Jeanneau SO 37

Greg2

Greg2

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Any experience / thoughts on the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 of circa 2000 vintage?

From what I have managed to find online build quality of that era was okay, good accommodation but sailing ability, particularly upwind, not particularly inspiring.
 
Greg2 said:
Any experience / thoughts on the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 of circa 2000 vintage?

From what I have managed to find online build quality of that era was okay, good accommodation but sailing ability, particularly upwind, not particularly inspiring.
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I have a 2004/5 SO35 deep keel single aft cabin, wanted a SO37 deep keel single aft cabin but just too long for our mooring. Very similar in all respects. Build quality as you say OK for the money, I prefer the single skin construction of these era boats to the new double-skin-eggbox that current Jeanneaus have. Only criticism of the accommodation is no locker big enough for an inflatable except an internal one aft of the heads with horrible access. Not a racing boat but gets to windward pretty well especially since original factory sails replaced. Sails well and fastish in light airs, nice in moderate winds, needs reefing early and sailing fairly flat - stability is mostly from hull form. Will get from A to B even to windward in strong winds fairly well, though the motion and slamming are horrible. Never been in a proper gale in her, but in open water solid 35 knots true to windward deep reefed half rolled genoa shakes your fillings out but the boat didn't mind much. Turning offwind in same wind with more genoa out had log at 9, touching 10.5 at times with a lot of wheel-spinning to keep under control. Like almost all modern production boats once she starts to round up she's going all the way.
 
I've chartered three of them in the UK & Med. Good solid cruising-orientated boats. They're no lightweight flyers, but given a bit of breeze they go upwind extremely well. With two reefs and rolled genoa we had a real hoot beating from Cowes to Lymington in over 30Kts.

How about doing a short charter to see how you like them? (Yachtforce have three at reasonable rates, good people, no connection other than as a happy customer).
 
Greg
I have a SO37 two cabin version built in 2000. I have owned her for 10 yrs now,( 2 nd owner from new ) and my wife and I find that she suits us very well for crusing the Channel,S coast and W country. Having sailed on quite a few types I would say that the build quality is good for the money and better than some. We have had no significant problems but have kept her up to the mark with maintanence and up-grades,( standing and running rigging sails and electronics Etc.).

We usually sail two up which is very comfortable but have sailed with two guests with two kids under five,(!),who report the aft cabin spacious.

We have been caught out in”weather”and she goes to windward well with less rounding up than some fin keepers I have sailed. I put a reef in when I see 20 kts or so and have sailed full reefed main and scrap of genoa in 40 kt gusts without feeling too out of control.

Having said all that we may change next year as we have more time for sailing now but are working through the yachties dilemma of newer AWB or older”quality” type,

The other replys all offer good advice. if I can help with specifics happy to do so

NB: I. Do know that my user name is spelt incorrectly and will change it when I can work out how,(sailing as a dyslexic is a whole new thread)
 
Thanks for the comments guys, much appreciated. We viewed the yacht and quite liked it. Am guessing that a 2000 boat will require new running and standing rigging? Doesn’t appear to have been replaced during its life.

Bit of water in the bilges and the nuts on the keel bolts were corroded but looked like surface corrosion as opposed to anything more sinister. I guess replacing these would also be advisable?
 
Probably good idea to replace the rigging and while the mast is down change the working lights etc and fit LEDs. Running rigging will probably respond to a good wash. However not expensive to replace if you shop around and buy full feels of rope. Then you can make up your own using Selden halyard knots rather than eye splices. Seal and whip ends adding a loop for attaching a mousing line.

Find the source of the leak as bilges should be dry. Clean the heads of the bolts or nuts, use wrist converter and paint.
 
Tranona said:
Probably good idea to replace the rigging and while the mast is down change the working lights etc and fit LEDs. Running rigging will probably respond to a good wash. However not expensive to replace if you shop around and buy full feels of rope. Then you can make up your own using Selden halyard knots rather than eye splices. Seal and whip ends adding a loop for attaching a mousing line.

Find the source of the leak as bilges should be dry. Clean the heads of the bolts or nuts, use wrist converter and paint.
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Yes, good shout re the nav lights. Must admit water in the bilge was a slight concern and knowing boats tracing the leak will be a challenge!
 
Greg2 said:
Yes, good shout re the nav lights. Must admit water in the bilge was a slight concern and knowing boats tracing the leak will be a challenge!
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Look at the fresh water pump in the first instance.... that vintage it’s probably gonna need replacing... cheap mind.
 
photodog said:
Look at the fresh water pump in the first instance.... that vintage it’s probably gonna need replacing... cheap mind.
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Yep, would look at that sort of stuff first. Interesting thing was that there were some signs if water unde the boards in the fore-cabin as well as the sump with the bilge pump under the saloon sole.

We are undecided on whether to go for it - tempted by a DS42 but a shed load of additional cash!
 
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Mornin.

This is a yacht I like a lot. I had one as part of my sailing school for a number of years. Excellent boat handling, nice accommodation and a very pleasant boat to sail.

Originally had single line reefing that was a pain so we sacked that when the mainsail got tired and put on a new boom too. Reefing became soo much simpler. The boat used to go really well with full headsail and one reef in main when apparent got up to 15 or 16 knots. The headsail was somewhere between a no.1 and no.2 size and beefed up for school use.

Downers. The electrics behind the saloon steps are not best placed for staying dry. Had a number of problems with the relays controlling the battery charging. Always a battle too to keep the front of the engine rust free.

Wet bilges. Yeah, had a lot of that to begin with. Took ages to chase them all through. Fwd water tank bit leaky. Also finally nailed it all by replacing all windows. Also as mentioned, engine sea water pump.

Overall though, all worth it. The owner now lives aboard full time and is delighted with his choice!
 
Coincidentally, I sold my 36.2 early April to a German chap, very nice guy who now lives aboard.

Seems people are changing as to the type of boat people wish to live on.
 
A quick up-date on handling. Got hit by a 48kt gust comming over Chichester Bar yesterday having been motorsailing with just main up in the sun and 5kts breeze.A bit too exciting for a minute and foolish not to have seen it but boat handled well.

NB: I keep looking at SO 42 DSs on websites. Just thinking
 
Odyssey said:
A quick up-date on handling. Got hit by a 48kt gust comming over Chichester Bar yesterday having been motorsailing with just main up in the sun and 5kts breeze.A bit too exciting for a minute and foolish not to have seen it but boat handled well.

NB: I keep looking at SO 42 DSs on websites. Just thinking
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Blimey, 5 knots to 48 in a gust must have got you twitching! :)

The DS 42 is a nice boat - seen a 39 DS online and although a little smaller and it doesn’t have the huge aft double berth it does have more in the way of locker space.

Actually like the older ‘proper’ deck saloon 40 and 43 as you can actually see out when in the saloon.
 
Greg2 said:
Yes, good shout re the nav lights. Must admit water in the bilge was a slight concern and knowing boats tracing the leak will be a challenge!
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If its anything like my similar age 45.2 the water tanks are stainless steel and fitted under the forecabin bunks. Mine had pinhole leaks from welded seems and I had them re-welded. If the water in the bilge is fresh take a look at the tanks.
 
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