9/21/06, 1989 Beneteau First 235, Middle River, Maryland, asking $12,900, sold 10/24/06

Windependent, a Beneteau First 235 wing keel, was built in 1989 but you would be hard pressed to tell she is over 5 years old. Simply put, she is in excellent condition. She's been pampered and tended to with care. It's close to perfect on the outside and gorgeous inside with many custom additions and refits (I'm an Engineer - wood & metal working are hobbies) to make her more like a home away from home.

The Beneteau First 235 is exceptionally well designed by the Finot Group, which patterned her after their racing Mini-Transat, which was before its time, mimicking hull shapes of racing boats today. She is over-built, fitted out like a much bigger boat (her toerail, chocks, and cleats are the same as on the Beneteau/Jeanneau 50). Indeed, this is about as many big boat features as any designer has ever gotten into a 24' hull. especially one that performs this well.

Finot/Beneteau has managed an amazingly spacious and usable interior. The salon features a wraparound settee that converts to a huge double berth when the table is dropped (She can sleep those over 6ft with ease). She has a large overhead Lewmar hatch, skylight, and windows to either side for plenty of light (the hatch cover is also tinted Plexiglas).There is storage under both settees, the quarter berth, and shelves along both sides.

The unique head/nav station can be completely enclosed by raising a sliding bulkhead and closing the integral wooden door, or opened up and converted to a fully functional nav station. It also features a "real" marine toilet (replaced in July 2006) and holding tank. The galley has a generous sized icebox, gimbaled two burner Origo 3000 alcohol stove that works great, and a sink (new stainless) with an electric & manual cold water pump with foot switch. There is plenty of well organized space for storage with 3 cupboards and a shelf above the galley area. And as noted, I have added many custom wood features to facilitate comfortable adventures in this little pocket cruiser/racer.

As for the Beneteau First 235 sailing qualities, she is notoriously quick and nimble; succinctly put, the F235 is a FAST boat that can walk down longer waterlines. She benefits from relatively light displacement and a wealth of sail area, while having ample ballast in her shoal draft, wing keel to maintain peace of mind, safety, and comfort. The F235 is a pleasure to single-hand as all controls are lead to the cockpit. The Z Spars mast and boom are excellent and easily tunable. She is VERY easy to reef with in-boom reefing. She features Harken and Lewmar blocks, Traveler, and backstay adjuster, Spinlock Clutches, and Lewmar Winches. Her cockpit has excellent ergonomics and the motor is easily accessible with it's own cutout. I don't know of any easier access. She features an anchor locker with dedicated anchor roller.

Windependent Features

It's been our pride and joy for years but we are reluctantly putting her on the market due to big boat purchase for longer voyaging to the BVIs and beyond. Windependent lies in Maryland Marina, Middle River, MD, awaiting her new owners.

David
The Beneteau First 235 was sold for asking price on 10-22-06. Thanks for the ad!
Kelly