A few years ago the 12.5 was a top contender for "the next boat" so I did a lot of
research.
You're right- there is very little information available, odd because of the quantity of these boats made.
In searching YW, I found that listings were extremely variable and uneducated, so it takes multiple searches to find all of the 12.5s. Some are listed as "voyage" others as "voyager", others without any version of that. Many do not include the "12.5". I've seen them listed as 40' Jeanneaus and 43'
Jeanneau. I'd commonly seen them listed as
Jeanneau 41. The best way to "find them all" is search for Jeanneau between 40' and 43' and filter out what you don't like.
I researching the 12.5s available, I found that one had been
for sale for more than five years. Another had changed hands three times in three years, selling for something like $85k, $35k, $50k. I was talking to the
broker in the middle year when the
boat sold. Asking had been $50k, I was going to offer $42, and sombody got it before me with that $35k offer. Less than a year later it
sold for close to $50k.
There are two
galley designs, one curved and gorgeous, one a straight slab. I was told the latter was for the reduced
price charter market.
Beware that brokers will pull boats- including the 12.5- off the market for a year after they don't sell. So whatever you find on YW there are more for
sale, the
broker simply doesn't want to carry an over-priced boat for an unyielding seller. If you're serious, call a broker and see what they have that's not listed. At one time there were three 12.5s for
sale on Lake Champlain alone.
In general, I think the design is far more solid than Beneteaus of the same era.
As with any older boat, condition varies extensively. Beware photos which may be, like a dating website, five or ten years old- ask for fresh photos before travel or offers. Having watched a number of listings (not just 12.5s) over the course of three years it's interesting to see how photos change-
cushions change color, bottom gets repainted, hey where did the
rudder go? Dude, are the
cushions blue or orange or tan? Which is it? Is there an arch or not? Get fresh photos!
Remember that a lot of these boats are abused. Look at photos of the
engine. One 12.5 engine had been quickly spraypainted and if you know what you're looking at it was obvious they stuck lipstick on a pig. Look for signs of
water leaks, particularly in the forward
cabin and
salon windows.
Deck saturation is a real problem with boats of this vintage.
It's a great boat, I wish you luck finding the one that is right for you!
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