Choosing a cruiser: vanilla vs trimmings

[The Hotspur]

Hi all, I just joined this forum. Good to be here.

My wife and I have viewed a number of c.15 y/o boats in sth france and now have the choice between a 'vanilla' Jeanneau 35 or Beneteau 36 with extras incl. lifting keel, teak decks, bow thruster etc. Both are ready to go and great value (I've shopped around).

My question is whether the second will be too much worry moving forward. It's very attractive because of the brilliant condition above waterline and high-end features. In truth, i prob wouldnt use the keel too much but the resale equation is different. Would it hold better value in next 5-10 years? The vanilla option will be easy to maintain albeit without all the trimmings and wow factor.

Cheers

[Pete7]

I think only you can make that choice and go with what your heart says.

Does the lifting keel bang from side to side when sailing? worth taking her out for a spin in a good breeze to find out.

Pete

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Hotspur.

[The Hotspur]

Good q Pete. Won't have a chance to take either out cause they're both in dry dock and I'll be back in London. I'll have a full professional inspection / survey in either case.

[TheOffice]

When the boats are 20-25 years old neither will have much resale value. If the teak decks are screwed to the fiberglass RUN. If they are glued then they are not a headache.

Sort of like dating - which one makes you go WOW?

[JPA Cate]

Go for the one requiring less upkeep. Every day you are not on the hard is a time you might be sailing.

The bow thruster would not impress me all that much. Those are maneuverable boats, and what you will want to do is learn how to use spring lines for maneuvering in tight quarters. You do not need a bow thruster, it is a lazy man's way out for this boat, or, at the very least, he kept it in difficult quarters.

The value of a lifting keel is greater where you plan (know in advance) that you will be anchoring shallow. Usually, ime, those places are buggy, as well as shallow, so of limited use. BUT, if you want to go exploring shallow places, can be very handy, make it possible for what you want to do, so it depends on your intended use. There are places in the world where it would make your life easier.

If you feel on the horns on the choice, offer to let your wife decide and then see how you feel about the decision.... I know that may sound wicked, but it is one way to get data on how you really feel. Or toss a coin, and see how that feels to you. That has worked for me.

Or, choose the one that has had its through hull fittings and seacocks replaced with good quality ones--there's a previous owner who cares about how his boat functions! The one with the rebuilt rudder, the one with the keel dropped and new keel bolts.

Ann

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by TheOffice

When the boats are 20-25 years old neither will have much resale value. If the teak decks are screwed to the fiberglass RUN. If they are glued then they are not a headache.

Sort of like dating - which one makes you go WOW?

I dated a few that would make you go "wow," but the upkeep would kill you and the extra features weren't actually very useful.

[boatman61]

If that's the 361 Clipper with twin rudders then he will need the bow thruster.. the rudders are wank in close quarter handling in marinas with any cross breeze.
Delivered a 331 with those.. without the help of the thruster control I would have been 'Harvey Wallbangering' all through the marina.

[The Hotspur]

Yep, that's the one. Good to know. Very pretty in the upstairs region.

[boatman61]

They do sail well.. lift the keel for anything from the beam aft and they cream along.. only really need the keel down for serious upwind work.
Motoring in the marina 3kt limit is just to slow for the angled rudders to be truly effective.. otherwise a great boat.

[The Hotspur]

Thanks Ann, I'm starting to get a sense for the way this breeze is headed. Difference in maintenence cost? Sure. Is it worth it? Umm, still not 100% Bowthruster seems probably handy, esp. short handed. Could do canals as well in sth france.

[barnakiel]

If you are talking about the trimming and the optional extras then clearly this is what you want. Then clearly this is what you are buying.

From the sailing point of view, a lifting keel is only good choice if you are sailing where it is shallow, a 15 y.o. teak is not going to last another 15 years and a bowthruster is needed only if your docking slot is very tight and difficult to access.

This much said, people buy boats for varied reasons.

You are buying the kitted out one.

Cheers,
b.

[boatman61]

Another plus.. rudder drops off.. ya got a spare..

[KJB]

My teak decks turn 37 this year...and they are still in good shape. Of course, this was a custom build with thick teak. i really love a good teak deck.

[JPA Cate]

Sorry if i'm being dense, but what relevance does a Mason38 CC ketch's teak decks have to those of this Beneteau and Jeanneau? (Very different boats, different manufacturers.)

A.