Benetau 323

[richardh10]

Son is thinking of buying one of these. I don't know anything about them, so is there any particular areas he should look out for when viewing? Any other info welcome.

 

[newtothis]

Believe the general consensus with Beneteau is to check the keel's been reattached after the last time it fell off.

 

[potentillaCO32]

I think he means as with any newish boat check the bonding of the grid to the hull.

 

[Davy_S]

A friend of mine does day trips from agia efimia using one of these, he has had no problems at all with the yacht Sail the day in Kefalonia!

 

[wonkywinch]

I think he means as with any newish boat check the bonding of the grid to the hull.

As you would with any modern keeled vessel. I think people like to poke fun at Beneteau after the much publicised Cheeky Raffiki tragedy but keel loss after poor/no repairs following multiple groundings not confined to Beneteau, indeed I think they are in the minority of affected boats but became famous for the wrong reasons.

A decent surveyor unconnected with the selling party or their representitives will see you right.

 

[potentillaCO32]

As you would with any modern keeled vessel. I think people like to poke fun at Beneteau after the much publicised Cheeky Raffiki tragedy but keel loss after poor/no repairs following multiple groundings not confined to Beneteau, indeed I think they are in the minority of affected boats but became famous for the wrong reasons.

A decent surveyor unconnected with the selling party or their representitives will see you right.

Indeed any modern boat with a bonded grid

 

[newtothis]

I think he means as with any newish boat check the bonding of the grid to the hull.

I spent a season sailing on Cheeki Rafiki; I know exactly what I mean.

 

[Tranona]

As you would with any modern keeled vessel. I think people like to poke fun at Beneteau after the much publicised Cheeky Raffiki tragedy but keel loss after poor/no repairs following multiple groundings not confined to Beneteau, indeed I think they are in the minority of affected boats but became famous for the wrong reasons.

A decent surveyor unconnected with the selling party or their representitives will see you right.

Exactly. Saying Beneteaus have grid/keel problems so watch out because 2 performance models from 20 years ago had problems with a small number of heavily used and abused examples is like saying there are problems with Ford 1L Fiestas structures because their Focus rally cars tend to get aa bit flexible over the years.

There are literally thousands of modern boats in use built in this way and while the consequences of heavy groundings can be severe it is not difficult for a surveyor to check

 

[Tranona]

I spent a season sailing on Cheeki Rafiki; I know exactly what I mean.

So? glad you survived but what has that got to do with a 323 which is a completely different type of boat. OP is not asking about a 20 year old First 40.1 or 47.1

Do you have any evidence that a 323 has lost a keel? If please share as I am sure many here would be interested

 

[andrewAB]

Check for leaks in the bonding of the skylight window.
That is the only issue I've had in 15 years ownership of a Beneteau 343.

 

[wonkywinch]

So? glad you survived but what has that got to do with a 323 which is a completely different type of boat. OP is not asking about a 20 year old First 40.1 or 47.1

Do you have any evidence that a 323 has lost a keel? If please share as I am sure many here would be interested

newtothis admits to being onboard for one of the groundings of CR - Grounding

And had some prior insider knowledge of the DfT report on CR - The end of owner maintenance ...

Given this level of experience with that particular boat, they could possibly have known the lost crew & likely knows the now director of Chieftain Training but I wonder why his view of a whole brand is tarnished in this way?

My experience of chartering over the last decade is that every grounding has to be reported. My own insurers (Nav & Gen) are very pro inspection post grounding as my policy covers "costs incurred in the inspection of the vessel following a grounding, even if no damage is found".

 

[westernman]

Indeed any modern boat with a bonded grid

I think all modern boats are built with a bonded grid.

 

[ithet]

Damage to the grid on Beneteaus is the obvious one, but a surveyor should know and check this. Bonding of the front windows is I believe sometimes an issue in these models (I don't have them on my 331 though). The lower rudder bearing holder can come loose as it is just bonded on with mastic that can fail. This gives the appearance of bearing wear but is just the housing moving, although the rudder needs dropping to repair properly. The stub where the stern tube exits is not solid (it is just a moulded shape in the hull) and can have cracks around the tube which generate leaks into the void and bilge - can be mistaken for a leaking stern gland (ask me how I know!). Check the woodwork, the sprayed on lacquer that Beneteau used is very thin and might have lifted in spots. It is hard to repair to a matching finish. If it has a Leroy Somner windlass they are no longer in production and there are no spare parts available.

 

[dunedin]

I spent a season sailing on Cheeki Rafiki; I know exactly what I mean.

Cheeki Rafiki was a totally different type of boat from the 323, and as the MAIB report made clear had a very hard life.
All boats are worth checking for grounding damage, but Beneteau cruising yachts have a good reputation.