Agony column
I keep geting a strange desire to change Belle Ile for a Beneteau with two heads with showers, hot water, heating, a double aft cabin with seat, a large linear galley, bathing platform, the ability to go astern, huge internal volume with a dining table that you can get past without everyone having to stand up. Please help me.
Tony Irwin Regular crewmember
Posts: 49
(11/1/06 6:10 pm) Reply
Re: Agony column
Think of being 20 miles out, wind rising from 15 knots to 25 knots and upwards, seas increasing, small crew of husband and wife. I know the boat I would prefer to have in those conditions [and it weighs over 6 tons].
It is both satisfying and remarkably easy to fit both pressurised hot water and hot air heating as well as refrigeration for the coolbox.
Try new sails, including a 145% genoa for light airs performance, and you will find a new stimulus for the Nic.
Tony
Re: Agony column
I owned a smaller Beneteau before buying my Nic31. What can I say? Excellent performance, really good and fun. Hull and deck construction was OK, but seemed a bit light to my eyes. Maybe nothing wrong, but lightish. Interior construction is shoddy. It looks all nice at first glance. Once you start to dismantle some of the wooden panels, you discover with horror that it is nothing more than a cheap assembly of badly fitted panels (this was about 4 years ago, and I noticed on the latest models that wood makes a very anecdotal appearance). Electrical circuit is a mess.
I think that bringing a new Beneteau up to my standards would cost no less than what I spent to refurbish ALYA. (For example I would replace all the through hulls, etc)
I do not know what size you are contemplating and what your plans are. If the boat is intended for the usual summer cruise and a couple of week-ends, all pretty close to the home base, I think a Beneteau fits the bill perfectly, especially if you are looking for space inside. They are quite fast, roomy, glossy, but probably not as well in shape after 27 years.
As for me, it is out of the question for the kind of plans I have. A Beneteau is not strong and sturdy enough.
But I think it is very much a problem of purpose and taste, and I just like the Nic31 better.
Re: Agony column
Imagine yourself a mouse, and you were to be cast to sea, and you had a choice of riding it out in either a plastic milk container or a champagne bottle. Both were thoroughly corked. Which would you choose?
Re: Agony column
Imagine yourself a mouse, and you were to be cast to sea, and you had a choice of riding it out in either a light plastic milk container or a champagne bottle. Both were thoroughly corked. Which would you choose?
Re: Agony column
We're talking comfort here. Think light bottle-heavy bottle. If your going to be at sea for any length of time,the well rested (and not sea sick) crew will have a better chance at keeping the boat from foundering (or off the rocks) than the sporty exhausted one.
Quote:We're talking comfort here. Think light bottle-heavy bottle. If your going to be at sea for any length of time,the well rested (and not sea sick) crew will have a better chance at keeping the boat from foundering (or off the rocks) than the sporty exhausted one.
Re: Agony column
Obviously, if I were off round the world I would opt for a well found, heavy boat. However, for the sort of sailing we do, that is along the south coast of England, across the channel, the Channel Islands and the north French coast, I sometimes wonder if I need a long keel.
If you go to France often, maybe a boat with a lifting keel or a daggerboard would be nice? Lots of nice anchorages there, but they are best enjoyed without a keel!
Tony Irwin Regular crewmember
Posts: 51
(12/1/06 1:08 pm) Reply
Re: Agony column
You only need to be caught out in really rough weather once to appreciate the value of a Nic 31 in keeping you and your crew comfortable, safe and on course. You will also be able to navigate, steer, reef, cook, eat etc without being flung about like a pea in a drum.
Tony
Re: Agony column
If you are going to sail to France in a fin and skeg boat you had better not meet any fishing buoys (better take diving gear) or lock gate cills (I have recently seen two boats who tried to get in early and with the crew in the cockpit the keel got over but the keel was well bent). Dont go well up any rivers exploring in case you go aground unless you are sure the fin keel will stay with the boat - with a Nic31 you just put the kettle on and relax!!
Quote:I keep geting a strange desire to change Belle Ile for a Beneteau with two heads with s......le that you can get past without everyone having to stand up. Please help me.
Agony column
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