rjnichols
New Member
I'm looking at buying a Beneteau First 50 to do the 2009 Blue Water Rally with. Anyone got any opinions on the suitablilty of this yacht do world cruising? /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Beneteau First 50 and Blue Water cruising
- Thread starter rjnichols
- Start date
Bajansailor
Well-Known Member
Pretty much any yacht of 50' will be very capable of world cruising provided that it is in satisfactory condition, it is sensibly equipped and that it is operated by competent persons.
How is that for a very vague answer !
How is that for a very vague answer !
tcm
...
given the above caveats yeah.
I would spec no teak deck just in cockpit (white reflective decks cool underfoot) and alcantara which is not cold and cleans well, and white hull (less cleaning than blue flippin hull).
yiou can spec all the nav stuf with themm praps cheaper aftermarket, praps not.
I would spec no teak deck just in cockpit (white reflective decks cool underfoot) and alcantara which is not cold and cleans well, and white hull (less cleaning than blue flippin hull).
yiou can spec all the nav stuf with themm praps cheaper aftermarket, praps not.
sailbadthesinner
Well-Known Member
okay but it would have been more so if you'd added
...''or you could go for a vertue or anything suitable in between''
...''or you could go for a vertue or anything suitable in between''
Bajansailor
Well-Known Member
Good point Sailbad! Modified, even vaguer answer below :
You could go for a Vertue (legendary seakeeping qualities) - in fact pretty much any yacht over 25' should be very capable of world cruising PROVIDED that it is in satisfactory condition, it is sensibly equipped and that it is operated by competent person(s).
Am now waiting to be shot down in flames by folk who own fine sea-going yachts under 25'....... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
You could go for a Vertue (legendary seakeeping qualities) - in fact pretty much any yacht over 25' should be very capable of world cruising PROVIDED that it is in satisfactory condition, it is sensibly equipped and that it is operated by competent person(s).
Am now waiting to be shot down in flames by folk who own fine sea-going yachts under 25'....... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
FullCircle
Well-Known Member
What about a Caprice /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif at 18 feet?
Signed
Shane Acton
Signed
Shane Acton
sailbadthesinner
Well-Known Member
then again maybe i'd go for the 50 foot bav with the ice maker and spec electric winches /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
that might just do it
that might just do it
Bajansailor
Well-Known Member
Sorry Shane - I see your point, and have your books, and agree that Caprices can be world cruisers, but I have a feeling that the Megalomaniac would probably prefer something as described by Sailbad.
MM, don't mind all the stories you hear about Bavkeels dropping off all the time - only happens occasionally, same as with most other boats.
One question though MM - why on earth do you want to be part of a flock of sheep being herded around the world (I think this is where the Blue Water Rally is going?) when you can be a free spirit, do your own thing, anchor where you like, stay as long as you want - and save a few pennies for the rum punch fund in the bargain?
MM, don't mind all the stories you hear about Bavkeels dropping off all the time - only happens occasionally, same as with most other boats.
One question though MM - why on earth do you want to be part of a flock of sheep being herded around the world (I think this is where the Blue Water Rally is going?) when you can be a free spirit, do your own thing, anchor where you like, stay as long as you want - and save a few pennies for the rum punch fund in the bargain?
silver-fox
Well-Known Member
Maybe Megalomaniac likes being part of a group! Pretty pointless and very unsatisfying being a Megalomaniac on your own /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Bajansailor
Well-Known Member
Ummmm yes, good point - I dont think Megalomaniacs are ever renowned for being loners...... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
But at the same time, I wouldnt want to be part of a round the world flock - I would prefer to meet new boats and make new friends along the way. And if I liked somewhere in particular, I could stay there a bit longer, and not have to worry about catching up with the flock later.
I guess I am just a sad Minilomaniac..... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Talk about thread drift! Back to Bendytoe (oops, sorry, Beneteau!) 50's - very fine vessels, at least I have seen a few of the older ones (from about 15+ years ago), and they seemed to be rather nice - they were stalwart workhorses in the crewed charterboat field out here with The Moorings and / or Sunsail in the 90's.
But at the same time, I wouldnt want to be part of a round the world flock - I would prefer to meet new boats and make new friends along the way. And if I liked somewhere in particular, I could stay there a bit longer, and not have to worry about catching up with the flock later.
I guess I am just a sad Minilomaniac..... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Talk about thread drift! Back to Bendytoe (oops, sorry, Beneteau!) 50's - very fine vessels, at least I have seen a few of the older ones (from about 15+ years ago), and they seemed to be rather nice - they were stalwart workhorses in the crewed charterboat field out here with The Moorings and / or Sunsail in the 90's.
tcm
...
you meant you "wouldn't" want to be in a flock. And i agree - in any case you would likely met loads of people a you bumbled along. Also by not rallying you could dump the boat and fly home if you needed to do so.
It'as also a fair bit of loot innit? Whereas by saving on the blue watyer rally fees AND not having teak i reckon that might have saved about 25 grand AND the boat will be quicker too.
Finally...I might actually do a rally thing (tho probly not for loads of loot) - but I think i would want my boat to be the poxiest in the fleet. Reason being that going a long way in boats the main issue is fixing things that go wrong - so if in a rally there is a sort-of onus on everyone to help out. Thus either you are fixing your boat or feeling that really you oughta help someone else inthe fleet fix theirs, cos their boat's a bit rubbish or not as good as a brand spanky new first50.
It'as also a fair bit of loot innit? Whereas by saving on the blue watyer rally fees AND not having teak i reckon that might have saved about 25 grand AND the boat will be quicker too.
Finally...I might actually do a rally thing (tho probly not for loads of loot) - but I think i would want my boat to be the poxiest in the fleet. Reason being that going a long way in boats the main issue is fixing things that go wrong - so if in a rally there is a sort-of onus on everyone to help out. Thus either you are fixing your boat or feeling that really you oughta help someone else inthe fleet fix theirs, cos their boat's a bit rubbish or not as good as a brand spanky new first50.
rjnichols
New Member
I've heard of Beneteau yachts being nicknamed bendytoe by people who have been arround a bit. Is this still true of the modern ones?
Twister_Ken
Well-Known Member
They're pretty solid. Ask Jimi who uses his as a bulldozer.
StugeronSteve
Well-Known Member
Usually by those that have never owned one.
tcm
...
er, they're just called bendytoe cos that all you can do with the name in mocking it. Not cos of especial bendyness at all. There's no inherent cackiness about them. They are lighter built than some boats but that can be a good thing. Tho other times, not such a good thing. Same as anything. I wd have no prob at all going rtw in benny 50. There again, lots of people wouldn't rtw in any floating vessel at all.
But you are not taking a haw haw stupidly well known risk - which i think is what you are asking.
The fact that bennys are used by hefty racy types, and in charteer fleets where they get ten years use in a year is a good sign .
all imho.
But you are not taking a haw haw stupidly well known risk - which i think is what you are asking.
The fact that bennys are used by hefty racy types, and in charteer fleets where they get ten years use in a year is a good sign .
all imho.
Phoenix of Hamble
Well-Known Member
Having partaken in a channel crossing with one of the above contributors in his 'Bendytoy', with a quartering sea, and wind blowing F5, gusting 7, with full sails up downwind, and the windier it got, the more fun she was to sail, and no evidence of the boat being stressed in anyway whatsoever, I wouldn't hesitate to take one around the world.... in fact, IMHO, they are built to a level that sits among the more robust of todays construction standards... good boats.
jonic
Well-Known Member
I would agree that once you get to boats of this size/displacement they should be easily capable of Bluewater. It's still a good idea to check stab curves, rudder stock construction and underwater profile. Too flat bottomed to squeeze in more accomodation and she'll fly downwind but be miserable on a beat into a seaway.
For longterm liveaboard, interior joinery construction becomes more important, as it will be getting wear 365 days a year.
And for distance sailing fuel/water tankage is crucial.
For longterm liveaboard, interior joinery construction becomes more important, as it will be getting wear 365 days a year.
And for distance sailing fuel/water tankage is crucial.
Chris_Robb
Well-Known Member
And a spare rudder and keel ....etc etc
cthelen
New Member
One big concern i would have with this boat is that the main sail is rigged to a winch nice center cockpit. It looks kinda neat and is probable easy to access from the helm/behind the wheel. But there is no main sail traveler! So what happens when you have the sail out and there is a sudden wind shift where causing the boom to switch sides. Consider that there will be allot of slack in the rope wipping across the main part of the cock pit where you may have a guest relaxing. look at some top view pics.
Am i being overly concerned or is this a real problem. Since there is no traveler. it seems like there is no way to avoid having allot of slack in the main sail lines. while this is ok on a 16 foot laser, it seems a little dangerous in a yacht of this size.
Its a beautiful looking boat never the less.
Any thoughts?
Am i being overly concerned or is this a real problem. Since there is no traveler. it seems like there is no way to avoid having allot of slack in the main sail lines. while this is ok on a 16 foot laser, it seems a little dangerous in a yacht of this size.
Its a beautiful looking boat never the less.
Any thoughts?
flaming
Well-Known Member
How exactly does a traveller stop accidental gybes?
Anyone on an offshore passage on a boat of this size is going to be rigging a preventer when necessary.
That said, I don't rate the 50 as a cruising boat, friends have raced one, and keep breaking things when they release ropes in the wrong order.
