Beneteau 423.... Love to hear opinions

[NYSail]

wife and I are looking to upgrade to a larger boat to take us into our future sailing adventures. We see ourselves as coastal cruisers and would love to be in the Caribbean at some point. Have seen this boat and like the layout, shoal draft, yanmar engine. A friend has one (Volvo) and loves the boat. Would love to hear pros and cons about the boat including opinions on the cored hull.

Thanks!
Greg

 

[Gunni]

Greg, the 423 is a nice sailing boat. I had it on our short list. Love the old Beneteau sugar-scoop! The 2 cabin owners version is my preference by a mile; the galley aft can be used underway. Need to make sure the fixed cabin-top port is watertight, they leak. This is now a + 10 y.o. boat, so you will want to inspect systems, and see maintenance logs. Keep a big chunk of change in your pocket for the inevitable upgrades and updates. Cons: There really is no good sea-berth other than the aft cabin, the v-berth and saloon are not useable at sea. If that is of no concern, good. A very pretty boat.

 

[NYSail]

Indeed the upgrades and updates. I've brought my P36-2 current and will enjoy doing that to my new boat. I am a firm believer in Christmas in summer when it comes to the boat. I agree with the two cabin version..... What about the hull? Is there any chatter about the core? I am going to look at boats over the winter on the hard so if I find one any wetness can be found. I've only had solid core boats (Cal / Pearson).
Thanks for your comments!

 

[Gunni]

The 423 hull is solid laminate (no core) and is reinforced by the signature Beneteau fiberglass structural grid, it is a massive strong design. I would lift the sole panels and look for any indication of damage from groundings, improper hauls or dry storage. Inspect the condition of the keel bolt bilge. I would be suspicious of any B series shaft drive of that era that had not been converted to a feathering / folding prop. Too easy to damage a Kanzaki wet clutch transmission. And I would want a sea trial prior to sale to confirm the engine/drive system was in good order.

 

[NYSail]

Thanks gunni for your input. She does have a pretty hull and is a nicely priced boat on the used market. Well worth upgrading / modernizing to bring wife and I a couple more decades of sailing.....

 

[IGGALN]

We have fond memories of the 423. It was our second Beneteau. We had a blue hull, teak/holly floorboards and toast tweed canvas. We traded it in for an Oceanis 45 which we regret every day. The 45 is nice, but no where near the quality of boat that our first two Beneteaus were. If you find a good 423 check it out and go for it. There are a few here in Chicago for sale.

 

[NYSail]

Looking at another this weekend. first one had issues with keel....... owner is very lax in regards to maintenance and
Not
Looking for a complete project