A drawing of the interior and exterior of a sailboat.

Beneteau First 375:

I never intended to purchase this boat. This boat found me. I was out one afternoon meeting with a Yacht Broker looking at cruisers. Full keel boats with skeg hung rudders. I had been online reading all the comments from “The Experts.” The advice was always: A true cruising boat will never have a fin keel or spade rudder.  

How did I end up with this boat?? I am still a little miffed by the events. I was shopping for boats under $150K wanting to find a really good deal. I was ready for a project. The broker had shown me several center cockpit / aft cabin / full keel boats. “True Bluewater Cruisers” On our way back to his office he offered to show me this boat as an alternative. I was down below looking through the boat when I overheard a conversation between the Dock Master and the Broker. The Dock Master was asking the broker to move the boat out of his marina because it was sinking. There was also another person in the conversation that offered $5000 to the broker to take the boat as scrap. I later learned that guy was the owner of the local boat yard. When we got back to the broker’s office, he asked me if I wanted to make an offer on any of the boats we looked at. I offered him $5000 for the Beneteau. He looked at me funny and realized I had overheard. He took my offer to the owner, and we ended up making a very good deal.  

I kept telling myself this will be a steppingstone boat. When I got home, I started to research the Beneteau First Series. It turns out this is a very capable boat. It is designed as an offshore racer / Cruiser. It is a very well laid out boat with a nice aft cabin and good galley layout. I have been sailing the boat for months now and I really love it. The boat is currently undergoing a complete refit.

  • Keel bolts all re-studded with nuts and oversized stainless washers.
  • New Yanmar Engine with 100-amp alt.
  • New prop shaft, packing gland, cutlass bearing, prop.
  • All new through hulls and all plumbing hoses replaced throughout.
  • All new electronics.
  • New auto pilot.
  • New stereo and entertainment screens.
  • Hull has been cleaned faired with all blisters removed.  
  • All new oversized standing rigging.
  • All new sails including asymmetric spinnaker.

I am still working on several items and preparing the boat for the Baja Haha this winter.