Dufour Grand Large 46 vs Beneteau 48/45

[richard45cdo]

Hi There!!
Im looking at buying a sailboat and sailing around the world for the next 4-5 years. I have been getting a lot of mixed messages regarding what to buy. So i though i would ask on here.

I want something between 45 and 50 FT. and i have a budget of £280,000 all kitted out ready to go. I think im down to either a Dufour grand large 46 or a Beneteau 45 or 48. i was wondering if anybody has experiances with either of these or knows anything i should be careful with.

Im open to ideas of other boats, but i want to buy new. just to keep maintenance cost down. thanks look forward to hearing from you guys!!

[Vasco]

It's been my experience in buying new production boats that the dealer is as important or might even be more important than the make of boat. There is a lot involved in commissioning a new production boat and a good dealer will make all the difference.

[Tetepare]

Originally Posted by Vasco

the dealer is as important or might even be more important than the make of boat..

Says the guy with a CS36 Merlin!

Personally I'd rather buy a boat a couple years old that's already had the bugs worked out of it.

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

Says the guy with a CS36 Merlin!

Personally I'd rather buy a boat a couple years old that's already had the bugs worked out of it.

I don't quite understand. Is there something wrong with owning a CS36Merlin?

[chris4911]

Don't think your buy any of those boats new for that price? Then you will need to spend another 30-50k to outfit it for that use. Adds up quick

[Emouchet]

Do you really need that size of boat?

At 46-50 feet long, everything is heavy, this is physical to handle for a small crew and every item is pricey.

Buy the smallest boat you can afford.

The boat will be OK, but what about the crew?

[Scout 30]

Originally Posted by Emouchet

Do you really need that size of boat?

At 46-50 feet long, everything is heavy, this is physical to handle for a small crew and every item is pricey.

Buy the smallest boat you can afford.

The boat will be OK, but what about the crew?

I think you mean buy the smallest boat that can do the job. I'm also a fan of smaller more manageable boats.

[Tetepare]

Originally Posted by Vasco

I don't quite understand. Is there something wrong with owning a CS36Merlin?

On the contrary. I found it somewhat ironic that the owner of such a marvelous boat would suggest that the dealer may be more important than the manufacturer.

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

On the contrary. I found it somewhat ironic that the owner of such a marvelous boat would suggest that the dealer may be more important than the manufacturer.

Boatbuilding has changed a bit since I got my Merlin in 1988. That purchase was direct from the manufacturer. I lived twenty minutes from the factory and used to visit my hull every weekend while it was being built. CS was great and allowed you to crawl around the factory and check your boat on the line. A chance to see everything before they put the deck cap on.

When I bought my Beneteau in 2004 I learnt the importance of a good dealer. I got mine from a very good dealer in Charleston whose commissioning staff were excellent. The head of the service department had worked for Beneteau and knew the boats inside out.

But knowing the boats is only half of the equation. You need a dealer that provides good service and that is sorely lacking in the production boat market. Many dealers lack a willingness to properly service what they sell. I met more than one owner who had bought their boat from the dealer in Toronto and stopped in Charleston to get things fixed that the dealer in Toronto had neglected or was unwilling to fix.

My view is that generally most production boats are six of one and half a dozen of the other. There is very little difference in quality. But they all need a fair amount of work at commissioning time. So check the dealers and buy from the one with the best service. You will need it.

[Emouchet]

Originally Posted by Scout 30

"Buy the smallest boat you can afford"

I think you mean buy the smallest boat that can do the job. I'm also a fan of smaller more manageable boats.

Well, yes kind of wordplay !

If you read french, there are a couple of interresting horror stories from people buying brand new Beneteau, Jeanneau or Dufour on http://www.hisse-et-oh.com/ forum.
The good or bad dealer made the difference.

[Alita49DS]

Contrary to what some have written, if you are planning to live on the boat and sail around the world then I think that you are looking at exactly the right sort of size of boat. Both at sea and in harbour a 45-50ft boat is far more comfortable than something smaller. Further, whilst it and the kit are undoubtedly more weighty the reality is that with modern fittings such a boat is a lot easier to sail short handed than something a lot smaller a few decades ago. Electric winches, in mast furling and a reliable autopilot representing a paradigm shift.

Whilst I accept that all views are subjective, the fact that in the Med most of the newer boats that I see are of that size and up is indicative of the way that the market has moved.

Where I think you might stumble is over your budget if you are set on a new boat. £280k is not going to get you much past the base line. Especially if you are going to VAT register.

Our own experience is that having considered @42ft French new we ended up with 49ft used and with everything included down to a/c and a washing machine. For less money and, mercifully, no more grief in what would have been the warranty period. Most important, we also got a far better built French boat than the bottom of the market makes you mention.

[Alita49DS]

Can you give a more explicit link please?

[Ceeman]

What did you buy then?

[Zzmeyer]

Originally Posted by Vasco

It's been my experience in buying new production boats that the dealer is as important or might even be more important than the make of boat. There is a lot involved in commissioning a new production boat and a good dealer will make all the difference.

Spot on when it comes to Beneteau and probably Dufour. My contract specifically said the dealer was responsible for all commissioning and warranty work. Did you ever try to call the Audi factory with your transmission problem? I would agree that if the basic product sucks (there are hundreds of “Beneteau s are offshore death traps” CF threads if you want). Both boats are production boats built in northwest France and both are similar in design.