Newbie Beneteau First 26 Owner

[Shan]

Hi,

My husband and I have recently acquired a Beneteau First 26 and we are in the process of refurbishing her. We are desperately hoping to get her in the water by the end of April....Crossing my fingers here as there is still quite a lot to do! We are hoping that by the time we are finished, she will look quite different and will be quite functional. We are actually installing a pressurised water system, heating and a pull out hand shower in the heads!

We are writing a blog about our progress... although sometimes, it doesn't feel like progress! http://genesisbeneteaufirst26.blogspot.co.uk/ if anyone is interested.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Nice boat, nice work, nice writing, nice blog. Have a great first season.

 

[Shan]

Thank you. I'm just hoping, we get it finished in time! Things always take longer to do than one assumes.

 

[Jackdaw]

Welcome to the Beneteau family. I'm sure you will love your First 26.

Along with our bigger First 36.7, we also own a First 260, which is the current-ish version of the venerable First 26 that you now own. Before that, we owned a First 235, which shares many design elements of your craft.

The headliner will of course be a big job. How is the lifting keel mechanism? Is it original? The surveyor should have noted this. These units definitely have a useful lifespan, and the current part is a much better design.

I blogged about replacing the headliner and other 235 bits on this old blog:
http://messingaboutintheboat.blogspot.com/

And keep a running blog of our 260 projects (which started life in Poole) here:
http://rarerarebird.blogspot.com/

 

[Shan]

Hi Jackdaw,

The lifting keel mechanism is original and no trouble.... yet.... touch wood...

Your blog is absolutely fantastic... I do wish you were based in the UK though!!! It would be good to be able to chat to each other about suppliers!! I have noticed that Marine suppliers in the USA have far more comprehensive selections than those based here in the UK!

We are currently also switching all our lights to LED (as you have) and trying to source a decent looking recessed Shallow LED light in antique brass has proved impossible.... so I am having to settle. Although if you want it in white, black or chrome, the world is your oyster.

 

[Jackdaw]

Hi Jackdaw,

The lifting keel mechanism is original and no trouble.... yet.... touch wood...

Your blog is absolutely fantastic... I do wish you were based in the UK though!!! It would be good to be able to chat to each other about suppliers!! I have noticed that Marine suppliers in the USA have far more comprehensive selections than those based here in the UK!

We are currently also switching all our lights to LED (as you have) and trying to source a decent looking recessed Shallow LED light in antique brass has proved impossible.... so I am having to settle. Although if you want it in white, black or chrome, the world is your oyster.

Great news about the keel lift. New, they run about US$1400 here in the USA. But the design is MUCH better; they turned the lift upside down, so now the nut is on the bottom, and the screw on the top. This allows the screw to NEVER touch seawater, which of course is better for it in the long term.

Yes I have lots of europe-based sailing friends that comment about the selection and pricing advantage in the USA. Some of course will ship to the UK, but at an additional cost.

The LED lighting vendor I note in the 260 blog will ship to the UK for a fixed US$25, not bad if you have a larger order. They also have a 'bulb finder' page that matches bulbs to fixtures.


If you ever have a question, please feel free to drop a note.

 

[Shan]

Thanks Jackdaw. Much appreciated.

As the shipping is only $25, it might be worth me exploring it as an option. I will add that to my ongoing list of things to do. It seems that I tick 1 item off and add another 2 on!

 

[Shan]

Well, looks like we will be getting her into the water on the 1st of August.... best laid plans of men and mice and all that....