Boat rental in Sari-Solenzara · Beneteau — Océanis 351 (1994)

Nicolas was very friendly and willing to listen to questions and suggestions. The boat was sufficient for a week for us, as there were two of us and, partly due to the weather, we used it as a daysailer, returning frequently to the home port. Therefore, we didn't use the saloon, berth, tender, etc. Our focus was on a week of solo sailing training. The boat's condition was fine, although we felt the sheets and ropes urgently needed replacing. It's worth mentioning that we're beginners in sailing and have previously been in the motorboat sector. It was fun to acquire and deepen our sailing knowledge and try out new things.

Excellent family vacation aboard this boat. The southeast coast of Corsica is full of magnificent anchorages and beaches. Nicolas gave us a very warm welcome. The boat was comfortable and easy to sail, even in strong winds. The boat is well equipped (charts, navigation tablet, lights, wetsuits/masks/snorkels, basic groceries, clothespins, mosquito repellent, etc.); the shade provided by the bimini is very useful in this region. There were a few issues, however, some of which were already noted in a 2023 review after rereading the ad. I'm detailing them so the owner can think about correcting them and so future renters can be aware of them. However, once again, we were very happy with this vacation, and we thank Nicolas for his welcome. Important: - New and operational furling genoa, but the genoa is at the end of its life, the trailing edge of the genoa is torn over a meter -> it held, but for how long? - No real anchor light, only a white light at mid-mast that only illuminates the forward direction - Cracked forward porthole -> takes on water upwind - Battery/alternator problem: We sailed mainly but still ran at least an hour of engine power per day for maneuvers and charging. We saved the battery as much as possible (only the fridge and water pump, turning everything off as soon as possible), but we were out of fridge on the last day and thought we wouldn't be able to restart. Apparently the alternator wasn't working and we were only relying on the solar panel. I'm not an electrician/mechanic, so I don't know, but the fact remains that we ran out of battery power even though we were being very careful and the weather was beautiful. Less troublesome, but still requiring correction: - No speedometer, erratic anemometer - Port genoa sheet needs replacing (unsheathed at 2.50m, I turned it around so it wouldn't be too much of a problem) - Port main traveler line needs replacing (almost broken) - Ropes for unclipping the tang are completely broken (we wouldn't have been able to use the spinnaker if the conditions had allowed, which is a shame) - Aggressive lower shroud attachments (a sort of barbed wire that can easily get caught in your feet/hands, and which badly blocked my windward genoa sheet when tacking) - Missing a large pot with a handle, or potholders to handle the large potholder, which only has one lug Just in case: - Only the first two reefs are in place at the clew. These two reefs were enough for us; Remember to prepare in advance if a third one might be necessary. - Prepare a little for anchorages: the electric windlass only works when going uphill, and you have to subtly adjust the crank to let the chain pay out at a reasonable speed and be able to lock it safely. Toward the end of the trip, with the batteries low and the alternator probably dead, the windlass was struggling, and I sometimes finished by hand, even with the engine running.

Wonderful week. Nickel boat. Nicolas very welcoming and very professional in handling and returning. Easy boat and very well equipped. The south of Corsica and the Maddalenas (aim for the heart of Budelli Razzoli and Santa Maria), it's paradise within reach. Thank you, we loved it as a family.

Compliant and pleasant boat for family cruising, however, with shortcomings on several levels: First of all, electricity (batteries too old and little way to recharge them) and only the navigation lights work. A winch is malfunctioning (starboard), it is jamming the sheets and a part of the genoa furler is broken. The spinnaker has holes in several places. Finally, the 4-stroke engine of the annex is very very very capricious. Despite all this we had an excellent family stay with cabotage to Sardinia.

First comment that deserves reading to understand the reason for such a low rating on the boat. The Renouveau 3 is a monohull, put online by the owner (Thierry) and whose intermediary is Nicolas (professional in the field of sailing on Solenzara). This boat was bought this winter (2023), was overhauled at the quay without free navigation carried out before being rented. We were 4, and the first to carry out a real navigation since its purchase and its rental. We encountered many problems. This is an integral part of navigation, of course, but we believe that some encounters should not have taken place, threatening our safety in certain situations. Here is the complete list of issues encountered: - Speed not working - Anchor light that does not work, Hune's light fallen in navigation - Autopilot that lets us go 2nd day - Rusty engine stop piston which also fails 2nd day (engine shutdown directly on the engine) - Clogged sink - Leak in the forward cabin when filling the tank with fresh water (hole plugged with tape, now sealed) - Lack of lighting in the port aft cabin and the exterior cockpit - Broken starboard winch ejector - Appendix with holes, therefore missing (could have been replaced if we had noticed it earlier, should be replaced quickly) The main problem encountered is the following situation, threatening our safety on board: the genoa furler was broken, patched up, with at times painful exits from the end of the furler, leading to difficulties in stowing the genoa. While sailing, at the end of the stay, we found ourselves faced with the impossibility of stowing the genoa (end rolled up above the furler). At the same time, a thin shackle (not suitable for withstanding the tensions imposed by the mainsail) on the mainsheet traveler broke, causing the boom, which had become uncontrollable, to fly above the deck. The consequences were: loss of mainsail management with an unstable and dangerous boom, impossibility of furling the headsail, total loss of control of the sailboat in winds around 25 knots before engine ignition, the headsail got caught in a spreader and tore away over a large part of its height. Luckily no one was on deck at the time and we eventually managed to stow the sails. This experience, despite everything enriching, should not have happened. Apart from all these material aspects punctuated by a negative note, we recognize an attentive listening to the problems and a very good reactivity on the part of Nicolas. He showed us interest in the boat and the progress of our stay, understanding the difficulties we faced. The exchanges with him were good. We have the feeling of having been the "Crash test" of Renewal 3, making it possible to detect the material flaws of the sailboat. Nicolas assured us that he would do what is necessary to restore the boat to the safety and comfort of the next tenants, which seems indisputable and for which we trust him. When the sails are working, she is a pleasant boat to steer, which reacts very well to wind and gusts. Regarding life on board, the Renouveau 3 is very well laid out, with good-sized cabins, a rather spacious interior living space (little used with the Corsican summer climate), the kitchen is functional and the bathroom very correct. The exterior cockpit is very suitable for 4 people, allowing you to eat there, have an aperitif and play cards for long hours. Despite the ups and downs, we had an excellent 2-week stay on the Renouveau 3, rich in sailing experience and good times with friends. The anchorages were incredible between Solenzara, South-East Corsica and the Maddalena Islands, as well as the 4 nights in ports. The area and the landscapes are fantastic for pleasure cruises. Sun and heat are guaranteed in the summer season. For the wind, we had the impression that we had to go south to find it more easily, from Porto-Vecchio. We recommend this boat when all the little material hassles have been repaired. We recommend Nicolas, who manages several boats based in the port of Solenzara.