Beneteau 343

[night0wl]

Hey all,

So I've been approached by someone from last years boat show on what he feels is a killer deal. Supposedly, last years Beneteau's didn't sell too well due to the economy and this dealer has a surplus. He's willing to offer the following

Brand new 2008 Beneteau 343
Bimini/Dodger Package
Raymarine C-series Chartplotter/ST60 electronics package
Autopilot package
Electric Windlass Package
Full ground tackle & coast guard safety equipment

Its a stretch...but he feels ~$120k sail-away is possible.

Thats in my sweet spot, and I was going to go for my "goal boat" of an older Island Packet 38 in that price range. I know they're two very different boats, but I feel like this 343 would be good for the type of sailing I'd do in the next 10 years...mostly coastal with the occasional poke out to Bimini/Bahamas & Turks/Caicos.

While the Island Packet was going to be my long term, liveaboard/cruising boat I'd take waaaaay down island (Trinidad and beyond), the question is if this 343 can carry my dreams safely for the next decade or so...and is this price the right as I have no idea what is fair for this boat.

I see an old sailing magazine review saying that their BFE sail-away price is $108k, but that review is fairly old, and materials costs have risen in the past 4-5 years.

So sailnet...what would you pay for this vessel?

[tommays]

There are a lot of 343s on yachtworld to compare with BUT the options vary so much it is hard to say what a good price is BUTthere are many used ones going for more money

[Faster]

The only "new" 2008 343 on YW showing a listing price is at $136K... there are another half dozen or so listed but without a price set.

On the face of it it may be a good deal, or at least one pursuing.

As to the appropriateness for what you describe I can't imagine any serious problems if you keep to your "island hopping" plan. Our friends sail between Grenada and Barbuda every winter in a Beneteau 36.7 and she fares well on those types of passages. I would hope construction is at least as solid on the cruising Benes as the "racing" ones. On a personal level I'd be leery of the in-mast furling main that it probably has, but you may feel differently.

Neither is probably the first choice for a serious ocean passage, not that it couldn't be done with the right crew and good planning.

[sailingdog]

If you're planning on crossing oceans, the IP is probably a better boat, since a Bendytoy 343 is a coastal cruiser... That said, the 343 probably has more room in it than the IP 38... and would make a better liveaboard.

Offer him $100k and see what he comes back with...

[painkiller]

Originally Posted by night0wl

Hey all,

So I've been approached by someone from last years boat show on what he feels is a killer deal. Supposedly, last years Beneteau's didn't sell too well due to the economy and this dealer has a surplus. He's willing to offer the following

Brand new 2008 Beneteau 343
Bimini/Dodger Package
Raymarine C-series Chartplotter/ST60 electronics package
Autopilot package
Electric Windlass Package
Full ground tackle & coast guard safety equipment

Its a stretch...but he feels ~$120k sail-away is possible.

Thats in my sweet spot, and I was going to go for my "goal boat" of an older Island Packet 38 in that price range. I know they're two very different boats, but I feel like this 343 would be good for the type of sailing I'd do in the next 10 years...mostly coastal with the occasional poke out to Bimini/Bahamas & Turks/Caicos.

While the Island Packet was going to be my long term, liveaboard/cruising boat I'd take waaaaay down island (Trinidad and beyond), the question is if this 343 can carry my dreams safely for the next decade or so...and is this price the right as I have no idea what is fair for this boat.

I see an old sailing magazine review saying that their BFE sail-away price is $108k, but that review is fairly old, and materials costs have risen in the past 4-5 years.

So sailnet...what would you pay for this vessel?

Night0wl,

Would this be through Annapolis Yacht Sales?

[night0wl]

Originally Posted by painkiller

Night0wl,

Would this be through Annapolis Yacht Sales?

No actually it isnt. Although I'll bet they'll offer a similar deal. I'm learning that this may be a year end closeout on demo boat. I just also saw a promo flyer on offers that beneteau is offering. Everything I quoted is part of the incentives beneteau is giving...even $7000 cash back. So, $120k is about normal. I'm going to offer $100k and see where it goes.

[painkiller]

That's a great price for the boat, ESPECIALLY if you're getting a year of dealer support with it. If your dealer is as good as Annapolis Yacht Sales, you'll never buy used again.

I own a 2007 343 that I ordered at the 2006 show. I LOVE the boat. PM me and I'll give you any information you want.

[painkiller]

Oh, and one more thing. My buddy bought an inventory Hunter 31 last year (not from AYS) and he talked them into throwing in a lot of extras beyond what they were offering. And that was last year. The inventory boats are expensive to keep around. Beneteau is going to want to move that 343 because it's the older design. Unless they have another fish on the line, you might be able to really steal it from them.

[night0wl]

Thanks for the feedback all. I'm finding that there are certain "needs" I have that aren't covered in this package. Specifically, the ground tackle is weak, there is no refrigeration, hot water, or gen-set. Plus the auto-pilot is rather whipmpy (S1).

I'm going to see what they'll put in to sweeten the pot even more.

[night0wl]

http://www.boat-mail.net/e-beneteau/...ecial/boatshow special.pdf


Thats how they're able to do $120k off of a $135k list price. Sneaky sneaky....its all manufacturer support