Jeanneau SO 43 DS /45 DS

[n4585k]

G'day All!

I have finally decided to buy my first yacht! After years of chartering the time is ripe. For a number of reasons I have narrowed down my search to either a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS or 45 DS. The 43 DS is a 2005 model, and extremely well-spec'd. The three 45 DS's that interest me are very meagrely spec'd, but obviously 3 years younger and a newer model. Although I will be part time living on board (maybe 10 weeks per year or so), the 43 DS is almost over spec'd. What attracts me though is that this is clearly an owner-sailed vessel, whereas the 45 DS's have been used as charters.

So, apart from the obvious "it all depends on the condition", what words of wisdom could you give a slightly nervous prospective owner?

 

[vyv_cox]

Check the rudder bearing supports. Photos here http://coxengineering.sharepoint.com/Pages/Corrosion.aspx on Jeanneau SO 45.1 and 45.2. Don't know whether this component is the same but take care. The metallurgy on many Jeanneau models is the minimum they can get away with, so look out for problems, e.g. galvanised steel parts, 400 series prop shaft, brass skin fittings, etc. Take a magnet with you - anything attracted by it should be examined carefully and with suspicion (not the brass, obviously .)

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

G'day All!

I have finally decided to buy my first yacht! After years of chartering the time is ripe. For a number of reasons I have narrowed down my search to either a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 43 DS or 45 DS. The 43 DS is a 2005 model, and extremely well-spec'd. The three 45 DS's that interest me are very meagrely spec'd, but obviously 3 years younger and a newer model. Although I will be part time living on board (maybe 10 weeks per year or so), the 43 DS is almost over spec'd. What attracts me though is that this is clearly an owner-sailed vessel, whereas the 45 DS's have been used as charters.

So, apart from the obvious "it all depends on the condition", what words of wisdom could you give a slightly nervous prospective owner?

Be very cautious with an ex-charter boat. They say that 1 year of charter is like 5 years of private ownership...

We delivered a 43DS last year. The crew thought it was fantastic. Both boats offer light and spacious living accommodation so probably ideal for what you are after.

From what you've said I would personally favour the slightly older and higher spec'd privately owned yacht. Close inspection and surveys would be the best way to compare...

Pete

 

[Pinnacle]

My big concern with ex charter boats is you don't know how many times the gearbox has been asked to go from 2000rpm forwards to 2000rpm in reverse in less than 1 second.

Edit. I think Sailfree has a 43DS. Might be worth a PM to him.

 

[Sailfree]

We had been looking at the 43DS for a number of years . We saw how the newer "eyebrow look" DS's were developing but preferred the older features/build quality/layout of the 43 made us go out and immediately order one of the last ones built when we heard they were going to stop making them. All boats are a compromise and the set of compromises in the 43 suit us best. Currently we can only identify the Southerly as an alternative. Recently spoken to a Jeanneau distributor and been told that Jeanneau are going to bring out a new DS to stay ahead of the competition and am advised that they are bringing back some of the features of the 43.

Our boat has been on charter for last 8 yrs. I will be taking it out of charter later this year and hopefully bringing it back to like new. We intend to keep her. Lots of bullsh 1t spoken about charter boats. If they are regularly used and fully maintained they give less problems that a lightly used boat. I am aware of a number of boat owners that were so pleased to get a lightly used boat with low engine hours and they have had a sequence of problems because of the periods the boats have sat idle. Boats are durable and best regularly used. Yes there is more wear & tear but nothing that a bit of TLC can't fix.


Posted this a little while ago on another thread so not directly answering the OP.

Previous part post:-

"Got to disagree with you over Bavaria being better than others. I would not criticise a Bavaria but they are all building down to a price and at various times all makes have made economies in build materials but always with better knowledge of the stresses involved. Boats are getting better value all the time to attract new buyers but masts are not falling down nor hulls failing. Before anyone mentions the one design failure on the match 42 it was a one off and there have been many makes of yachts going back to the 70's that have had the odd keel problem.

I will look more carefully but I am certain the rig on my Jeanneau is equivalent to any similar size Bavaria. One aspect I would comment on is that Bavaria always have joints in their mast approx. 1/4 way up - personally I prefer masts without joints with the associated holes and lots of rivets.

The shear internal capacity of my 43' does result in the bow getting more beamy earlier on and as such I think it is slower than an equivalent Bavaria 43' (I always thought that the capacity of my 43' would be better on a 46' but then I would be paying for a marina 46' berth and it would have been less attractive to charter ). As always - all boats are a compromise.

I agree with you in the trend to plastic laminates. A combination of cheap laminates and the egg crate type of construction (inner and outer moulds bonded together that Benneteau pioneered) prevents me buying a new AWB. I want a structure inside the boat I can see and not rely on the bonding of two GRP moulds I can't inspect. All production boats now use this method to keep them priced competitively in a very tough market.

Personally I like the Acona with its internal galvanised steel frame (same as X boats) but its not a DS and my wife (and many others) love the interior lightness that the big window area of a DS gives you. Many find they do not suffer sea sickness on a DS."

Any querries ask.

 

[zensilence]

We were very lucky to find Aldabaran, a wonderful 43DS (2004, 2 cabin layout) that had been lovingly looked after and was also well kitted out. She has been absolutely brilliant as the 2 of us travel slowly from UK towards the Med on our adventure. Great living space, very comfortable, and superb to sail. Highly recommended and we think a better buy than a 45DS would have been (but then we would say that!)

Things you should consider:
One wheel or two? Just one on the 43 suits us fine - still plenty of space in the cockpit, and better access to instruments and throttle.
Bigger windows (especially front) on the 43DS may look less sleek than the 45DS, but they provide much better light in the saloon, though this can make it hotter below...
We think storage space is much better throughout the 43DS, even though the 45 is larger.
And although it's older, we think the overall build is better in the 43DS (having looked around some 45DSs too).
It'll cost more in marinas with the 45.
And as has been said, the ex-charter boats are more likely to have been messed about...

We changed our stopcocks even though they looked ok, but found 2 were close to breaking. Overall she is really solid and sound.
Important to get a good survey.

Good luck, and fair winds!

 

[chuckr]

we sail a jeanneau ds40 built in 2001 and launched in 2003 -- have been full time cruisers for 6 years and this past may crossed the pond in her -- she is a great boat
one of the things we found the last time we went to a boat show is after jeanneau became part of bennie the quality of the boat slipped a bit - now we have boat that is built like a brick outhouse but the later ones they made a bit less to save monty or it seems so --
so in our humble and be it ever so humble opinion the older the jeanneau the better

 

[debenbar]

We have a 2007 Jeanneau 39DS which sails very well and is comfortable, we are very pleased with the boat, but I would endorse the comments re dezincification of seacocks, we have just changed ours for DZR items and although no problems were apparent after surface abrasion/inspection, during dismantling and removal it became apparent that renewal was necessary.

 

[Sailfree]

We changed our stopcocks even though they looked ok, but found 2 were close to breaking. Overall she is really solid and sound.
Important to get a good survey.

Good luck, and fair winds!

Interesting - mine was launched 2005 and will change all seacocks in march.

 

[n4585k]

It always amazes me what a great bunch of people inhabit this forum! So many people taking the time and trouble to answer my question!
Vyv_cox, your remarks about the rudder bearing supports are noted. When I found a candidate I will have her thoroughly surveyed and I will tell the surveyor to take an extra hard look at those. Halcyon Yachts, I really enjoyed the video! Good to hear your crew had a good experience. Pinnacle, your remark is exactly what I think! I have seen plenty of charterers in the Med doing exactly that when they approach an anchorage! Sailfree, I absolutely agree. As long as it has been treated well of course. Zensilence, thanks for your side-by-side comparisons. Good to hear Chuckr that a slightly older Jeanneau is still holding up well. And Debenbar, the seacock issue will also get an extra mention to the surveyor.

Thanks everybody!