Beneteau Oceanis 37 - Opinions ?

[Lukar]

We are looking for opinions of people who have been sailing on Oceanis 37. We are planning to buy this yacht and all your opinions are very valuable for us.
Thanks for help

Lukar

[rebel heart]

Not sure if it's that model but my friends who both have Beneteaus lament their <40 gallon fuel tanks.

[nautical62]

I currently own a Beneteau 32.5 in charter and have the option to trade in for a new Beneteau 37. I'm farily sure I'm going to pass. The price is almost double what I paid for on my 32.5 and in my mind offers little more to justify this difference.

What's available in your area on the used market, may draw you to a very different conclusion.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

Not sure if it's that model but my friends who both have Beneteaus lament their <40 gallon fuel tanks.

38 gals.

We did trans Pacific on less than a tankfull. That was before we had solar pannels so had to charge via the engine.
They must be cruising a bigger ocean?

[Bash]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

They must be cruising a bigger ocean?

There you go again, Mark. Your antics out there on actual oceans are making it quite difficult for people to criticize Beneteaus.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Bash

There you go again, Mark. Your antics out there on actual oceans are making it quite difficult for people to criticize Beneteaus.

Its not just Beneteaus, and I am not having a crack at Eric, and I do carry spare fuel...
But the longest passage in the Pacific is 3,200nms Galapagos to Marquesas it takes most boats 20 to 30 days. It took us 21 days. But using 30 days x 4 liters per day generating electricity = 120 litres with capacity of 142 litres i.e 20% safety factor.

We didn't actually refuel till Tonga a further 2,500 nms away and we had plenty of Diesel when we arrived in Sydney 2,200nms away.

We could have done the whole 8,000nms on 2 Beneteau tank fulls....

Some boats we know have 2,000 litre tanks and only fill them once per year (or whatever) just imagine the condensation problems with them in the tropics.

If you are cruising in an area and decide to get solar panels then your donk just don't get used.

[MechMan]

Lukar.. I've bought a new Oceanis 37 and have been sailing for a few weeks. I'm pleasantly surprised about how it sails so far.

What do you want to know?

[meyermm]

MarkJ - just cannot remember whether your boat is 37 or 40ft in length just interested to know or if others remember

[Vasco]

It's a Beneteau 393.

[meyermm]

Thank you much appreciated - MM

[cristee]

MechMan
My new B37 will arrive in April 2011. Can you provide any advice on the commissioning of the boat? I would like to race the boat under performance handicap as well as cruise Adelaide waters. Is it a competetive design compared with boats of similar length? I would be grateful for any insights into the yacht's characteristics.
Cheers
Chris

[MechMan]

Cristee

I haven't raced my boat so I 'm not really sure how it would perform racing. I only have the standard basic gear. My call is it might be a little sticky in the light. We have been cruising with my buddy who has a Hanse 40 and haven't been disgraced yet. Compared to the Farr 1020 we had before, this is a much more forgiving boat.. never wanting to round up when pressed. Mind you, the rudder is almost as deep as the keel.

To keep weight down, I changed the capstan gypsy to 8mm and have 40m of chain and 50m of 14mm braid. The anchor is a 35LB Manson Supreme which sits well on the roller.

I moved the traveller cam cleats to the back of the cabintop to give easier adjustment of the traveller through the dodger.

If fitting a dodger, make sure they drill blind holes for any screws, because the top is solid class. The guys who did mine didn't even go inside and thought it was a sandwich top. I was not happy when I went inside and found screws poking through.

The bottom of the boat wasn't sanded before the primer went on. An etch primer was used. I'm happy with this and it saved me $500.

I fitted a Kiwi feathering prop which seems to work well although it will rotate while sailing. Putting the boat in gear when sailing forces the blades out in reverse mode so that's not a good idea. Kiwi Props told me to bring the boat to a stop completely before sailing off, then they will feather ok without rotating.

When I ordered the boat the standard alternator was 80amp, but they changed the spec and now it's 60amp. They delivered the boat with a 60amp which is not nearly big enough. We are in discussions about this and I expect a positive outcome. Where we cruise we anchor in fairly deep water and change anchorages two or three times a day. With the fridge running and a few other things, I worked out we'd have to run the motor over 4 hours a day to keep up.

Generally the commissioning went well and the only issues we had was Euro 220volt sockets fitted and the furler corner block missing. If you're getting an autopilot fitted make sure they commission it and get the compass working correctly.

The mast is set up with a lot more bend at rest than I'm used to, but the main seems to set well. Might be the nature of the rig.

The engine has plenty of grunt and is quiet, so overall we are very happy campers..

Cam

[cristee]

Cam
Thanks for the quick and informative reply.
The spec on my boat says 80amp alternator. I will keep an eye on what they supply.
The deck is described thus: Deck in balsa and glass fibre sandwich...
I gather that the coachroof is solid fibreglass. The Dodger comes as part of the Beneteau deal. I expect it to be fitted in France. But do you think it will be part of the Australian commissioning?

My boat will have a folding prop.

I hope we can keep in touch.

Cheers
Chris

[MechMan]

Chis

The boats I've seen commissioned here don't have the dodgers fitted when they come in, and the agent's team fit them.

I think the agents would be more aware than the sailmakers who made and fitted mine.

A folding prop seems a good move.

Cam

[cristee]

Cam
My boat is due in Sydney in early April.
We have the commisioning mostly sorted out.
We will add an electric winch to an already upgraded boat.
I plan to use Raymarine electronics. Plotter, aotopilot, windgear, radio...

Do you have any helpful tips since our last exchange?
Cheers
Chris