Jeanneau 32.2 lift keel

[Haven't-a-Clue]

Seeking info and tips on what a novice should look for on these. We're looking at one tomorrow and I'd appreciate any obvious tips. If we like it and make an offer, obviously we'll be getting a full survey, but I'd just sorta like to know if there's anything that a yottie (!) of 2 years might spot as a 'walk away' fast type of thing.

Ta in advance

Ian

 

[Victoria Sponge]

Hi, we've got a Beneteau 323 lift keel, which is very similar. Great boats. I'm struggling to offer you any pearls of wisdom, to be honest, but I hope all goes well for you.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

A friend has one. I've done several trips with him on it.

A nice boat but there's a bit of a problem with a few small, but annoying, window leaks.
Ventilation isn't very good and he has had to add extra....he gets black mould in nooks and crannies.
One of the pulpit deck fixings was weak and the whole thing had to be removed for rewelding.
The wheel got very stiff at one point. It needed extra lubrication and various bits and pieces needed to be tightened up. It may have been the result of poor maintenance before he bought her.

Despite those niggling points it's a nice boat which has a good turn of speed and handles well. It also has an excellent, well stocked, drinks locker!

 

[Haven't-a-Clue]

Well, ta v. much so far, guess I'll sureptitiously twiddle the wheel at some point and gently lean on the pulpit while examining the ground tackle, then. How's the keel mechanism on these, basically simple and reliable? Do you need to wind it up and down through its' full range on a regular basis etc. Oh and does anyone know if the coachroof and hull are solid or cored.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

Well, ta v. much so far, guess I'll sureptitiously twiddle the wheel at some point and gently lean on the pulpit while examining the ground tackle, then. How's the keel mechanism on these, basically simple and reliable? Do you need to wind it up and down through its' full range on a regular basis etc. Oh and does anyone know if the coachroof and hull are solid or cored.

I can't really help with the keel. I've never seen it moved. My boat has a lifting keel which is up and down like a prostitutes knickers, but we sail in different cruising grounds. I think the Jenneau has a straightforward swinging keel inside a stub keel. There's certainly a line which comes up, through the keel box, and out to a winch. There's also a round inspection hatch which comes off so that you can get at the rope to keel fixing. The hatch is underneath the table.

I don't know about the coachroof either. Not much help really. Dunno why I posted

 

[Haven't-a-Clue]

I appreciate any answers from anyone so no wuckin' furries, guv.

 

[Victoria Sponge]

The keel is fairly basic, even agricultural! We do wind ours up and down fairly regularly, as we like to take short cuts. It has got stuck in the up position a couple of times, so we always leave it down when we're in a marina.

The reason for the up position was barnacles on one occasion and mud on the other.

It has proved ok apart from that and very useful for creek creeping and crawling over sandbanks.

 

[Plevier]

You might be interested to download the Owner's Manual from http://j.anciensbateaux.e-declic.ne...e_2_20080306_Manuel_ang_all_SunOdyssey322.pdf

I'm almost certain that the 32.2 keel lifts with a screw drive for which you plug a winch handle into the top of the table. The one with the rope is the 32 which oddly is the model after the 32.2. It doesn't normally have a winch for it you just heave very hard through a Spinlock clutch but I have seen a photo of one with a winch added.

 

[Haven't-a-Clue]

Ta for that, the 1st one we looked at had a winch with rope on it, can't remember from photos if the other has, we'll see when we get there. Thanks to all fro your replies,

Ian.

 

[prv]

I'd just sorta like to know if there's anything that a yottie (!) of 2 years might spot as a 'walk away' fast type of thing.

We walked away fast from a couple of boats that had crunchy decks - sign that the core had broken down. Not suggesting your Jeanneau is particularly prone to that, but it's one of the few things that would cause me to write off a boat as a possibility.

Oh, and check the oil in the engine isn't whitish, indicating water in it which would damage the engine.

Pete

 

[Seajet]

It's very important that the surveyor ( and you if poss' ) get a thorough look at the keel plate.

One problem with all lift keel boats is that if the boat is just plonked ashore for the winter, the retracted part is inaccessible and doesn't get any maintenance; galvanising scrapes off eventually, and it's rather a primary part to keep in good order, also remove barnacles & mud etc.

If the current owner has any arrangements like a special cradle ( standard yard cradles are no good, they don't support the hull ) for getting the boat up high for winter maintenance, that would be a very good sign; if not but the survey looks good in this respect, fine, but start thinking about how you or your yard will do it.

Hope it all goes well.

 

[Plevier]

Haven't-a-clue I've sent you a PM.

 

[Haven't-a-Clue]

Ta, received and replied.

 

[Haven't-a-Clue]

Decisions, decisions. Well we looked at the 32.2, very nice inside and out, it's got most of what we need, I think, so we've got the shortlist down to 3 boats - the 32.2, Hunter Channel 32 and a Westerly Seahawk. Dear oh dear, life was much easier when we didn't have some spare dosh. They're all in the 39 to 47k bracket (asking prices) but we reckon that we can get any of them for 10-15% off the asking.........I say we, my wife whose money it is, reckons we can. She seems to be quite good at pricing boats, having asked around, her estimates, or more precisely, what she's willing to pay (!), seem to be in perfect agreement with boaty experts. Me, I'd never have the cheek to go into negotiations like she does, guess who's going to be doing that, then!!
The 32.2 (2000) is up for about 46k, the Hunter (1999) for 39k and the Westerly (1987) for 47 ish. Bearing in mind the season, economy etc, WNS. Jiggered if I knows. I'll keep you posted.

 

[tidclacy]

I bought a 1998 Jeanneau 32.2 fixed keel last year, payed just under 40k, and have been very pleased with her.

I looked at a Westerly Seahawk too and decided to go for the more modern/less maintenance boat.

The only niggle I have is the small fuel tank although I have a 28hp Yanmar instead of the standard 19hp. There is a lift keel near me, Tollesbury I think, up for sale called Scorcher 2001/2 I believe, but he is asking 49k, although pretty well equipped I think.

Why do you want a lift keel, I have sailed the East Coast/Holland/France since 1987 and never regretted having a fixed keel.

 

[Haven't-a-Clue]

I bought a 1998 Jeanneau 32.2 fixed keel last year, payed just under 40k, and have been very pleased with her.

I looked at a Westerly Seahawk too and decided to go for the more modern/less maintenance boat.

The only niggle I have is the small fuel tank although I have a 28hp Yanmar instead of the standard 19hp. There is a lift keel near me, Tollesbury I think, up for sale called Scorcher 2001/2 I believe, but he is asking 49k, although pretty well equipped I think.

Why do you want a lift keel, I have sailed the East Coast/Holland/France since 1987 and never regretted having a fixed keel.

In answer to your last question, it's 'cos I is on a semi tidal mooring which is all I can justify to the budget holder....ain't no way she's coughing up 5k a year for a deep water, all access mooring, no matter WHAT the facilities provided are.

We looked at Scorcher last Monday, but her indoors ain't paying that. It is quite well equiped, but she's not having it. We looked at one in Devon on Friday and after consulting knowledgable friends I have decided that this will probably be the one we will offer on.

I am also a world renowned cheapskate and resent paying nearly £400 a year for a liftout, why bother when you can get something that'll take the ground, hence also bilge keel, which is what we have now. Agree re the Seahawk, although the one we looked at would've done me fine.........she has the final say, the point of a bigger yacht is to get her more involved.