New Oceanis 41

[Ben9000]

I'm still in the planning/saving money stage of migrating my whole life aboard, and now have a son and a glint in my eye for another.

This means that things like interior/exterior space have become a little more important to me. When I first saw the review in Yachting Monthly for the new Oceanis 41.1 I thought there had been a typo on the price - a brand new boat at our maximum length for around 140k? Then I watched the promo video with the colour scheme and layout options and, well, obviously it looked fantastic.

I had originally thought about long keeled crafts, with decent sea-going pedigrees. My question for the panel is this – what is wrong with this boat? Am I missing something?

 

[Sybarite]

I'm still in the planning/saving money stage of migrating my whole life aboard, and now have a son and a glint in my eye for another.

This means that things like interior/exterior space have become a little more important to me. When I first saw the review in Yachting Monthly for the new Oceanis 41.1 I thought there had been a typo on the price - a brand new boat at our maximum length for around 140k? Then I watched the promo video with the colour scheme and layout options and, well, obviously it looked fantastic.

I had originally thought about long keeled crafts, with decent sea-going pedigrees. My question for the panel is this – what is wrong with this boat? Am I missing something?

The benefits of mass production which brings unit costs down.

 

[jonjo]

I had originally thought about long keeled crafts, with decent sea-going pedigrees. My question for the panel is this – what is wrong with this boat? Am I missing something?

Yes you are indeed missing something massive, namely what you intend to do with your first yacht.

On this forum you will encounter some highly polarized views on what constitutes a proper sailing yacht, such views are typically spouted by people who do not understand that boats are designed for a purpose and market. There are few truly awful yachts, particularly those produced by the mainstream manufacturers in past 20 years. Before buying a yacht you need to clarify what you intend to do with it and then understand the design/usage characteristics of those yachts that appeal to you.

Your OP indicates that so far you have considered about 10% of designs at polarized ends of the spectrum, this tells me that you are not ready to purchase a yacht.

There is a wealth of experience on the forum but you need to help us help you by clarifying how you expect to use your first yacht.

 

[Tranona]

I had originally thought about long keeled crafts, with decent sea-going pedigrees. My question for the panel is this – what is wrong with this boat? Am I missing something?

If you have been thinking of a long keeled sea going yacht then the only reason for looking at the Beneteau is to see what the polar opposite looks like. It is aimed at a particular market, primarily warm water holiday and charter use. It is "cheap" because the basic boat is, well, very basic with just enough to day sail, sunbathe in the cockpit, swim off the back, knock up a basic meal and have somewhere to sit below in the cabin, or spend the odd night aboard. Once you have added all the necessary bits to make it usable for longer periods you will probably add 30% to the basic price. For example the stock boat with Ancasta is £180k.

As already suggested you need to determine what you want the boat to do before you draw up your shortlist. If your budget is £140k and you want a new cruising boat well equipped for the job, you will not get a 40', although there are a number of 35/37' boats that can be bought in that budget. Of course if you are buying used then that budget gives you a far bigger choice.

 

[Skylark]

I bought a 41 new in August 2013. The list price of the basic boat doesn't tell the whole story. Mine was almost £100k more than the figure you quote once "extras" were added. Once you have a "total" list price, it's time to negotiate.

I've not regretted buying mine for a second, it suits my cruising aspirations and is very comfortable.

 

[lpdsn]

Yes are indeed missing something massive, namely what you intend to do with your first yacht.

On this forum you will encounter some highly polarized views on what constitutes a proper sailing yacht, such views are typically spouted by people who do not understand that boats are designed for a purpose and market. There are few truly awful yachts, particularly those produced by the mainstream manufacturers in past 20 years. Before buying a yacht you need to clarify what you intend to do with it and then understand the design/usage characteristics of those yachts that appeal to you.

Your OP indicates that so far you have considered about 10% of designs at polarized ends of the spectrum, this tells me that you are not ready to purchase a yacht.

+1

 

[lpdsn]

I'm still in the planning/saving money stage of migrating my whole life aboard, and now have a son and a glint in my eye for another.

This means that things like interior/exterior space have become a little more important to me. When I first saw the review in Yachting Monthly for the new Oceanis 41.1 I thought there had been a typo on the price - a brand new boat at our maximum length for around 140k? Then I watched the promo video with the colour scheme and layout options and, well, obviously it looked fantastic.

I had originally thought about long keeled crafts, with decent sea-going pedigrees. My question for the panel is this – what is wrong with this boat? Am I missing something?

If you really want to buy a boat, you could start by listing the features you want on a boat and the features you don't. Then start seeing how the boats match up to it. The list won't be gospel - I would never have believed, for example, that I'd ever buy a boat without a traveller, but I did.

However, you seem to be at the stage where you don't really know what you want. It would be better just to go off and do a lot more sailing until you don't need to ask anyone else what your opinion should be. You also appear to be coming up to a stage in life where you're going to be 'time poor'. For what you would spend to look after a 41 foot boat, you would get a number of weekend charters in the UK and a longer charter somewhere warmer. Plus you wouldn't have to worry about the boat between times.

Most charter boats are of the Beneteau style, so you'd get to see what they look like after a bit of use.

 

[doug748]

Asking questions is what these pages are all about, at least you are not one of those forumites who are asking simple questions one minute and dishing out learned advice weeks later.

However lpdsn's advice is much like you were given in 2012, did you manage to get some sailing time in?

If you really want to buy a boat, you could start by listing the features you want on a boat and the features you don't. Then start seeing how the boats match up to it. The list won't be gospel - I would never have believed, for example, that I'd ever buy a boat without a traveller, but I did.

However, you seem to be at the stage where you don't really know what you want. It would be better just to go off and do a lot more sailing until you don't need to ask anyone else what your opinion should be. You also appear to be coming up to a stage in life where you're going to be 'time poor'. For what you would spend to look after a 41 foot boat, you would get a number of weekend charters in the UK and a longer charter somewhere warmer. Plus you wouldn't have to worry about the boat between times.

Most charter boats are of the Beneteau style, so you'd get to see what they look like after a bit of use.

I am not being snotty here but people mostly begin to get an idea about their likes and dislikes the more sailing they do. If you are still set on long distance ocean crossing, buying a brand new dream boat might be fairly low on your list of priorities.

 

[pvb]

I thought there had been a typo on the price - a brand new boat at our maximum length for around 140k? Then I watched the promo video with the colour scheme and layout options and, well, obviously it looked fantastic.

I had originally thought about long keeled crafts, with decent sea-going pedigrees. My question for the panel is this – what is wrong with this boat? Am I missing something?

As others have said, the base price is just that - a price for a very basic boat (and usually not including delivery or commissioning). Depending on your chosen specification, you'll need to pay a lot more money before you get out on the water. By the time I'd added spec to my Bavaria Cruiser 37, the price was more than 50% higher than the base price. If your budget is £140K, you can easily buy a new high-spec 37 footer.

 

[wully1]

I was horrified at the build standard of the new bennies at Boot. I am an ex Beneteau owner and liked both of the ones I've owned and would have another, maybe. But is sure as sh1t wouldn't be a new one....

I can see why they are cheap.

 

[pvb]

I was horrified at the build standard of the new bennies at Boot. I am an ex Beneteau owner and liked both of the ones I've owned and would have another, maybe. But is sure as sh1t wouldn't be a new one....

I can see why they are cheap.

I was intrigued by the comment in the latest YM that they've reduced the weight of the new Oceanis 41.1 by 800kg by removing bits of redundant woodwork in the interior. That's a lot of marine ply!

 

[thecommander]

Nice enough boats, but unlikely we'll see many around in 20 years time. Throw away society at its best!

 

[Tranona]

Nice enough boats, but unlikely we'll see many around in 20 years time. Throw away society at its best!

No. They will still be there. They are very well made - at least the hull! The interior is of course another matter, but GRP boats are almost indestructable.

 

[Tranona]

Just read the review and surprised how expensive a reasonably equipped boat was at £200k. Makes a similarly equipped Bavaria 37 at less than £140k look a real bargain.

As to the style, it is "mainstream" now for Med boats. A production interpretation of many of the custom boats coming out of Italy (centre of style?). Not dissimilar from the larger Hanses as well.

 

[Ben9000]

Thanks to all for your advice and opinions. Just sat down to dinner with this month's YM to see the 4 page review, which has helped fill in some blanks, and also left me a little red-faced as I didn't know it was being reviewed in more depth this month or I would not have posted my original question.

Also, as some have pointed out, I had not spotted the real cost of extras needed.

 

[Ben9000]

However lpdsn's advice is much like you were given in 2012, did you manage to get some sailing time in?




I am not being snotty here but people mostly begin to get an idea about their likes and dislikes the more sailing they do. If you are still set on long distance ocean crossing, buying a brand new dream boat might be fairly low on your list of priorities.[/QUOTE]

No worries, it's all a learning curve I guess.

And as you and lpdsn have asked, I have managed to get in plenty of "sailing" since 2012 - lots of lovely bits of paper, and lots of easy chartering/flotillas etc, but this I would not class as real sailing. I feel that I'd need to do it day-in day-out for weeks, not the twice or three times a year our schedules can currently afford. But, onwards and upwards as they say.

 

[wully1]

[/QUOTE]

No worries, it's all a learning curve I guess.

And as you and lpdsn have asked, I have managed to get in plenty of "sailing" since 2012 - lots of lovely bits of paper, and lots of easy chartering/flotillas etc, but this I would not class as real sailing. I feel that I'd need to do it day-in day-out for weeks, not the twice or three times a year our schedules can currently afford. But, onwards and upwards as they say.[/QUOTE]

Any sailing you do is Real Sailing. We do this stupid thing for our own selfish needs and people have set off on amazing voyages with no experience and in shit boats - My hero Bernard Moitessier for one- and he had no paper, just a desire. Go look at lots of boats and buy the one your feelings tells you is the right boat....for that time. Experience may lead you to change at a later date, but that's OK as cruising isn't a race or a fashion competition.
oh, and don't take advice from Internet forums.

 

[Grumpybear]

No worries, it's all a learning curve I guess.

And as you and lpdsn have asked, I have managed to get in plenty of "sailing" since 2012 - lots of lovely bits of paper, and lots of easy chartering/flotillas etc, but this I would not class as real sailing. I feel that I'd need to do it day-in day-out for weeks, not the twice or three times a year our schedules can currently afford. But, onwards and upwards as they say.[/QUOTE]

Any sailing you do is Real Sailing. We do this stupid thing for our own selfish needs and people have set off on amazing voyages with no experience and in shit boats - My hero Bernard Moitessier for one- and he had no paper, just a desire. Go look at lots of boats and buy the one your feelings tells you is the right boat....for that time. Experience may lead you to change at a later date, but that's OK as cruising isn't a race or a fashion competition.
oh, and don't take advice from Internet forums.[/QUOTE]

Hear, hear!

 

[Skylark]

I was intrigued by the comment in the latest YM that they've reduced the weight of the new Oceanis 41.1 by 800kg by removing bits of redundant woodwork in the interior. That's a lot of marine ply!

I haven't seen a 41.1 nor have I read the article but 800kg is a lot of something removed, that's for sure.

I used to have a 361 and liked that generation of boat from Beneteau. A few years ago, I considered buying a new 40 but I thought it was a product of too much cost cutting. I said "yes" to my 41 within 5 minutes of stepping aboard. To my eyes, it's a well manufactured boat with some built in quality features. The list price including options was well over £200k but finally negotiated deal, which included p/ex, was good.

A sailing pal had a 38ft AWB from another stable which he bought new less than a year before I bought the 41. He has been a self employed high quality joiner for many years. He was very complimentary about the build quality of the Beneteau and within a year had purchased a 45.

Best advice I can offer is to go and look at one. Don't rely too much on the authoritative wisdom of YBW posters.

 

[Tranona]

Best advice I can offer is to go and look at one. Don't rely too much on the authoritative wisdom of YBW posters.

Worth reading the article in YM. The boat is very different in both concept and execution from your earlier one.