Bene First 42 open sea?

[AndrejSail]

Dear Sailors,

I own a Bene first 42 from 1983. The boat overall is in good shape and sails well. Regardless, the boat is almost 40 years old - mast and some keel bolts are still original. I am thinking to sail oceans and wandering to either sell the boat and buy a newer vessel or refit my Beneteau (replace standing rigging, keel removal, rudder inspection and so on). The budget is 150k EUR.

Does anyone have similar concerns?

Thank you for all your comments!

Kind regards

 

[Tally Ho]

You could have the boat surveyed, focusing on those critical components, and repair/replace whatever is indicated by the survey.

Standing rigging in salt water may last 20 years, but 40 is a long time. If the rigging is original, way past time to replace I would think.

I am not real familiar with the keel bolts on a Bene First 42. But I have seen photos of keel bolts I would never trust off shore. What do yours look like? Do you ever check tightness?

If you like your boat, and have maintained her well, I would be inclined to keep her and upgrade as indicated by an inspection. Especially if you plan to keep her for a while. You won’t likely get this $$ out of the sale of the boat.

On the other hand, if you are not sold on the boat, or haven’t kept her maintained, maybe time to say goodbye and find your next boat that is a bit newer…but beware that a 20-year old boat may need the same upgrades & maintenance…

For me personally, my 1988 O’Day 322 is 35 years old, but I am in fresh water and don’t plan to sail oceans with her. But Lake Michigan can also be a challenging environment. I have had Tally Ho for about 8 years now, and have been updating her, keeping up with maintenance and feel good about the boat. When I retire, I plan to tackle the standing rigging, and replace it all. Not sure if it has ever been replaced, but it is time. Same with the keel…plan to drop the keel, inspect and rebed it. I tighten the bolts every spring before I launch, and the bolts look good, but still time.

Good luck with the decision.


Greg

 

[Hollyberry]

As a reference, these folks did the globe in a First 38 (granted she wasn't 40 yrs old at the time) but there will be some insight on the capability of such a boat.

Account Suspended

 

[jssailem]

I bought a solid 40 plus year boat that has the structure and size that I wanted. I have been refitting the boat for the past 4plus years. When I did the mast and rigging I chose the materials with the intent that the boat could be sailed in Open water.

If you like the boat and feel it is a boat you want to spend 30 days aboard to cross the Atlantic, then spend the upgrades on your boat. There is some benefit in sailing a boat you know than buying a different boat and having to learn what is amiss and where everything is. You may spend more doing that then refitting the boat you know.

A survey with the direction you want the inspection based upon taking the boat across an ocean might be a quick way to identify the issues with your boat and help with resolving this query.

 

[CYQK]

I have the same boat.
Have replaced almost all of the structural componants.
The outhaul car on the boom was a week point and the chain plate attach point to the hull is another point to look at

 

[AndrejSail]

Thank you all for quick replies!
TallyHo, I tried to check the tightness of bolts, bur did not make it to turn around. I will retry when the boat is on land. I think the majority of bolts are still original.

 

[jssailem]

Try using a large socket with extension and a torque wrench

You do not need to move the nuts you need to know they are tight - or rusted/corroded frozen (this would not be good) especially if the keel wobbles when inspected.

 

[AndrejSail]

Thank you. There are bolts instead of nuts, but I guess there is not a big difference.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

I will retry when the boat is on land.

In a perfect world, keel bolts should be checked while on the hard. There you have 99% of the boat's weight sitting on the keel.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

There are bolts instead of nuts, but I guess there is not a big difference.

Are you quite sure you are dealing with bolts rather than SS rods in the shape of a letter "J" which were placed in the molten lead casting?

I'd be concerned that water would have a chance of leaking into the bolt holes and then corroding the bolts in place without them necessarily being tight.

 

[AndrejSail]

I am pretty sure. This bolts were replaced a few years ago (similar boat).

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Wow ! 16 short bolt as oppose to a fewer number of heavy SS rods that go several feet into the lead keel. Quite likely equal in strength but could be problematic if not thoroughly sealed beneath the hull. These ones seem to have had no problems.

 

[Tally Ho]

Yes, best to tighten keel bolts while on the hard and weight on the keel.

worst issue with those Bene keel bolts is corroded heads, and then stripping them. If yours were replaced recently, that should help.

Greg

 

[TimFromLI]

Here's some info a dealer gave me a couple of years ago. They don't make the bolts anymore, the use studs now. You may be able to find the same size and grade bolt elsewhere online a lot cheaper

 

[jssailem]

Nice data Tim. Maybe a moderator will save this to the forum database. It would be a good file to keep for other Boat owners.