Merry Fisher 705 IB

[NoviceRod]

As a novice buyer, after London Boat Show & looking at brochures, I think this is the boat for me, but how do I get to see one? Unlike a car it seems to be impossible to find one for a try out, the local agent is having no success. Any suggestions? Do Jeanneau want to sell these boats?

 

[wonky]

Hi there Rod, I'm a novice too and bought a Beneteau Antares 6 last year after spending a few hundred hours looking at various different boats including the 705IB. I didn't see one in the flesh either and couldn't find one anywhere which got me a little concerned! Personally I thought the 10grand extra for a tiny bit extra room and a strange layout inside was a bit silly. There are MF 8's for sale for around 68000. If you want to have a poke round mine you'll be more than welcome.

 

[Ripster]

If you find a good Jeanneau dealer like Westways or Walton or similar, normally if they dont have a stock or brokerage boat, they know owners and can generally arrange for you look around one this way. We have done this a few times in the past. In our experience owners are very accommodating with this and happy to show off their boat! However a Sea Trial maybe more difficult and if achievable may cost...

BTH MF695 is a similar size and has inboard. Good little boats, Mfs (I started out in a 635) just very basic IMO and IBs are quite noisey. But very Sea worthy and stable craft.

Good luck.

 

[NoviceRod]

Thanks guys for your responses. I am located in SW, and I am already working with Westways who found a possible lead in Whitby(!), but it's proving difficult. I did look at a 695 they had in Dartmouth, but I would feel more confident with a new boat. I looked at the MF725 and Antares 6.80 at the show, but I think prefer the 705, subject of course to a viewing. I would have thought in a recession that Jeanneau would not make things so difficult!

 

[Drifter]

It is my understanding that Beneteau and Jeanneau are the same company and the MF 705 IB is simply an Antares 7 with different badging (Beneteau have put the manufacture of their Antares 7 series boats on hold during the current financial angst). The 150 power unit is the 4BY Yanmar and whilst it is a lively unit, the basic service spares make your eyes water i.e. £42 for a pencil anode.
I took ownership of my Antares 7 in June 2009, I live up in the North East and if you are close enough you are welcome to sea trial her.

 

[Philiz]

It is my understanding that Beneteau and Jeanneau are the same company and the MF 705 IB is simply an Antares 7 with different badging (Beneteau have put the manufacture of their Antares 7 series boats on hold during the current financial angst). The 150 power unit is the 4BY Yanmar and whilst it is a lively unit, the basic service spares make your eyes water i.e. £42 for a pencil anode.
I took ownership of my Antares 7 in June 2009, I live up in the North East and if you are close enough you are welcome to sea trial her.

I don't think they're identical but for the badging. As with all the MF and Bene antares range, they run hand in hand with the same basic hull design but with different topsides. I think at least the cab and the roof line are different.
My MF 625 was very similar to the Majors Bene Antares 620, but it was different.

 

[Jim@sea]

Why dont you have a look in France. The boatyards and marinas are full of this type of boat (and this is where they come from) and they are not selling. It appears to me that this type of boat building really took off in France years ago as I settled for a 6.6m Guy Couach made in 1986. I did not expect to buy an "old" boat but to me condition is more important than age and mine was one owner from new and looked after. It has an Inboard Iveco Diesel and the spares are as "Cheap as Chips" anyway get on the internet, get on the phone, you may find one where the boatyard knows of one for sale but cant do a deal. You sometimes have to travel to get the boat you want. In 1982 I saw a yacht for sale in Yachting World at 9am, I caught the 12 noon plane to Jersey, caught the plane from Jersey with the broker to Alderney and by 2pm I had bought it (subject to survey). so if you see a bargain you have go for it.

 

[whisper]

As a novice buyer, after London Boat Show & looking at brochures, I think this is the boat for me, but how do I get to see one? Unlike a car it seems to be impossible to find one for a try out, the local agent is having no success. Any suggestions? Do Jeanneau want to sell these boats?

Have a nice weekend break in Brittany - presumably the Plymouth Roscoff route is still running. There will be a far better chance of seeing what you want over there.

 

[Nautibusiness]

Beneteau and Jeanneau boats are part of the same group.
All of their power boats under 8m are made at Ostroda in Jeanneau's own factory.

Both make very similar boats that often share the hull and many interior mouldings, but they usually differentiate from each other with slightly different side decks, roof mouldings and hull colour etc.

For what they are (essentially sport fishers you can cruise with) they are superb sea boats and good value for money. They can be a little noisey and have lower performance than their sporty outdrive cousins, but, IMHO, that is more than made up for in their ability on the water.

I own a 695 and am the first to admit it is rather basic and not very sporty, but by eck it's good. I keep her in Poole and as I have mine for fishing she is a regular sight with the charter fishing fleet out around the traffic separation lanes some thirty miles off. She comfortably makes the channel islands once or twice a year.

The 705 is simply the evolution to the 695. I actually prefer my boat (but owners tend to think they have the best), but as a former Jeanneau dealer I have driven plenty of 705s and can say that the differences in handling are subtle.

As for not being able to see one? Don't blame Jeanneau, blame the dealers, but only gently.
Any sensible dealer is cutting right back on stock levels and only holding the absolute essentials right now.
I know this makes it hard for you, but any good dealer will be able to easily introduce you to an existing happy owner. The model has been around for about three years now. If they can't show you a happy owner I would question if the dealer is really trying hard.
I haven't sold Jeanneau for two years, but can think of old owners of mine who would have been very pleased and proud to show you their 705.

For not much money, your dealer may be able to arrange for you to visit Ostroda and have a factory tour. I can assure you, it's very impressive... As a dealer I wrote an article about this factory.
Do a deal with him. Pay your own way with flights, hotel and car hire, but if you then buy the boat get him to refund your costs.
Be sensible, go bucket shop as he won't be pleased to pay for your first class air fare and Bentley hire, although I am not sure they are available in Poland anyway!

Tom