Beneteau 473

[MBLittle]

Took a look at this yacht today on the hard here in St Thomas and we immediately fell in love with everything about this boat.

Any owners want to weigh in on pros/cons?

Would love to hear!

[Rubikoop]

Not a direct response but I do hope things work out for your escape, or should I say escapade? :-)

[jeremiason]

We looked at the Benetau 473 before buying our Catalina 470.

The Beneteaus were good boats with lots of cockpit room... What turned me away was the main saloon was a little cramped with the inside bench seat at the table and the gallery was on the starboard side, which is on the wrong side for your preferred starboard tack.

The biggest thing that bothered us was the main cabin is in the bow, which to me is worthless underway. It would be uncomfortable and even dangerous in heavy seas.

OK now the real owners will flame me, but that is why I didn't buy one.

[MBLittle]

Originally Posted by Rubikoop

Not a direct response but I do hope things work out for your escape, or should I say escapade? :-)

O.o

Always heard it was a small island

[MBLittle]

Originally Posted by jeremiason

We looked at the Benetau 473 before buying our Catalina 470.

The Beneteaus were good boats with lots of cockpit room... What turned me away was the main saloon was a little cramped with the inside bench seat at the table and the gallery was on the starboard side, which is on the wrong side for your preferred starboard tack.

The biggest thing that bothered us was the main cabin is in the bow, which to me is worthless underway. It would be uncomfortable and even dangerous in heavy seas.

OK now the real owners will flame me, but that is why I didn't buy one.

A valid concern for sure!

We have a 1.5 year old so we like the idea of US being subjected to a forward berth and not our daughter.

I supposed we could use an aft bunk for us, but then our guests would get the nice berth and really think they were on a cruise and never lift a finger

[MarkJ]

I think the 2 cabin version is the best boat for a long range cruise because of the lazarette.
I sleep in my bow cabin at sea, without leee cloths.

The 473 has huge spaces

[Rubikoop]

Originally Posted by MBLittle

O.o

Always heard it was a small island

Very small indeed...

[MBLittle]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I think the 2 cabin version is the best boat for a long range cruise because of the lazarette.
I sleep in my bow cabin at sea, without leee cloths.

The 473 has huge spaces

We were taken aback at how large it felt. The cockpit is a major selling feature as its livable space is just massive.

[nigel1]

I liked one well enough to buy one.
Check rudder bearing. Quite common for the lower one to detach from the tube and causing a few mil. of play in the stock. The bearing/bush is only held in place with sikaflex or 3M 5200.
Its an easy fix though.
Other than that, I'm more than pleased with minbe.
Like Mark said, a two cabin version would be preferred, and I also sleep in the fwd berth (not the same one as Mark)

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I think the 2 cabin version is the best boat for a long range cruise because of the lazarette.
I sleep in my bow cabin at sea, without leee cloths.

The 473 has huge spaces

Going downwind only I suspect

[FLLCatsailor]

These are great boats. I have delivered them, cruised them, and sold them. They are truly one of the best designs that groupe Beneteau has ever come up with.

Were you looking at the one listed for around 179? Seems like a pretty good buy. I had some clients interested in the boat, but decided to go for another Beneteau 473.

[MBLittle]

Originally Posted by FLLCatsailor

These are great boats. I have delivered them, cruised them, and sold them. They are truly one of the best designs that groupe Beneteau has ever come up with.

Were you looking at the one listed for around 179? Seems like a pretty good buy. I had some clients interested in the boat, but decided to go for another Beneteau 473.

$169k! A fantastic buy. Comparable ones are $220k+ elsewhere. Unfortunately we're still a couple months from being able to pull the trigger, but maybe she'll still be around.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Going downwind only I suspect

NO!!!!!!!!!!!! I just did a 14 day upwind passage Key West to SXM and used the bed all the friggin time except for close to shore when I was sleeping on deck. Now can you lot stop telling me I'm a f'ing liar!

Thanks

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

NO!!!!!!!!!!!! I just did a 14 day upwind passage Key West to SXM and used the bed all the friggin time except for close to shore when I was sleeping on deck. Now can you lot stop telling me I'm a f'ing liar!

Thanks

Ahah... that must be where the CP/AIS is set up...

[Rocketman]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

NO!!!!!!!!!!!! I just did a 14 day upwind passage Key West to SXM and used the bed all the friggin time except for close to shore when I was sleeping on deck. Now can you lot stop telling me I'm a f'ing liar!

Thanks

I sleep in our forward cabin while underway all the time, and it is a smaller boat then the 473. If the engine is running it is quite, and unless you are going directly into the waves it is very comfortable, but then if going directly into waves there is no place on the boat that's very comfortable.