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Post by bigcat on Apr 2, 2014 21:40:38 GMT
We are in the market for a 33-35 ft cruiser and have been looking at the new Jeanneau 349 as well as the competition.
It seems like all the big builders are now going for twin wheels, hard chines, optional self-tacking jib, lighter interior colors.
It's hard to find out where production process and/or quality differs.
We have only owned a Catalina before but they don't produce a boat in the exact 34 foot size range we want anymore.
Hanse seems to focus a lot on stiffness (tabbed bulkheads, hand-laid hull) and seems to produce fast boats with nice creature comforts. We also test sailed and liked the Dufour 335 Grand Large.
We're waiting for the Jeanneau 349 to get to the local dealer so we can see and test her.
Any feedback on these boats from Jeanneau owners? How does Jeanneau compare when it comes to quality? Has anyone seen and sailed the 349 and can share some impressions?
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Post by J349er on Apr 9, 2014 14:04:25 GMT
I Looked at all the boats you mentioned and ended up going for a 349. I like the 349 cockpit, hull and interior design, twin rudders, prop shaft. It's a modern and fast design and it is lightweight compare to Hanse and Bavaria offerings. Base price of the 349 is attractive but options (some needed) could run you a bit high. As with other jeanneaus, they do offer nice performance options that are competitively priced such as the performance main on the 349 that is 10% larger and includes Selden's MDS track system. I wish the 349 would come with a 29HP Yanmar instead of a 21HP but I think the boat is light enough for that engine to be just fine. The Hanse is powered by a 18HP volvo and is almost 2000 lbs heavier... The Beneteau 34 offers the best bang for the bucks especially now in the Platinum addition which includes a bunch of nice upgrade. It's roomier, beamier boat inside but has a smaller cockpit than the 34. It has more seating space in the cockpit though since the transom is also a bench seat. The 34 uses Yanamar's 29HP engine which is a good thing. I think quality of all these builders is about the same, options on german boats tend to be pricier than Jeanneau or Beneteau. Dufour is a small builder and is currently struggling with debt and reorganization and don't know how solid the company is going to be in the next few years.
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Post by bigcat on Apr 9, 2014 17:34:04 GMT
Telecam, thanks for the reply, that is good info!
The Hanse has an option for a bigger engine which on SF bay is a must. I'm also a bit wary of the engine on the 349. We get pretty strong tides here.
Did you mean to say that the B34 has a smaller cockpit than the 349?
Do you know what B and J use for coring material? Do they tab-in the bulkheads? I believe none of the builders use chopper guns on the hull these days so should be equal there. I'm not sure about differences in epoxy used...(polyester, vinylester, epoxy, ..) I would expect all of them to use vinylester on boats in this category.
On any boat I would go for performance sails with lazy bag and Selden sliders. I believe all offer that, although I'm not sure about the B34. Have you received your 349 yet?
Did you see the new B38? They will offer a 35 ft version later this year...this is the last year they're building the B34 I have been told.
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Post by J349er on Apr 10, 2014 5:21:32 GMT
Beneteau and Jeanneau use injection vacuum bag process to make hulls and decks which allows to precisely control and maximize the amount of resin used in various areas. Fiber glass and balsa core panels are cut to fit the molds so, no chopper guns here. I don't know about bulk-head construction but I think Jeanneau uses a different process than Beneteau for those. In any case, I don't think you have to worry about structural or blistering issues these days, manufactuering and resins have improved a lot from the past. Good to hear about Hanse's 29HP option, 21HP for the 349 may be just fine but when comparing to other similarly sized boat, they could have definitely gone for the bigger engine or at least, offer it as an option. I saw the 38 at the Annapolis boat show, liked it but wanted something no longer than 35'. yes, the B34 has a smaller cockpit than the 349 and a tiny cockpit table, but it has seating on the transom. The 349 has a flat transom with optional foldout swim platform which may not be very useful for the cold waters of San Francisco's Bay but is a great thing to have for warmer waters . See both, 349 and 34 deck layout below. I am told 349 should be delivered in August. Best,   Attachment DeletedAttachment Deleted |
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Post by J349er on Apr 10, 2014 22:02:16 GMT
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