Just starting my research and could use some assistance. I am looking to purchase a competitive 40' sailboat. I like the Beneteau 40.7 since it is just the right size for our needs. We want to race for 3-4 years and after that go sail away for a couple of years. I know just enough about racing to keep out of trouble however heavy sea sailing is another matter. Can this kind of vessel with its fin keel handle ocean cruising. Comments
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Fin Keel is OK
The pointing ability of the fin keel is a real advantage. The boat may be harder to heave to with a fin keel, but most ocean cruisers today probably have fin keels. According to Roger Marshall's "Choosing a Cruising Sailboat," the 40.7 has a capsize screen of 1.98 - below the 2.00 threshold for blue water. I'll bet the design is good for your purpose. Do check out the archives on this site for "blue water" if you want to learn more about how to prepare the boat and crew for ocean cruising. Also, see the link below for a picture and description of modifications to a Hunter 43 for serious blue water cruising. David Lady Lillie
The pointing ability of the fin keel is a real advantage. The boat may be harder to heave to with a fin keel, but most ocean cruisers today probably have fin keels. According to Roger Marshall's "Choosing a Cruising Sailboat," the 40.7 has a capsize screen of 1.98 - below the 2.00 threshold for blue water. I'll bet the design is good for your purpose. Do check out the archives on this site for "blue water" if you want to learn more about how to prepare the boat and crew for ocean cruising. Also, see the link below for a picture and description of modifications to a Hunter 43 for serious blue water cruising. David Lady Lillie
You have to really work at it.
It really depends on how competitive your fleet is. To have a competitive boat you must keep it light. That means keeping all tank levels low. All non racing gear off the boat when not cruising. Cruising also wares out racing sails, only good sails win races. This also means the anchor and chain in the bilge not the bow. Lots of work but it can be done.
It really depends on how competitive your fleet is. To have a competitive boat you must keep it light. That means keeping all tank levels low. All non racing gear off the boat when not cruising. Cruising also wares out racing sails, only good sails win races. This also means the anchor and chain in the bilge not the bow. Lots of work but it can be done.
Tankage
The one thing I am shy on to cruise my Hunter 40.5 seriously is tankage. The Bene will be the same. Water can be addressed by a water maker. Fuel is the remaining problem. For long passages, you can add a bladder fuel tank and address that too. That assumes you do not have room for another solid tank, which will likely be the case given modern design parameters which use all available space. Some Hunters have converted a water tank area to fuel given that they are using a watermaker anyway. Rick D.
The one thing I am shy on to cruise my Hunter 40.5 seriously is tankage. The Bene will be the same. Water can be addressed by a water maker. Fuel is the remaining problem. For long passages, you can add a bladder fuel tank and address that too. That assumes you do not have room for another solid tank, which will likely be the case given modern design parameters which use all available space. Some Hunters have converted a water tank area to fuel given that they are using a watermaker anyway. Rick D.
storage in general
You also have to consider the storage of such things as food, spairs, tools, extra sailcloth, ....... the list goes on and on. These have a fairly detremental effect on your "living space". This means that smaller boats have real problems bringing all the stuff they need to go out into the big wide blue. The limit for 2 persons is about 27'. a 40' should be fine but you still need places to store all this stuff. Racing boats usually are long and thin and don't have as much internal volume as a cruiser. They don't have the cabintry (SP) either so you have to "stash" stuff anywhere you can find the space. As long as you can carry all the stuff you need for a 25-30 day stint and have enough room so your marrage survies you should be fine.
You also have to consider the storage of such things as food, spairs, tools, extra sailcloth, ....... the list goes on and on. These have a fairly detremental effect on your "living space". This means that smaller boats have real problems bringing all the stuff they need to go out into the big wide blue. The limit for 2 persons is about 27'. a 40' should be fine but you still need places to store all this stuff. Racing boats usually are long and thin and don't have as much internal volume as a cruiser. They don't have the cabintry (SP) either so you have to "stash" stuff anywhere you can find the space. As long as you can carry all the stuff you need for a 25-30 day stint and have enough room so your marrage survies you should be fine.
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