Beneteau First 211 / 21.7

[Vid]

Does anyone know anything about these small lift-keel yachts?

I'm thinking of keeping one on the Medway for some estuary and a little coastal sailing. What would be their practical limitations for conditions and weekend range (one overnight?)

It's either one of these or an older but larger boat for the same sort of cost.

Thoughts appreciated, as always.

 

[FullCircle]

How about a lift keel 24 footer with a lot of go, for less than a Benny?
I've sailed this all last weekend up to Lowestoft from Burnham n Crouch, and it comes recommended. Malbec 240. Yes its a mate of mine, but worth a look to make up your own mind.

 

[Sinbad2222]

I have owned one for the last 18 months having downsized from a 32ft long keel heavy displacement boat. Sheer bliss!!
The 211 has the following advantages:-
She is very fast and rewarding to sail even in light winds when the long keel boat will have a job to get moving.
Lifting keel means we can get into places impossible with a normal yacht.
Outboard engine so:
no ropes round prop
no cutlass bearings to renew
no leaking sternglands
no propshaft to align
no fuel system to bleed
no great heavy diesel engine to lug round when you are sailing, the boat is such a good sailer that the engine is only needed when berthing or mooring.
We cruise Chichester to Poole all through the winter in all weathers and conditions, always 2 on board. I think more than 2 people would be uncomfortable.
No heads, we put the Portapotti in the loft at home and use a bucket. Advantages,of course, are no wasted space, no leaks, smells or blockages, two less holes in the hull and zero maintenance.
The little cookers uses disposable cannisters so no heavy gas bottles, renewing pipes or potential dangerous leaks, rip-off CORGI inspections etc. With a bit of organisation fried brekkies and hot meals are no problem.
Like most of us we had dreams of transatlantic crossings etc etc but the vast majority of us spend 99% of our sailing lives cruising locally so what is the point of getting all geared up for something you will rarely do at the expense of miserably slow and high maintenance expensive sailing?
We have not ventured cross channel yet in the 211 but I think, with caution and an eye on the weather forecasts, there should be no great difficulty.
I am sure that other 7m lift keelers would do the job just as well but the 210/211/217 have been in production over 10 years with over 2000 built - no other such yacht comes close.
If you want to cruise with children or other couples then the 211 is probably not for you (except for day sailing). For two people who are very good friends she comes close to my personal perfection and I never thought I would say that about a Beneteau!.
Hope this is helpful. Our boat has a number of detailed improvement for cruising which I would be happy to tell you about if you pm me. Also look at a great US website 210.org

 

[davidwf]

Like Sinbad I downsized, from a new Dufour 34 to a 21.7 and havn't regreted it one bit. What I've saved on berthing alone I can charter a yacht in Croatia if I want. I sail mostly single handed and was worried she would be too flighty but I have had no problems at all anad have been caught out in 25knots and felt perfectly happy once reefed down.

Would say be careful re outboard choice I foolishly bought a 37kg honda 6 which really upset the trim of the boat, I changed it (for less money than a service of my Dufour's 2020 cost) for a marina 6 which is about 10kg lighter with a sail drive prop on it.

Oh and the finish on the 21.7 was far superior to the Dufour costing over 4 times as much!!!

have a look at first2110111217 news group

 

[Sinbad2222]

My engine also weighs 37kg - it is a Yamaha 8 4-stroke - the extra power is there if ever you need it. My trim is ok as I have increased the weight forward by keeping the Avon dinghy up in the bow and have upped the water tank from 30 to 50 litres.

 

[Vid]

They sound great! What sort of mooring do you keep yours on? Not sure how to PM but interested in mods you've made.

 

[davidwf]

Have PM'd you if you look at top of screen you can click on send and check message , you will also have a mail icon flashing to tell you when mail has arrived.

 

[ariette]

211-Great boat. Really good performance especially off the wind. easy to look after and easy to trail around. I did the RTIR twice in mine and suprised some bigger boats with its performance. Highly recommended

 

[RupertW]

I'm a downsizer too - down to a 24 footer now. It was the 211 that inspired me to downsize and the intention was to buy one - fabulous to look at and great sailing reputation - but SWMBO had one mandatory requirement and that was a sea-toilet.

Great choice if you're fine with a bucket.

 

[davidwf]

Had crap day at work, drove to marina and just had an hour and a half of fun, was doing a good 5.5 knots close hauled in about 12 knots apparent.

Now with my bigger boat it was far to much bother to just push off and go for a quick sail.

 

[jacksys]

love the style of these boats
would they be suitable for occasonal racing but mainly leisur sailing with family on the lake

 

[aquaplane]

I downsized to a First 18, on Windermere. Excellernt performance. No pain form how much power I have to try to cram into my battery bank, it didn't have one. It handles like a dingy, I don't bother with the outboard most of the time. If you want to sail, within the limitations of category D, have a small boat. Trail sailing is great, even for a confirmed cruiser, but I like to put it about a bit. It won't go into waves above force 4, but it's magic on a reach in a 3/4.

If you want to worry about amp hours, stern glands, seacocks, marina fees and all sorts of crap, but be able to stand up, be able to turn over in bed, or even share a bed, stick with a bigger boat.

It's all down to where you are willing to put your sailing compromise, and we all know all boats are a compromise.

 

[Frankh]

Heavy outboard on Beneteau 217

My engine also weighs 37kg - it is a Yamaha 8 4-stroke - the extra power is there if ever you need it. My trim is ok as I have increased the weight forward by keeping the Avon dinghy up in the bow and have upped the water tank from 30 to 50 litres.

Interested to hear you have 37kg outboard on your 217. I have a 217 & would appreciate an electric start which weighs around 37kg for the smallest 8hp. Did you have to modify the engine bracket as mine is only rated for a 30kg motor?

If so how did you do this?

 

[DJE]

See also this thread.

 

[Seajet]

Why on earth are people talking about super-heavy 8hp engines for this sort of boat ?!!!

4-5hp should be plenty - but watch you're not buying a detuned 6hp with the same weight.

Personally I hate twin rudders, only necessary on fat-arse designs and hideously weak for drying out, + in a few years how do you set the tracking and keep the wear and slop out of the linkage ?

If looking for a semi-sports dinghy with a lid, keeping her in a marina then I'm sure they are a lot of fun; if wanting to actually go places fast in a seaworthy way these boats seem overpriced and rather limited.