Jeanneau v Beneteau v Etap

[cannonball]

I recently sold my self built Kurt Hughes 38ft tri as I was finding her a little expensive to maintain. I decided to go full circle to where I was at 30 years ago with a 22 footer mono. I have been looking closely at the Sun 2000, Beneteau 21.7 and the Etap 21i. All seem to have more or less the same vital statistics and similar price except the Sun 2000 which is a lot less expensive. Im not sure which to go for.Does anyone have any input ,good or bad on any of these?

[Giulietta]

The Benetau sails the best, the Etap is the sturdiest, Jeanneau the cheapest.

None is good at all three.....

I'd opt for the Beneteau, the etap is to slow the Jeanneau too weak.

[sailingdog]

Why are you looking at these three boats specifically... there are quite a few boats in that size range that might be a good choice... that are probably comparable in price.

[sun2k]

Hello Canonball,
About one year ago, I was exactly in the same situation, except for the Etap....
I was hesitating between a Beneteau First 21.7 (or 210, 211) and a Jeanneau Sun 2000. I choose this last one because of his ability to go in very "low tide waters".
The Sun 2000 is supposed not to be as faster as the First but, to be honest, I've been very surprised by its performances. This boat is so easy and comfortable that O really don't regret this choice.
As I was looking for testimonies before buying it, I created a little website to sum up all the data about this boat founded on the net: sun2k.free.fr
It's a french personal website (as you can read, English is not my native language.... sorry)
Anyway both are really good boats!
Have a nice day
Mat (sun2k)

[Stillraining]

If I could speak French half as well as your English is I would be a happy man..Learning a foreign language for me is a Mt. Everest..

[sailingdog]

BTW, most Etap's are considered "unsinkable", since they have a double hull with foam flotation in-between them. However, this eats up a lot of space in the boat that would normally be used for stowage.

[blt2ski]

I am going to assume, the OP is in europe............as the sun 2000, 2500, SO29.2 are not typically shipped to north america! nor are the Beneteau's in those smaller sizes.

The reality is, for most of the posters on here, are in NA, vs europe, you may or may not get a good answer.

I will say, my older 85 Jeanneau is built better IMHO than the new ones, and for that matter, better than the Beny's too. As far as newest models, personally, still feel the Jeanneau's are better, excepting the First's, then they are better than the Oceanus and SO models from jeanneau. No experience personally with the Etap. And my impressions for the beny's and jeaneau's are with models 30+ ft in length.

marty

[cannonball]

Sailingdog, I am from UK and I havent really found any other boats like these 3, can you name any others? I will trailer it now and then so shallow draught is important,as is good performance ,so a modern hull form. Thanks all for your advice.

[cannonball]

Hi Sun2K. I just checked out your webste. Looks great, I whish I could read the articles though The main drawback I see on the Sun is no twin rudder. Do you find heavy steerage when she heels. I can always build carbon twins if necessary ,or even a swing rudder like Ive seen on some open 40s . I always like to do mods to new boats anyhow,just to personalise them. Is the build quality as good as with the Benny , laminate thickness etc, do you think? Thanks for your help.

[cannonball]

Also, Sailing dog stated correctly that the Etap was unsinkable. So is the Beny and with a days work the Sun can be made likewise as can most 22footers with only 350kgs of balast in the keel