ThomasHome
New member
Looking to buy a new Beneteau Oceanis 311 or a Bavaria 32, both of the seem to be popular for people to love and hate, and the price is similar. Which one should I go for, or is there another boat I should look at?
New Beneteau or Bavaria?
- Thread starter ThomasHome
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jimi
Well-known member
Sail them both & make up your mind, I'ts all a bit subjective. However the Beneteau may end up a little cheaper as I think you'll get more "bits" with it. For a proper comparison check the fully commissioned price incl delivery & the extras included. Take the trouble & expense to get things factory fitted rather than retro if possible.
Good luck
Jim
Good luck
Jim
Peter_the_Grate
New member
I've looked at both and the thing that I came away with (sounds silly now I try to write it down) was the potential durability of the interior. I recall that much of the interior (the headlinings and some walls) of the Bavaria was covered with foam-backed vinyl; in the Beneteau it was either GRP or moulded hard plastic. Both I and my boatshare partner have kids and I wonder how long the Bavaria's interior would withstand scuffing and sharp edges...
david_e
Active member
The Ben is a better boat to sail and the Bav has better accom. What I didn't like about the Bav was the way you have to clamber around the wheel to get around the cockpit. On a boat this size wheel steering is not essential, just a fad that takes up alot of space. On the Bav it is not an option.
Have a look at the new Jenneau Sun Oddysey 32, the interior is superb and it is a great sail as well, worth spending a bit more on.
Also think that the french boats have a better warranty.
Have a look at the new Jenneau Sun Oddysey 32, the interior is superb and it is a great sail as well, worth spending a bit more on.
Also think that the french boats have a better warranty.
cynthia
Member
Personally I don't regret having a Bav. The friends with a 311 may think differently!
david_e
Active member
Ah but you have a Bav 34! I think the Bav 32 is great value and it's accommodation is cavernous because of the wide beam. The 311 has a pedigree hull design, but this makes the accommodation smaller by comparison. I looked at them both and the new Jen at Amsterdam at the week-end and was impressed by the latter as a really well thought out boat.
JeremyF
New member
When I settle down in the evening in a Bav 34 after a few drinks, I really like its warm, woody interior. Next morning, I think its trouble-free fast sailing characteristics make it a fun boat to sail - challenging but predictable.
The 32 is quite a bit lighter, so you need to check its behaviour in a blow. The Jen 32 is quite a bit heavier, on a shorter hull. But I hate its interior - stark, no stowage, and has the general feel of a Legend
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The 32 is quite a bit lighter, so you need to check its behaviour in a blow. The Jen 32 is quite a bit heavier, on a shorter hull. But I hate its interior - stark, no stowage, and has the general feel of a Legend
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G
Guest
Guest
if you're still undecided after considering the important points above, ask yourself which you would prefer - something put together by french workmen or by german. a renault or a vw?
G
Guest
Guest
As far as the French workman is concerned, I think it would very much depend on whether it were before or after lunch
duke
New member
or before or after the strike>
NM
NM
david_e
Active member
Re: New Jeanneau 32
Comparing a 34 against any 32 is an apples and pears situation, have you seen the new 32? Agree about the the quality feel of the Bav, colours are only a personal thing, they are all pleasant to me.
Comparing a 34 against any 32 is an apples and pears situation, have you seen the new 32? Agree about the the quality feel of the Bav, colours are only a personal thing, they are all pleasant to me.
ThomasHome
New member
I guess there not much between them, the French make the best parachute equipment in the world and generaly have quite clever ideas, I wasn't aware that that they did anything after lunch though.
cynthia
Member
In June one of the major French sailing mags compared the Bav 32 and the Ben 311. Now the French are excessively patriotic when it comes to buying their own goods. The article was very thorough and compared build quality, accommodation, performance etc. The Bav came out on top in everything - the only plus point for the 311 was the stylish interior - and to my mind that's questionable!
The French Ben. owner who showed me the article said the Ben/Jen group were really lagging behind and needed to improve build quality if they were to stay in competition with Bav.
Never thought I'd live to see the day!
Select the one you think will suit you best and simply enjoy it.
The French Ben. owner who showed me the article said the Ben/Jen group were really lagging behind and needed to improve build quality if they were to stay in competition with Bav.
Never thought I'd live to see the day!
Select the one you think will suit you best and simply enjoy it.
Andyh
New member
We looked at both and ended up buying the Bavaria 32. Yes it is a bit light and needs to be reefed early but we've had no regrets so far. We've sailed about 1000 miles this season including cross channel and Salcombe/ Dartmouth, mainly with just my wife and myself. We had a beat from Yarmouth to Poole in a force 6 which we sailed boat for boat with a Fulmar. Having said that, we had a very nasty beat from Torquay towards Weymouth where we gave up and turned back. (Very lumpy seas and both sea sick). Next day the wind turned north/north west and we sailed for Torquay to Hamble in about 16 hours.
I'm thinking of fitting a removable inner forestay to allow me to set a smaller headsail because you loose a lot of pointing ability when the roller genoa is reefed.
Once slightly off the wind she is quite quick.
In terms of interior layout, the Bavaria is extremely comfortable, with two large double cabins, large heads and good size galley, and two straight settees in the saloon which, although narrow, make good sea berths. I think the setees in the Beneteau are curved (and the Jenneau), which means they are not much use at sea. The forward facing chart table is very 'user friendly'. (I think the Beneteau's faces aft, using the end of the settee). The Bavaria is actually a larger boat then the Beneteau.
When we were looking, I thought the size and standard of deck gear on the Bavaria was better than on the Beneteau.
Try to arrange test sails on both and go with your gut feeling. They are both nice boats.
I'm thinking of fitting a removable inner forestay to allow me to set a smaller headsail because you loose a lot of pointing ability when the roller genoa is reefed.
Once slightly off the wind she is quite quick.
In terms of interior layout, the Bavaria is extremely comfortable, with two large double cabins, large heads and good size galley, and two straight settees in the saloon which, although narrow, make good sea berths. I think the setees in the Beneteau are curved (and the Jenneau), which means they are not much use at sea. The forward facing chart table is very 'user friendly'. (I think the Beneteau's faces aft, using the end of the settee). The Bavaria is actually a larger boat then the Beneteau.
When we were looking, I thought the size and standard of deck gear on the Bavaria was better than on the Beneteau.
Try to arrange test sails on both and go with your gut feeling. They are both nice boats.
Mr Cassandra
Well-known member
Sorry Howard .Will have to disagree on this.Ihave just returned from two month cruise of Aegean .Have lots of friend who are base engineers for bare boat / and flotilla co. Nealy all will tell you that the new Bav is very poorly put together compaired with the Ben .Also i think that there is very little German staff working on the lines at the new factorys IMHO Cheers Bob t
Bob T
Bob T
Chris_Robb
Well-known member
Re: Try Jenneau
I think that their overall construction is better than their sister company. As for baveria, I was put off when a friend bought a new 38, and the saloon grab rails came off in his hands before he had even left harbour for the first time.
I think that their overall construction is better than their sister company. As for baveria, I was put off when a friend bought a new 38, and the saloon grab rails came off in his hands before he had even left harbour for the first time.
Twister_Ken
Well-known member
Or would you rather have...
...a boat built by Bretons, or by guys who live 1000km from the sea?
(personally neither!)
...a boat built by Bretons, or by guys who live 1000km from the sea?
(personally neither!)
JeremyF
New member
Re: Try Jenneau
Take a look at the state of the 2002 Jen SF37's. In July the one I was on had lost both grab handles in the companionway, and generally very tired after just a few months.
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Take a look at the state of the 2002 Jen SF37's. In July the one I was on had lost both grab handles in the companionway, and generally very tired after just a few months.
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ccscott49
Active member
Doesn't matter does it? Both tupperware, in fact not as well moulded as tupperware!
JeremyF
New member
Lucky old you to be able to afford something twice the price! But for many of us Jen/Bav/Ben is the only realistic option, unless you want a tired 10 y.o. Moody or Westerly.
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