Prestige 34 -- opinions please.

[nickwight]

Hello. We are considering changing our current boat and we like the look of the Prestige 34, as it appears to tick all of our boxes for improvements over our existing boat. Our budget will probably stretch to a 2007 model with twin VP D4s. I would very much appreciate any advice, views or opinions -- good or bad -- anyone may have on this model.
Regards, Nick.

[matrix]

Hi Nick, we had one for a few years, it all depends on expectations. Its an OK sports cruiser, but has a few issues, Electrics, Electric Hard top are obvious ones.

Electrics on mine were a pain, chasing illogical wiring and fuses, especially the Windlass. 
With the Hard top, its a matter of when it fails not if, sadly you cant get parts from Jeanneau anymore so can be a right pain to fix. 
Engines D4 have heat exchanger issues if not serviced, but then if it hasn't been serviced yearly I would stay well clear.

They are wide so reasonably stable, but we found did not take medium swells particularly well. We had the usual issues with fixtures and fittings breaking, sadly they used cheap plastic ones on doors and cupboards... We gave up on ours and got a Targa 34, wonderful boat, but a sucker for punishment came back to Jeanneau with the Leader 36, which is a much better boat imoh, and we really like it.

The other thing to try are the saloon seats, the backs are very low and we found them uncomfortable and not very relaxing, try sitting in the stern seats facing forward for a while and you will see what I mean, due to the boats slightly nose up attitude when stationary. We didn't have the cockpit table that drops so we also had nowhere to lay down in the sun except on deck which is not really that comfortable or practicable if you want a drink near you (unlike the Targa). 

Leaks from Hard top were not too bad, but annoying all the same. Overall as I have said its an OK boat if you treat it gently, some clever touches like mirrors on front cabin doors make it feel bigger inside than it is. for a 2007 boat I would look at others as well, Targa 34, Bav 35/32, if you don't need 2 cabins and can cope with 1 plus a saloon double the Windy Scirocco is really nice. All three are far better built for the time, and for me look a bit more 'sporty'. 

Good luck though whatever you do.

[matrix]

Nick, having re-read your post I would also add, sell your boat now and wait until Spring next year to buy a replacement.

Chatting to a couple of broker friends they both said there is no stock at the moment, and what is for sale is overpriced and selling for way above value, or really poor boats that would not normally sell and sellers are just putting them up for crazy prices in the hope someone is desperate. They both expect much greater stock coming in over winter and significant price drops Spring next year, so if you can sell you current boat do it, and unless you need a boat for winter hold out and get a far better price next year.

[nickwight]

Hi Matrix and thank you for all of the information -- very useful and interesting.
Our existing boat has a single D4 and although we had a shaky start with it, after three years we have got the servicing etc up to spec and the engine now runs very reliably and we are very happy with it. Our budget will not stretch to things like a Targa or a Windy, but I I have looked at Bavarias and yes, they do look good. The idea of selling our boat now did occur to us, but our situation is complicated just now by a house move and if moving out and moving in don't exactly coincide, we will be using the boat to "live on" for a few weeks! Life is never straightforward!

[nickwight]

I've just noticed that your "home port" is Weymouth! That's a coincidence as we are also berthed in Weymouth. Small world.

[matrix]

Oct 2, 2020 10:01:07 GMT nickwight said:

I've just noticed that your "home port" is Weymouth! That's a coincidence as we are also berthed in Weymouth. Small world.

Wow, lots of changes!! Good luck with it all, keep us posted, yes must have a beer next season