Big Jeanneaus for blue water?

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robmurray

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I was wondering around Hamble Point today musing. We will be sailing further afield with 2 small children in due course. Any views on suitability of the Jeanneau 45 or 44? Dont want to start an AWB debate. I cant really afford the inevitable HR or Najad and need plenty of space. These boats look like they sail quite well and have great accomodation. Most extreme sailing likely to be Atlantic circuit. Your views most welcome.
 
What age of boat are you looking at I have a Jeanneau 44 Sun Magic which imo is better than the new ones in build quality and equipment ,I will concede that the modern models look much more desirable
 
robmurray said:
I was wondering around Hamble Point today musing. We will be sailing further afield with 2 small children in due course. Any views on suitability of the Jeanneau 45 or 44? Dont want to start an AWB debate. I cant really afford the inevitable HR or Najad and need plenty of space. These boats look like they sail quite well and have great accomodation. Most extreme sailing likely to be Atlantic circuit. Your views most welcome.[/QUOTE
We have practically been living aboard a SO 45DS for the last eighteen months. We have just spent the last three weeks away from marinas and have thoroughly enjoyed it (albeit in the UK). This is all leading up to us going off 'forever' in a few more years. The boat has served us well including some heavy (not extreme) weather, sails well and I would totally recommend it. That being said we intend to return to the Med in due course so will hopefully only be sailing in less demanding conditions.
The last eighteen months have been invaluable in getting the boat up to the spec that we will want in the future and hopefully all we will have to do is enjoy it... Good luck with your search.
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robmurray said:
I was wondering around Hamble Point today musing. We will be sailing further afield with 2 small children in due course. Any views on suitability of the Jeanneau 45 or 44? Dont want to start an AWB debate. I cant really afford the inevitable HR or Najad and need plenty of space. These boats look like they sail quite well and have great accomodation. Most extreme sailing likely to be Atlantic circuit. Your views most welcome.
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I did an Atlantic/Caribbean trip last year with two kids in a Moody 38. Excellent boat. My friend did it in a 43DS. We out-sailed him nearly all of the time but the boat was good and we envied the room he had with his two kids. He loved it..

There are a couple of forumites who have sailed away in big Jeanneaus and they too have been happy.
 
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robmurray said:
I was wondering around Hamble Point today musing. We will be sailing further afield with 2 small children in due course. Any views on suitability of the Jeanneau 45 or 44? Dont want to start an AWB debate. I cant really afford the inevitable HR or Najad and need plenty of space. These boats look like they sail quite well and have great accomodation. Most extreme sailing likely to be Atlantic circuit. Your views most welcome.
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As with cars it's the nut holding the wheel (or tiller) which is the all-important factor.

Nothing wrong with AWBs as long as you know and sail within their limitations.

Mostly, however, they're designed for gracious marina living, which makes them rib-breakers in any seaway because of the large uncluttered areas below.

But who, in their right mind, would want to work up the dodecanese and cyclades from SE to NW at this time of year?
 
I have a 45.2 dating from 1998, which I consider to be a more suitable boat for long distances than the later 45, specifically it is slightly longer overall, and benefits from a large forward lazarette that the later boat lacks. My own 45 has a fairly short mast for a boat of its size with a strong masthead rig, and a modest sail plan, which makes it more suitable for a couple than a more powerful boat, though it is still reasonably quick.

The later 45 appears to have a broader stern and a plumb bow which does not make it better boat in either a following sea, or butting into waves. The interior woodwork on the 45.2 is good marine ply with nice veneer, and some later boats have a foil finish which is hard to repair if damaged. As for suitability for long distance, some friends of mine have sailed the Atlantic in a 45.2, had some poor conditions but say that the boat stood up well. As for the large saloon, it is arranged so that the galley has the settee behind it, with a grab rail along the back of the settee. In rough conditions (and you do get them sometimes in the Med.) I have always found something to hold on to, and the good chart table has a good seat where you can wedge yourself in. For the money asked for one I consider the 45.2 to be a good boat, but there again my own sailing is limited to coastal waters, and I'm biased because I own one.
 
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