Sailing/Cruising Info Reqd on Beneteau First 27.7

[Inspirido]

Hi there.

Am looking for views/reviews, please, from members who may have done some sailing - especially cruising - on a Benetteau First 27.7 with a lifting keel. Have been looking at a few not unreasonably priced ones. Am downsizing from an older but larger heavier cruiser. I now need a smaller boat, with smaller mooring/ running costs. I'm getting older too. Based in Ireland but fond of hopping via the Scilly Isles to France for day-sail cruising most summers, I am wondering how I might fare in this particular boat. I fancy being able to poke a little further up rivers. Apologies for a rather long-winded request.

Thanking forum members for feedback.

Jk

 

[Bajansailor]

Welcome to the Forum Inspirido!

I have no experience of a First 27.7, but I am sure that there are others on here who do have.
Have you seen this review on the Brokerage site Yachtsnet?
Beneteau First 27.7 archive details - Yachtsnet Ltd. online UK yacht brokers - yacht brokerage and boat sales

Re downsizing from a larger and heavier cruiser - the 27.7 appears to be a bit more race orientated than cruise - what are you down sizing from? And how many crew will there typically be on your new boat?
The 27.7 certainly should be fun to sail, and be able to achieve good passage times on your cruises from Ireland to France

 

[fredrussell]

Bajansailor’s enquiry about crew size is right on the money. The reviews I’ve read could all be summarised thus: goes like the bleedin’ clappers but needs some weight on the rail.

 

[doug748]

I can't help about the boat but as the others say it could be a lively crossing. You might well downsize the performance envelope by sailing offshore reefed and still make good passage times on this type of machine. I once sailed a long way with two big reefs in my ripped main and my heavy boat still made satisfactory progress.

However.

The real reason I chirped up was to say that it sounds a great idea to sail that sort of boat around France. There are loads of places that never feature because fixed keel boats seldom get there. They are attractive, free and tranquil. A pair of lightweight legs and you are away - would make a good YouTube channel. Keep us posted.

.

 

[Inspirido]

Thanks a million.

I'm downsizing from a Gibsea 442 which we've had for 15 years - bought with a friend, at a time when there were plans on a grander scale for cruising much further afield. Plans change. So, I want to stay sailing, in a boat I can afford to keep, with a good size cockpit, that has a lifting keel, which I can singlehand. I'm not going racing, but I like the idea of making progress with a Code Zero and I like the 'fun-to-sail' aspect of this boat. Good passage times for coastal cruising would be great. I might never cruise to France again but I'd like a boat that would be comfortable for several weeks afloat. So, minimum criteria : good singlehander, lifting keel/bilge keeler (Django 7.7 too expensive) good size cockpit and capable of occasional offshore passage making. I'll look at any other boat that might suit, but she must be a lifting keel/centreboard/bilge keel design. Thanks again. JK

 

[Inspirido]

Re crew - mostly singlehanded sailing, but with one or two crew, maybe, on the holidays. Jk

 

[KeithH]

Have you thought of looking at a Parker 275? Might be somewhat gentler to sail than the First 27.7 in more marginal conditions.

 

[seumask]

We had good friends with a 27.7 for 3 years. They sailed it 2 adults and 2 kids aged 3-7 and we did the channel lslands down to St Malo in the wet and windy summer of 2007. The boat goes well and can be managed by a single adult, but it is lively and you need to be on your feet when it's windy, they were ex dinghy sailors and enjoyed its performace. In particular they managed to surf it in a huge sea off Cap le hague at over 18knts.

 

[Inspirido]

Have you thought of looking at a Parker 275? Might be somewhat gentler to sail than the First 27.7 in more marginal conditions.

Thanks a million, will do.

 

[Inspirido]

We had good friends with a 27.7 for 3 years. They sailed it 2 adults and 2 kids aged 3-7 and we did the channel lslands down to St Malo in the wet and windy summer of 2007. The boat goes well and can be managed by a single adult, but it is lively and you need to be on your feet when it's windy, they were ex dinghy sailors and enjoyed its performace. In particular they managed to surf it in a huge sea off Cap le hague at over 18knts.

Thanks, Seumask, thats all positive feedback. I reckon I would be sailing a little more conservatively, but might still manage to remember my dinghy sailing days

 

[Tintin]

I happen to know this older First 325 would be a good buy if you want to go larger than the 27.7

Beneteau First 325 for sale

(Am current owner .... I'll get my coat)

 

[NealB]

Yes .... get that coat and run!!

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

I've sailed a 27.7, it's a very nice boat and was much better-sorted than most boats of its time. The Parker's a great boat too, but will be much harder to find. You'd have a hard job finding a lift-keeler to best either.

 

[Inspirido]

Thank you. Have just looked at the Parker, as recommended earlier. Reckon I'd prefer the 27.7 for daysails but might prefer to be in a Parker if caught offshore in a real blow. There are more of the First's available in pretty fresh condition.