beneteau first 305

[takattack]

i am about to purchase a beneteau first 305. first of all i have seen some difference between models. some of them have a hatch on the top left corver above the kitchen and some of them no. is this a differenve between years models?

[sailingfool]

As a former owner of a 305E, I caution you that it is nice sailing boat, and reasonably well built...but not much of a cruiser. If you want a slick daysailer, go fo it. But the boat hads too many cabins that are too small, and too many bunks that are all too short and narrow. With or without that hatch, there will be very little ventilation doen below...

Good for one year at most. Just my opinion.

[Eglantine]

I know this is a stale thread, but I read it before purchasing my 305 and thought I'd give future 305 shoppers my experience after one season. The boat sails wonderfully. She is my first cruiser-I found her easy to handle. All systems are simple, and I had a trouble-free, fun-filled first year. The aft cabin is spacious, the vee berth is for small people, the settees are for people under 5'6". It's a wonderful boat, but it's not for folks over 6 feet unless they're in the aft cabin. I'm a little French person and it's scaled perfectly for me. The cabin is very close, which makes for easy maneuvering below deck when under sail, but is not good for sailors who are broad through the beam. The galley is great. Love the double sink and oven. Took her for weekends down the shore with a crew of 5 - all came back for more. I mostly lived aboard for the summer. No regrets at all--love this boat.

[omaho5]

Kitchen ????