Buying a new Jeanneau NC Weekender 795 next week.

[charlies]

Hi all, newbie here. 

My wife and I wish to get a boat again and we have decided on a NC Weekender 795.

I've owned, with my family members, a range of small inboards 24' to 35' cabin cruisers.

My 4 daughters are all out of college (I paid for it all, no loans. Yes "ouch").  So now it's our time to enjoy life.

I'm buying a home and slip in Delaware (middle, east coast of USA) along the Indian River by Bethany Beach to retire.

2, 4 or maybe 6 people on-board.  Indian River Bay and Rehoboth Bay will be my normal cruising.   In my youth we traveled the intercoastal Waterway often and plan to do that again.

So, does the 200 HP Yamaha seem adequate?   The choices are 150, 200 and 250.

Being a single O/B I think a bow thruster will to helpful, not 100% necessary but helpful.

I'm building with the A/C with batteries, auto trim tabs, galley, windless, shore-power, the double steering (so I can fish too) and head with pump-out.   Curtains and stuff are not the important stuff.

Anything else you would caution me about or recommend I purchase in the build?   

All thoughts are appreciated.

P.S., 

So far having read so many positive comments I feel good about a 795 purchase.
   I'm seeing a few things of which to be aware:
      1) water leak from port window.

      2) battery switch is to be inspected often for loose switch handle.

      3) hydraulic hose abrasion when raising and dropping the engine out and in the water.

      4) check for floor deflection in cabin between V berths and in head compartment.

      5) ensure there is a AUTO bilge pump or have one installed.

   I also learned my wife is much smarter than I am: She wanted the A/C with batteries and the cabin can get warm in the sun.

Yes, this site is great. 

[Capt’n Ron]

Hi Charlies, congrats and you won’t be disappointed with the 795 weekender.  You have selected some good options and as you may have noticed there are a number of features mentioned on this board over the years, which are now standard features of the 795. 

Regarding engine size, for the most part the 200 HP is sufficient, but if you are going to have 4 to 6 people or take it out on the ocean I would recommend the larger 250 engine, although I heard that option won’t be available until the series 2 scheduled out in late 2020 to early 2021. I just got back from a salmon and halibut fishing trip with 3 people onboard and in the ocean with swells it took a bit of time and trim tabs to get up on plane and I could have used a 250.

Definitely recommend the the bow thruster.  My current slip is tight and makes it much easier to push the bow out and use the thruster to get around other boats around and when going to other docks you approach with much more confidence (just ignore those who say you are cheating).

Regarding trim tabs, I have the auto trim tabs and to be honest, from a performance standpoint they are too slow to respond so I don’t use them much.  If I were to to it again I would go with Zipwakes.  

You might rethink the curtains, not just for privacy, but I also use them to block the sun and it keeps the cabin much cooler, which you will find with all the windows in this boat it gets very hot. 

The second steering station was something I looked at, but to be honest, I’m glad I didn’t add it.  Space on the 795 is valuable and I just think it’s too big and would get in the way.  Instead I added an auto pilot to my kicker and it works great.  There are times it would be nice, but for most of the time it would just be in the way. That’s just my thought so it would be good if others added it to get their input. 

I also just added a salt water wash down to my 795 and it was great having on my last fishing trip so you may want to consider adding that (or in your case a river water wash down).

Other things:
- Windshield wipers.  I was told they were going to start making the adjustments at the factory, but I would follow up and and if anything have the dealer adjust the wipers.  It makes a big difference. 
- if you haven’t already, make sure you go out for a sea trial
- Follow up on the soft spot on the 795 step down to the head area.  I’m hoping they have resolved that issue.  Fritz knows all about it. 
- Sales and delivery varies depending on your dealer. Don’t assume anything and keep on them.

I’m sure others will have their thoughts to add as well.  

But again, congrats. 

Cheers,
Ron

[ihsan]

   First congragulations for your choice. We all learned from the forum a lot and keep learning  as time goes by.. I second what Ron has explained. I use the boat in the Aegean and in rough weather you xill definetely appreciate more power. 

    Extras added and your guests make considerable amount of weight.  I assume that  the builder takes into account normal whether conditions and  two person boat  in its 200 hp limit. Anyway, I have compared the 895 and 795 carrying capacities from their manuals and suprisingly 795 seems better in this case. You can also put a heavier engine to 795.

     I would mention the diesel heater. I found Webasto placed by the factory very effiecient in cold months. However I had to relocate it to save space.

      Finally, of course, a test ride will reveal more. 

       Happy cruises for many years to come.

       
       
      
     

[charlies]

Thank you to everyone for your responses both current and future.

I read them to my wife (we're working from home in the same room -- and after months like this we are still married.  ).

She was surprised by the well thought out responses and solid logic.    

This forum has only confirmed our belief that Jeanneau is the way to go.   

Check is in the mail with recommended upgrades: biggest change is to go with the 250 HP, Zipwakes and curtains.   I dropped the bow deck pads to offset the cost a bit.

I checked with the dealer and the A/C will also reverse to a heater.   Let's hope for the best with that.

Again, thank you.

CharlieS

[timbray]

You'll enjoy the boat.  If you're still on the fence about the bow thruster I'd get that.  My last boat was an inboard and much easier to steer, you're not twisting a hulking Yamaha back and forth.  I have tricky berths both at home and at my cabin and while I think I could manage both without, the bow thruster just removes the stress. Dunno about you, but after a spell on the boat, maybe the skipper's tired and one or two family members are a bit on the edgy side, I find low-stress docking to be a real quality of life improvement.

At my city dock I come in with the dock on the left so I have to do a 180° in tight quarters to get properly tied on the starboard side and after the first couple of times, with the bow thruster to lean on, I just don't even think about it any more, spin it while drifting in and usually make a stylish enough landing to draw the occasional compliment from the neighbors.

[charlies]

Sept 18, 2020 22:17:22 GMT timbray said:

You'll enjoy the boat.  If you're still on the fence about the bow thruster I'd get that.  My last boat was an inboard and much easier to steer, you're not twisting a hulking Yamaha back and forth.  I have tricky berths both at home and at my cabin and while I think I could manage both without, the bow thruster just removes the stress. Dunno about you, but after a spell on the boat, maybe the skipper's tired and one or two family members are a bit on the edgy side, I find low-stress docking to be a real quality of life improvement.

At my city dock I come in with the dock on the left so I have to do a 180° in tight quarters to get properly tied on the starboard side and after the first couple of times, with the bow thruster to lean on, I just don't even think about it any more, spin it while drifting in and usually make a stylish enough landing to draw the occasional compliment from the neighbors.

Thank you for taking the time to respond.   I did get the bow thruster. 

I have a easy outside slip so I don't need to maneuver, but at the pump it can get a bit crowded. 

Any other good advice is appreciate.