Beneteau First 51

[nalinjay1974]

Hi

I'm considering a Beneteau First 51.

Does anyone have one or has sailed on one and can tell me what they are like please?

Many thanks

Nalin

[Ericson38]

My boat yard neighbor (with a catamaran) delivered one a season or two ago in the Caribbean and noted when plowing into headseas that air from in the cabin would surge past in as he stood in the companionway holding on. He was kind of shocked on the first steep wave, but then again and again it happened. He has a degree in Industrial Engineering and has covered much ground in the last 10 years of continual sailing. He attributes the air pumping being pushed out the cabin due to hull flex forward before the keel root and the sides just aft the bow.

[nalinjay1974]

Wow. Thanks for that. That sounds pretty scary!

[svHyLyte]

Assuming the First 51 is of the late 1980's era, they are excellent boats and, unless the yacht described by Erison38 suffered some extraordinary damage, his Engineer pal is talking through his hat. The 1980's era First series yachts designed by Frers and built in Europe were some of the best boats built by Beneteau and considered then, and still, comparable to the Swans of the era but at half the cost. The boats were featured prominently in Ferenc Mate's acclaimed 1986 book "The Worlds Best Boats". The one drawback to the 51's is that many were delivered with teak decking, which, by now, is aging and likely needs replacement if it hasn't been replaced already. Frankly, if I were looking at one in need of re-decking, I'd get rid of the stuff and refinish the decks without but some like the aesthetics, which is, admittedly, pleasing.

FWIW...

[nalinjay1974]

Thanks HyLyte

That was my expectation as well. The 80's First series do generally seem pretty impressively built. Perhaps that other 51 had had a significant 'incident'.

The one I'm looking at does unfortunately have teak decks so I'll need to check their condition closely.

I definitely like the performance capability of these yachts though although the draft would I'm sure put many people off. Personally I like a boat that goes to wind.

[Ericson38]

He said it had dual steering, so pretty sure it was fairly new, charter fleet assignment.

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by Ericson38

He said it had dual steering, so pretty sure it was fairly new, charter fleet assignment.

The 1980's era boats were fitted with dual helms and I find it unlikely that First 51 was ever used in a charter fleet. The Oceanus series boats were/are however and are quite a different breed of boat than a First.

[sailorcherry]

Easy remedy....buy an older bluewater performance cruiser from then 70's -80's. Imho from ownership of said quality type and mainly observation of friends with the BenHunAlina's they just don't make them like they used to. Man we know a guy with a big french boat new, well 2010 or newer, hull deck joint issues and more. That's ridiculous after spending $250-$500...go find a sweet gem of a 40'-50' r/c from the 80's for under a buck 20 with 15-30% for your own mods and have a nice life.

[nalinjay1974]

Thanks Sailor cherry

This is my view as well hence the interest in a Beneteau First 51 from the late eighties. The build quality of these boats just seems higher but I accept you are missing out on some big improvements in design that have taken place in the last few decades.

[sailorcherry]

Oh sorry, my bad, I thought you meant a modern boat. Well good call then.
Maybe try to find an owners group and see if you can find someone willing to have you aboard for a look and chat?