Its a good looking boat from the hull down, A bit boxey looking above
decks IMO, The sharp angle of the forward cabin looks done on the
cheap. Nice wheel.



I think the cabin trunk is carried a bit too far forward, though it
pays off below deck. The odd windows bothered me at first, like the
ones on the baby Swan, but they make sense. Below it feels bright and
airy. Sidedecks are quite good, though not the best I've seen. The
cockpit is simply huge...amazingly so and the swim platform is very
nice, not tiny like most others. The starboard saillocker in the
cockpit is the biggest I've ever seen. Room for sails, a dinghy and
more. Part of the space was a 3rd cabin in an alternate layout. The
port locker is shallow, with the aft cabin just below it. All halyards
are led below deck and the furler is also below deck. Nice and
uncluttered if you watch the lines for wear. Everything feels stiff and
solid. Stanchions feel like their set in cement...great!
Below deck is headroom for me...amazing! She doesn't have the volume of
a fat Catalina or Hunter but the sense of luxury and fit and finsih is
far higher. The aft cabin is just under 7 feet...fantastic! The nav
station table is pretty large, but the bar-stool for it isn't the best
idea. The head is huge, room for people with long legs and plenty of
room for a proper shower. Sink has huge storage below and a good wet
locker aft of that. The V is also quite large. Storage is plentiful if
oddly placed at times.
The galley is typical, propane/electric combo, the fridge is a bit
small. Lighting is excellent. There is LED floor lighting so you can
move around with killing night vision. Halogen lights for anchoring or
the slip are very bright.
Under sail...well, this is what it's all about. The boat is FAST,
accelerates straight off and is just a blast. The R&P steering is light
years better than cable systems. She tracks well, better than I had
expected and isn't a bear when trim is off. Tweaking pays off right
away. The feeling of speed is heightened after a tack because she's
back at speed so quickly. The feel of the wheel helps a lot,
trasmitting tiller like feedback. I never realized how numb cable
steered boats were. Seated behind the wheel, visibility is challenged,
so a padded seat will be added. The aft section was made so you could
stand and steer from there as well.
She's really well done. Fast and Fun and quite comfortable.

Some other views of the 35s5..
http://www.comunidaddebarcos.com/fot...o2%20aitxe.JPG
http://www.comunidaddebarcos.com//fo...o3%20aitxe.JPG



Robert B
Beneteau First 35s5
NY