Re: (Beneteau Owners) First 32s5 and 325/345 (was Re: B 343)

[Brya...@aol.com]

Ah, opinions on virtually every subject...just what I am looking for. 

 

I am considering upgrading from my old S2 9.2a to a Beneteau First (325 or a 345) or a Beneteau First 32s5.  The 32s5 seems a bit rare and is of course more expensive than the older First models.  The 32s5 appears to be a beautiful boat, albeit a little light by comparison.  Anyone on the list can relate the differences in terms of handling and sailing characteristics?  I do a fare amount of single and short handed sailing and want to make sure the boats behave without a bunch of rail meat around.  Sailing close hull, what apparent wind speed does each boat need to be reefed to not exceed 20 degrees heel.  I think I read someplace that these boats sail fastest when heel does not exceed 18 to 20 degrees??  Is that true?

 

Does anyone know if the designer of the hulls of the older and newer First series were the same?  It appears the interiors were designed by two different people.  Looking at the bottoms of a couple in the boat yard this fall indicates to me there are some not so subtle differences.

 

Lastly, both these vintages of Firsts have been around a while.  Any things to watch out for when buying one?  I have read a bit about the keel nuts rusting but not much else. 

 

Any opinions or advise would be certainly appreciated.

 

thanks,

bryan

1979 S2 9.2A

Southern Lake Huron

 

 

 

In a message dated 11/6/2005 3:59:35 PM Eastern Standard Time, denny.we...@sbcglobal.net writes:

Welcome to the list. There are owners out there. It is a very active list and a wonderful forum. Most of us have tons of knowledge and two or three opinions on virtually very subject. Enjoy !!

Denny Wertheimer

List moderator

Ayre <arq...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello all.... I am new to the group, any 343 owners aout here? Would
like to exchange some info on the boat....

Denny Wertheimer

s/v Breeze Pleeze 42CC
314-330-5001

 

[O_salt]

Hi Bryan, I own a First 345. This boat is easly sailed by one person
if propoerly set up and you have an auto pilot.

I mainly sail the boat with the #2 jib about 125%. In 10 knots true
wind this sail easly gets the boat moving to 5-6 knots boat speed. The
boat is fairly stiff and powers along upwind very well. I probably
reef around 25knot apparent. My main sail is old so this is probably a
little early because it gets so full in the higher winds.

Their are a couple of interior layouts available, 2-aft cabins or 1-aft
cabin and a aft head. The interiors vary slightly with the amount of
cabinets in the Nav station and behind the settee's. I have the 2-aft
cabin model and some cabinets.

I am very pleased with my desision to buy the 345. I came from a
racing back ground and wanted a good sailing boat for cruising. After
3-years of using the boat, I got what I was looking for.

I was pleasently surprised with the quality of the 345. It was built
in France and the attention to little details and the quality of the
wood work was exceptional.

The boat was built in 1984 and the electrical needed some upgrading to
current standards.

For the amount of money, the 345 is a good valuve.

If you have any specific questions, please let me know.

Steve

[Jim Martin]

Bryan,

We have owned a 1990 32s5 for about six years, and love the boat. We have the deep keel (6') version. I single hand it, even when my wife is aboard. Though we're on an inland lake, we sometimes see wind in the 30+ knot range. I find that if I don't reef at 16-18 knots I regret it. With a single reef in the main and furling the 140% genoa to about 80 - 90%, we're O.K. up to ~ 24-26 knots. Well, I'm O.K. Our daughter starts whining at 15 knots, my wife at about 18 knots, and the dog at about 24.

To us, the biggest asset to the 32s5 is the swim platform. Even if you don't swim off the boat, it makes dingy transfers much easier. The 325 and 345 have a conventional reverse transom. By reputation, the 345 model seems to have aged well.

The Phillipe Stark on the 3xs5, 41s5 interior is functional and attractive, especially at night. All Beneteau's of this era and before will have problems with the foam backing on the vinyl interior liner disintegrating. This problem is worse in the South.

You are welcome to contact me offline or call me at the number below if you have other questions. Aquila is not on the market, but I took numerous pictures earlier this year when we had someone who wanted to buy her. I'd be happy to email them  if you want a reference. I'm also familiar with one 32s5 currently on the market and could give some insight.

Jim Martin
32s5 Aquila

--

Jim Martin

Peachtree Laser, Inc.

404-352-2565

email: mailto:ptl...@bellsouth.net

website: peachtreelaser.com

[chefmango]

[chefmango]

Hi Bryan, I've owned a 345 for 4 years now, sailing on the Chesapeake
out of Oxford. Love the boat especially it's speed, responsiveness and
stability. So, to answer some of your questions: boat was designed by
Jean Berret as were the 32s5 and the 35s5, however the interior of the
345 is generic whereas Phillipe Starck designed the interiors of the
32s5 and 35s5. I run a 155% genoa on the furler and full main up to
22/24 apparent but will reef early if (like this past weekend) it is
gusting above 25. The trick to this boat really is balance and it will
sail itself if you can fine tune using traveller, running backstays
sheets, etc. but be forewarned of extreme weather helm with too much
sail up. I have singlehanded the boat with ease using autopilot and
found it very easy to sail aggresively with one trimmer/grinder on
board. In a 16-19 breeze it is easy to get up to hull speed of 7.1. The
single quarter berth/aft head design is their racing configuration and
has the trav. mounted on the bridge deck rather than across the cabin
top, the masthead rig is a foot taller than the cruising stick and it
draws 6'3 with it's fin keel instead of 4'5. I did some pretty
intensive research before I bought and would be happy to relay what you
should look for in more detail. You can contact me directly at
ba...@goeaston.net.
Stephen

[Brya...@aol.com]

Thanks for the info on the 345.  Who was the designer of the hull?  Beneteau neglects to include such details on their older model cut sheets available on their website.

 

How close does she point to weather without pinching in a good blow?  Said a different way, how may degrees do you tack through when going to weather? 

 

Any maintenance issues worth mentioning?

 

thanks for the info..

bryan

s2 9.2a

Southern Lake Huron

[Brya...@aol.com]

Thanks Stephen for the review.  Are you saying it is possible to have full main, a 155% genoa in 22 kts breeze and are able to balance the rig (tolerable weather helm)?  Impressive....  How much helm do you have in these conditions?  Sails must be in decent shape.

 

I would love to discuss the research you did when selecting the 345.  Finding objective information about boats seems difficult.  magazine reviews all seem complimentary.  I will contact you off list for this information.

 

bryan

S2 9.2a

southern lake huron

[Steve Leonard]

Hi Bryan, sailing to weather is one of the strong points of this boat.  I can't remember the exact numbers I get going to weather, but the boat points very well and has a good powerful motion going to weather. 

 

Jean Berret was the designer.

Thanks,

 

Steve Leonard
Barr, Leonard Company
425.641.6844