Beneteau boats

[David_J]

I am new here and more or less new to boats although I have done a bit of sailing in Greece. We have been looking for a boat on and off for some time now. We considered all sorts, style, make, design, engine configuration and most importantly price. Boats are seriously expensive! Been to a few boat shows and to dealer open days for a run out to compare things. Anyhow we want something we can use for coastal cruising, big enough to stay on board from time to time and with safe and easy deck access. Shaft drive and single engine from the maintenance point of view. Most of the time there would only be the two of us on board so no need for lots of space but size really does seem to matter in a bit of weather. The Beneteau series 9 limited edition seems to provide most of the needs and is a comprehensive package for the price with only safety gear, radio, heating and a few bits and pieces needed on top of the new boat to make it a going concern.
What is the feeling about Beneteau boats in general and does anyone have experience of the series 9. Its clear that boats lose money fast but some more than others and Beneteau don’t seem too bad. Looked at Nimbus and whilst fantastic quality maybe not the right mix.
Any help from anyone?


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[hlb]

[urlhttp://www.beneteau.fr/2002/Frames/FraccueilA.html[/url]

I thing you've got the right idea. Personally I'd go for something a bit bigger and second hand. But hard to find on shafts. What do you expect of it?

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[David_J]

Mooring will be Eastborne or Brighton. One of the early ideas that developed was that it is not so sheltered as the Solent so maybe more chance of conditions where still realistic to use the boat but something like (say) a Sealine S23 might be a whole lot less comfortable. More speed would be nice but then it means a different type of boat with perhaps two engines and/or sterndrives, both meaning increased maintenance costs. The dreaded compromise rears its head. I would hope to have lots of weekends and spend a week or so aboard a few times a year, with experience, maybe heading down to the west country. Eventually channel crossings but probably only in company with others. Basic reason for the boat is relaxing cruising so comfort rather than speed.

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[hlb]

Brighton is reputed to be a long way from anywhere. So I'd think twice about it, especially in a smallish boat. How much is it?

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[David_J]

Mid seventies area

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[hlb]

Cough!!

For what you envisage doing. I'd go for bigger. Twin diesel. Shafts if available and a marina closer to other interesting places. Maybe have to drive a bit further though. Mind you. I drive over three hundred miles to get to my perfect place. But I have tried some of the ones with nearly no where to go.

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[TwoStroke]

Brighton Marina is good - have my boat down there. Moorings are a lot less than the Solent area! The only downside is where to go. Littlehampton or Newhaven locally otherwise you're looking at close to 2hrs travelling to see anywhere interesting. Mind you, driving down to the solent at the weekend now is a nightmare, especially the return trip (as done this weekend) and close to 2hrs on that.

If you can leave Friday after lunch when you want to - moor in Brighton - if not, then closer to where you want to explore. You need to weigh up travel time, cost of return fuel and mooring cost.

Good luck. /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>How much to fill'er up!

 

[discovery2]

We took delivery of a new Series 9 limited edition in February and have been very pleased with it. Perfectly adequate for two (+ child), large cockpit & easy access to the foredeck. Realistic cruising speed approx 15 kts, and fuel consumption approx 18 litres per hour.

Like you say, standard equipment is quite generous and that is what also attracted us to the model. We didn't go for the fly bridge option, (rather we spent the difference on auto pilot, radar etc.) as the top area is rather small and the wife did not like climbing the ladder! Visibility from the helm position is quite good. We also went for the ' beaching legs' fittings as well (they are of the telescopic type and store easily below the cockpit floor) as the need to take the ground is very useful in the Channel Islands.

If you would like further details, or wish to discuss our views further - PM me.

David

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[ChrisP]

Re: No Don\'t go to Brighton

Defiantly don’t go to Brighton. It’s a terrible place. Bright friendly staff. Plenty of room, no levering your self in and out of your berth. No waiting for over 2 hours to lock out with another hour before you can open up, and as they say, your just over 2 hours of nice gentle economic cruising before you get tied up in the suicidal lunatics that refer to themselves as yachtsmen. No you stay away from the shops and restaurants in the marina and the £1.25 bus into one of the busiest new cities in the country that bursting with all kinds of day and night life. You really don’t want to sit there having an evening drink whilst watching the weekly firework display over the pier.

No, you follow the advice of all those that haven’t tried it. You don’t want to pop down to the boat on a reasonable road system that bypasses the town, just to have a morning’s wiz around before dinner without the worry of having to lock in and out after waiting queues.

Oh, did I mention that you don’t want to do all this for almost exactly half the cost of mooring in the Solent area and some of the cheapest fuel along the coast that is 10% cheaper still if you’re a berth holder.

Yep that’s the answer. You stay with the rest and let us Brightonites sit in our little haven contemplating the sunset. While you try to lever your way into a Solent pub for half a glass of warm lager with the rest of the Yarhoos.

Having said that in the Solent there are some good places to go if you can get there in time to get a mooring and can arrange a cab to get you out of the crowd.

Best you take a look for yourself, pays your money, and make your own mind up.

ChrisP ;o)


<hr width=100% size=1>What do you mean the sea gull in front's walking !!!

 

[hlb]

Re: No Don\'t go to Brighton

I went to Brighton once, with my girl friend. Asked for two single rooms. They insisted that we had a double!!../forums/images/icons/shocked.gif

Never went again...../forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn

 

[ChrisP]

Re: No Don\'t go to Brighton

What happened to the girl friend???

<hr width=100% size=1>What do you mean the sea gull in front's walking !!!

 

[goupil]

Beneteau Serie 9 is seaworthy.
I circle Brittany and cross Channel with one last January between stormy days.
Please feel free to ask for advice I know this boat very well...

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