I have an F235 wing keel that I slip, no trailer right now. Wondering if F235 owners out there regularly tows theirs for day sailing. How easy is it to tow? How easy is it to setup the mast and take down for each use? What kind of vehicle do you use to tow?
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David Walters
Not towed regularly
I don't tow regularly, just in and out for the season, but I do have an opinion (big surprise) on how easy the boat is to trailer regularly. And the million dollar answer is--- It depends... ;>) Really. You can set things up so that raising and lowering the mast is a snap. Like not using the babystay, having a gin-pole or A-frame raising system, keeping the shrouds attached and halyards in their blocks and stoppers, etc... As far as launching goes, I think the wing keel is fine for most ramps so long as you have a trailer extension. I have an overly long trailer (30') and would still like another 8' of tongue to get me just a little further in the water. The trick with day sailing /launching is to evolve your process to the point where it is worth the effort. For great setup ideas visit trailersailor.com (another site sponsored by sailboatowners.com) and do some forum searches of 'launch'. It's a great and active group over there with a bunch of free and often good advise.
I don't tow regularly, just in and out for the season, but I do have an opinion (big surprise) on how easy the boat is to trailer regularly. And the million dollar answer is--- It depends... ;>) Really. You can set things up so that raising and lowering the mast is a snap. Like not using the babystay, having a gin-pole or A-frame raising system, keeping the shrouds attached and halyards in their blocks and stoppers, etc... As far as launching goes, I think the wing keel is fine for most ramps so long as you have a trailer extension. I have an overly long trailer (30') and would still like another 8' of tongue to get me just a little further in the water. The trick with day sailing /launching is to evolve your process to the point where it is worth the effort. For great setup ideas visit trailersailor.com (another site sponsored by sailboatowners.com) and do some forum searches of 'launch'. It's a great and active group over there with a bunch of free and often good advise.
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Dan
towing
I towed mine from North Carolina to Houston, TX when I bought it a couple of months ago. It was very easy to tow behind my full-size Bronco. I cannot comment on the rigging/derigging since I am still in the middle of repairs and upgrades before I launch for the first time. Dan
I towed mine from North Carolina to Houston, TX when I bought it a couple of months ago. It was very easy to tow behind my full-size Bronco. I cannot comment on the rigging/derigging since I am still in the middle of repairs and upgrades before I launch for the first time. Dan
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Kelly Holsten
Dan, did you get your 235 from....
Just wondering where you got your F235? I saw there was one for a very cheap price near Washington, NC and also one in Charlotte on Lake Norman. Wondering if you got either one of them. The Little Washington boat was dirt cheap but looked lived in a bit. It was around the same price I got mine. Btw, my keel is finally done and it turned out pretty well. I ended up going with a grinder to bare metal and the two coats of POR-15, followed by West Systems Epoxy with Low Density filler (#407) for fairing. I had bought a quart of the Interlux 2000/2001E Epoxy paint but instead just put on two more coats of POR-15 since I had PLENTY left from the quart. The POR-15 dries ultra slick and hard. It's a shame to cover with bottom paint. Getting ready to replace a thru-hull and ball valve and tackle the nasty vinyl job... Still might be going without the topsides vinyl stripes as I removed it and dont mind the clean look for now. Gaskets havent been done but I now think I am getting the slight leaking from the port jib track. I have to get the hose out. All of this mess will end up in the F235 site with more pics. Although, I am going to Siena, Italy for three weeks on the 15th so that throws a severe left hook.... As for the towing, I towed my F235 from Charleston, SC 3.5 hours and it was an easy pull, this not even with a trailer made for it. Keep in touch on your repairs. Kelly www.beneteau235.com
Just wondering where you got your F235? I saw there was one for a very cheap price near Washington, NC and also one in Charlotte on Lake Norman. Wondering if you got either one of them. The Little Washington boat was dirt cheap but looked lived in a bit. It was around the same price I got mine. Btw, my keel is finally done and it turned out pretty well. I ended up going with a grinder to bare metal and the two coats of POR-15, followed by West Systems Epoxy with Low Density filler (#407) for fairing. I had bought a quart of the Interlux 2000/2001E Epoxy paint but instead just put on two more coats of POR-15 since I had PLENTY left from the quart. The POR-15 dries ultra slick and hard. It's a shame to cover with bottom paint. Getting ready to replace a thru-hull and ball valve and tackle the nasty vinyl job... Still might be going without the topsides vinyl stripes as I removed it and dont mind the clean look for now. Gaskets havent been done but I now think I am getting the slight leaking from the port jib track. I have to get the hose out. All of this mess will end up in the F235 site with more pics. Although, I am going to Siena, Italy for three weeks on the 15th so that throws a severe left hook.... As for the towing, I towed my F235 from Charleston, SC 3.5 hours and it was an easy pull, this not even with a trailer made for it. Keep in touch on your repairs. Kelly www.beneteau235.com
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Dan
Washington
I got the one in Washington, NC. It was pretty well lived in but I have seen some in worse condition. I had planned to pretty much replace everything and do a little customizing anyway so the low price was attractive. It actually came with quite a few extras and has a large racing genoa along with the standard jib. Speaking of the keel. Have you ever heard of anyone having the wing section begin to separate from the fin. I just finished stripping the excessively think bottom paint and am about to raise the boat up so I can tackle the keel. I have not heard of the POR-15. I was planning to gring down the keel and use an etching primer called Ospho I believe then do the fairing and barrier coats and bottom paint. I am also replacing all of the thru-hulls with true seacocks while I have the boat out of the water. I am planning to remove the cabin top stripes as well and did not plan to replace them although I might try to take a tracing of the horse emblem on the bow, enlarge it a little and cut it out of marine vinyl to put right behind the windows. I will keep an eye on your website. I should really start my own as well but I just don't have enough time these days with one other boat project in progress at the same time. Dan
I got the one in Washington, NC. It was pretty well lived in but I have seen some in worse condition. I had planned to pretty much replace everything and do a little customizing anyway so the low price was attractive. It actually came with quite a few extras and has a large racing genoa along with the standard jib. Speaking of the keel. Have you ever heard of anyone having the wing section begin to separate from the fin. I just finished stripping the excessively think bottom paint and am about to raise the boat up so I can tackle the keel. I have not heard of the POR-15. I was planning to gring down the keel and use an etching primer called Ospho I believe then do the fairing and barrier coats and bottom paint. I am also replacing all of the thru-hulls with true seacocks while I have the boat out of the water. I am planning to remove the cabin top stripes as well and did not plan to replace them although I might try to take a tracing of the horse emblem on the bow, enlarge it a little and cut it out of marine vinyl to put right behind the windows. I will keep an eye on your website. I should really start my own as well but I just don't have enough time these days with one other boat project in progress at the same time. Dan
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Kelly Holsten
See the comments on RUSTING IRON KEEL page
Dan, you need to read all the comments on the page dedicated to fixing iron keels on my site. Just go through all the responses. Sometimes, the fairing and/or epoxy can come off the ospho based on some reports. I would read that whole page and see my solution. Check out the links on the POR-15. I havent heard anything negative about it... See keel page below. http://home.earthlink.net/~beneteau235/iron_keel_rust.htm kh www.beneteau235.com
Dan, you need to read all the comments on the page dedicated to fixing iron keels on my site. Just go through all the responses. Sometimes, the fairing and/or epoxy can come off the ospho based on some reports. I would read that whole page and see my solution. Check out the links on the POR-15. I havent heard anything negative about it... See keel page below. http://home.earthlink.net/~beneteau235/iron_keel_rust.htm kh www.beneteau235.com
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