As a Safety engineer, I look for things that cause boat bites. Hard corners are a no-no in heavy seas, and the older I get the least amount of boat yoga I can do is very important, and that means easy access to the things I need to get too. Can I change an impeller underway? How is it to maintain the things that need checking and maintaining. Comfort is important, was ergonomics considered? How safely can I quickly and safely run up to the bow to fix something? I also look for a boat that can point. While gentlemen never sail to windward, the realty that is something that is required to do. Does she slam, is she sea-kindly to windward or is she a rocking horse that gets you wet. Lastly I think build quality is reflective in longevity. Older boats with balsa cores deck penetrations were never drill-fill-drill with epoxy, but today if they are using balsa cores I want any deck penetration to be drill-fill-drill. People are sailing boats from the 60s and 70s and those boats must have done something right in terms of quality. Lastly boats are wet and ventilation is really important.

@UncleJoeLITE

Ай бұрын

There are some ideas!⚓

The Australian Sarca Excel anchor is one of the best tested anchors and perfectly fits on the new bowsprits like Hanse, Beneteau and Dufour use. I had it on my previous boat and ordered it again on my Beneteau 40.1

Hear you on the anchor. It would be nice to be able to upgrade to the next generation of anchors. Leaves me wondering if somebody has a decent physics model predictive of anchors. How much better can they get?

I learned on an older Island Packet 40. Although it was "spartan" (being kind) - it was rock solid through several heavy weather encounters. A fair amount of name-calling goes on amongst the racing groups about IP's, but I like them. I would tend to go with a well-appointed IP in the 40-45' range and call it a day.

We have to evaluate features based on target audience and their cruising behavior. 6 months in the Caribbean probably means. 3-6 anchorages at most. Very little sailing, and when sailed, in lighter favorable winds. Maybe even significant dock time. For its intended use, it’s perfect. And that lower price tag just gets you on the water faster and puts more Chardonnay in the fridge. I’d take a 10 year old for $100k

I absolutely love my Endeavour 42 circa 1987 which I purchased new. Its loaded with real teak and still turns heads .

@UncleJoeLITE

Ай бұрын

Nice! ⚓

One of the nice things about dual wheels is the clear run from the swim platform to the companion way. They added a dodge the bbq trip hazard.

Thanks, Tim. 😊

Hiya Tim - Great review. I've been curious about the Hanse boats. So, thanks! There's something that "bothers me" a bit about current production boats that are sold as "cruisers"...while a Beneteau, Jeanneau, or Hanse are at first glance really "pretty boats" w/ the latest in Euro-boutique (aka IKEA) interiors - they generally lack many of the features that matter. Not to be too harsh...they are junk (charter boats). Things that matter, as you mention, are the weight of the boat and the ballast beneath you...especially on "sporty" days. IMO, the "marketing folks" overstate every meaningful value from length (including the bow sprit and swim platform) and weights (if they even mention it...) In addition, as a cruiser (on the Great Lakes) we end up sailing on every point of sail on just about every trip. (We plan our trips to sail - not motor - as an example, our last trip was completed -over 90 percent under sail.) [Including the last 2 days (+17 hours) close hauled.] Many of the "French" boats have the B&R rig (like a Hunter) ... that are horrible when reaching or running. Plus aren't the best to store indoors. So ideally, you want the "Swiss Army" knife of a boat (ours is a Catalina 355). Little things like a stainless-steel toe rail (infinitely usable/adjustable for extra blocks, fenders or whatever...) and a big usable traveler are amazing. Likewise, having 101 gallons of fresh water and a 30-gallon holding tank is pretty cool. On a recent trip we sailed North "reaching" for 3 days, only to turn around and bang into the wind (+20 knots) and waves for 3 days (3-4 feet w/ occasional 6-foot waves) on the return trip. On this return trip a "light" boat would be miserable. [After 3 days...my quads are still sore.] The stainless toe rails were great to set up the asymmetric spinnaker (with its own furling system) with fairleads, blocks, etc. Also, as you mention, the weight vs. ballast (a C355 is 42 percent) is important. Also, the electronics matter...a higher-end autopilot makes a 10-hour day a breeze. Finally, as "cruisers" we dock every day (hopefully)...so, placement of the shroud lines matter ...our old Hunter required a strange "waltz" to transverse to and from the cockpit to the bow. On our new C355 - it's a straight (unincumbered) shot without having to negotiate the shroud lines. Otherwise, keep the reviews coming. I love seeing all of the other boats.

Cheers, Tim.

Does anyone make CCs anymore, everything is aft now and right on top of the water. Freaky Thanks for the walk-through, Tim n crew. Take care, fair winds.

My deal breaker is a strange one. I need about a foot of space alongside the diesel so I have enough room to add a 5K generator head. It also allows the space to work on the engine easier. At the cost of less interior space, but I'm mostly a solo sailor, so that bothers me less than not having that amount of electricity available. As usual, EVERYTHING is a trade off!

You are in love with Catalina, this is much better. The cockpit is perfect, the tables, the swim platform, …

Can you please sometimes cover Elan? I would love to know your thoughts. I know it's not that popular in the States, but think it's more and more popular in Europe.

A very good friend of mine purchased a new Hanse 34 last year. Specifically because he single hands, or when with guests, they usually do not know how to sail, so even with others onboard, he is still single handing the boat. Hanse has ALL control lines led aft. All the other major manufacturers have 2 winches on the coach roof, normally these are the halyards for the main as well as the outhaul furling if the main has in mast furling, or reefing lines. So you need to leave the helm if you want to raise the main, reef the main, or pull out the main. If by yourself, this is an issue. If with other people who can't sail, they are invariably in your way just at the time you need to do this. Hanse has all these lines led back to the helm so when by yourself, you are always still with the helm. If you are with people who can sail, having the winches at the coach roof means it is less crowded back at the helm, so for racing etc. you want this layout. But that is not what most Benes, Catalinas, Juneaus are aimed at. Hanse has the winning formula. Oh, EVERYTHING on a Hanse is an option. That 300k price is probably closer to 350-375 by the time you take delivery. No dodger because most people opt to get a local canvas maker do that and a bimini as well. Finally, I should add that the boats from Group Bene (Bene/June/Lagoon) are really geared for the charter market, 2-3 couples. There are Hanses in charter, but not in the BVI, more in some parts of Europe. Not as large a market, Hanse is a bit more oriented to a family cruiser.

i almost bought a hanse... but then i bought a smaller but new hallberg-rassy! 😁

Tim, I agree with all what you have said. I like to add one more: As you walk towards the aft berth on the port side, I noticed the sharp corner of the deck protruding. Bang that a couple of times with your head. I still do not like IKEA sailboats. Happy Sailing ⛵

About the walk around deck on the Jeaneau 410…I’ve sailed the boat and found the walk around feature severely compromised helm seating. I like to sit to the side and the walk around eliminates that except for a narrow bit that fits a single butt cheek. Also, there is barely any seat behind the helm. I also found it easy to bump the engine throttle when passing through the walk around.

Enjoy watching your videos. Not sure, why the dodger is off, but what I can think of is that boats in the Mediterranean quite often do not put on the sprayhood (dodger), yet I do see them always with bimini tops. Perhaps the dodger is down for visibility reasons but I also presume for ventilation and cooling. In those seas in the summer it tend to blow either not or very hard. Boats from this region therefore tend to have many hours on their engines. No wind, hot sun, and not always a harbor near. Given the market segment aimed for I would say perhaps it is marketed for this type of sailing, for example the renting business in Croatia.

What features do I look for in a boat? Easy access to engine filters, in particular the raw water filter; Inspection port on fuel tank; Access to steering gear; Good access to thru hulls; etc. the easier it is to inspect critical components, the more likely I am to do it. It old great if these reviews could “lift the covers” on these items.

I really like the disappearing companionway door. With that light displacement weight, it ought to sail well in light airs. And the huge cockpit/twin tables that turn into lounging beds. What I don't like is the inadequate anchor/rode storage/deployment (seems common, these days) and low, sparse, lifelines. I do wonder about the marginal ballast ratio - and the ability to return from a knockdown. I suppose it would be great for short cruises throughout the Caribbean.

'Carbon fibre wheels' - that summed this boat up for me. Superficiality trumped. The show pony looks will date imo. But it does have carbon fibre wheels... _Nice intro sequence btw, but the end screens cover up your nice big logo skipper._

Great video Tim, just wondering why all videos when you do boat tours are kind of choppy!

I like Hanse boats, a lot. I still like my old 1994 Beneteau First 265 better because it is built better than modern boats. My interior after thirty years looks better than the Ikea interiors being used today. I looked hard at the 348 and 388 as a replacement but, went with a Hallberg Rassy 340 because of the solid build quality and, the use of real wood for the interior.

@sailumami

5 күн бұрын

hey I also went with a hr 340! what hull number are you?

@erickrueger6464

5 күн бұрын

I don't have a hull number yet because my boat has not gone into production. I believe my hull goes into production in Sept. I will know more in Aug. I will get an update at open yard.

Any reviews yet on the Elan?

@practical-sailor

Ай бұрын

Not yet ;)

Are there any reviews of the Beneteau 373?

I don't think you mentioned the self-tacking jib. (Edit: I re-watched the video, and you of course DID mention the self-tacking jib, of course! My fault. But you didn't discuss it much.) For me, this is a HUGE thing. I know you can add them to boats, but I want a boat that was designed around the self-tacking jib, so the boat is well-balanced with it. The reason I want a self-tacker is for safety. In particular, man-overboard situations. My wife is an amazing first mate and is learning quickly (and I have never had a person fall overboard), but I know she would have trouble circling back to me and keeping me in view while dealing with a big Genoa jib. With a self-tacker, it seems like a person overboard would have far better odds.

Where Catalina and IP corner the American market is draft, keel draft and air. 5' keel options and sub 65' mast options in 41' to 43'' boats...Which as you mention would be the reason to avoid some Euro builders alltogether for the US buyer like myself...

@ezmn9663

Ай бұрын

Can you cut the mast 2'? Do people do that?

I made like number 247 today. I've done better, but anything under 300 I call a good day! 🙂

The deal breaker may be the extra 50 to 100k. Beautiful, however.

Any sea trial ?

Can someone with experience sailing blue water, how capable is a boat like this? Could you cross the Atlantic, for example? or is that just completely out of the question? Is something this size just meant for like day cruising or plotting around for a weekend or something? I could live with this boat for a long period of time, that part of the equation is not a concern to me, I just don’t know if it’s capable of doing what I inevitably want to do. I’ve heard people say 40 foot, I’ve heard 45 foot, I’ve hear 50+.

None of these Euro production boats seem very seaworthy in anything above about a force 6. Fine for a charter in the Mediterranean or the Islands, but I wouldnt want to cruise on one.

Isn't there something unique about the hull construction, like it's epoxy and a grid...

@bellwether9496

Ай бұрын

I think I read it's strong but if you run around you're screwed.

Not putting dodgers/biminis is just a shitty way of offsetting costs after the sale, to make it seem cheaper. If it were up to me, I'd include a hard dodger. (I'm on my 3rd iteration of crappy strataglass which has at most a 1y lifetime). In other news, ask about the efficiency of any installed AC and whether using it keeps you from leaving port.

@Morrisfactor

Ай бұрын

Yes, boatbuilders don't want to include such nice things as dodgers/Biminis so they can maximize profit. And dodger/bimini combos are expensive these days! Ten grand easily, and we were quoted $3,500 just for a replacement dodger canvas on our Seawing 43!

I recently sailed a beautifully kept Hanse 415 for 2 days 1 night. I found the boat very uncomfortable. I could never find a clean position to work the winches, and the furniture down below was dreadful. Even at 6ft/fit the seats were too long to maintain posture and use the back rest. The boat felt cheaply made to me. This newer design seems much better but this brand is a hard pass for me. Enjoy your videos very much!

People will hit there heading ducking under the dodger and will be instantly turned off. Industry guy here commenting.

@hughmaxwell8143

Ай бұрын

Already did it. Couple of times. Very turned off.

@gregdavydov1733

Ай бұрын

Smaller dodger is a great thing. My’s h less windage and easy to see above it

It’s because a dodger is like a diaper on a boat!

You would be FAR better off buying a higher quality used boat for the same money. This is a cheap and ill conceived boat that will have next to zero resale value. Don't be a fool and throw away your money.

@serioga19

Ай бұрын

Please show me a 10year old boat with next to a zero value, I would love to buy one!

@yarpenzigrin1893

Ай бұрын

@@serioga19 You will be competing with all the ex-charter boats. Go look what they're worth.

@stefanhameeteman

Ай бұрын

Well, I was in the market and have considered used boats. 3-6y old. You tell me what boat has the same size (40ft), Modern looks, 3 spacious cabins and enough space to live aboard next to be a decent fast sailboat? Grand Soleil? Hallberg Rassey? All much, much more expensive. Finally I decided to buy a new Beneteau 40.1 First Line. I hope it was the right decision.

@yarpenzigrin1893

Ай бұрын

@@stefanhameeteman If you want used then do consider an ex-charter boat. If you want to buy new then you're better off with a premium brand.

Just don't sit on the grill.

Getting a plastic boat is now like getting a puppy. Don't buy new. Bring new life to and enjoy an older one, because plastic, resins, fiberglass...are not biodegradable, even in our great grandchildrens' lifetimes. A keen eye and experience can often find a used boat made better than many today. I'm giving a big second finger to all who buy new and support the puppy factories (plastic boat factories). Btw, sailboat under 27ft is covered by home insurance, no hastle, no survey.

@901blitz

Ай бұрын

Uhhh, I'm highly skeptical boats under 27' are covered under home policies. I'd love to see that in writing. Plus a heck of statement to make in this blanket way even if your naive underwriter is covering that. Ok, time for me to stop reading reviews. Sometimes they make me feel like they are making me dumber, not smarter.

@rtonce

Ай бұрын

@901blitz TD Home insurance. No, I didn't make up anything. I don't really care about convincing anybody, was only trying to be helpful. Perhaps you should read up and catch up before you throw in your two cents.

Whilst correcting the pronounciation of "Hansa", you mispronounced "pronounciation".