Visit our Popular Forums

freetime · 17-09-2008, 12:04

Dean Catamarans

I just wondering what you have to say about the Dean 441. I saw that the homepage is new. And Scarab (on this forum) saw the catamaran in La Rochelle.

You have many different layouts. And you can custom build some interior if i understand right.

Adaero · 17-09-2008, 12:26

Search the forum as there have been a couple of threads over the last 18 months on the Dean.

Nordic cat · 17-09-2008, 12:43

The Deans have been building cats for at least 15 years if not more.

I have been on several, but never sailed one.

Peter Dean is a knowledgeable builder who builds boats targeted at a well defined market segment.

Private owners who want a very comfortable cruiser. Weight saving is not a key issue with these boats. Peter stated very clearly to me, that if I wanted to go more than around 11 knots, then his boats were not for me.

Great when the builder salesman is honest an up front!

The emphasis on the boats seemed to me to be more towards the ladies, with lots of different table top samples, wood trimming samples, curtain and upholstery materials to choose from.

I had the opportunity to crawl around a Prout motor cat in Cape Town last year, and the quality of the build once I got down under, in the engine rooms and storage rooms was very rough, pieces of plywood unsealed etc.
The crew were not impressed with the build quality, with stuff pulling out of the decks etc.

You get alot of boat for the money, but the build quality I saw put me off. My impression is that they depreciate relatively more than some comparable boats, but I haven't seriously analysed it, so I might be wrong.

Alan

Nordic cat · 17-09-2008, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adaero

Search the forum as there have been a couple of threads over the last 18 months on the Dean.

Sorry to go off topic, but aren't you in Cape Town picking up your new boat Adaero?

Alan

freetime · 17-09-2008, 12:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adaero

Search the forum as there have been a couple of threads over the last 18 months on the Dean.

Can´t find so much about the 441.

Adaero · 17-09-2008, 13:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nordic cat

Sorry to go off topic, but aren't you in Cape Town picking up your new boat Adaero?

Alan

I got back on Monday from Cape Town but return for the delivery trip in 2 weeks time. I was supposed to be doing the acceptance on my boat but the factory is running 3 weeks late and there were still too many snags for the handover whilst I was there.
To go back on thread there are around 3 Dean 441's in the marina near to my L46. I also looked closely at La Rochelle last year but as said, Peter sells the boat as an 8 knot cruising boat. The deciding factor for me was with 12 people on the boat at the show the bottom transom step was underwater. This was on a boat with no aircon, genny or all the toys the Admiral wanted so it was a non starter for me. Nicely finished and they are very flexible on design so it all depends what you want to do with the boat.

Jeannius · 17-09-2008, 14:55

I've only spent an hour looking over an owner's 441 that's doing crewed charter in the BVI... Blue Bayou Page 1 The website doesn't show much but does give you contact details for the owner.

I was very impressed by the fit and finish of everything. This was the first time I'd been on a Dean in maybe 10 years. My previous experience of a Dean left me expecting to be unimpressed by the 441. I couldn't have been more wrong. The only complaint from the owner was that he'd allowed Peter Dean to talk him out of changing the standard Vetus engines and generator for something else (Yanmar diesels I think) Nothing wrong with the Vetus except availability of parts in the BVI - and probably elsewhere.

Keegan · 17-09-2008, 17:24

I believe that there are better built boats for the money.

freetime · 18-09-2008, 01:46

Thanks,

I will NOT take a closer look at this.

scarab · 18-09-2008, 04:58

Sorry to hear that because I've been on every cat in this class
( exept the Dolphin 460 ) and never experienced the same level of
finish and craftmenship. According to Peter Dean they do all they can to get
the weight down ( with succes as every new cat is in fact lighter ) without compromising the safety of the boat. In 80 % of the time you will sail at an average of 9 knots.
The other 20 % you can expect less (winds < 10 knots )
or much more : a recorded speed of 18.3 knots !!
If I where you I would contact Mr Bernard Mondoulet ( Tel 33(0)607 78 92 69 or with email : bmondoulet@wanadoo.fr
This gentleman has been working with Dean Catamarans for many years and can answer all your questions / arrange a test sail.
It would be a shame to miss out on a chance to discover a really fine catamaran.
I'm not connected to Dean in any way just a great fan of the 441.
I hope to be able to afford one in the next 5 years.

Good luck in finding your perfect cat.

Greetz,

Koen

freetime · 18-09-2008, 06:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by scarab

Sorry to hear that because I've been on every cat in this class
( exept the Dolphin 460 ) and never experienced the same level of
finish and craftmenship. According to Peter Dean they do all they can to get
the weight down ( with succes as every new cat is in fact lighter ) without compromising the safety of the boat. In 80 % of the time you will sail at an average of 9 knots.
The other 20 % you can expect less (winds < 10 knots )
or much more : a recorded speed of 18.3 knots !!
If I where you I would contact Mr Bernard Mondoulet ( Tel 33(0)607 78 92 69 or with email : bmondoulet@wanadoo.fr
This gentleman has been working with Dean Catamarans for many years and can answer all your questions / arrange a test sail.
It would be a shame to miss out on a chance to discover a really fine catamaran.
I'm not connected to Dean in any way just a great fan of the 441.
I hope to be able to afford one in the next 5 years.

Good luck in finding your perfect cat.

Greetz,

Koen

For me the free horizon from the sitting position in the saloon is very important. It´s one of the reasons that i want a catamaran and not a monohull.
Ok, i save the boat on my list...i give her i chance list.

capcook · 09-01-2011, 07:15

Given the relatively higher used cost of the Orana and the great layout of the Dean 441's, with the passage of some more time, was wondering what anyone thinks now of the Dean 441's? Seems weight capacity is an issue, does that lead to slamming on a loaded boat ? How are they holding up ?

Thanks

capcook · 12-01-2011, 19:29

Any Dean 441 owners out there? Would like to know more about there real life performance, slamming etc ... I like the layout of this vessel and would like to find out more about them..

Cheers

Teeto · 12-01-2011, 22:17

Dean 44 moored near us in our marina. Looks very nice but I would be a bit concerned about the lack of decent trampoline area at the bow. Cabin space - which does include 2 king sized beds - seems to be large but I would question performance in larger seas because it starts so close to the bow. Bridge deck clearance also looks a bit low for a 44 footer.
Having said that I have not sailed on her. She's listed for sail on Yacht Hub.