First 26 First Boat

[JonoSlatter]

(Found a really nice Beneteau 26, 1986 - really good condition - but survey found high moisture content in hull below waterline. 20 below, 5 above)

So as this is my first experience of buying a yacht I've been trying to decide what to do. Anyway in case you have any other advice I have since discovered that she has not been taken out of the water for 4 and a half years. Only once a year for a couple of days to antifoul.

I'm intending to winter ashore this year. And am hoping she might dry out...a bit.

Anyone else had experience of buying a boat like this?

Thanks,

Jono

 

[rogerroger]

Hi Jono

I bought 1980 First 27 at the begining of last year. No point going into details as you can check out the web site if you're interested. Then feel free to post, PM or email me a particular questions you have and I'll be more than happy to help.

Don't know much about the 26 - there are a lot more of them than the 27's and like all Firsts she'll be light, quick and great fun to sail. If you're looking to go out in all weathers then perhaps think again.

I wouldn't buy her if you're worried about moisture content. She'll dry over the winter but not a lot and I guess to really dry you'll need to store here inside. Why not use it as a bargaining tool to get say £2,000 knocked off to be put towards epoxy treatment ?

/forums/images/icons/cool.gif Roger Holden /forums/images/icons/cool.gif
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.first-magnitude.co.uk>First Magnitude</A>

 

[JonoSlatter]

Hi Roger,

Have indeed seen your website on a few occasions before.

I spent most of the season chasing an Etap 28i that was frankly a bit sick (wicking etc) and we could never agree a price bla bla bla.

Having looked at a lot of yachts I was really pleasantly surprised when I saw the Beneteau F26. She looked great - the rig looked decent - basically without wanting to sound too ignorant she looked like a "proper" boat that might be fun and reasonably quick to sail! And down below it has everything - decent galley, sep. head, sep aft berth. And this one has obviously been really well looked after. The guy who owns her sails her all year round and does a lot of single handed trips across the Channel.

However - having not really taken her out (apart from to antifoul) in the last 4.5. years - I guess it's not too surprising that she has taken in a little moisture. My worry is about what's going to happen to the mositure.

The Vendor has said from the outset that he wouldn't budge much off the £15k we agreed prior to survey. At the moment I am trying to get some reduction to take the hull into account.

So that's where we are at - and thank you so much for your post. Seems though you're enjoying sailing FM.

Hopefully I'll be out on the water too!

Regards,

Jono