jimh
New Member
Posts: 8
Jeanneau Model: 1984 Sabre 34 (in search of Jeanneau)
Yacht Name: Valinor
Home Port: Edgewater, MD
Country: USA
|
Post by jimh on Apr 29, 2021 1:33:29 GMT
Hi all, I’m new here, but not a new sailor. We’ve owned our Sabre 34 for 12 seasons, but we are a family of 5 and looking to move up. There are several Jeanneau models that we like, and have friends who own them and love their boats. My question is specifically about the SO 45 that came out in 2006 (I believe). I noticed that the primary winches are set fairly far forward in the cockpit. The only reasons this is of any consequence is that SO many other Jeanneaus of the same era, including the 45 DS, 42i, 42DS, etc. all have primaries back closer to the helm.
For anyone who has sailed the SO 45 — Why did Jeanneau do this on this one particular boat? Or perhaps a better question is — how does this impact you when short-handed sailing? I would think it means frequent trips from the helm up to the winches and back. Or am I missing something?
If this has been well-covered, apologies for asking again. I found one topic that was semi-related, but not exactly the same question.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this! -Jim H Maryland
|
|
|
Post by dslittle on May 3, 2021 8:36:12 GMT
We have a 45DS with the set up that you mention. We have in mast reefing which means that (generally) I only use those winches twice per sail setting the sail and then getting it in again. Obviously there are times when we’ve reefed but they are few and far between. We normally sail with just the two of us but even single handed, it is easy to set the sail using the auto pilot. That said, we do cruise, not race.
It has never seemed a problem to me...
P.S. As an aside, if you get winch covers made up for those winches ask for a foam head pad to be added as they make great head rests when lounging!!!
|
|
jimh
New Member
Posts: 8
Jeanneau Model: 1984 Sabre 34 (in search of Jeanneau)
Yacht Name: Valinor
Home Port: Edgewater, MD
Country: USA
|
Post by jimh on May 5, 2021 3:28:35 GMT
We have a 45DS with the set up that you mention. We have in mast reefing which means that (generally) I only use those winches twice per sail setting the sail and then getting it in again. Obviously there are times when we’ve reefed but they are few and far between. We normally sail with just the two of us but even single handed, it is easy to set the sail using the auto pilot. That said, we do cruise, not race. It has never seemed a problem to me... P.S. As an aside, if you get winch covers made up for those winches ask for a foam head pad to be added as they make great head rests when lounging!!! Thanks for the reply and the tip about the foam pads. I think we are talking about different winches though. I’m referring to the genoa winches. On the boats we’ve seen, the 45DS genoa winches are just forward of the helm stations. So you can be at the wheel and reach them. The 45 (non-DS), in contrast, has those winches at the forward end of the cockpit coamings, just aft of the dodger (if there is one)—way out of reach from the helm. So that’s why I asked. Most boats of that same era, especially from Jeanneau, have genoa winches where the DS has them — easy to each from the helm.
|
|
|
Post by sabmd42 on May 6, 2021 21:52:20 GMT
Not sure about the 2006 SO45, but I have a 1999 SO 45.2. The genoa winches are forward the way you describe. I often single hand and use the autopilot to steer while I adjust the genoa or tack. I was concerned about the layout when I first got the boat 8 years ago, but it is really no big deal and was very easy to get used to. Steve
|
|
jimh
New Member
Posts: 8
Jeanneau Model: 1984 Sabre 34 (in search of Jeanneau)
Yacht Name: Valinor
Home Port: Edgewater, MD
Country: USA
|
Post by jimh on May 8, 2021 3:11:38 GMT
Not sure about the 2006 SO45, but I have a 1999 SO 45.2. The genoa winches are forward the way you describe. I often single hand and use the autopilot to steer while I adjust the genoa or tack. I was concerned about the layout when I first got the boat 8 years ago, but it is really no big deal and was very easy to get used to. Steve Thanks Steve, that is helpful. -JimH
|
|
|
Post by dslittle on May 10, 2021 8:25:51 GMT
Ahhh yes I was talking about the forward secondary winches. Sorry, as you say, my primary winches are just forward of the helm so easy to tweak. Hope that you find yours manageable to sail with, they are lovely yachts...
|
|
zgunay
New Member
SO 45 Performance in Cesme Turkey
Posts: 4
|
Post by zgunay on Apr 12, 2022 8:45:55 GMT
Hi. I have an SO45 performance 2006 model and I have been using the boat for 8 years and mostly for cruising now. I find the placement of the primary winches suitable. Since the winches are manual, you would not be able to operate them from behind the helm, that means you would either rely on a second person to use the winch or to the auto pilot. Since I never sail alone this is not a big issue for me. But I agree on one point, which is every time the genoa sheet is handled, the person lying comfortably in the leeward seat next to the winch should be moved away whereas if the winch would have been placed further aft, the person could just pull the legs up and somebody could operate the sheet. However this is not a deal breaking issue I think.
|
|
|
Post by jasont on Dec 20, 2022 12:23:36 GMT
We have a 45DS with the set up that you mention. We have in mast reefing which means that (generally) I only use those winches twice per sail setting the sail and then getting it in again. Obviously there are times when we’ve reefed but they are few and far between. We normally sail with just the two of us but even single handed, it is easy to set the sail using the auto pilot. That said, we do cruise, not race. It has never seemed a problem to me... P.S. As an aside, if you get winch covers made up for those winches ask for a foam head pad to be added as they make great head rests when lounging!!! Thanks for the reply and the tip about the foam pads. I think we are talking about different winches though. I’m referring to the genoa winches. On the boats we’ve seen, the 45DS genoa winches are just forward of the helm stations. So you can be at the wheel and reach them. The 45 (non-DS), in contrast, has those winches at the forward end of the cockpit coamings, just aft of the dodger (if there is one)—way out of reach from the helm. So that’s why I asked. Most boats of that same era, especially from Jeanneau, have genoa winches where the DS has them — easy to each from the helm.
|
|
|
Post by jasont on Dec 20, 2022 12:39:31 GMT
Hi, I have just bought an early SO45 (2005) and I too was looking at options for the Genoa winches, how have you found it since the last post?
Myself and my wife sail generally sail on our own or short handed so being able to tack short handed / single handed would be a benefit. We used to own a 2013 SO379 which had the winches near the helm and we short handed her around the Med and English Channel, however she was a bit small for long periods afloat hence buying a SO45. I was thinking about adding another set of sheet winches just in front of the helm on top of the coaming as there looks like a reinforcement pad molded in below (between the locker lid and the instruments) and wondered if anybody else had done it? i was also thinking of adding a turning block secured to the fairlead adjacent to the helm.
The other option and much cheaper was to add another Autopilot control to the forward end of the cockpit adjacent to the main hatch and use the Autopilot to auto-tack and steer while I do the sheets.
|
|
|
Post by Don Reaves on Dec 20, 2022 13:01:48 GMT
I have a SO35, so the geometry is different. I single-hand all the time, and have no trouble tacking using the autopilot, even though I need to be in front of the pedestal (and the autopilot controls). After starting the tack operation by pressing two buttons at the same time, I have plenty of time to turn around and take care of the sheets. Note that before I press the buttons, I have the active sheet in hand, ready to cast it off when the boat begins the turn.
Would this not work for you also without adding another autopilot control?
|
|
|
Post by jasont on Dec 20, 2022 13:43:41 GMT
Hi Don, Many thanks for your input on using the Autopilot and that it is feasible, our SO45 has twin wheels and the autopilot control is built into the coaming on the far starboard side and nothing on the port, plus we have a large table in the middle which you also need to get around which adds to the challenge. I think I may opt for another control head as lots of ST6000 bits are available on Ebay and give it a go and either place it up fwd or on the port side to mirror the starboard side
If this doesn't work I may invest in the winches... my local Chandlery has some discounted Lewmar ones which I am quite interested in assuming the coaming is strong enough, it would be nice to know if anybody else has done it i.e. for spinnaker sheets.
Kind regards
Jason
|
|
|
Post by Don Reaves on Dec 20, 2022 13:55:51 GMT
Ah yes -- the table. I don't have one, and am actually happy about that. It keeps the cockpit clear for sail handling.
|
|
|
Post by John on Dec 20, 2022 13:56:25 GMT
Hi Jason, The 45 is a nice boat the winches are in the earlier position , If you like the 45 model I would still go for it , if your on long tacks another option would be furl the genoa , tack and unfurl .
|
|
|
Post by bereboot on Dec 20, 2022 17:30:59 GMT
I have a remote wireless control box. Works easily at a distance up to 7 mr. Perhaps a solution for you too.
|
|
|
Post by jasont on Dec 22, 2022 17:08:22 GMT
I had looked into remote controls for the Autopilot and Raymarine do a unit with a base station which is an nice option as I won't have to cut a hole in the bulkhead, i also think I have seen another supplier which do something similar which they say is compatible and half the price if only I can find the link again. Do I trust myself not to loose the remote, or fit another head unit?
|
|