First 235

[Steve]

I just purchased my first "big" sail boat .. a beautiful First 235 .. Wahoo!!! It's still in the yard, as I scrape the bottom for a repaint .. like to hear from other F235 owners. How do like it? how do you use it? Racing? Cruising? Blue water? How long have you stayed out on it at one time? etc.. thanks

 

[David Walters]

My favorite topic

Congratulations!! I know the elation you are feeling well. I just purchased my 235 in December with an early June launching.I TRY to answer your questions in as brief a manner as I can. First, I really am pleased with the boat. The only design issue I am working on trying to fix is the tendency to overload the cockpit lazaret and thus give her a permanent heel to starboard. I've heard of other who relocate the outboard to the portside to rectify this, but I'm looking at other alternatives first.I mostly daysail her for now. I'm hoping to get the admiral and little pirate out for an overnighter here in the next couple of weeks. The plan is to use this season to break them in and then plan some vacations with her to the apostle islands in lake superior or a trip to Mackinaw island. I've heard that the max time aboard is usually limited to 3 days due to the smallish holding tank.I don't know if I'll race or not. I've had some unpleasant experiences crewing in races and am not quite confident enough to take on the crowded courses. But I do think the 235 is a very capable phrf performer.Good luck, and good winds.

 

[steve]

new 235

With much trepidation I bought my first sailboat, a new 235, from Myles Gordon at the roundout creek in kingston. Four sunday morning lessons where thrown in with the purchase price. 12 years later I still have her and couldn't be happier. I sailed a short while on the Hudson, then I moved her to Barnegat, NJ for a couple of years, taking her out on the atlantic just once. I then moved her to her current home port of rowayton, CT on LI sound. If you keep up with basic maintenance she will look new 10 years hence. I mostly daysail, cruise on vacation. Enjoy her, she's a great boat.

 

[Jeff]

Us too

Just purchased a '88 235; today in fact. I looked at these boats ten years agao and loved them, got back into sailing and voila! We intend to race, weekend and daysail. I've compared about all of the 22-24's around and can't find a better all around pocket yacht. Fairwinds! P.S. About blue water.....I read somewhere that tghe boat was actually designed for a crossing....not with me in it though, I'll stick to coastal cruising, thanks.