Just returned from a charter in Canada's North Channel. 6 of us charted a Beneteau 473. It is a very nice boat - well built with nice manners, 3 state rooms and ample accommodations for the one week cruise. Our boats are all older and I noticed some short comings of the way the newer boat was set up. I really disliked the combination throttle/shift lever similar to what small power boats have. In forward the lever hung out over the cockpit seat and twice it was accidently hit by the person in the seat changing rpm. I really missed the controls mounted on the pedestal - with a separate one for throttle and another one for reverse/forward. No way for a passenger to accidently hit either control. When charging batteries at anchor I found it a little disconcerting to have to push the button on the control lever to ensure we were in neutral. I was always concerned I didn't get it right and the boat might be in gear. I much prefer a separate shift control where there is no doubt if you are in gear or not.
