Beneteau First 41s5

[Harro]

Hi everyone.
I have an opportunity to buy a Beneteau 41s5 (1990) with winged keel at a good price. It will be a nice live aboard for me, but I don't know how well she would stand up to a force 10. Anyone out their have any experience with sailing this boat in heavy seas?

[neilpride]

Force 10 is the hell even for a swan, don't expect a Bene to withstand this conditions so well, I mean F10 is to much , I guess is the thin line between control of the boat and survival conditions, I don't think if you are prudent,, experience F10 conditions ever ,, but each in their own..
There is better choices for rough weather latitudes than a Bene, just my opinion.

[Harro]

Thanks for your advice, this is precisely why I joined this forum. A little disappointed I only had one responce, I thought their would have been a few Beneteau owners with some opinions. As a new sailor I am hungry for any advice on good cruising design yachts. I only have one chance to get this right as I will be spending most of my savings before retirement on the briny blue.

[neilpride]

Harro, there is some Beneteau Owners on this forum, I don't have nothing against those old Benes if they are in good condition, could be a good idea to know what kind of weather conditions are in your planed cruising plan, I mean if you plan to sail in hig latitudes in the rough or if you plan to liveaboard with ocasional sailing ...

[Harro]

Neil
I will always be planning to sail in good conditions but I don't want to limit my self to any particular latitudes either. I'm thinking a cutter rig on a medium to heavy displacement 38-44ft with 3/4 length keel?