Views on Clipper 343, Bavaria 33, or Jenneau 33

vandy

vandy

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All, I am fairly new to sailing and after nearly 15 years of spending on ribs and motorboats we've decided to start sailing and I have just completed a competent crew course - We are also actively looking for our first sailing boat and have narrowed it down to these three makes and models:

1. Clipper 343
2. Bavaria 33
3. Jenneau 33i

There will always be only two of us on the boat so we can't really have anything bigger - your views are welcome on these boats. Our sailing is coastal cruising and aiming for some cross channels at some point when we have the experience -
 
I am quite novice - I have heard some horrible stories about sailing boat losing keel and sounds like Bavaria boats have some known issues with this regard - How do you rate Beneteau compared to Jenneau or Hunter, or Bavaria?
 
vandy said:
I am quite novice - I have heard some horrible stories about sailing boat losing keel and sounds like Bavaria boats have some known issues with this regard - How do you rate Beneteau compared to Jenneau or Hunter, or Bavaria?
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Forget about the keel stories. The 3 boats on your list are much the same. In car terms you are looking at a Golf, Focus, Astra. All aimed at the same market but each with minor differences to try and appeal to individuals.

In terms of sailing capability all will meet your needs, so your decision is likely to based on which has the right feel for you. Assume you are buying used, in which case availability, equipment levels, condition and price will also influence your choice.
 
I don't think there's much to choose between the popular brands. Jeanneau is owned by Beneteau, so I don't think there'll be major quality differences between them. Dufour used to be owned by Bavaria, but was bought out by management last year. Bavaria probably has the most impressive state-of-the-art production facilities and arguably offers the best value for money at list prices.
 
I have chartered the Jeanneau and the Beneteau on your list. The 33i sailed well but had a cramped cockpit - you have to jump on the seats to get around the steering wheel.

The Beneteau is a much bigger boat (subjectively), didn't sail quite as well but had a lot more room. It was truly awful in reverse, but you can get used to that.
 
We find our 323 perfect for us. A great layout with 2 decent cabins, we use the aft as our primary and keep stuff in the fore cabin. The heads is great. Very big and bright. It's easy to sail and very easy to motor either ahead or astern. In short I have no hesitation is recommending a Beneteau.
 
I have a Jeanneau 36i which I viewed incidently whilst looking for a Beneteau 37. I thought the interior finish was much better for the type of boat - I'm not suggesting it is Hallberg Rassy standard. Although Beneteau do own Jeanneau the production is quite separate though neither boats have any particular strengths or failings. I've owned a Beneteau before but would look first at Jeanneau in the future. Can't comment on Bavaria.

If crew size is the only factor for size you might consider a larger boat. I single hand my 36i all the time without problems.
 
I had exactly the same dilemma as you last year.

The winner was the jeanneau 33i - bought a new one as the second hand price difference was not that large. Build quality when looking around the boats was best on the Jeanneau by some margin. The Bavaria was cheap downstairs and had poor head room and the bunk size was compromised. Keel problems are all sorted on the Bavaria now. The benneteau was nice but creaking floorboards and a few niggles put us off.

Marc Lombard the designer is a genius. The boat sails beautifully despite the not insignificant weight.

We are a year on with it now and done around 1500 miles and 60 races. We have lived on it for around 16 weeks in total. We have had the b and g wind masthead unit break and an automatic bilge pump switch fail but absolutely no other faults. Hardly jeanneaus fault. I would heartily recommend one. The performance package is a bargain if you can have the deep keel.
 
My top tip would be look at all three with your wife and then pick the one she likes the most. If she is happy then you will be! I am not trying to be condescending, but it has worked for us.
 
mcanderson said:
My top tip would be look at all three with your wife and then pick the one she likes the most. If she is happy then you will be! I am not trying to be condescending, but it has worked for us.
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For the three boats in the frame, I agree that this is very good advice.

Personally, I'm a Beneteau fan. I had a 361 for 7 years and now have a 41. For my sailing aspirations and general boat use it suits us well.

Which ever you buy, I hope it puts a smile on your face each time you step aboard.

Good luck and fair winds
 
As everyone has said, any of your three choices will do the job. We went through this (same situation as you - 8 yrs in MOBOs) about 2 years ago. We started with the 32/33 size, but found the next size up gave that little bit more room and facilities and yet kept us below 40ft. We went for the Bav 36C Farr design as it gave the best all round deal at the time. The latest Bav 33 has an improved exterior look and sails well. It is certainly worth considering. I do know someone who has one, PM me if you want to follow this up. Once you start sailing, you'll wonder why you didn't start years ago - there is so much more to do and so much more involved in a passage, mainly because it all takes longer and you can't run away from bad weather so easily! We love it and have never regretted the move.
 
mcanderson said:
My top tip would be look at all three with your wife and then pick the one she likes the most. If she is happy then you will be! I am not trying to be condescending, but it has worked for us.
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These are wise words. Mrs R thinks she made the final choice!
 
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