www.beneteau235.com - See this '89 Beneteau F235 for sale in Maryland Marina, MD
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1989 BENETEAU
FIRST 235

Spectacular cruising condition!
Close to like new; almost perfect on
the outside and gorgeous inside with
all amenities including many custom additions
and mods. Hull #253 is
arguably the nicest First 235 in USA!

This much loved '89 First 235 is loaded with custom cabinetry and many mods to facilitate sailing in comfort much like a little home away from home. It's been our pride and joy for years but we are reluctantly putting her on the market due to big boat purchase for longer voyaging to the BVIs and beyond.

Windependent has been featured in many dedicated articles within www.beneteau235.com for owner mods and additions. She has been meticulously maintained. Please see the additions with many viewed in pictures at right and above. Again, ALL PICTURES of Windependent click to larger size.

Beneteau First 235 Specs
Builder: Beneteau
Number Built (86-92) 451
Designer: Groupe Finot
LOA 23' 4
LWL 20' 3
Beam 8' 2
Draft (wing) 2' 9
Displacement 2,310 lbs.
Ballast 825 lbs.
Sail Area (100% Jib) 263 sq. ft
PHRF 192
Hull Speed 6.03kns
Displace/Length Ratio 124:1
Sail Area/Displace Ratio 24

Click to see full-size line drawings
click above for full

The First 235 looks like her Mini-Transat racer lineage. The plumb bow and wide stern are very distinctive. She offers a near perfect blend of performance and comfort in an easy handling package that's extremely FAST & fun to sail.

   

The Beneteau First 235 is exceptionally well designed by the Finot Group, which patterned her after their Mini-Transat, which was before its time, mimicking hull shapes of racing boats today. She is very well-built, fitted out like a much bigger boat. Indeed, this is about as many big boat features as any designer has ever gotten into a 24’ hull.

Beneteau has managed an amazingly spacious and usable interior. The salon features a wraparound settee that converts to a huge double berth when the table is dropped. She has a large overhead Lewmar hatch, skylight, and windows to either side for plenty of light (the hatch cover is also tinted Plexiglas).There is storage under both settees, the quarter berth, and shelves along both sides.

The unique head/nav station can be completely enclosed by raising a sliding bulkhead and closing the integral wooden door, or opened up and converted to a fully functional nav station. It also features a “real” marine toilet (replaced in July 2006) and holding tank. The galley has a generous sized icebox, gimbaled two burner alcohol stove that works great, and a sink (new stainless) with an electric & manual cold water pump with foot switch. There is plenty of well organized space for storage with 3 cupboards and a shelf above the galley area. And as noted, I have added many custom wood features to facilitate comfortable adventures in this little pocket cruiser/racer.

As for the Beneteau First 235 sailing qualities, she is notoriously quick and nimble; succinctly put, the F235 is a FAST boat that can walk down longer waterlines. She benefits from relatively light displacement and a wealth of sail area, while having ample ballast in her shoal draft, wing keel to maintain peace of mind, safety, and comfort.

Lastly, this boat has amazing owner support via beneteau235.com which is a comprehensive site dedicated to the First 235 including Owner Forums with over 550 members and an amazing 21,000 posts. New Owners Welcome!


Windependent Features

30 amp shore power inlet
3 circuit AC electric panel with meter
3 110 volt duplex outlets
2 DC 12 jacks
Shore power lighting in aft berth, galley, starboard salon
Two Circuit Battery Charger (New 2005)
DC lighting
3 Caframo soft-bladed, high efficiency fans
New Stainless steel sink (2005)
Over the stove oak countertop/cutting board
Electric Water (Whale) w/foot switch in galley
New Platismo Water Bladder with deck fill (2005)
New fresh water plumbing and fittings (2005)
Sink hand pump overhauled (2005)
New Jabsco Head (July, 2006)
New Beneteau Keel Bolts (July 2006)
New keel Grounding System (2006)
CDI Roller furler (100%)
Jib cover replaced in 2005
Sunbrella Bimini (rare on a 235)
Sail slugs on Main (added 2006)
Forespar whisker pole
Weems & Plath Ship and Tide Clocks
Custom cockpit table
Re-engineered Aluminum Davis Tiller Tamer
Two storage hammocks in v-berth
Anchor/150 ft rode with chain in dedicated Locker
Lewmar opening port light (w/screen)in the aft berth
Hand-crafted sole with elegance of teak and holly
Well-Maintained teak exterior (cetol light)
NEW varnish on tiller and hatchboards (2006)
Custom hatchboard holder (2006)
Primary and Cabin top Lewmar winch overhaul (2006)
1989 johnson 8 hp 2-cycle OB | maintained every year
icom 402 VHF with mast mounted antenna
Davis Windex
Signet Marine Model 172 depthmeter
Harken blocks
Winch, Tiller, Bimini, and Mainsail Sunbrella Covers
Bulkhead mounted compass with night lighting (saturn)
All Cushions and Upholstery clean - No rips or wear
Bottom painted with Keel POR-15 2005
Several Fenders for docking
Many spare parts

Price: $12,900 *NOW SOLD 10/22/06

Location: Maryland Marina, Slip 503, in Middle River, Md
For further information and/or to arrange inspection
Owners:
Mike & Toni Hayden
Contact Email: windependent@gmail.com

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New Lewmar opening portlight in cockpit to Aft Cabin
Snacking on the Custom cockpit table

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www.beneteau235.com

NOTE: All shots above & below click to FULL SIZE

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Windependent at dock ready for another adventure!


Stern view with Bimini rig showing swim ladder and cockpit


My son taking a turn at the helm out on the Chesapeake


Interior with newly varnished table - Weems & Plath instruments

See Beneteau First 235  Windependent interior
Custom Cabin Sole view from cockpit - New Keel bolts beneath!


Custom cutting board over stove - Wood plate holder & racks


New Stainless Sink with rebuilt pump now also electric w/swtich

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Nav station table (pulls out) with accessories

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Head compartment closed for privacy

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Aft cabin area with port view out stern & new Lewmar Portlight

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Electrical panels in nav area, also one of three 12 volt fans

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Group 29 house 100 AH battery & charger.
AC outlet in battery compartment upper right.

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Fixed vhf (with masthead antenna), binocular holder
also foot switch at below sink for electric fresh water pump.

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Custom Hatch Board holder and Woodwork additions

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Custom Shore Power installation


Where are they now Update ~ September 2007

See Mike & Toni Hayden below, having a blast on Enchanté, their 1989 Beneteau First 285 wing keel, hull #127. This was taken on September 29 in the upper Chesapeake while heading down to Rock Hall, winds gusting in the 20knt region, speeds hitting 7+ knots! Mike misses Windependent but is smitten with his First 285 calling it the 235's Big Sister, a plus when heading out on a cruise.
Photo by Chuck, yet another First 235 previous owner, from his Beneteau 281


Beneteau First 285 - Mike & Toni Hayden on Enchante, 1989, Hull #127

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