The mother of all bargains?

[Tranona]

So is my 1988 Jeanneau an AWB? She more closely resembles a MAB (Manky Auld Boat) and looks nothing like her modern contemporaries, with a relatively narrow stern, single wheel and rudder, and shaft drive. She does have a sugar scoop, although not a completely open transom.

Boats like yours are from the end of the period when cruiser racers dominated the market and the French got very good at both winning and building better boats at lower cost. It is the sort of boat that a French sailor would choose for bluewater use where in the UK that market was dominated by older style boats. Of course when they entered the UK market they flattened the home produced boats in every respect despite the cries that they would fall apart (still heard today). Fast forward to the mid 90s when the French government introduced the tax saving wheeze for boats used for tourism and Jeanneau and Beneteau particularly moved to what we would now call AWBs more suited to the charter market. Both (as did other French builders) developed a parallel range of more performance related boats. Pity in a way that relatively few boats from that era were sold in the UK as they make a much better choice for long term cruising at a modest cost +/- £50k then older British built boats.

 

[stav]

Interesting how the comments reflect just one story and perspective from either camp. Each to their own and an acceptance that the choice of a boat isn't just the boat but money, available berths etc etc. We must keep old boats going as this is the environmental thing to do, personally I think any boat before 1990 should get a discounted berth!! And modern boats should have a recycling charge incorporated so that the circular economy can be realised (as promoted by Ellen Macarthur). People taking on old boats are doing the right thing for the planet. Personally not keen on sail drives the wrong metal in the water, or glued in strengthening, personally rather have a boat that has had a bump and has had the structural grid properly tabbed in to place.

There is also limited acceptance of sailing in different waters. The English channel can be choppy so hence the longer narrow designs, American shallow flat designs for the shallower water ways, mediterranean acceptance of the use of power.

Just my 2p worth.....

 

[Tranona]

There is nothing special about the English Channel that demands a specific style of boat, although traditionally hull shapes based on working boats or yachts designed for lots of windward work were common. However if you look around at what people actually use successfully such boats (and old boats in general) are only a minority and modern boats seem to get along just fine. Not sure why you are concerned about saildrives as if they are some kind of new fangled contraption. They have been in use for over 40 years in the tens of thousands and despite the gloomsters predicting instant failure because they are made of aluminium they seem reluctant to do so!

You are right, money plays a big part and perhaps those that can only afford an old boat can make themselves feel good in doing their bit for the environment.

 

[PaulRainbow]

There is nothing special about the English Channel that demands a specific style of boat, although traditionally hull shapes based on working boats or yachts designed for lots of windward work were common. However if you look around at what people actually use successfully such boats (and old boats in general) are only a minority and modern boats seem to get along just fine. Not sure why you are concerned about saildrives as if they are some kind of new fangled contraption. They have been in use for over 40 years in the tens of thousands and despite the gloomsters predicting instant failure because they are made of aluminium they seem reluctant to do so!

You are right, money plays a big part and perhaps those that can only afford an old boat can make themselves feel good in doing their bit for the environment.

Seriously ?

 

[Poignard]

 

[Baggywrinkle]

What actually happens to older boats eventually, which is good because it creates a source of second hand parts ....

 

[Tranona]

Seriously ?

Read the post I was responding to. Not unusual for some to claim that owning old boats is good for the environment - probably tounge in cheek, though.