yolo
Junior Member
Posts: 16
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Post by yolo on Dec 25, 2013 16:17:37 GMT
We are the proud new owners of the first NC14 commissioned in North America! Her name is "Volans" She is presently in Westbrook CT and we will be taking her to Lake Champlain in July 2014 to be closer to home which is Montreal. We are looking to connect with other NC14 owners. PS We love our new boat!
Nous sommes de nouveaux propriétaires du NC14, le premier bateau livré en Amérique du Nord. "Volans" est présentement au Connecticut et son port d'attache sera Willsboro Bay NY, au Lac Champlain. Nous sommes de Montréal et cherchons à partager notre expérience avec d'autres propriétaires potentiels du NC14. PS Notre bateau est fantastique!
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Post by MalcolmP on Dec 27, 2013 18:37:17 GMT
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Post by belmar on Jan 15, 2014 23:13:58 GMT
Congrats! Like to hear more about the 14 !
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yolo
Junior Member
Posts: 16
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Post by yolo on Jan 21, 2014 3:13:24 GMT
She is very practical with a lot of features which our most preferred are 1- Big owners suite with a lot of headroom 2- Great helm station with seating for 2 adults with plenty of elbow room and a nice door to access side decks 3- A practical combination: breakfast dinette, guest seating area and lounging area next to helm station 4- A fantastic storage "basement" for bikes and equipment with nice storage drawer bins 5- IPS with bow thruster 6- Cockpit with sliding seat that increases space 7- Asymetrical side deck layout with increased width to starboard 8- Really quiet boat We get a lot of nice comments about her design. Very modern but with some simplicity. She is also a very bright boat. She rides nicely and is very dry. She does ride a bit harder to our liking in heavy seas only when going into the weather but we think we will solve this by increasing the trim force adding some interceptors. One great thing is that you can take her down to 13 its and she still stays on plane. Our boat has a lot of equipment: Larger engines, Hydraulic platform, Sonic hub, big genset, ice maker/grill etc and we thoroughly enjoy her We will keep you posted on how we make out on trying to improve the ride
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nulport
New Member
Posts: 1
Jeanneau Model: Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 439 2011 # 016
Yacht Name: Nul Port
Home Port: Lake Champlain Malletts Bay VT
Country: United State
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Post by nulport on Jan 26, 2014 15:22:40 GMT
She is very practical with a lot of features which our most preferred are 1- Big owners suite with a lot of headroom 2- Great helm station with seating for 2 adults with plenty of elbow room and a nice door to access side decks 3- A practical combination: breakfast dinette, guest seating area and lounging area next to helm station 4- A fantastic storage "basement" for bikes and equipment with nice storage drawer bins 5- IPS with bow thruster 6- Cockpit with sliding seat that increases space 7- Asymetrical side deck layout with increased width to starboard 8- Really quiet boat We get a lot of nice comments about her design. Very modern but with some simplicity. She is also a very bright boat. She rides nicely and is very dry. She does ride a bit harder to our liking in heavy seas only when going into the weather but we think we will solve this by increasing the trim force adding some interceptors. One great thing is that you can take her down to 13 its and she still stays on plane. Our boat has a lot of equipment: Larger engines, Hydraulic platform, Sonic hub, big genset, ice maker/grill etc and we thoroughly enjoy her We will keep you posted on how we make out on trying to improve the ride
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Post by belmar on Feb 28, 2014 11:28:47 GMT
There are a lot of positives on the NC 14! You bought the bowtruster next to the Volvo joystick system or in stead of it?
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Post by belmar on Feb 28, 2014 11:42:27 GMT
About the hard ride: I have read that in several reviews to. On my NC11 I can trim the Z-drives down but additionally using the optional Lenco trim tabs realy makes a difference in head seas: much more comfortable ride and an increase of speed (1-2 Kn) at the same revs. The old Volvo interceptors have the reputation of being not very reliable: for 2014 they made a new system: don't know what to expect from that system.
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yolo
Junior Member
Posts: 16
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Post by yolo on Mar 7, 2014 13:31:24 GMT
Thanks for your reply. I have decided to increase the size of the tabs. I should get about 30% more trim force with the increased size. Will try this first and report back. You are right about the interceptors. I have heard about someone in our yard who had issues but he finally got everything working well and likes them. The new ones are probably better. As for the comparison with your NC11, you have drives I believe. We have IPS. IPS have great advantages but one minor disadvantage is they don't allow the boat to be trimmed other than with external devices such as tabs or interceptors. So it's a bit harder to get the nose down but the larger tabs hopefully will work
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Post by belmar on Mar 31, 2014 20:48:01 GMT
Hi, Is there any follow-up on the trim tabs already? Can you give some information about your experience with the bow-thruster versus the joystick operation?
CU Belmar
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yolo
Junior Member
Posts: 16
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Post by yolo on Apr 1, 2014 15:13:30 GMT
Hi,
The bigger tabs have been installed. It was a way too complicated with Jeanneau and the consistent reports of rough ride in headseas written by a few industry journalists was not enough to convince them of the issue, they said they would still need to sea trial the boat. And how to evaluate with a sea trial when the day you go out is flat clam. Also I didn't want to delay and have to haul the boat out again so I went ahead and got it done on my own tab. "Lenco" initially made calculations on the trim tab size and were a bit too conservative in their recommendations to Jeanneau. I was able to increase one size of tabs (30% tab force) without creating any conflict with the hydraulic swim platform. I have not sea trialed yet but will do so in April. Hopefully the 30% increase in tab force, especially considering the lighter weight of the NC14, should allow me to push bow down further and allow the bow to do it's work and smooth the ride in head seas. As for the IPS joystick in combination with the bow thruster, it's an absolute joy and operating the boat, even in tight quarters is easy and totally relaxing!
Ron
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Post by belmar on Apr 2, 2014 16:05:12 GMT
Hi, I have read those reports in MBM and MBY about handling in rougher seas: I know that Jeanneau was not very amused (not to speak of pissed off) when they read that. I also translated a test from a Norwegian boat magazine, who took the NC 14 from Holland to Norway trough the North Sea and Baltic: they had rougher seas but didn't mention a extremely bumpy ride as the Brits did but they were with more people on board so perhaps a bit different weight balance? Anchors and chains in the bow? So I guess you have to do some 6 feet high seas to find out if bumpy rides are over now and make the final judgment -))
Which tool do you use more: the joystick or the bow thruster? Or both at the same time?
CU Belmar
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yolo
Junior Member
Posts: 16
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Post by yolo on Apr 2, 2014 23:46:29 GMT
I use the IPS mostly and do occasional tweaks with the Bow thruster. In example if I am backing in and try to move the stern in one direction and there is a bit of an unwanted bow movement I just correct the bow with the bow thruster. I use it very little but it just adds a nice finishing touch! And total peace of mind when it blows hard. As for the NC14 tests, there were two reports from the Brits as you say and they ultimately probably influenced each other ... but there was also a report from a french boat magazine who reported on the rough ride. I personally experienced the same. It's not as significant as reported by Jack Haines but It can certainly be improved. I would love to read the translation from the Norwegian boat magazine if you don't mind sharing: mccarthycote@me.com I am pretty confident the bigger tabs will do the job and refine my boating experience with this great boat and will report soon but maybe not from an experience in six foot seas ... Cheers Ron
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Post by belmar on Apr 4, 2014 23:41:34 GMT
Ron, I translated the Norwegian review into Dutch for my Jeanneau agent. I will translate it into Englisch and send it to you but I need to find some time to do so.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with the joystick and bowthruster. I will put my response in a new thread.
One more thing: since you have a new NC: check if the safety pins of your fire extinguishers in the motorcompartment are removed ( in my boat and another new NC11 I have tested they were still in place) Those pins are blocking your remote activation ( it is probably the same system as I have: remote activated from the pilot position) Opening the hatch to remove them is not very healthy when things are already burning -))
CU Belmar
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yolo
Junior Member
Posts: 16
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Post by yolo on Apr 5, 2014 12:52:17 GMT
Belmar, Thanks for your safety tip on the fire extinguishers. Please don't go through a translation, that's a lot of work to do. If you send me the link, i can contact them and perhaps the magazine has an english version on file ? Thanks so much Have a great boating season Ron
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yolo
Junior Member
Posts: 16
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Post by yolo on Apr 22, 2014 14:34:39 GMT
Remko, Thanks again for sending the boat test from Norwegian magazine. I tested the boat with the new tabs this weekend. The weather was relatively calm 1-2 feet waves but they seem to drive the nose in deeper so I think it will be a good improvement. I attached a picture of "Volans" with her new dinghy on the aft platform and a new paddleboard rack which works great. One disappointment though. The hull has developed gelcoat voids which are post-cure issues. A dozen on the starboard side and two on the port side. I am still awaiting news from Jeanneau to see how they will help us through this. The local Connecticut yard I am working with have a very good reputation for paint and fiberglass repair and they recommend the most cost effective alternative is to repair and paint the hull. I will let you know how it all gets resolved. Cheers Ron
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Post by belmar on Apr 22, 2014 20:34:27 GMT
Hi Ron,
Thanks for the picture: the rack is a beautiful solution and the swim platform is a conviniant launching area for the dinghy -))
Good news about the trim tabs! I am anxious to hear from you after a rougher test but the results until now sound promising.
The gelcoat troubles are annoying, I hope the 'French' 'laissez faire' approach doesn't add to it. To be honest: I had a list of about 10 smaller warranty problems: no arguing: they (Jeanneau and Dutch agent) solved it. To give you an impression: several leaks in the front window kit (you will find that out when it rains or sea spray is leaking on the equipment -), a leak in the boiler, wood finishes that will come off etc. But having owned, and still own, French cars you learn to appreciate good design and accept the typical French small imperfections. More annoying is it that the Volvo engines on the test model we sailed last year quit service in a channel to open sea caused by 'over the top' critical electronics measuring (non-existing) fuel pollution. The system has been improved by Volvo: we had no troubles with our own boat until now.
CU Remko
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yolo
Junior Member
Posts: 16
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Post by yolo on Apr 23, 2014 0:08:26 GMT
Remko, Thanks for your reply. My Volvo's have been very reliable and a joy to operate. We have a local volvo service specialist McDonnell Marine who are great and have been doing all the maintenance. It's re assuring that you have had your warranty issues taken care of and hopefully this gelcoat issue will be repaired to our satisfaction and with quick resolve. Will post soon Best Ron
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mac101
Junior Member
Posts: 11
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Post by mac101 on Sept 20, 2014 5:24:17 GMT
Remko, Thanks for your reply. My Volvo's have been very reliable and a joy to operate. We have a local volvo service specialist McDonnell Marine who are great and have been doing all the maintenance. It's re assuring that you have had your warranty issues taken care of and hopefully this gelcoat issue will be repaired to our satisfaction and with quick resolve. Will post soon Best Ron I am about to buy an NC 14. Any last minute advice? mac101
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mac101
Junior Member
Posts: 11
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Post by mac101 on Oct 4, 2014 16:20:44 GMT
My NC14 is on the way, expected in Tacoma mid next week. I look forward to sharing my first cruising adventure on Dame de la Mer.
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Post by belmar on Oct 16, 2014 21:32:02 GMT
Congrats! Like to hear about your first tour! We just 'did' the Holland-England tour with the NC11: about 130 Nm one way: back with an unexpected force 6 head on: the boat was coping very good so I expect the NC14 to be even better -))
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mac101
Junior Member
Posts: 11
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Post by mac101 on Oct 26, 2014 2:55:54 GMT
My first weekend cruise was a good shakedown trip to check out systems. Mostly great. A smooth cruiser for the Puget Sound and soon the Canadian waters to the north. i understand the earlier conversation on trim tabs. There is not enough tab to get the bow down as much as desired. To the owner who changed tabs, was it a stock/standard tab you switched to? Was it just a bigger tab plate with the same cylinder and pump as was in the factory boat? The only malfunction is my Schieiber touch screen for power and water monitoring is only an indecipherable blur, the dealer is ordering a new screen. Now I will get to see what the turnaround time is for ordering parts from France. A question for another owner, I could not find a description of the different positions of the water valve that changes water tanks, or I assume uses both together. Can someone describe that to me? And another question, is the factory refrigerator in the galley a DC only or does it switch to AC when on shore or generator power? The manual stated DC only which seems very unusual. i look forward to sharing information on the NC 14. thanks, Mike by the way, my boat is Dame de la Mer
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Post by belmar on Oct 26, 2014 17:38:27 GMT
Hi Mike, Congrats with your maiden trip!
About the last question (Fridge on DC): in my NC 11 are 2 convertors standard built in: as soon as you switch of the engines and switch to shorepower they will take care of the DC for the fridge. When you don't have shorepower or generator, the batteries will take care. I suppose that in the NC 14 it is similar.
I can not see a similarity on the water issue as I have only one watertank -)). My Lenco trim tabs are supplied by Jeanneau and can not be compared with the standard Lenco stuff: I don't know why but they are different to the standard Lenco stuff. I suppose the owners of Volans can give you a complete update on that issue. But I understand you want some more trimpower to?
As for spare parts from France: if your dealer is not the importer of Jeanneau keep in mind that the importer have to deal with some electronic 'paperwork' in a dedicated site: after that it is a matter of days before it arrives: urgent stuff can be snt with 24 hr delivery. I have to point out that we do not have a customs problem because we are EU: but the UPS-es of this world can cope with that in a fast way as I noticed when I ordered a Airmar weather station for the boat in the US.
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yolo
Junior Member
Posts: 16
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Post by yolo on Dec 14, 2014 21:30:19 GMT
Sorry Mike Had not gone to pro boards for a long time and just saw the email trail with Belmar. The refrigerator is same as Belmar described. As for the trim tabs I increased the plates from 9 inch to 12 inch. Jeanneau said they would be too big and the swim platform would not clear. I took my measurements and put the platform through its cycle and there was plenty of clearance. The 12 inch tabs make a big difference. It's a cheap upgrade as you use the same actuators and just change the plates (they cost $175 US and install was 2 hours at most). The boat runs great but I am still dealing with a leak in the sunroof. I hope to finally have resolved by next season. Boat is on the cradle stored inside. I had some fiberglass air voids repaired on both sides around the windows and had the boat repainted ( Jeanneau were very helpful and paid for costs) a beautiful metallic colour called snowpack silver from Alexseal. It looks amazing! Congratulations on your new purchase! Welcome to the club Cheers to you and Belmar! Ron
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Post by belmar on Dec 30, 2014 21:06:40 GMT
Cheers! Happy New Year and may we have a great season on the water! Remko (Belmar)
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mac101
Junior Member
Posts: 11
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Post by mac101 on Apr 9, 2015 14:57:34 GMT
Sorry Mike Had not gone to pro boards for a long time and just saw the email trail with Belmar. The refrigerator is same as Belmar described. As for the trim tabs I increased the plates from 9 inch to 12 inch. Jeanneau said they would be too big and the swim platform would not clear. I took my measurements and put the platform through its cycle and there was plenty of clearance. The 12 inch tabs make a big difference. It's a cheap upgrade as you use the same actuators and just change the plates (they cost $175 US and install was 2 hours at most). The boat runs great but I am still dealing with a leak in the sunroof. I hope to finally have resolved by next season. Boat is on the cradle stored inside. I had some fiberglass air voids repaired on both sides around the windows and had the boat repainted ( Jeanneau were very helpful and paid for costs) a beautiful metallic colour called snowpack silver from Alexseal. It looks amazing! Congratulations on your new purchase! Welcome to the club Cheers to you and Belmar! Ron
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