Sailboats Northeast
Sailboats Northeast
The Beneteau First 435 is a rare offering in the US. Designed by German Frers as an offshore racing/cruising boat, the 435 is a fast, powerful, solidly built design that also happens to have a nicely appointed interior for cruising. The layout features two private staterooms, two heads and a centerline queen berth in the aft cabin, with total accommodations for 8. Above all, the 435 is intended for those who really sail.
Melita is a one-owner boat, imported from France in 1986 by the current owner and lightly day-sailed in New England waters ever since. She spends more than half each year in off-season storage, mostly in Maine, and has been sailed on average about 3 outings/season over the last several years and never raced. Although Melita has benefited from light seasonal use, in many ways she is in original condition and could use some updating.
Melita is a good option for someone looking for a solid performance cruiser capable of fast passages and occasional racing. Owner will consider a trade for a downeast express cruiser powerboat. This is a lot of boat for the money.
The Beneteau First 435 has a roomy and comfortable cruising layout, with a rich
Teak interior, excellent joinery work and a Teak & Holly sole.
The layout consists of 2 staterooms, 2 heads, and a large main saloon with convertable settee berths. If you like company, Melita will sleep 8 comfortably. Nine opening ports and three hatches let in plenty of light and air.
The Master Stateroom aft has a centerline queen berth with bench seating on either side. The ensuite head is to port and the walkthrough into the Main Saloon is to starboard. There is a built-in vanity to Starboard with a mirror and 2 drawer space.
The Master offers generous natural light from the 4 opening ports. There is good access to the aft end of the engine with an additional locker area above the engine box.
The Guest Cabin is forward with a large V-berth and storage space below. To starboard is a built in 2 drawer cabinet. Private access to the forward head is to Port. Overhead hatch for light & air.
The Forward Head has access to both the Forward Cabin and Main Saloon. The head inlcudes a manual Jabsco toilet with dedicated holding tank and Y-Valve to direct discharge. There is a vanity with a pull-out shower.
The Main Saloon has a large U-shaped settee to port with a pilot berth above and outboard. The settee converts to a double berth. To starboard is a settee that doubles as a single berth with storage lockers above, and behind the settee cushions. There is a large teak centerline drop-leaf dining table with built-in bottle storage.
Aft of the Main Saloon to port is the L-shaped Galley located adjacent to the companionway steps.
Aft of the Galley is the Aft Head featuring a manual Jabsco toilet, shower & vanity. Dedicated holding tank & y-valve to direct discharge. Opening port for light & air.
To Starboard across from the Galley is the dedicated Nav Station with drawer space under.
Continuing aft to starboard is the walk-through to the aft Master Cabin. Engine access is under the companionway steps and a removable panel in the aft cabin.
Per a recent Insurance Survey:
HULL:
The hull is constructed of a solid FRP laminate consisting of various E-glass fabrics bound by polyester resins and laid up inside of a female molding. Additional strength of the hull girder is achieved via well bonded foam cored framing grid along the hull bottom as well as marine plywood bulkheads and partitions separating compartments. A molded FRP liner is utilized for cosmetics at the hull sides which prevents access to the inner hull shell. The hull exterior topsides are faced with original gelcoats while the underbody has renewed
anti-fouling ablatives applied seasonally. The ballast fin keel is of cast iron and through bolted to the hull proper using large steel bolts on varying centers and imbedded in a FRP slurry.
DECK:
The foredeck, sidedecks , cabin trunk and cockpit are of balsa cored molded FRP construction. The sidedecks are faced with original teak overlay, screwed and bunged securely to the deck laminate. A vinyl headliner is utilized for cosmetic purposes making structural framing (if any) inaccessible. All exterior decking surfaces are fitted with Molded non-skid for crew traction purposes. The hull and decks appear securely joined via overlap type joint using both synthetic and mechanical fastenings for added strength. The cockpit is selfbailing via plumbing to below DWL seacocks at each side.
NOTES
The hull exterior appears in generally good condition with minor wear at the gelcoat in various positions, attributed to normal wear and age. A percussion test along the underbody revealed no outward deficiencies, osmosis blistering or delamination of the laminate. (Moisture meter testing was not conducted due to cold temperatures which would render readings suspect). All deck areas appear to have sufficient compression
strength for service with no flexure noted when trampled upon. Some of the molded non-skid shows wear as does the teak overlay at sidedecks; again consistent with vessel age and normal wear. Minor gelcoat crazing was sighted around normal areas of high stress such as at the hatch corners and mast partner.
GROUND TACKLE:
DECK GENERAL
COCKPIT:
RIG:
WINCHES
SAILS: