Hunter, Catalina, Benneteau Debate

[svadagiomaine]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

How does owning a fine cruising boat like a Beneteau make you ” bad”

I was joking, but it is often implied in these silly threads that your choice of this or that boat is some sort of litmus test or statement of character.

[svadagiomaine]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Agreed.. I've owned 2 Bene's and taken them a across an ocean and they were capable enough.. both a tad smaller than yours.. did the same with an old 1983 Hunter 37c.

Good to hear. I got caught out in close 7-8’ seas and that was enough for me but the boat was fine. I am sure I could get my boat across the Atlantic in the right conditions but if I was doing that I might personally sell it and fit out a pacific seacraft or similar with more waterline.

[danstanford]

Originally Posted by svadagiomaine

The boat is easy to sail, easy to maintain, and DRY. I don’t want to cross oceans, if I did I would buy another boat, and not a catalina 34 or h36.

This point of use case is often missed in the discussion and thinking. Given that all boats are full of compromises such as sea kindliness, speed, comfort below, ease of use, cost, draft, size, and many other elements, it really is what properties matter to you most.

[Wolfe10]

Yup, have owned and sailed both Pacific Seacraft Crealock 37' (lots of miles) and a Catalina 350 as well as many others over the last 40 years.


VERY different boats, but found that both did the job they were designed for, and did it well.


The Crealock is not comfortable for 4, the Catalina 350 is.


The Catalina 350 is certainly not as seakindly as the Crealock, particularly in following sea.


Best advice is to be realistic in how you will be using the boat and buy accordingly. Not everyone (actually less than 1%) "need" a boat designed for circumnavigation.

[sailorboy1]

Every boat is lacking in design unless at the minimum it can transform into a helicopter when desired.

[Wolfe10]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

Every boat is lacking in design unless at the minimum it can transform into a helicopter when desired.

Yup, suspect many of us have wished for that a time or two. Haven't experienced it yet. Have always gotten over the disappointment.

[Rumrace]

We are such an easily offended sensitive bunch I guess. We should be more like our dogs. All boat brands have an evolution, the odd lemon, an award winner. Most boat manufactures who fail have been from bad management not bad boats. Some screwed by their own government via a rip off trade deal.
Beneteau is old and have way more fans than foes.
Donzi is on its 6th owner but still produces 3 original classics from the first owner. The Sweet 16 a rare wet ski boat classic but you can still buy a brand new 18 for $80k or so. I’ve read lawn chair boaters in forums share their disgust with them. Fun stuff to read and I maintain we need stupid people so don’t discourage them. Who gives a flying Donzi what they think of your boat anyway.

[wpatch]

Originally Posted by Macblaze

Maybe look at a different prop? My Hunter has a Campbell Sailor and I swear prop walk in reverse is almost non-existent. But that could just be me.

https://westbynorth.com/campbell-sailer/

So prop walk isnt my issue, spacing at my slip is. 36 ft off the my slip is another dock which is perpendicular. I have very little room to starboard backing out. When I set up to back in the front end swings quickly activating emergency pucker mode. I have been practicing with 2 different approaches.

1) Plan for the front end to do its thing and be angled to handle. (That seems to be a great idea, but harder to implement.

2) Backup further and be brave and not put it in neutral until I have 1/2 in. (Also seems awesome, but the pucker factor is strong).

I'll keep you posted or send pics of me smashing into stuff.