Beneteau first 21

[Captn TJ]

My son is looking at a '94 First 21. Any owners out there? Comments on the boat?

 

[Jackdaw]

My son is looking at a '94 First 21. Any owners out there? Comments on the boat?

Outstanding boat.

What model? The blue hulled ones with swing keels sail slightly better and are better equipped than the white hulled classic, but both models are great.

1) check on the swing keel mechanism for wear or damage. It is a $1000 part.

2) the head liner will fall and need replacement

 

[Captn TJ]

Thanks jackdaw, he's considering a blue model. Hasn't looked at it yet - too cold and snowy.

 

[Captn TJ]

Outstanding boat. What model? The blue hulled ones with swing keels sail slightly better and are better equipped than the white hulled classic, but both models are great. 1) check on the swing keel mechanism for wear or damage. It is a $1000 part. 2) the head liner will fall and need replacement

Jackdaw

As a further follow up is the swing keel mechanism wear obvious or does it require raising/lowering to tell?

 

[Jackdaw]

Jackdaw

As a further follow up is the swing keel mechanism wear obvious or does it require raising/lowering to tell?

Can be tricky.

On the original design,you can only turn the lift handle and 'feel' for wear as you cannot see the actual screw. On the trailer, turn the handle to lower the keel. The screw will come up. If you see screw, it is the new design. If you see a tube, it's the old design.

If the screw has been replaced,the new design is better. The screw is on top and the long nut is below. The screw stays dry.

On the trailer:
You can crank the keel screw up and the handle will come out of the base. The exposed screw should look shiny and not worn.

This is the old mechanism. The new one is turned around... The screw is in top.
Our first 260 has the same basic keel. It's great.