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Post by fairmarketvalue on Sept 14, 2007 13:39:19 GMT
I am an experienced Catalina owner and am very interested in the SO 36i/36i performance. This boat seems to meet most of the criteria I have for the cruising and occasional beer can racing I do in the Great Lakes (except for not having a keel-stepped mast). I'm looking for input on the following questions (and any other comments) from "them that's took the plunge" already on this boat.
1. Is there any real difference between the 36i and the 36i perf? I assume the 36i perfomance is more expensive and it looks like the principal differences are a slightly taller rig and a slightly deeper keel.
2. Lurking in this forum, I've noticed numerous threads regarding QA issues and poor communication/inaction by Jeanneau on valid warranty matters. Am I at the mercy of having to find a standup dealer, or has Jeanneau improved on these? Also, must all warranty work be done by the selling dealer? (It happens that I'm in discussions with a RI dealer, but would berth the boat in NY at a marina run by another Jeanneau dealer.)
3. Is there really a discernible performance difference between the SO 36i w/ the shoal keel and one w/ the standard keel?
4. There seem to be a number of issues regarding deck cracking and flexing that have been discussed here. While I know of these problems in the Beneteau line, I'm surprised to learn of them on Jeanneaus. Any such problems you've experienced so far on the 36i?
5. If you had to do it again, is there anything you would have ordered/installed/done differently on your boat. (For example, a friend with an SO 45.2 told me he should have ordered electric primaries rather than the manuals).
Especially with the $ - euro exchange rate being what it is, I want to make sure I have my ducks in a row before heading to Annapolis next month! Many thanks in advance for any and all replies.
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Post by fairmarketvalue on Sept 24, 2007 0:15:28 GMT
No one knows anything about this boat? Come on - someone help a brother out here.
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Post by MartyB on Sept 24, 2007 3:29:38 GMT
I've considered upgrading, or should I say up size from my arcadia. I have to admit, at this time, the new rigs do NOT interest me at all, for what you just described. The 36i from what I can see PHRF rating wise, is slower than the old SO/SF37 by 10 sec a mile, which is 20-30 sec a mile slower than the SO/SF 35 which is generally in the 90-100 range for an SF, and 110-120 for the 6 or 4.5' SO models.
They do have a bigger interior to a point, but in the end, if one were to ask me, they made them slower than the predicessors.
There are a few of these sold in the puget sound region where I am at. They appear to be fast cruisers, to slow cruiser racers. Where as teh SF35 models, were fast cruiser/racers, to a slow racer/cruiser. The 36I is probably more in line speed wise with the catilinas you are famlier with.
i would get a per pkg if I were to buy one of these, but with out cockpit traveller, deck teped mst is not a killer for me, but the so far what I can tell slowness vs the 35' it replaced, it is not a rig I would buy, i only gain 20-30 sec a mile over my 30' Jeanneau. Why spend 170K to not gain much.
Marty
Ra
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Post by fairmarketvalue on Sept 24, 2007 13:15:28 GMT
Marty, Many thanks for the input. Truth to tell, my interest in the SO 36i came about because of some Annapolis boat show pricing that's been offered to me. I'm disappointed Jeanneau retired the SF 37 in favor of the SO 36i performance. I guess I'll keep an eye out for a well-maintained, late year SF 37. It looks like it would be a much more fun boat AND I can let someone else worry about any QA issues and depreciation.  |
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Post by MartyB on Sept 24, 2007 14:54:37 GMT
There is a SF37 in Seattle. Blue hull, clean interior......150'ish IIRC at marine Servicenter. I was aboard her a week or so ago. There is also an SF35 on the east coast, 125'ish IIRC with a deep blue or black hull, The 35 is the fastest of these three boats. larson marine had a SF35 that was new for the last 2 yrs, i have gotten a rumour they have sold it. Otherwise, I was toying with trying to make an offer on it.
You and I are not the only ones dissappointed the 35 and 37 were retired, they were nice fast boats, easily raced with the correct gear. No not as fast as some boats in that size, ie J109's X35's etc, but still fast enough to have fun on them.
Marty
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Post by MartyB on Sept 25, 2007 0:41:44 GMT
Malcolm
looking at what few 36i PHRF ratings I can find, vs the SO/SF 35 and 37 which are readily availible, when comparing say the performance models, vs the st 6' keels or the shoal drafts, all the way across the board, the 35 is about 30 secs a mile faster in ratings, than the 36I, and about20 seconds faster than the 37. The difference from what I can tell, is the 36i has a 1' shorter waterline, approx 1000 lbs heavier, yes it does have more sail area of about 20 sq ft, or doing a conversion the best I can thats about 2 sq meters? This is against the SF/SO35, I have not tried to compare these numbers to a 37 as that is really not in my upgrade plans.
Then last summer at the NW US and SW Canada roundezvous, an SO 35 shoal draft skooted by a new 6' keel 36i with out too many problems in 5-7 knots of wind. Not sure how well that one was tuned etc, as it was that owners first time out with it. i was keeping up with her for a bit, then screwed up, but overall, with 20 yr old dacs, was doing pretty well against some of the mid 30' boats.
Interior wise, yes it is bigger than its 35 and 37' predicessors, speed wise, I am not so sure it has hit the mark. And from quotes by the US pres or equal, these boats were setup more for a cruiser than a racer. ALA the traveler was to be cabin top mounted only, as clients complained about it being in the cockpit. They seemed to have dumbed down the 36i in performance. maybe due to being as they sell a lot for sunsail in the charter biz, so they went with what they wanted more than the individual buyer. Then this could be also why we are seeing a different SF setup. A cruiser oriented rig, then a true racer rig. My feeling on the SF3200, is more of an open ocean racer, than an evening/afternoon local buoy racer with some cruising mixed in. The only on that hits this mark right now is the SF32i/performance as they are going to call it now. That has a 126 rating, about the same as a 6' keel SO37 or SD SO35.
I am sure the performance model will sail better etc than a std, but I do not believe it will keep up with an SF35, possibly a 37, even still the 37 has a foot of waterline, and equal to or a bit more displacement.
Marty
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Post by Jeff Motley on Sept 26, 2007 0:01:13 GMT
I own one of the few SF35's here on the west coast. She is an amazing boat. She is not going to beat a seriously raced J109, J35, Dash 34, mum36, etc., but she will hold her own with the C&C115 etc. My rating is 102. I race on a 1D35, and the guys I race with are seriously impressed with the boat vs say the C&C115.
Compared to the Sun SO35 from a performance perspective, there is no comparison. For those who do not want the traveler in the cockpit, you are never going to get the upwind performance. The keel makes all the difference in the world, shallow draft keels are meant for one thing, and one thing only, sailing in shallow water.
Speaking with the local dealer where i bought the boat, he is not impressed with the new "i"'s, but would recomend the performance version over the standard version.
Many years ago I had a Catalina 30, fantastic boat for cruising, but you needed a breeze to make her go. The SO35 and SF35 have identical interiors and hulls, it is the combination of a keel stepped mast, deep bulb keel and cockpit traveller that makes the world of difference in the two boats.
Overall I am really please with the quality, but have had problems with the Facnor swivel, and the Forespar Main Halyard Sheave and seperator assembly.
I am obviously quite biased, but when I was in the market a few years back I was considering the Benneteau first, Catalina 34, Dufour, C&C99 and the Bavaria Match 35.
None of these boats matched the criteria that my wife and i had
1) decent speed
2) walk through transom
3) seperate shower stall and vanity
4) two seperate main sleeping cabins
5) Fractional rig
6) adjustable back stay (Standard)
7) Wood interior vs the javex bottle look
8) Yanmar diesel
9) Electric windlas
until we chanced upon the SF35.
We have sailed her two full seasons, and my only complaint is that the jib shets occasionaly get wrapped around the windlass.
In any event, a Jeanneau will be a real step up from a Catalina. Catalina's are great boats once you get them to the anchorage, but for me anyways, it's about the journey!
What ever you decide, be safe and enjoy! :
Jeff
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Post by MartyB on Sept 26, 2007 6:51:04 GMT
Jeff,
You did not happen to buy the SF 35 that was for sale in seattle about 2 yrs ago with a tiller by any chance? Or a different one yet?
marty
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Post by MartyB on Sept 26, 2007 7:17:36 GMT
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Post by Jeff Motley on Sept 26, 2007 8:18:00 GMT
Hi Marty
Nice to meet u over the forum.
No, i bought the only one that was available in Vancouver from Fraser Yacht Sales. Mine is the wheel version, which was my preference, get enough of the tiller racing, and wanted something that my wife was comfortable with. She is so comfortable, all I do is trim!
Jeff
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Post by MartyB on Sept 26, 2007 15:22:06 GMT
Jeff, Try to make the roundezvous held at bedwell harbor the 4th weekend in June in conjuction with fraser yachts and marine servicenter in seattle. Enjoyed it a lot. There was 24 owned boats, and one demo ea from fraser and marine servicenter. I managed to out dual MSC 42ds in the last leg of race or parade of boats as they called it to keep insurance or some such thing at ease!:R Sounds like you have what spouse and I would like to move up to from our 30'r. May have to buy used, or go with another brand:(  She is liking the looks of Xyachts.......Also the 115, but there seem to be some issues brewing with that brand. Then the J109 is an option too. The 36i appears to be a bit slow for our needs and wants. We like having all the trim stuff in the cockpit, so "I" like you can trim while she steers. marty |
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Post by MalcolmP on Sept 26, 2007 18:36:52 GMT
Marty Many thanks for sourcing the sailing world reviews I will post them on the next update I still would feel the SO36i performance whilst likely not equal to a SF35 has considerable merit over a standard SO36i, they also have dyform rigging and feathering props as well as the deep keel, higher aspect rig, upgraded deck gear and better sail options but then I am only a cruiser ;-( Malcolm |
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Post by MartyB on Sept 26, 2007 23:53:55 GMT
Malcolm,
I agree that a 36iP will be a better performer than a 36i. But, if one is wanting to beer can/buoy race, then in all honesty, the SF35 is a better boat, and I still fell a 36iP will not perform as well as a SF37 either. This is just from looking at local ratings. Yes the 36iP will move along, as far as a cruiser.
Hopefully there will be an SF3500 or equal that will be more of a balanced race/cruiser rig like the SF35. The SF3200, while a fast rig, not sure until I can see some interior pics, how cruiser oriented it will be for those with spouses that like there cake and eat it too!
Hopefully the powers at be, will read comments like mine and jeffs, and others such as Tim that have inputed as far as race style rigs, will get something to market such as Beneteau and others, with the oceanus line, along with the first line. A cruiser oriented line, then the race line, but still has some niceties in the cabin. Unlike a Farr 40 or equal.
Marty
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