Helm on Beneteau First 345

[Icarus05]

Hi all,
I'm planning on buying our first boat in the next year to year and a half. Doing a ton of leg work for the last six months or so and will contine to the bitter end. I over analyze but what can I say, its fun. I'm looking at everything but keep being intrigued by this boat.

What I'm wondering is what years was this made. I know it goes back to at least the mid eighties but I'm wondering what the range is.

Second, I've seen most of the First series with tiller steering and one with a wheel. Was this an option on this boat? I prefer the wheel.

Any other insights are welcome.

Thanks

[tommays]

The First series boats are there race models VS there other lines geared a bit more towards comfort with bigger fuel and water tanks ect .

What are you doing with the boat ?

[COOL]

I believe there were 460 hulls built from '85-88.
I sailed on one when it was new.
It was tiller steered and sailed well,
it was a quick boat in a breeze.
I think a wheel would be a very poor
choice for this boat. The cockpit is
already a bit cramped, any wheel would
have to be much too small to be effective.

[Icarus05]

Thanks guys.

Yes I realise the First series is a race boat; I race against one every week and am familiar with the breed. I'm partial to the idea of a boat that can weekend cruise on lake Michigan comfortably but can get going in a light breeze and compete in can races and some distance races.

I didn't think about room in the cockpit with a large wheel. Now that I think of it, the one I saw for sale did have a smaller wheel. Do you think it was an option?

I prefer a wheel but am fine with a tiller. The wife insists on a wheel. No reasoning, just insists.

[l_lym]

We cruise an '88 345 on LIS and while it's sometimes a bit tight for space when we have two couples it works well for the weekends and daysails. I happily trade a bit of space for the responsive performance. Ours has a wheel but the cockpit might be a better layout if it had a tiller. In any event she's a pleasure to sail. Send a note if you'd like more info.

[miatapaul]

I looked at one and really really liked it. I am looking for a live aboard and thought it would meet my needs well. It may be quick, but also seems to be very nice and spacious. Did not seem to have much storage, but I liked the aft head. There are 2 layouts as well, one with an aft head and one "state room" aft and one with 2 "state rooms" aft with a forward head. I think the aft head would have worked out for me, being single with 2 visiting kids. from the floor plan of the forward head, it looks like you loose a lot of privacy in the V birth. If I could find another one in my price range a bit better shape than the last one I would grab it. Some do have wheel, but the design really does seem to scream for a tiller. The cockpit is just laid out for it, but then I am partial to a tiller.

[Icarus05]

Thanks gentlemen, good info.

Is there anything in particular to watch out for structuraly, mechanicaly, etc...with these boats?

I've noticed a pretty broad range in price (25% difference) and was wondering if this was maybe due to serious issues or just a normal difference due to sail inventory, equipment, general condition, market, etc.