SO 389 Opinions and Headroom

[mrclu]

Hello All,

I am considering purchasing a SO 389 and I was wondering if any existing owners can share their thoughts and experiences with the model including would it but it again?  If you could also provide any insight into the headroom in the main saloon and cabins that would be great.

Thanks

Paul

[Chris Meyer]

Dec 22, 2021 8:59:19 GMT mrclu said:

Hello All,

I am considering purchasing a SO 389 and I was wondering if any existing owners can share their thoughts and experiences with the model including would it but it again?  If you could also provide any insight into the headroom in the main saloon and cabins that would be great.

Thanks

Paul

Hey Paul,
We bought a new SO 389 which is a 2020 model.   We traded in a Beneteau 321 which we bought new in 2000.

We absolutely love our 389 with new features we didn't have before such as AC, bow thruster, and larger fridge.   We have a code 0 sail which is easy to launch and fly.   We have the full size fold down transom which great for a swimming platform and when we back into a new marina.

We have the shoal keel which comes with twin rudders which we really like.

In terms of headroom, I am 6 feet tall and have no issues at all.   I do have to duck slightly when going into the forward bunk area, but I don't go in there much.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Chris

[moe58]

Hello Paul

I bought a new SO389 in 2017. I had never owned a sailboat before that and had no sailing experience. I did a lot of research, visited many boat shows, and went sailing with other boat owners, before making my purchase decision. The SO 389 ticked all the boxes for me. I have enjoyed sailing her a lot over the past 5 years. 

The roominess is perfect for a couple. Headroom is adequate, but maybe a bit of a challenge for a tall person using the aft sleeping berth. The forward sleeping berth has lots of headroom but not very wide. The salon is very roomy with lots of headroom. One of the nicest features about the 2017 model is the ample storage space.

Good luck with your purchase.

Cheers

[frank69]

Hey Paul,
After a year of research on 32-40' monohauls, I decided on a 389.  My wife and I wanted a mid-size comfortable coastal cruiser that we were comfortable to take offshore on short passages (1-3 days) but equally comfortable at the dock and anchor with the kids and all the water toys.   The 389 seemed to fit the bill.  I purchased a 2018, 2-cabin version, 389 in May and we have not been disappointed.  I'm 5'11" and plenty of headroom and storage.  My wife and I started sleeping in the aft cabin but discovered the forward had more headroom and stowage and now stay there when aboard.  I just recently brought her from Annapolis, Md to Georgetown, SC she was very comfortable and a pleasure to sail.  We had favorable weather for the journey south, so my only experience is sailing her in optimal wind and sea.  10-18kts and 1'-5' seas. 

389 Observation:
As is the trend, the wide beam continued aft on the 389 gives lots of room below and is good for stability.  Drawback is she rolls a bit in any sea.  In my opinion worth the trade-off.


Cheers and good luck in your search!

Frank B.

[mrclu]

Hi All,

Thanks for the info, really useful.

To be more specific on the headroom I am 6'2" (188cm) and I read a review somewhere claiming headroom to be only 6'2" but that sounds incorrect from your comments.  

Merry Christmas!

Paul

[jdl01]

Hi Paul,
The 6'2" headroom is wrong. My 6'3" son wanders about below decks with no dents in his forehead.
I'm not certain how a new boat purchase goes now that no boats are being built in USA, but in 2012, when we purchased our boat new, the " base boat" was pretty basic, with a very long list of options one could add for a price. Different dealers set up option packages which they advanced ordered as their particular " base boat" and offered as their in stock model. This may lead to some apple & oranges comparisons if you are shopping among different dealers. They mostly have their future deliveries in an order pipeline, with the option packages already determined. Few dealers have any new boats available for sale in their yards, particularly because of the plague delays. Eight months to a year waiting times seem to be the norm, and if you want an option that doesn't happen to match your dealer's base boat, the timelines can be even greater. Dealers can and do trade orders in the pipeline with each other to try and get an option match for their customers, but this may mean taking options in the package you didn't want as a first choice. Buying used avoids all these hassles.
We are an elderly couple who sail double or single handed in the Salish Sea on the west coast. For us, the cockpit layout and ergonomics of the 379/389 are very good, with gear easily at hand and easy movement around the cockpit in most weather conditions. Sight lines are very good for sails, instruments and the sea around you. Helm feedback is not great due in part to the hydraulic ram for the autopilot. Instrument manufactures seem to change year to year, depending where beneteau could get the best deal, so I can only speak to Simrad, who provided a good instrument suite and autopilot, which makes up for the poor feedback sensitivity. One shortcoming is the need for more handholds in the cockpit and deck. We added a strong stainless hoop on the aft end of the cockpit table, which helps getting between the two helms in a blow as well as guarding the GPS/central instrument controller. Strong handhods on the sides and aft edge of the dodger are also required.
Sail handling gear is generally undersized to save money and cheap versions of units like the windlass gnaw away at the pleasure of yacht ownership.
If you sail fully crewed or club race, the cockpit layout does not work that well, particularly handling sheets for the main, genoa and code 0. The mast accomodates only single halyards and the genoa roller gear is for furling, not reefing [good reefed sail shape is not in the cards]. I replaced mine with a Harken Mark 4 just to get good sail shape when cruising. The dacron, crosscut stock factory sails are disappointing. There was an option for upgraded radial cut laminated sails. The upgrade cost was reasonable and the difference in performance considerable.
For the money, she is a good boat, but I should have dug deeper and bought a Dehler 38.

[Chris Meyer]

Dec 25, 2021 1:39:54 GMT jdl01 said:

Hi Paul,
The 6'2" headroom is wrong. My 6'3" son wanders about below decks with no dents in his forehead.
I'm not certain how a new boat purchase goes now that no boats are being built in USA, but in 2012, when we purchased our boat new, the " base boat" was pretty basic, with a very long list of options one could add for a price. Different dealers set up option packages which they advanced ordered as their particular " base boat" and offered as their in stock model. This may lead to some apple & oranges comparisons if you are shopping among different dealers. They mostly have their future deliveries in an order pipeline, with the option packages already determined. Few dealers have any new boats available for sale in their yards, particularly because of the plague delays. Eight months to a year waiting times seem to be the norm, and if you want an option that doesn't happen to match your dealer's base boat, the timelines can be even greater. Dealers can and do trade orders in the pipeline with each other to try and get an option match for their customers, but this may mean taking options in the package you didn't want as a first choice. Buying used avoids all these hassles.
We are an elderly couple who sail double or single handed in the Salish Sea on the west coast. For us, the cockpit layout and ergonomics of the 379/389 are very good, with gear easily at hand and easy movement around the cockpit in most weather conditions. Sight lines are very good for sails, instruments and the sea around you. Helm feedback is not great due in part to the hydraulic ram for the autopilot. Instrument manufactures seem to change year to year, depending where beneteau could get the best deal, so I can only speak to Simrad, who provided a good instrument suite and autopilot, which makes up for the poor feedback sensitivity. One shortcoming is the need for more handholds in the cockpit and deck. We added a strong stainless hoop on the aft end of the cockpit table, which helps getting between the two helms in a blow as well as guarding the GPS/central instrument controller. Strong handhods on the sides and aft edge of the dodger are also required.
Sail handling gear is generally undersized to save money and cheap versions of units like the windlass gnaw away at the pleasure of yacht ownership.
If you sail fully crewed or club race, the cockpit layout does not work that well, particularly handling sheets for the main, genoa and code 0. The mast accomodates only single halyards and the genoa roller gear is for furling, not reefing [good reefed sail shape is not in the cards]. I replaced mine with a Harken Mark 4 just to get good sail shape when cruising. The dacron, crosscut stock factory sails are disappointing. There was an option for upgraded radial cut laminated sails. The upgrade cost was reasonable and the difference in performance considerable.
For the money, she is a good boat, but I should have dug deeper and bought a Dehler 38.

I never heard of a Dehler 38.   It looks nice, but it is at least 50% more than the SO 389 we bought.   I am not sure that is worth it.   I would rather have a Jeanneau 410 with cash to spare.

[Quiddle]

Dec 26, 2021 15:33:41 GMT Chris Meyer said:

Dec 25, 2021 1:39:54 GMT jdl01 said:

Hi Paul,
The 6'2" headroom is wrong. My 6'3" son wanders about below decks with no dents in his forehead.
I'm not certain how a new boat purchase goes now that no boats are being built in USA, but in 2012, when we purchased our boat new, the " base boat" was pretty basic, with a very long list of options one could add for a price. Different dealers set up option packages which they advanced ordered as their particular " base boat" and offered as their in stock model. This may lead to some apple & oranges comparisons if you are shopping among different dealers. They mostly have their future deliveries in an order pipeline, with the option packages already determined. Few dealers have any new boats available for sale in their yards, particularly because of the plague delays. Eight months to a year waiting times seem to be the norm, and if you want an option that doesn't happen to match your dealer's base boat, the timelines can be even greater. Dealers can and do trade orders in the pipeline with each other to try and get an option match for their customers, but this may mean taking options in the package you didn't want as a first choice. Buying used avoids all these hassles.
We are an elderly couple who sail double or single handed in the Salish Sea on the west coast. For us, the cockpit layout and ergonomics of the 379/389 are very good, with gear easily at hand and easy movement around the cockpit in most weather conditions. Sight lines are very good for sails, instruments and the sea around you. Helm feedback is not great due in part to the hydraulic ram for the autopilot. Instrument manufactures seem to change year to year, depending where beneteau could get the best deal, so I can only speak to Simrad, who provided a good instrument suite and autopilot, which makes up for the poor feedback sensitivity. One shortcoming is the need for more handholds in the cockpit and deck. We added a strong stainless hoop on the aft end of the cockpit table, which helps getting between the two helms in a blow as well as guarding the GPS/central instrument controller. Strong handhods on the sides and aft edge of the dodger are also required.
Sail handling gear is generally undersized to save money and cheap versions of units like the windlass gnaw away at the pleasure of yacht ownership.
If you sail fully crewed or club race, the cockpit layout does not work that well, particularly handling sheets for the main, genoa and code 0. The mast accomodates only single halyards and the genoa roller gear is for furling, not reefing [good reefed sail shape is not in the cards]. I replaced mine with a Harken Mark 4 just to get good sail shape when cruising. The dacron, crosscut stock factory sails are disappointing. There was an option for upgraded radial cut laminated sails. The upgrade cost was reasonable and the difference in performance considerable.
For the money, she is a good boat, but I should have dug deeper and bought a Dehler 38.

I never heard of a Dehler 38.   It looks nice, but it is at least 50% more than the SO 389 we bought.   I am not sure that is worth it.   I would rather have a Jeanneau 410 with cash to spare.

I used to have an SO 379 and now have a Dehler 38. They are dearer but worth it IMO but it depends what you want. The Dehler has less above deck storage and a tiny heads but is much more rewarding to sail.

[element]

Friend of my have a Dehler 38. It is a very nice boot, but it a different boat in a different segment apart of the same length.

The Dehler 38 is more a cruiser-racer whilst a 379/389 is more a cruiser.
So the dehler will be faster, agile and more fun to sail. 
Cruising will be more relaxed with the Jeanneau, where for instance a bimini is possible because there is no traveller in the cockpit.

As mentioned already, the Dehler fits in a different segment price-wise. It is 50% more expensive than a similar length Jeanneau.
This 50% extra gives you apart of better sailing capabilities also a more luxurious look-and-feel both inside as outside.

So, like always, it is about priorities how much you are willing to spend and if you tend more to a cruiser or a cruiser-racer.

We have a SO39i Performance, which nicely spices up the sailing capabilities and fun without the compromise of the cruising characteristics like stowage space.
A Dehler 38 will still sail better, but both cruising capabilities and budget did us opt for a Jeanneau 39iP.