Pabeye
Junior Member
Posts: 23
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Post by Pabeye on Dec 18, 2014 19:04:08 GMT
Hi all. I have just sold my "vintage" Tartan 37 and I am trying to decide between a Jeanneau 39i and a 42i. Both are 2007 models, both in excellent condition. My wife and I mostly day sail, but also do a few over night stays in local harbors some coastal cruising on Long Island Sound ( light air in the Summer!) . Would appreciate any thoughts you might have on the sailing ability of each model, ease of handling, ( the 42 has a bow thruster ) and resale value or each. Any thoughts or comments you have will be greatly appreciated!
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Post by dbostrom on Dec 18, 2014 20:58:01 GMT
It doesn't seem as though Jeanneau makes boats that sail poorly in a really conspicuous way so it's a tough choice from that perspective. Unfortunately not a lot of sailing has taken place yet because we've owned her for only a short time but while going through due diligence on our SO39i I took the chance to back her down for about an eighth of a mile, because going backwards is sometimes so very important. Backs beautifully; very stable and can easily be recovered from overdoing the rudder. As well, without much ado the boat will turn around in not a lot more than her own length (this is the deep keel version, not sure of shoal version). If one doesn't mind thrashing the transmission a bit and trying to exploit propwalk she'll almost spin but I'm not a fan of that technique except in dire circumstances. There's been a recent discussion here on bowthrusters and of course people have strong opinions on those as with everything else on boats. My own input would be that if you're planning on handling the boat with only a skipper and single crew on a routine basis and you're not the Lynn and Larry Pardey types there will likely be less shouting and deodorant consumption and higher net fun if you can fit a bowthruster into the picture. Folks will point out that a thruster or not also depends on your typical cruising grounds and the docking situations. It depends in part on what fun means to you; it's perfectly legitimate to cultivate supreme boat handling skills just as much as it is to let machinery reduce your stress level. Sort of a personal thing, maybe two persons if you're sailing with your partner.
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Post by Trevor on Dec 18, 2014 21:46:38 GMT
Hello Pabeye and welcome to the forum,
We used to own a 2007 SO36i which I rate as one of the best value for money of the Jeanneau range. Simply brilliant. The SO39i is its big brother so it will be a great boat. We now own an SO42DS which has the same hull I believe as the SO42i and I find it beautiful to sail. One of the features of our SO42DS which we really love is the aft cabin. We like to sleep comfortably so the cabin configuration means a lot to us and the aft cabin in our boat is the best I have seen in a boat that size.
We have a bow thruster which after a couple of years I notice I am starting to use more and more for quite trivial reasons like pushing to bow across in the pen to retrieve the mooring lines. I usually forget we have a bow thruster and wouldn't have fitted it new but as a bonus I am glad the previous owner spent the money!
I would pick the bigger boat because I find no difference handling it by myself and it has a bit more room and will get tossed around a little bit less in a lumpy sea.
Regards,
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Post by Tafika II on Dec 18, 2014 22:32:01 GMT
Trevor, what size, make & model is your bow thruster? 12VDC or 24VDC?
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Pabeye
Junior Member
Posts: 23
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Post by Pabeye on Dec 19, 2014 1:50:27 GMT
WOW, thanks for your responses one and all. I forgot to mention that both my wife and I are retired sexagenarians. So ease of handling is important. Your responses have been most useful. The difference in cost of the two boats is a "bit" of an issue ( maybe 20K ( yet to be determined when we decide to make a bid on one or the other ) but not that much.
We did notice that in the 39i the cockpit was a bit tight especially getting past the cockpit mounted table. We do day sail with family and friends.....grand kids included........ so ease of movement is a bit of an issue. The four main reasons we are switching boats is 1) roller furling main ( both boats have that )
2) larger cockpit........I feel teh 39 is a bit small but for sure not as small as our Tartan
3) better access from the stern for swimming ( both have that)
4) a more comfortable double berth
It is a tough call.........your input is appreciated!
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Post by Tafika II on Dec 19, 2014 2:34:18 GMT
I'm 67.5 YO and single hand sail every weekend...so go for it!
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Post by dbostrom on Dec 19, 2014 4:11:18 GMT
Even though I'm speaking from the 39i perspective, sounds to me as though the 42i is the better choice given your requirements. Would be awful to buy the 39i and then end up grinding over minor issues you were aware of before buying: "If only I'd...," repeated every time the deficiency is encountered.
The only wart I can think of with regard to the 42i is maybe the effort required to handle halyards (and to a lesser extent sheets), slightly more cumbersome maneuvering at the dock. After all, this isn't a 40' versus a 50' boat choice.
If you buy the 42i and it turns out to be marginally more of a handful then you like, those problems can be solved with machinery. Decide on that after using the boat for a while.
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Post by krawall on Dec 19, 2014 7:15:43 GMT
Hi,
I think it's not that much of a question. If you can afford it and neither has any advantage or disadvantage over the other one in terms of maintenance, equipment and survey report, I'd go for the larger one.
Handling wise you will not see a difference (much, anyway) especially with the bow thruster but perhaps even without, 3feet are not that much. But you will spot the 3 more feet everywhere throughout the boat.
I'd go for the 42 in an instant.
Tom
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Post by ianpowolny on Dec 19, 2014 10:44:11 GMT
I'd never thought of my wife and I as sexy generians but we're in the same age group as you and your wife.
We only started sailing 3 seasons ago and started with a 45DS so we have no idea how a smaller boat handles in tight marinas. We are now passage making to the Med. Retirement has opened up new horizons. Will this be the same for you?
I say go for the big one with the bow thruster but learn to moor stern too without the bow thruster. That way when the thruster fails, as ours did, you are prepared to either still go in stern too or bow forward if there's too much wind.
I say stern too as this allows my wife to use the stern steps to step on to the pontoon and with one line and forward power we're sorted and no jumping off. The 42i looks like it has a really good stern step set up.
Hope this helps and happy retirement, Ian
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Post by Trevor on Dec 19, 2014 12:20:08 GMT
Trevor, what size, make & model is your bow thruster? 12VDC or 24VDC? Hey Brent, my thruster is a Maxpower CT-80 rated according to the specifications at 6.4 HP. it is the 12 volt version. It simply has the 2 button controller without the joystick. Regards, Trevor
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Post by Tafika II on Dec 19, 2014 14:37:11 GMT
Thanks Trevor...not sure I'm going to that direction yet or ever, but it's a thought. Have a great Christmas!
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Post by alex1949 on Dec 19, 2014 17:33:04 GMT
Hi Tafika, I followed your opinion exchange with Trevor regarding the BT. Please allow me to add some pressure on you..... (we are same age and I sail 3 times a week) I have the 40 DS 2005 and 2 years ago I installed by myself the new version of the external XTURN BT made by Side Power. Handling the boat after installing the BT became a much more comfortable and delightfull.I am a well experienced sailor and use to handle my previous boats easily without BT but it is so much nicer now. The external BT looks like a small torpedo and mounted on the bow 1 foot under waterline. I feel no boat speed lose. Very easy to install ,mine is 24 volts. You need one 50 mm and two 18 mm holes and it takes about a couple of hours for a non professional to install.Price around 3000 ERO. Works like a charm. If you change your boat, take it off and install it in your new boat. no need to cut boat and have nasty fiberglass work. will be happy to provide further information if you wish. Take Care Alex
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Post by sailby2 on Dec 19, 2014 20:18:42 GMT
Traded my 2001 SO37 for a 2008 SO42i and couldn't be happier with the choice. I thought the 37 was the perfect boat but now I'm thinking the 42i is the one. We've had the boat a scant 8 months now and have raced and cruised her regularly. We're in the Bahamas aboard for the winter and have nothing but praise for this boat. The 39i model looks like a great boat but if you can swing the 42i I do not think you will ever look back at the decision to go bigger. We have limited connectivity here in the Bahamas but if you'd like to contact me further, feel free to email me at sailby2@suddenlink.net
Regards,
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Post by MalcolmP on Dec 20, 2014 10:06:47 GMT
Very happy with our 39i but I would not disagree that if in budget the 42i will give you more space and probably slightly faster cruising. Only thing not mentioned is running costs. Now we are only part-time working glad that at least in Europe we just fit within the 10m - 12m marina category. In many marinas the 12-15m category is quite a lot more. Other costs like insurance and maintenance will be pro-rata so maybe not that big a difference.
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Post by vasko on Dec 20, 2014 10:51:40 GMT
If you can afford the bigger one and have no problem with the increasing cost for marinas , repairs etc. - go with the bigger one.
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Pabeye
Junior Member
Posts: 23
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Post by Pabeye on Dec 20, 2014 17:00:11 GMT
Well, it looks like the consensus is the 42 ...........Mrs Pabeye and I are still working on the decision, but for sure will will take everyone's advice as part of the decision making process. I'm pretty sure we will be making our decision early in the new year...hopefully both boats will still be available. If anyone has any further thoughts, please share them. Mean time, I'll keep you folks updated when the time comes. Have a wonderful holiday season one and all.
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Post by ianpowolny on Dec 24, 2014 19:05:47 GMT
Facebook just reminded me I skippered a 39i from St Lucia to St Vincent in January 2014. It was a nice easy boat to use. We'd not used a fully battened main except on our RYA courses. Felt forgiving and powerful.
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