Jeanneau Q&A
Answers to frequently asked
questions.
Madam Roux in France with Bay Yacht Agencies principals, Douglass & Eric
Smith
Jeanneau has just celebrated 50 years of boat building. Bay Yacht Agency
has sold more Jeanneaus than any other dealer in North America since
joining the group in 1989.
Jeanneau is currently the largest sailboat builder in the
world having built over 1B Euros worth of boats in 2007.
Q:
What is the relationship of Jeanneau, to Beneteau?
A: Jeanneau is one of several companies owned by Beneteau
group, kind of like Cadillac is to GM. The group includes:
Beneteau, Jeanneau, CNB (Custom boats), Lagoon (catamarans),
Wauquiez (semi-custom boats), Power boats, fishing boats,
Micro cars, Pro (Ferries and commercial fishing boats) and
Ohara (manufactured homes) as well as financial divisions
and more.
Of the group, Jeanneau is the largest division having sold
over 1b. in Euros in 2007
Q:
So does Beneteau build Jeanneau boats?
A: No. Jeanneau is an entirely separate entity with it's own
manufacturing facility and management team. The principal
advantage of being part of this powerful group is that it
gives Jeanneau access to the mass buying power of the group.
They buy resin by the tank load. Winches by the car load.
Even ads are committed for by 100's, even 1,000's of pages
so that they get the best rate.
Q: Doesn't the fact
that Jeanneaus are built in Europe, make them subject to
currency fluxuations?
A:
You would think so, but I'll let you in on a secret. Back in 89 when
I joined the team, Jeanneau assured me that though the
American market wasn't the biggest (currently about the 5th
for this international company) it was very important both
for the dollars that it represents, but also for the
influence the American market has on all other markets!
I was told then, and it has held true, that unlike before
89, in the late 70's and 80's, when the dollar was much
stronger than the franc, and then that changed and, as a
result, Jeanneaus U.S. market literally dried up--now,
Jeanneau was going to stay committed by buying dollars
ahead, and by averaging currencies over their world wide
operations. They have been true to their word and at no time
since I have been involved have their been price increases
been any greater than the rate of typical inflation.
Q: How else does Jeanneau stay so competitive so that
they have such a huge share of the international market?
A: Jeanneau has committed to an embracing of the most up to
date production standards.
We incorporate everything from computer controlled cutting
and varnishing equipment, to robotic cutting and drilling
equipment that precisely controls the openings made in the
deck for fittings and ports. End result? A better fit and
finish with many fewer man-hours--and less cost. Frankly, a
smaller company that cannot spread the costs of this
expensive equipment over such a large amount of production
units could never afford or justify the expense. Jeanneau
uses man-power where it counts in careful planning and
engineering, and uses modern technology to reduce tedious
and dangerous, low skill, repetitive tasks.
Details,
How they're built.
Q: Why has Jeanneau chosen to
build so many Deck Saloon models?
A: Jeanneau has
always been on the leading edge of new ideas and new
technology.
Because they sell so many boats, they get more feedback than
almost anyone. In the old days, a center cockpit boat
offered a way to get a huge owner's cabin aft, but at the
expense of a small cockpit--pushed forward where the
helmsman gets more spray, and a smaller main cabin with a
galley located down in the hull passageway. The deck saloon
offered a perfect solution.
Vitorrio Garroni, our friend and the father/designer
of the first of the new generation of the Jeanneau deck
saloons--the Jeanneau 54DS, believed that there was a better
answer. He believed that people spent more time in the
cockpit and that this should be the focal point of any
design. In fact, he designed this boat for himself and
offered it to Jeanneau as a new product if they would build
one for him. They did. He's a proud owner. This is the
perfect solution for how to get comfort, grace, performance,
and all of the livability of a center cockpit with none of
the disadvantages. Want to know more?
Click here for an article comparing center-cockpits with
the deck saloon concept.
Q: So, why do you
say that Jeanneau represents the best value on the market?
A: By reducing costs (reducing man hours, mass buying power,
etc.), offering the best precision engineering, fit and
finish, and by controlling the currency fluctuations,
Jeanneau has been able to offer unprecedented value and they
are currently the largest importer of boats to America and
the fourth largest supplier of sailboats in the U.S. They
build more deck saloon boats than any other manufacturer in
the world. They offer an unsurpassed two year warranty and
unprecedented service.
Bay Yacht Agency is proud to be their largest dealer and
biggest supporter. We have been offered many other lines of
boats over the years, but wouldn't trade Jeanneau for
anything. Ask our owners. Ask our staff. Come to one of our
owner's rendezvous--whoops you have to be an owner to do
that--but why not?
See all of the information and Jeanneau models on our site
and theirs click
here.
Come take a look. We have all models
available on display, for charter and, of course for
purchase privately, or in our unique Boat-As-A-Business
Program. This program offers the least expensive way to own.
We simply charter your boat when you're not using it. You
enjoy hassle free ownership (we do the maintenance) while
you get the tax advantages and income. For most owners, they
are offsetting 70-100% of their costs. Visit our web page
for Boat As A Business to find out more.
All information believed to be
correct, but not guaranteed.
Available in Annapolis for
ownership or Charter: 39DS, 42DS, 45DS, 50DS, 54DS
Also Jeanneau 36, 39i, 42i, 45,
49i and Fountaine Pajot Catamarans, and Floating Homes.
For placement in our
Boat-As-A-Business plan: All of the above, plus Selene
Trawlers and Jeanneau Euro-styled Power boats. Visit our web
site for more:
www.bayacht.com
