As there is clearly a lot of expereince out there with you guys I wanted to ask about choosing to buy either a pre-used 473 (built 2003) or a new 423. I plan to do blue water sailing for both short and long cruising plus, obviously live aboard with my partner for a while. Sailing pleasure, with or without engine assistance, is a factor up to and including force 6-7. I have found a European based, hardly-used 3-cabin 473 with all just about all the options, including Yanmar 100, blue paint, GPS, radar, plotter, bow thruster and would dearly love the extra space - it all seems good value though a bit more money than the 423. Is it worth it/will I be disappointed/is there is noticeabler difference in running costs/is the Yanmar 100 too big for the boat? All and any advice greatly received. PGM
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473 vs. 423
We just spent the better part of a year looking for a "new" boat. We have an Ericson 38 and our short list came down to the 423 or the 473. I actually prefer a used boat but my wife insisted on new. My wife loved the style and "open feeling" of the B line. In the end, my wife really wanted a new boat (we plan on living on the boat for a good part of the summer) and 3-cabins (for guests and our children). I spent many nights comparing the 423 and 473 and trying to rationalize the increased cost - the final conclusion was for a new 473 since there is no substitute for size. The 423 was in our budget so the 473 was over "our budget" but the best boat for us long term so we decided to "stretch". We liked the overall 3-cabin layout better in the 473 (the 3-cabin layout in the 423 has the galley along the port side). Both are excellent boats. Based on my research, the Yanmar 100 is not too big - if you put a nice 20" folding or feathering prop (which I plan on doing) it should be great. Based on the guidelines I was able to find, the Volve 54hp is a very good size and a very good engine, I opted to have the extra hp. I also researched other boats in the same size/displacement range and more often than not they seem to come with an engine about 75hp. They are both great boats and you can't go wrong. The 423 group and 473 group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Beneteau423 and http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Beneteau473 have good info also.
We just spent the better part of a year looking for a "new" boat. We have an Ericson 38 and our short list came down to the 423 or the 473. I actually prefer a used boat but my wife insisted on new. My wife loved the style and "open feeling" of the B line. In the end, my wife really wanted a new boat (we plan on living on the boat for a good part of the summer) and 3-cabins (for guests and our children). I spent many nights comparing the 423 and 473 and trying to rationalize the increased cost - the final conclusion was for a new 473 since there is no substitute for size. The 423 was in our budget so the 473 was over "our budget" but the best boat for us long term so we decided to "stretch". We liked the overall 3-cabin layout better in the 473 (the 3-cabin layout in the 423 has the galley along the port side). Both are excellent boats. Based on my research, the Yanmar 100 is not too big - if you put a nice 20" folding or feathering prop (which I plan on doing) it should be great. Based on the guidelines I was able to find, the Volve 54hp is a very good size and a very good engine, I opted to have the extra hp. I also researched other boats in the same size/displacement range and more often than not they seem to come with an engine about 75hp. They are both great boats and you can't go wrong. The 423 group and 473 group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Beneteau423 and http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Beneteau473 have good info also.
Go for the 473!
My wife and I have been living aboard our 473 for two years. We first looked at the 423 but immediately decided on the 473. The two steering wheels makes the cockpit much more livable. The equipment that is standard on the 473 (optional or dealer added on the 423), three batteries, 2000 watt inverter, electric halyard winch etc., combined with a Boat Show Package Deal of autopilot and radar was extra justification for the bigger boat. The real justification is the 43'10" waterline! The French built boats are better rigged than those from Marion (Classic Profurl instead of Basic Profurl etc.) so your plan to purchase a European boat is a good one. Hopefully your Euro Boat will have the Classic full batten main with a good "Stack Pack". The Classic Main is faster. A 100hp motor is fine if its got a low rev torque curve. With that much power, get a folding propeller not a feathering prop. Much less chance of picking up crab pots, better sailing performance, more realiable and cheaper! Necessary gear: Gennaker, backstay adjusters, radar arch, 100 amp alternator and a big USA dodger not one of those little Euro dodgers. Hope this helps!
My wife and I have been living aboard our 473 for two years. We first looked at the 423 but immediately decided on the 473. The two steering wheels makes the cockpit much more livable. The equipment that is standard on the 473 (optional or dealer added on the 423), three batteries, 2000 watt inverter, electric halyard winch etc., combined with a Boat Show Package Deal of autopilot and radar was extra justification for the bigger boat. The real justification is the 43'10" waterline! The French built boats are better rigged than those from Marion (Classic Profurl instead of Basic Profurl etc.) so your plan to purchase a European boat is a good one. Hopefully your Euro Boat will have the Classic full batten main with a good "Stack Pack". The Classic Main is faster. A 100hp motor is fine if its got a low rev torque curve. With that much power, get a folding propeller not a feathering prop. Much less chance of picking up crab pots, better sailing performance, more realiable and cheaper! Necessary gear: Gennaker, backstay adjusters, radar arch, 100 amp alternator and a big USA dodger not one of those little Euro dodgers. Hope this helps!
Your advice MOST welcomeMany thanks indeed to 'Dale' and 'MJB' for the extremely helpful advice, pointers and tips concerning my choice between the B 473 and B 423. I should be so lucky to even be considering eiter of these lovely craft, but my instincts lead me towards the 473 even with the budget line tightly drawn. The after-market B473 I'm considering (French built in March 2003) does have the Classic battened mainsail with stack pack, 4 batteries, the Yanmar 100 and a 'boat Show' electronic pack consisting: radar (Raymarine RL70C), Raymarine autopilot (ST6001), echo sounder/wind inst (Raymarine ST60) etc. It has the 3 cabin layout plus a couple of fridges/freezers, and a 12/22v elec system. It also has a bow thruster and is painted the optional dark blue; as far as I can tell the boat doesn't have backstay adjusters. Is a 'watermaker' worth the money on this boat; do either of you have aircon fitted and if so which make/model? The folding prop is a brilliant suggestion. As we are but 2 nations separated by a common language would 'Dave' and 'MJB' mind just defining 'dodger' for me please otherwise I shall be forced to introduce some cricketing metaphors!! Cheers and any further advice will of course be fantastic.
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