biying a beneteau 323

[mike newland]

Hi. Im a new member & over the next 4-5 wks I hope to biy a 323. I have 5 boats to choose from --- 04 to 06 modles.
What is the boat like to sail ? I see that it has only 26% ballast--- my previous boat was a contest 28 ,which had 50% .
Are there any problems I should be looking for?
regards mike

 

[Ron20324]

The boat can sail pretty fast, but my experience, and as you see in all the boat reviews, it likes to be sailed flatter rather really than heeled. It's a great boat. I was going to say there's one coming on the market here in Annapolis, but I see you're in Norway. The biggest thing to look for is the cutlass bearing wear. The 323 is nice in that we don't have to pull the shaft out to replace it. If you have the money and it's out of the water, put on a folding prop, though the original works okay. We are builing a 323 web site.

 

[DougM]

I have a 2004 Beneteau 323, and have been very happy with the boat. I second what Ron says in that the boat likes to be sailed "flat" which is really a characteristic of later model flatter bottomed boats. The solution is to reef sooner rather than later.

I have had no problems with the boat, the equipment is all relatively good quality, and it is fairly easy to maintain. I opted for the standard rig rather than the roller furling main because it give me a slightly larger mainsail. I have been leery of the furling mainsail on any boat because I have seen too many instances where the furlers jam at most inoppurtune times.

The Yanmar 2GM20F diesel is certainly adequate to propel the boat. The 3GM30 might be better. The tradeoff is that the 3 cylinder would add a little bit of weight. I agree that a 3 blade prop would be a good idea.

 

[Ron20324]

323 prop

I like my Gori folding 2-blade. In the picture you can see it has alot of blade farther out from the shaft.

My 2006, hull 136, has the Yanmar 3YM20.

 

[mike newland]

Hi Ron & Doug
Thanks for your replies.Cutlass bearing,is this where the axle goes through the hull? How is the axle lubricated? My wife will like the idea of not heeling over so much ha! ha!
One of the boats I`ve looked at has a Gori 3blad fitted ,have not seen it as she has spent the winter in the wet stuff.

 

[Ron20324]

Hi Ron & Doug
.Cutlass bearing,is this where the axle goes through the hull? How is the axle lubricated? One of the boats I`ve looked at has a Gori 3blad fitted ,have not seen it as she has spent the winter in the wet stuff.

Yes, that's the drive shaft or propeller shaft. It is lubricated by sea water. You'll see the deep grooves to allow the water into the bearing.... In the prop picture, you see the bronze prop, then the bright metal band is the zinc, then to the right is the tube that has the bearing in it.

 

[mike newland]

Hi Ron. Going to look at a 04 modle today.It`s minus 6`c & sunny a great day for looking at boats.Thank for your tips regarding that bearing.I`ll let you know what I end up with
regards Mike

 

[Ron20324]

Prop pic attached now?