Ocqueteau 815 or merry fisher 805

[Dave lowther]

Hi all
just wondering on people’s opinions on either boat as looking to buy one. I can’t seem to find much on the ocqueteau are they good sea boats, well made?
Merry fishers are they worth the money? It looks like they have jumped in price over past couple years.

Any help would be very use full

 

[Pleinmont]

Both are decent for the size and money - similar build.
I had an Ocq 645 a few years ago - was well built and reliable - presume the 815 would be the same if well looked after.
My Antares 760 is very similar to the MF805 aside from cosmetic differences and 45cm length - a friend has one, both do the same things in the same way.
Most boats have gone up in price since Covid/Brexit/Ukraine - supply chain shortages have pushed up second hand market accordingly.

These size boats have generally gone from c.£30k to c.£40k since 2020.

Unfortunately Ocqueteau went out of business a couple years ago which is why you probably see more of Merry Fisher.
The Ocq 815 would be well worth a look if you have one in mind though - nice booth seating inside.

Ocqueteau 815 | 8m | 2008 - Dorset | Boats and Outboards

 

[Sianna]

also look at the Jeanneau Leader 805, great boat of a similar size, open rather than close cabin though

 

[Dave lowther]

also look at the Jeanneau Leader 805, great boat of a similar size, open rather than close cabin thoughView attachment 161582

Thankyou but were moving away from canopy tops as found it to be more of a pain but you’ve got a great looking boat there tho

 

[Dave lowther]

Both are decent for the size and money - similar build.
I had an Ocq 645 a few years ago - was well built and reliable - presume the 815 would be the same if well looked after.
My Antares 760 is very similar to the MF805 aside from cosmetic differences and 45cm length - a friend has one, both do the same things in the same way.
Most boats have gone up in price since Covid/Brexit/Ukraine - supply chain shortages have pushed up second hand market accordingly.

These size boats have generally gone from c.£30k to c.£40k since 2020.

Unfortunately Ocqueteau went out of business a couple years ago which is why you probably see more of Merry Fisher.
The Ocq 815 would be well worth a look if you have one in mind though - nice booth seating inside.

Ocqueteau 815 | 8m | 2008 - Dorset | Boats and Outboards

They have gone up in price considerably since covid

 

[Bowlerhat]

I really like the booth seating on the Ocq. It may seem a small difference from the opposite bench seats in the MF (and many others), but to be able to lay out with your legs/feet up and read a book in the saloon is definitely a bonus!

 

[ChromeDome]

Ocqueteau indeed struggled in 2018, but they are still in business:
Ocqueteau : rational motor boats designed for fishing

If you dig into the history you'll notice a close association with Jeanneau (owned by Beneteu along with a long list of of other boat brands).
Brands & services - Groupe Beneteau

Ocqueteau is (also) on the Atlantic coast of France, so test & trial takes place on open waters - FWIW.

I have an Ocquetau 975 FLY with twin 175hp Nanni diesels. Close cousin to Jeanneau Merry Fisher 925 but has notably more room inside.

For the 975, all equipment and wiring et al are properly dimensioned and sourced from Vetus, Gemo and other major brands. Electrics are well laid out and equally oversized.

I had mine now for 12 years without any issues of any kind. I find it to be excellent value, bearing in mind that it is a different segment than those costing 3-5 times the money. It is worth remembering that engines are independent of the boat make and work equally well, provided they are installed correctly.

Recently was out in an F6, head-on for 3 hours at ~8 knots and on autopilot. Comfortable and safe, sons & girlfriend reading, wife knitting away, me monitoring things.

 

[Pleinmont]

I really like the booth seating on the Ocq. It may seem a small difference from the opposite bench seats in the MF (and many others), but to be able to lay out with your legs/feet up and read a book in the saloon is definitely a bonus!

Agreed, I converted the benches to booth seating in my 760 and leave the table stowed up in the forepeak most of the time. Much better.

 

[Bouba]

also look at the Jeanneau Leader 805, great boat of a similar size, open rather than close cabin thoughView attachment 161582

Your waterskier is good with a camera

 

[Pleinmont]

Ocqueteau indeed struggled in 2018, but they are still in business:
Ocqueteau : rational motor boats designed for fishing

If you dig into the history you'll notice a close association with Jeanneau (owned by Beneteu along with a long list of of other boat brands).
Brands & services - Groupe Beneteau

Ocqueteau is (also) on the Atlantic coast of France, so test & trial takes place on open waters - FWIW.

I have an Ocquetau 975 FLY with twin 175hp Nanni diesels. Close cousin to Jeanneau Merry Fisher 925 but has notably more room inside.

For the 975, all equipment and wiring et al are properly dimensioned and sourced from Vetus, Gemo and other major brands. Electrics are well laid out and equally oversized.

I had mine now for 12 years without any issues of any kind. I find it to be excellent value, bearing in mind that it is a different segment than those costing 3-5 times the money. It is worth remembering that engines are independent of the boat make and work equally well, provided they are installed correctly.

Recently was out in an F6, head-on for 3 hours at ~8 knots and on autopilot. Comfortable and safe, sons & girlfriend reading, wife knitting away, me monitoring things.

Very nice boat ChromeDome.... Agree the the Ocq build quality is good and well laid out across the range.
My 645 was surprisingly reassuring in rough weather and I don't remember it creaking or slamming like my 760 does now and again.
Lay up was prob a bit thicker I think.
Maybe got a point with the open water Biscay testing grounds (need a bit more heft than in the Med)

Interesting they are still going - I thought they had folded. Just had a look, they only do the smaller peche promenade style now.
I did like their 8m-10m range - definitely looked like a better boat than the Benes/MF.

Would definitely trade up to a 9m Ocq without question.

 

[ChromeDome]

Our (2004) 975'er came with a table to make a fill with extra cusions, in order to convert the space to a bed. This however took a quite large table, making access to seats somewhat awkward.

Replacing the table with a smaller, folding, helped at lot (and we don't need anybody to sleep there anyway)

 

[Pleinmont]

Ocqueteau RC 975 | Sun Yachts Ltd, Guernsey, Channel Islands

Always liked the last of the non-fly Ocq 975s. Would suit me down to the ground, but never actually seen one in the wild let alone for sale.

 

[ChromeDome]

Ocqueteau RC 975 | Sun Yachts Ltd, Guernsey, Channel Islands

Always liked the last of the non-fly Ocq 975s. Would suit me down to the ground, but never actually seen one in the wild let alone for sale.

Ours was for sale by James Dickens Marine (now retired) on behalf of @thejonesey of this parish - in 2011.

I later helped a mate from our marina in getting an non-fly (but with the big swimming platform) version from Plymouth - he's set it up for trolling.

Both of them were delivered by road to Denmark - pre-Brexit and at a point in time when exchange rates were good.

 

[Pleinmont]

Thanks for the pics - very nice.
Lucky to have found those two boats and get them before the whole Brexit disaster
If ever you want to send one over to Guernsey let me know!

 

[ChromeDome]

Always liked the last of the non-fly Ocq 975s. Would suit me down to the ground, but never actually seen one in the wild let alone for sale.

There are a few for sale in France. Like Ocqueteau 975

 

[ChromeDome]

Before being "975" it was called 900 - using the same hull.

Some for sale under that name also
OCQUETEAU 900 FLY - 2005 - 66 000 €

 

[Pleinmont]

Thanks! I'll have a closer look...

 

[ChromeDome]

Just to complete the story - our boat is still the same, just receiving upgrades every year - opened the searail at the bow for access, new toilet, second heater, silent heater panel in master cabin for blissful sleeps, holding tank, deck wash pump, stainless hob, upholstery, navigational electronics, bespoke winter cover, cockpit canopy by design, blasted hull & thin-film AF, 3xVictron charging on app system and then some. Plus recent recent engines oil analysis to know the state of things. To name some.

7½ tons laden & full tanks:

 

[Pleinmont]

Sounds like she is well loved
Looks great on the YT clip.

 

[thejonesey]

Good to see she is going well @CromeDome. Absolutely brilliant boat -never missed a beat for us and was surprising economical too! I would recommend if you can find one! This was her a few years earlier… please excuse my wonderful mother in law!