Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32
Owners August Update
Three flotilla holidays in the Ionian introduced my family to sailing and in 2010 we bought Aoife from her original owners. Although she was in excellent condition, over several years, we upgraded her from a basic production boat and customised her to her present, high specification.
The Jeanneau mainsheet bridle on the coachroof did not shape the mainsail well and was not handy during puffs to manage the mainsail. So, after much research, we fitted a demountable Harken traveller across the cockpit. Sited just in front of the wheel, the mainsheet is now readily available for immediate attention by either crew or helm. Sail set is significantly improved, the traveller is great in lively conditions to depower slightly and overall Aoife’s handling has improved remarkably. Once in harbour we can very easily remove the traveller to provide full use of the cockpit and table.
To improve mainsail flattening we altered the fixed, split backstay to provide backstay tensioning and had a third reef fitted to the mainsail that is permenantly reeved for immediate use. A storm jib, set on a moveable inner forestay, provides the other half of the bad weather sailing capability.
We alternate the mainsail and genoa at the sailmakers for maintenance and laundering each year. A preventer pendant is permenantly rigged on the boom, allowing easy set up.
Electronically, we replaced the VHF with a Standard Horizon GX2100 and a RAM3 handset in the cockpit, which is very handy for monitoring and responding to radio traffic at sea and when entering harbour. Its AIS reception was such a boon that the following year we fitted a Raymarine AIS B system and an Echomax dual band radar responder. Both the AIB B and Echomax responder provide signifiant peace of mind without the complications and cost of radar. At the same time, we replaced the rather dated chart plotter with a Raymarine E7 multifunction display, mounted at the chart table and its WiFi capability allows us to use an I-pad as a cockpit repeater. It is a great confidence builder, displaying charts, wind, log, depth and various derived data on customisable pages.
We have fully maintained the engine every winter, fitted a new water pump and regularly treated the fuel to prevent diesel bug. Aoife was last out for maintenance in March 2016 when she was antifouled, new shaft and boss anodes fitted and engine maintenance completed. Many more changes and upgrades are listed in the inventory.
My wife, son and I have thoroughly enjoyed cruising the North Wales coast and the Irish Sea in Aoife, getting to Southern and Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Clyde and through the Crinan Canal as far north as Craobh Yacht Haven. This year we spent some time in Dun Laoghaire and prior to sailing replaced the service battery; fitted centre-line jackstays, a cooling fan in the refridgerator compresser space and new blue cockpit dodgers.
We are now looking for a slightly larger boat with live-aboard potential. Aoife is a capable, very well equipped and meticulously maintained cruiser, well suited for family cruising. We shall miss her but she is a little beauty and she is ready to sail away.
Fair winds and good sailing.
