Buying a First 260

[Antos]

I'm looking at buying a 2003 First 260 Spirit fixed keel. Interested in any known issues or areas I should pay extra attention to when looking at the boat.

One thing I noticed looking at the pictures is that there's no classic floor boards/bilge underneath - the cabin floor seems to be attached to the bottom of the hull, except for the keel support structure and a small "hump" along the centerline which i presume functions as the bilge. Any issues with this configuration? Bit worried about having a potentially unaccessible area between the "floor" and the hull itself.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Ron20324]

One thing I noticed looking at the pictures is that there's no classic floor boards/bilge underneath - the cabin floor seems to be attached to the bottom of the hull, except for the keel support structure and a small "hump" along the centerline which i presume functions as the bilge. Any issues with this configuration? Bit worried about having a potentially unaccessible area between the "floor" and the hull itself. quote]

There is a very small bilge in most Bennys. My 323 is like that. It keeps the hull shape rounded and shallower. There is an inner pan liner and the hull sandwiched together, probably 'glued' with an epoxy. I leave my floorboards unscrewed and store stuff underneath. Not a problem, mate.

 

[Antos]

Went out for a test sail today. Generally the boat seems to be in good shape, but used very little, and the owners quite unfamiliar with their boat...

The only actual problem I noticed was when stepping/pushing down hard on the floor in the heads compartment you could hear a squishing sound - like water being sqeezed between the inner liner and the hull. I don't think it could be structurally relevant, but maybe difficult to fix. Any thoughts on this?

Also, am I right in thinking the hull is solid fiberglass, with the deck balsa cored?

Thanks!