Been thinking of buying 45DS

[cashpaugh]

Hi everyone.

I've owned smaller, older sailboats. Been thinking of buying 45DS, and became excited when an owner in my marina invited me for a cruise on his.

While returning, the wind became gale force. The engine had quit earlier. While under reefed Genoa and main, the owner's autopilot lost it, and he couldn't get the boat to point into the wind at all. We had to divert to another marina.

I've never had a problem pointing my small 32 foot full-keel boat into the wind even when approaching hurricane force. Sure, a lot of weather helm, but still manageable.

It was obvious the owner of the 45DS had never been in wind over 30 knots before. Can anyone tell me what he did wrong, or was this normal.

I've searched the Internet and found many glowing testimonials as to the 45DS in winds under 30 knots, and my friend's boat did sail great up to that point, but my wife and I plan on doing offshore work in the south pacific and know we'll hit some heavy blows.

Any enlightenment appreciated.

Thanks,

Cliff

[MartyB]

Was the model you were on shoal or deep draft? This could have made some difference in the performance. Also you mention the owner had not had out in heavier winds. Sounds to me like the amount of sail reduction was not enough for the sustained winds you had. along with potentially having a shoal keel, neither if which would be good for higher winds.

Also, Cruisers are not known for having the rigs generally speaking, tuned properly either, so multiple thing could have been off or wrong, causing the issue you described.

Marty

[tomatillo]

I have owned and sailed extensively on a 43Ds since 2001. It handles like a dream in heavy winds, but it has a furling mainsail that is pretty flat. I feather (pinch) and sail by the angle of heel. I do not have a gauge, but she heels pretty far over to where you do not want to be on the lee side. However, she will outpoint almost any cruiser in those conditions. Also I fly a no shoulder 85% spinny very close to the wind in big air. Picture of Tomatillo is under For Sale & Wanted heading this forum.

[ladauphine]

we had similar problems sailing in 20+ winds (no engine issues) with the stock jeanneau sails on our 42DS. The fabric is too light and very stretchy. As the wind builds with these sails the leech of both the main and jib deepens even with the traveler all the way down and you can't point. In our second season we bit the bullet and purchased new, flatter and heavier sails from North Sails. Doing so actually increased the sail area by about 100 Sq ft and we added vertical battens. The boat is great, the sails suck. If going offshore it would be very prudent to get better sails. Jeanneau, in my opinion does a disservice to their boats by putting on these sails

[riversideyachts]

Have you hooked up with a dealer to purchase the 45ds? If not, contact Riverside Yachts in NJ. They are a New Stocking Jeanneau Dealer but many years of Sailboat Experience.