[andover2015]

Hi,

We are planning to purchase a new, 37-40' boat that is very easy to sail (single-handed at times), since we have two very young kids.

We saw two new boats, Jeanneau SO 379 and Bavaria Cruiser 37, at New England Boat Show that are very close to what we need.

Can you help us with selecting one from these two?

Thanks,

 

[celenoglu]

Both of them are good boats. Technically they are very close to each other. It will be just a selection of the interior and cockpit design.

My personal preferance will be the Jeanneau because of the engine. Yanmar seems superior to me. The S drives of both boats are manufactured by the same producer but unfortunately the S drives on Volvo are prone to failure very early.

 

[miatapaul]

One other thing to keep in mind is that Jeanneau/Beneteau seems to be expanding in the US, and Bavaria seems to have shut down at least a few dealerships. (including the one near me) So getting service on a Jeanneau may well be easier, especially if you happen to breakdown away from home. Also the dealership that you are most comfortable with can make a huge difference as well, since you will likely be making several return visits in that first year.

I know it will come up, as we are a cheap bunch of SOBs here on sailinet, have you considered used? Sailboats are not like a car where they are delivered almost trouble free then wear out over the next few years becoming less reliable. Likely going to have to return to the dealer several times during the first year or two. There are lots of complicated systems that may need adjustments/refinements. So buying used (say a few years old) normally the bugs will be worked out, and perhaps electronics and what not added. You also don't take that big depreciation hit. I will say first year depreciation seems to me to be less than many make it out to be.

Based purely on looks I think the Jeanneau wins hands down, but I have not been on either one in person.

 

[smackdaddy]

I would go with the Jeanneau.

 

[andover2015]

Thanks for the quick reply. I understand your point. In that sense, Bavaria may be the better choice since it is a 2014 model and has 250 engine hours and used as a demo boat.
However, it did not have the tracks/rigging for self-tacking. Do you believe that such a track can be added after the purchase?

 

[smackdaddy]

You can usually get pretty much whatever you want when you order a new boat.

 

[single2coil]

Ok, I am an old goat, You are purchasing a brand new costly sailboat: And your asking for advice. One needs to learn to sail first>>>>>Are you kidding us?

 

[jsaronson]

I saw the Jenneau last year. Stove is too small and only 2 burners.Sailing hardware was undersized. Overall layout was fine, but personally I would not buy it.

 

[Jaramaz]

Oh, My! This is interesting.
- the very same saildrive is worse on one boat than the other.
- two burners on the stove is a serious issue. We have to have at least 3, and a oven.
- ....

any further comments?

Arch, I better to run for shelter now.

The Jenneau series is for charter, bare bone. Some of them are good anyhow.
The Bav ... the jury is still out.

Not much difference - it is still the same question: What do you want?
Do not look much for the prices, not at first.
How are you going to use the boat?
Most of us are doing coastal cruising. What does that mean for deck layout and internal layout?

Is it important for you to be fast? Racing? (I bet both are far from bad).

/J

PS: Cheshire cat issue.

 

[blt2ski]

I prefer the 349 or 409 models myself. Or if a bavaria, a 41S.

Reality is, either will work for most peoples needs. I do admit, I am biased on boat brands.....oh, if you get a jeanneau, there is an owners forum and web page.........

marty

 

[TakeFive]

We chartered a 6 month old SO 379 in BVI a couple years ago. We enjoyed the boat for the week. Head shower was a very nice design, with acrylic door separating the vanity. But they have several different floor plans for this boat, so others may be different. The drop-leaf cabin table seemed a little flimsy. I'm not a big fan of the curvy, shiny, low profiled cabin top. It just seems like a slipping hazard when going from side decks to cabin top. I'm also not crazy about the recessed hand-holds with starboard hand grips on the cabin top - I prefer traditional railing that you wrap your fingers around, in teak or (preferably, for me) SS (like Catalina does it). I've never liked the vinyl headliners or fake melamine woodgrain.

I'd charter one again in a heartbeat, but for purchase I'd look at other (used) production boats with more traditional materials of construction.