Flew to St. Petersburg this morning and the deal is done, then she'll
be trucked back after decomissioning. Her condition is superb. There's
not a scratch on her deck, hull or anywhere. The interior looks
amazing, just about new. She's got full canvas, great mylar sails, tons
of extras ice-cold 19'000 BTU AC and even the ports are not crazed
because they've always had canvas covers. Electronics are really slick
and the Whitlock steering blows away cable based systems. Deck was dry
as a bone. Just about perfect. Went for a one hour sail (I only had 6
hours total before flying back), and the boat's a blast. We close
November 20th when we all fly back.

Ladies and gentleman...our new boat, the Beneteau 35s5...

http://members.aol.com/bobsprit/images/webbsp.jpg

RB

Nutsy,

A nice looking vessel. If it is or isn't yours. It's nice.

Thom

Nutsy,


A nice looking vessel. If it is or isn't yours. It's nice.


It's ours, Thom. Thanks. We did a ton of research and looked at 5 of
them to find the right one. She's in bristol shape and literally looks
a few years old on deck and below. She sails FAST and I'm in love with
the whitlock steering. I had no idea that it would be so superior to
the cable based wheels, like my old edsons. It's almost life having the
feel of a tiller.

RB

You really like her looks, Thom?

I think it's ugly. Reminds me of a bigger Mac 26X.

Scotty


"Thom Stewart" wrote in message
...
Nutsy,

A nice looking vessel. If it is or isn't yours. It's nice.

Thom

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.

Joe

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

The Boob said: Its a good looking boat from the hull down, A bit
boxey looking above decks IMO..

You see all this time what he really wanted was an Express.

A bit boxey is being nice. It has a Buck Rogers' spaceship look
to it.

SBV


"Joe" wrote in message
oups.com...
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.

Joe

It has a Buck Rogers' spaceship look
to it.

Hmmmmm...maybe!
http://www.culttvman.com/assets/imag...terbuck004.jpg


RB

On Sat, 15 Oct 2005 19:41:38 -0700, Capt. Rob wrote:


http://members.aol.com/bobsprit/images/webbsp.jpg

Rob, understand me, I'm not trying to badmouth your boat. It's probably
just me, but does anyone else think she looks a little down in the bow?