Beneteau First 44.7 2006

[Panamajames]

I just found this boat for sale in Panama. I know nothing about the Beneteau First series. Could this be considered a cruising boat or just racing.
Panama Yacht & Marine I have not bought a Beneteau yet so since this is in my back yard I might consider buying this. I would be Coastal cruising. Any thoughts would be appreciated. It has an 8.53 foot keel (2.6 mts). Ouch sounds good for racing but cruising. ???

Have a nice weekend James and Lily

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Panamajames

I know nothing about the Beneteau First series.

Hi James and Lily,

They are reat boats!!

But they are built for racing so some of the creature comforts dont exist:

Very few opening hatches will leave you hot and unventilated in the tropics.

Few and small windows to see out.
Main sheet in the middle of the cockpit.
HUge wheel you must climb around.
Narrow cockpit.

I vastly prefer the non-first beneteaus.



Mark

[Panamajames]

That what I thought just by looking at pics.. Thanks for your opinion.. It really helps. I think I am now down to the Beneteau 473 2002 or a Hunter Passage 42 loaded 1996. The Passage is owned by a friend and is offering me a terrific deal. I know the boat and know it has been maintained. It is loaded. Might prefer the larger boat for $30 k more though. Just putting my $$ together and will make the decision soon. I bought Lily the book "Its your boat too" and "Changing Course" 2 women oriented books and I plan to read them too.

Best sailing James and Lily

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Panamajames

Beneteau 473 2002 or a Hunter Passage 42 loaded 1996.

Best sailing James and Lily

Thats a big size difference and a bit time difference. 2002 is still new for a production boat. 96 isnt.

Have fun making the decision

[nonam]

I knew a guy who cruised a Beneteau 40.7 from SF to Oz.He was very happy with it and I think he still has it.He said the hull flexed ,in heavy weather,that it interferred with the autopilot ram.So he installed a steel platform for the ram and there were no other problems from the hull flex.

[Panamajames]

Well I am now certain it will be a 473 2002 or a 2004 423 Beneteau. Both have around 1600 hours on engines and gensets.

More electronics on the 473. Watermaker on the 423. 423 is the 2 cabin and 473 is the 3 cabin.

The Bene First is not what I want even though it is faster. Much deeper draft.

I am getting real excited.. and so is Lily. James and Lily.

[nonam]

I havent been on a 423 but I liked the 473.For a 47footer it was very easy to sail and singlehand.

[MarkJ]

The 423 is a beautiful boat! A watermaker costs over $10k
A 2 cabin version has lots of storage.... Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Look closely at the 423 they are nice!!!!!

That 473 is nice too!!!

Now you are fighting between 2 good boats! Yippee! You can't make a mistke

[cloverbay]

Definitely the 473 ! !

[svHyLyte]

We've been sailing a First 42 for the past 9 years and wouldn't trade it for either the 423 or 473. The former owner of our boat purchased one of the first 473's and following his first cruise to the Northeast (US) mentioned that had he to do it over, he would not have traded "up". Some friends of ours sailing a sistership to our boat just completed a trip from Tampa to the BVI. Their boat's now anchored down on the hard at Nanny Cay sitting our Hurrican Season. You might find their web-site of interest. See Ocean Angel

FWIW...