Sydney Hobart - Beneteau!

[dom]

An AWB "First National" - a Beneteau 40.7 built to a price ...ok if you can't afford better etc. etc. - won the 2003 Sydney Hobart in the following categories: IMS Div 3, IMS overall, IRC Div 3 and IRC overall.

Perhaps these boats are every bit as well designed, fast, robust, tough as any other out there? Perhaps heaven forbid even better?!

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[Roberto]

if I am correct a first 38 survived and eventually arrived 1st or second in its class in the *terrible* sydney hobart, year 98 maybe?

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[Peppermint]

Re: I\'m not surprised.

Ben's have, with the exception of their Oceanis range, always been the pick of the bunch for me. First 405 is one of the best boats I've sailed.

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[Twister_Ken]

point sevens

The Benny .7 range doesn't have much in common with the Oceanis range. The 40.7 in particular has been the boat to beat at the 40 footer level for a while.

Met a guy that sails aboard a 40.7 on the east coast, though, and they've managed to bend the boat by winding the backstay up too tight.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[waterboy]

Re: I\'m not surprised.

Horses for courses, my Oceanis 411 is alot more comfortable and still fun to sail.

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[jhr]

Think you may be right.

If you haven't read it, I'd highly recommend <A target="_blank" HREF=http://linkhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0713667508/qid=1074779807/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_8_2/202-9344116-7123843>Fatal Storm</A>, which details the events of the '98 race and the attendant rescue operation. Terrifying, but fascinating also.

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[Roberto]

this is also interesting, the <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lc.nsf/pages/sydneytohobart_index>coroner's report</A>

full of common sense observations from an officer with little sailing experience, if I remember correctly

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[dom]

Name was Avanti and I think they were second overall and won thier own division.

By the way I am not at all saying that this kind of boat or for that matter almost any kind of boat will survive serious storms using entirely passive techniques. I am saying that properly set up (as for any other boat) and in posession of a competent crew (most important factor for any boat) they may be expected to do every bit as well as other boats. The only caveat would be that the cruiser/racer boats such as the First's are a bit better than the Oceanis range for rough weather.

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[Robin]

I believe Yachting World did a boat for boat comparison test a few years back comparing the Ben 40.7 to a Bowman 40 which was pretty well double the price. Which is best I wonder 2 for the price of one (put one in warmer climes maybe, or charter the 2nd to pay for the first. or First even?) or one with some brag value in the bar?



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[BigLes]

Re: I\'m not surprised.

What's wrong with the Oceanis? Or is it just that it's built as an out and out cruiser? I assume the build quality is the same, it's just the sailing performance that's lacking?

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[qsiv]

Re: point sevens

Uh huh! And if you talk to Sanders sails man, you will find that the fast blue 40.7 that was sailing out of Lymington a year or three back (was on the market) was trashed after 2 seasons, to the extent that I understood some of the rigging had to be shortened to allow for the change of shape in the hull. Even so, as you say, all the .7's are stunning boats in a handicap fleet (rather like the X332 which cleaned everything at Cowes last year).

As always the distinction between cheap and good value is important.

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[Peppermint]

Re: I\'m not surprised.

If I get more beam I like more keel. They're not as much fun up wind as their sportier brothers. I'd say the build quality was much the same.

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