At the Toronto boat show I saw a new Beneteau 423. This is a really beautiful boat. It is also a really big boat. Was thinking that it may be too much for a couple in their 50s to sail away on. We first were thinking that a 36' might be the right size but it felt too cramped inside. The next step up in a beneteau line seems like a 42. Been sailing for years and never really considered that size of boat but my wife and possible visitors would appreciate the space. I am also wondering if that size of boat may be a bit to much for a couple to handle. Could use some comments about this boat. I see lots of them in Florida and Carribean and many of the owners are much older than us. Thank you
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423 owner
Alan, My wife and I owned a 423 and I can say that you shouldn't worry about being able to handle her. We ordered her with a power winch which mades it mcuh easier to trim in heavy air. She is well balanced and is much easier to sail than our previous Hunter 37.5 I'll be 61 next month!
Alan, My wife and I owned a 423 and I can say that you shouldn't worry about being able to handle her. We ordered her with a power winch which mades it mcuh easier to trim in heavy air. She is well balanced and is much easier to sail than our previous Hunter 37.5 I'll be 61 next month!
Big Bene
Alan; My present boat is a Bene OC400. I can tell you that the loads this boat generates are much larger than my previous boat, a Catalina 30. Cranking in that genny going upwind gets to be a bit much after a few tacks, and the mainsheet needs the winch. The traveler is, IMHO, severely underpowered. My new tactic is luffing up to trim, then falling off to course. I'm interested in some kind of fractional rig, where most of the rigs power is in a full-battened main with a large roach, not a big mast-head genny.
Alan; My present boat is a Bene OC400. I can tell you that the loads this boat generates are much larger than my previous boat, a Catalina 30. Cranking in that genny going upwind gets to be a bit much after a few tacks, and the mainsheet needs the winch. The traveler is, IMHO, severely underpowered. My new tactic is luffing up to trim, then falling off to course. I'm interested in some kind of fractional rig, where most of the rigs power is in a full-battened main with a large roach, not a big mast-head genny.
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