|
|
Post by scuba01 on May 10, 2015 14:39:20 GMT
We have been looking at the 41 to 44 ds for live aboard cruising. I am looking for Sailing characteristics and comments on how the boat handles in seas and at anchor. Sailing the gulf and Caribbean. Heard different things about weight and comfort of sail so would like to hear for actual owners. We will be charting the 41ds in Miami for a few days soon. Currently own a Catalina 350 and have owned a hunter 41 ds.
|
|
|
|
Post by sailingsouth on May 11, 2015 21:43:19 GMT
We have a 2005 43DS. We love it and she's a great little live aboard. Large king size bed in aft cabin. Separate head and shower stall. Nice galley with big fridge. Fwd cabin is good for visitors. I do wish it had more storage but I think everyone says that about any size boat. She sails very well on all headings. Super easy to single hand.
|
|
|
|
Post by chuckr on May 12, 2015 8:35:12 GMT
Scuba you did not say the year you were looking at. But we have a 40' 2003 Jeanneau DS40. We have sailed the east coast of the USA 2 1/2 times, from Miami to Mexico to Colombia, across to Jamaica and down to Trinidad then back to Antigua and a 2 person Atlantic crossing and now year 3 in the Med.
I think you will find Jeanneaus better built than any boat you have had before. They sail well, are built of blue water and yet are quite comfortable. Designed for short handed sailing and yet the Admiral will like the amenities they built in. Jeanneau is a solid boat and if you anchor properly will ride very nicely. We have a ton of storage space and yet keep the deck clear as we do not need on deck storage for water or fuel.
And by the way, we do not race, but Jeanneaus are very fast and if you race you may well be nicely surprised on her speed around the cans.
Good luck with your decision. |
|
|
|
Post by fulmitz on May 12, 2015 14:14:47 GMT
Scuba01, I have a 2012 Jeanneau 44DS. It's my first boat and I just started sailing regularly last year when I got it and my sailing is limited to day sailing on the lake in the Gulf South. As a total newbie I can say its VERY easy to sail and I sail single handed and I'm a complete NEWBIE. I took a few lessons locally once I got my boat so the instructor was able to show me all the systems and how to work most things and feel very comfortable taking it out solo. As far as live aboard, my wife and I have spent weekend nights on the boat and it's okay. No extended time though. Its comfy but not like a house, it's all perspective. I loved how big the boat was when I got it and the broker who helped in my purchase was onboard with me (he mainly sells Beneteau's) was impressed with the boat and said it shrinks very quickly and he was right. I'm already looking on yachtworld at 50's 53's and 57's  . I've been out in about 15 knots gusting to 19 and was very pleased getting up to about 7.5-8 knots. It has furling main and jib. I also have the dock and go with the joystick. Many don't like it but it makes life very easy. I could dock without it but it was on the boat so I use it. Best of luck, Rob |
|
|
|
Post by sailbleu on May 13, 2015 6:56:14 GMT
Scuba you did not say the year you were looking at. But we have a 40' 2003 Jeanneau DS40. We have sailed the east coast of the USA 2 1/2 times, from Miami to Mexico to Colombia, across to Jamaica and down to Trinidad then back to Antigua and a 2 person Atlantic crossing and now year 3 in the Med.
I think you will find Jeanneaus better built than any boat you have had before. They sail well, are built of blue water and yet are quite comfortable. Designed for short handed sailing and yet the Admiral will like the amenities they built in. Jeanneau is a solid boat and if you anchor properly will ride very nicely. We have a ton of storage space and yet keep the deck clear as we do not need on deck storage for water or fuel.
And by the way, we do not race, but Jeanneaus are very fast and if you race you may well be nicely surprised on her speed around the cans.
Good luck with your decision. I second that motion Chuck . Regards |
|
|
|
Post by sleighride on May 13, 2015 22:22:45 GMT
My wife and I have a 2003 DS43 that we purchased new expecting to sell it in five or so years. We still have not found another boat that we like as well after thirteen seasons in the Pacific Northwest. We live in Oregon and sail the boat each year up the Washington coast, sometimes in gales and other times when we have to motor the entire 200 nautical miles in the Pacific Ocean. We owned a J30 for 14 years before and then a J40 for eleven years before this boat and it is way more sea kindly than the J boats. The storage is more than any other boat we have seen at numerous boat shoes with the weight down low. We are currently underway with Sleighride to Alaska which will be our fifth trip there on this boat. Many full gales and two storms and the boat still looks like it is two or three years old. We have a Yanmar 75 horse Turbo for power, and we cruise at eight knots, but it does nine knots under power when we need it for short spurts. We have lived aboard for three months on each of our Alaska trips and at least six weeks for each summer during each oh the last thirteen years. Two heads and two showers are perfect for us and if we take another couple aboard from time to time. Warmest regards on your life changing decision.
|
|
|
|
Post by sonfield on May 14, 2015 3:25:20 GMT
I have a 41 ds and have been aboard the 44 many times. Unless you are going for a 3rd cabin, all you really gain in the 2 cabin version is a vanity in the bow cabin. Not really enough to justify the expense. The masters are almost identical. That being said, both feel like bigger boats... I love ours, and do not see growing out of it any time soon. Happy to answer any and all specific questions you may have.
|
|
Mojo44DS
New Member
Posts: 2 
Country: USA
|
Post by Mojo44DS on May 25, 2015 14:54:04 GMT
We have a 2013 44DS and are very happy with it. I lived aboard a 36i for three years previously so I really favor Jeanneaus. The boat maneuvers very well alongside the dock with a tight turning radius at full ruder. We don't have a bow thruster and don't feel we need one. The non-turbo 54hp Yanmar is sized just right and very reliable. We have the roller jib and main. Plan to get an asymmetric spinnaker mid-summer.
We considered the 41DS but got a good deal on a boat show 44DS with 50 hours on the engine. Boat was six months old and had been in three boat shows. We got the 44DS for the same price as ordering a new 41DS so it was a no brainier. Mojo is hull #10, built in SC and the second one on the U.S. West Coast.
We we also considered mooring arrangements. Slips around here are 35', 45', and 50'. Mooring costs were a wash because the bothe the 41 and 44 would need a 45' slip.
The boat sails nicely and will pinch up to 35 degrees to the wind but likes 40 much better. Very nice , stable ride. Recent return from Catalina in consistent 18-22 it's wind and 6-8' seas with no problems - boat handled it very well. Sweet boat and I'm sure the 41DS would be too.
The biggest interior difference is the forward cabin. Our dealer said he would not be stocking the 41 because the 44 is so sweet and the price difference isn't that great when you're financing a boat for 15 years. If the 41DS is an option, make an effort to see and sail both before you decide, even if you have to fly to the 41.
|
|
|
|
Post by rxc on May 25, 2015 15:07:00 GMT
My wife and I have a 2003 43DS that we purchased with very few hours on the engine, and we think it was never actually sailed. We love it. We have the two cabin model which is great for a couple with infrequent visitors. If you have a crowd, the 3-cabin model might be more useful. Great layout for the heads, the galley, and main cabin. Plenty of room in the cockpit for entertaining. The only things we have problem stowing are bicycles - otherwise there is plenty of room on board for food, clothing, parts, etc. 200l of fuel is not quite enough to cross an ocean, so additioinal diesel jugs would be recommended for that journey.
We have lived on-board for varying times - 8 months coming down the East Coast of the US, 5 months, twice, while crusing from France up to Scotland, Ireland, and Britain. It has plenty of room for a live-aboard.
I have sailed it in very heavy weather, across the Atlantic, and it did extremely well. I have no questions about structural integrity. I have RF main as well as the jib, and it was very comfortable reefing the main from the cockpit, without having to go on deck during storm conditions.
I would highly recommend a cockpit enclosure if you are thinking about cruising anywhere the weather is difficult or cold, or crossing an ocean - it makes it so much more comfortable.
|
|
|
|
Post by sleighride on May 26, 2015 23:49:35 GMT
We also have a 2003 DS 43 and stow two folding bicycles (Bike Friday's made in Eugene, Oregon) which we lash and stow at the foot of the queen bed in the large aft cabin. We just pounded through a full gale in Canada's Johnstone Strait yesterday and the boat came through with flying colors as usual!
|
|
|
|
Post by dublin on May 27, 2015 17:51:08 GMT
We have a 39ds and two full size Trex fx7.6
Lightweight and quick release wheels
Rigged system each side of forepeak and the lash there on passage
Still room for one guest to sleep
If two guests just lash on deck at night
Not an issue as we normally sail two so fore peak is for storage in any event
Would not want to live without the,
|
|
|
|
Post by rxc on May 27, 2015 18:22:37 GMT
Sleighride,
Sounds like fun. Hopefully it was downwind... I looked at the BikeFridays, and a friend highly recommended them, but was not quite willing to pay their prices, and I was not yet sold on the small tires. I have a folding Montague which I like very much, because the wide tires are good when the going gets difficult. My wife loves her Trek, which will not fold, but we have found that if we take the wheels off of both bikes, they can be stored up on the forward berth, suitably protected from doing too much damage. The cats do not like to have to crawl over them, but they don't have much of a say in any boating matters<g>.
|
|
|
|
Post by scuba01 on Jun 30, 2015 14:29:54 GMT
Alot of great information thanks. I am looking for 5 years or so but the admiral really wants new. Still working on that.We are wanting to move aboard. Dont race but like to sail fast. thanks for all the info.
|
|
. I've been out in about 15 knots gusting to 19 and was very pleased getting up to about 7.5-8 knots. It has furling main and jib. I also have the dock and go with the joystick. Many don't like it but it makes life very easy. I could dock without it but it was on the boat so I use it.
