeanneaus still had shaft drive engines, web floors, alloy toerails, and rubber bumpers on the transom. All that has gone in the latest boats. Individually these things are irrelevant most of the time, but sooner or later their lack will become evident - ie. changing a saildrive gasket, potential hull damage from grounding (easier to spot and fix with web floors), wear on the bare GRP where fender lines rub on the nonexistent toerail, and springing the bow off a wooden pontoon with no rubber bumper on the stern.

These changes are not unique to Jeanneau, all are build-cost-driven, but most recent Bavarias still have three of those four points.

 

[duncan99210]

As Nigel said, you won't be disappointed by a Bavaria.

 

[ctva]

I'd have to agree with jwilson as our current Jeanneau is a 1999 model which we got ten years ago, the difference was marked in build quality and finish. Nowadays, I don't know as I've seen recent Jeanneaus which look and feel like Bavarias used to. It would appear to me that as is usual quality and finish tends to drop to the lowest common denominator as we, the buying public, want ever more cheaper prices ..... and accept that we will replace the item every few years.

So a valid question to the op is, age of the boats they are looking at?

 

[Tranona]

As Nigel said, you won't be disappointed by a Bavaria.

+1

Bought a new 37 in 2001. Has given good service and little problems. Happens to be for sale in your price range but maybe a bit big. Very comfortable, well equipped and ready to go.

Anyway it is being replaced by a new 33 chosen out of a short list that was Beneteau, Hanse, Jeanneau, Bavaria. So not dissimilar from your dilemma. Would have been happy with any of them in terms of price/equipment and basic features, but overall the Bavaria had it in terms of overall package. Combination of space, finish, stowage, ease of sailing and simplicity of maintenance, and of course brand loyalty.

In the secondhand market, condition is very important - perhaps more important that the specific brand. These boats are all aimed at the same market so it is bit like choosing a Focus type car. Go with the one that you feel comfortable with. The two you are choosing between will both do the job of coastal and cross channel equally well.

 

[Tranona]

I'd have to agree with jwilson as our current Jeanneau is a 1999 model which we got ten years ago, the difference was marked in build quality and finish. Nowadays, I don't know as I've seen recent Jeanneaus which look and feel like Bavarias used to. It would appear to me that as is usual quality and finish tends to drop to the lowest common denominator as we, the buying public, want ever more cheaper prices ..... and accept that we will replace the item every few years.

So a valid question to the op is, age of the boats they are looking at?

See my post above. Don't agree that standards have fallen. Very noticeable how much better all the boats I looked at were than when I last bought 15 years ago. Of course time will tell if they stand up as well to long term use. Hopefully I will get up to 10 years use out of it before I get too old!

 

[pathfinderstu]

Further to my previous comments regarding reputations, the new bavarias have a good name for themselves, I think their factory changed something like that.

 

[markhomer]

Bavaria 38 sails quiet well , thats a bit of an understatement !!!!!!

 

[Skylark]

If as you say you've done your research and seen a few dogs along the way, in your position I'd go for the bigger / least used / better condition of the two. Assuming that you plan to keep it a while, the difference in purchase price shouldn't be a big deal.

Sounds like both meet your needs. Perhaps the tossing of a coin will be the deciding factor.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy your new boat (which should have been a Beneteau by the way....but that's another discussion)

 

[Bobc]

With the Bavaia there's also an active owners association that do lots of rallies around the Solent and south coast.

 

[derekgillard]

I'd have to agree with jwilson as our current Jeanneau is a 1999 model which we got ten years ago, the difference was marked in build quality and finish. Nowadays, I don't know as I've seen recent Jeanneaus which look and feel like Bavarias used to. It would appear to me that as is usual quality and finish tends to drop to the lowest common denominator as we, the buying public, want ever more cheaper prices ..... and accept that we will replace the item every few years.

So a valid question to the op is, age of the boats they are looking at?

Good question, my budget allows me to get a 10 year old version of each so with the Bav it's the 30 Cruiser and the one I'm interested in is year 2006. Must admit I'm a little surprised (and pleased) by the positive Comments on the Bav

Thanks all please keep them coming.

delbuoy

 

[derekgillard]

If as you say you've done your research and seen a few dogs along the way, in your position I'd go for the bigger / least used / better condition of the two. Assuming that you plan to keep it a while, the difference in purchase price shouldn't be a big deal.

Sounds like both meet your needs. Perhaps the tossing of a coin will be the deciding factor.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy your new boat (which should have been a Beneteau by the way....but that's another discussion)

I did view and liked the Beneteau BUT I'm 6ft 2ins (tall that is) and headroom on the 311 and 323 is just too low.Shame.
Delbuoy

 

[Bobc]

A friend recently sold their 2006 Bav30 (he's not a small chap, and about 6ft3 tall) and purchased a new Bav37. They rated the Bav30 very highly, and I met the new owners last weekend (who have upgraded from a Trapper 501), who are also very pleased with it. I don't think you can go far wrong with one.