Warning to Jeanneau Owners

[Irish Rover]

From an Irish news site today

"Irish owners of a type of high-end French-made yacht have been warned of a risk of sinking, due to problems affecting a part in the hull.

The warning was issued by the Department of Transport this morning, and concerns three models of Sun Odyssey boats made by French boatmaker Jeanneau.

All the affected boats were built between 2020 and 2022 and all are equipped with a bow thruster device that deploys out of the hull and below the water line when in use."

 

[Baggywrinkle]

I guess it is this ...

Info Sun Odyssey

 

[Irish Rover]

I guess it is this ...

Info Sun Odyssey

It is. I didn't quote the article in full because the mods get their smalls in a knot when I do.

 

[jac]

"High End"

I can see a few raised eyes in parts of Sweden!

 

[sawduster]

"Because the safety of our boats is an absolute priority, we have decided to reinforce the thruster flange on these hulls to prevent the occurrence of seepage."

But not enough of a priority to construct it properly in the first place

 

[Bouba]

I think it’s good they are doing a recall.....cars are recalled all the time...often for some extremely serious safety concerns... and the research and development costs involved far outstrips yacht production...even at giants like Beneteau/Jeanneau

 

[Irish Rover]

Apparently the warning is prompted by a yacht that sank off Germany last year.

 

[Bouba]

Apparently the warning is prompted by a yacht that sank off Germany last year.

Was anybody hurt ?

 

[Irish Rover]

Was anybody hurt ?

Don't know.

 

[Tranona]

"Because the safety of our boats is an absolute priority, we have decided to reinforce the thruster flange on these hulls to prevent the occurrence of seepage."

But not enough of a priority to construct it properly in the first place

It is rare for a manufacturer (of anything) not to make the odd error. It is how it deals with the consequences that is important.

 

[dunedin]

Must be a major hassle if impacted, as instruction is not to use the boat until fixed. Insurance wise could be tricky if ignored. But unless boat is adjacent to a Jeanneau dealer with capacity to repair, that could be the Sumner cruising stopped dead.
And what do you do if hundreds of miles from a Jeanneau dealer - or even a boat lift?

 

[Bouba]

Must be a major hassle if impacted, as instruction is not to use the boat until fixed. Insurance wise could be tricky if ignored. But unless boat is adjacent to a Jeanneau dealer with capacity to repair, that could be the Sumner cruising stopped dead.
And what do you do if hundreds of miles from a Jeanneau dealer - or even a boat lift?

That is bad…how are you supposed to get it to them ? Or will they see you ?

 

[lustyd]

But unless boat is adjacent to a Jeanneau dealer with capacity to repair, that could be the Sumner cruising stopped dead.
And what do you do if hundreds of miles from a Jeanneau dealer - or even a boat lift?

You’ve obviously never dealt with Jeanneau dealers. If you’re not buying a new boat then you’re dead to them whether you’re 5 miles or 5000.
This wouldn’t be a problem but Jeanneau don’t deal directly with customers so they’re the only option.

 

[Bouba]

You’ve obviously never dealt with Jeanneau dealers. If you’re not buying a new boat then you’re dead to them whether you’re 5 miles or 5000.
This wouldn’t be a problem but Jeanneau don’t deal directly with customers so they’re the only option.

I can report that their sister/parent company Beneteau are exactly the same

 

[LittleSister]

Apparently the warning is prompted by a yacht that sank off Germany last year.

Was anybody hurt ?

Don't know.

Nothing to worry about. I don't think it has caused a shortage of Germans.

 

[sawduster]

It is rare for a manufacturer (of anything) not to make the odd error. It is how it deals with the consequences that is important.

The odd error is understandable and I'm sure their response is commendable now that they've been found wanting, but bow thrusters are not new or uncommon technology. Was it a design fault, a construction fault, a fault with the thruster supplier?

It would be interesting to see what the root cause is - this article , Bow thruster weak point: Two accidents show how important correct installation is though barely readable without paying - seems to indicate a fault in the construction process which is concerning at a business which you would expect to have robust QC processes.

The fix appears to be take it back to Jeanneau for them to stick some adhesive in the gaps where there should be laminate, or add laminate it yourself. Doesn't inspire much confidence.

 

[Bouba]

The odd error is understandable and I'm sure their response is commendable now that they've been found wanting, but bow thrusters are not new or uncommon technology. Was it a design fault, a construction fault, a fault with the thruster supplier?

It would be interesting to see what the root cause is - this article , Bow thruster weak point: Two accidents show how important correct installation is though barely readable without paying - seems to indicate a fault in the construction process which is concerning at a business which you would expect to have robust QC processes.

The fix appears to be take it back to Jeanneau for them to stick some adhesive in the gaps where there should be laminate, or add laminate it yourself. Doesn't inspire much confidence.

It seems they were the swing down style of thrusters.... I would imagine that there is considerable force on the bracket...perhaps it wasn’t reinforced enough

 

[ylop]

Must be a major hassle if impacted, as instruction is not to use the boat until fixed. Insurance wise could be tricky if ignored. But unless boat is adjacent to a Jeanneau dealer with capacity to repair, that could be the Sumner cruising stopped dead.
And what do you do if hundreds of miles from a Jeanneau dealer - or even a boat lift?

The statement is spectacular:

“As a precautionary measure, we would also like to advise you that you must stop using the boat until this reinforcement has been carried out.”

Well which is it - advisory precaution or must?

---

“While waiting for this operation to be carried out as soon as possible, it is necessary to:

1. Inspect the thruster area for water or signs of water ingress,
2. Check for the presence of water when the thruster is retracted. In case of detection, it is essential to ensure that the thruster is closed and then to disconnect the thruster, to stop using the boat and to contact your dealer to carry out this reinforcement as soon as possible.”

So it is only necessary to stop using the boat if ingress is detected?

It’s like the technical department wrote something and then the marketing folks tried to make it would better!

 

[lustyd]

Was it a design fault, a construction fault, a fault with the thruster supplier?

One failure in 24 years though would suggest the design was good enough in most circumstances. Given the age of the boats it's entirely possible it was an owner modifying something so if they found a genuine fault I think that's impressive

I would imagine that there is considerable force on the bracket...perhaps it wasn’t reinforced enough

Even so, I'd expect it to be in a watertight area at the bows. Sinking seems quite drastic even for complete failure of a bow thruster. Hopefully more details will emerge in future.


Let's remember that until this incident we all thought Jeanneau didn't have this issue so let's also not rule out the same issue being present on other manufacturers. If this were aeroplanes the other manufacturers would all check and confirm they don't have the issue, but it's boats so it's on the owner.

 

[Irish Rover]

One failure in 24 years though would suggest the design was good enough in most circumstances. Given the age of the boats it's entirely possible it was an owner modifying something so if they found a genuine fault I think that's impressive



Even so, I'd expect it to be in a watertight area at the bows. Sinking seems quite drastic even for complete failure of a bow thruster. Hopefully more details will emerge in future.


Let's remember that until this incident we all thought Jeanneau didn't have this issue so let's also not rule out the same issue being present on other manufacturers. If this were aeroplanes the other manufacturers would all check and confirm they don't have the issue, but it's boats so it's on the owner.

Age? Affects boats produced between 2020 - 2022,