Keel Quandary

[Sue & Larry]

I have a Beneteau First 235 with a wing keel (shoal draft). I need to replace this with a deeper keel, but the boat is out of production so a new keel seems a little difficult to obtain. Can you advise me?

Sue & Larry respond:
We spoke today with the customer service department at Beneteau USA. Although your keel was made in a local foundry in France, it is still possible to order a deep keel for your boat. The last deep keel ordered for a customer through Beneteau approximately two years ago cost around $1,200 FOB in Marion, SC.

Alternatively, you might want to check with Mars Metal Company located in Ontario, Canada. You can find them on the web at www.marsmetal.com, or call toll free 1-800-381-5335. They make new keels for many of the production boats sold in North America today. They also do custom work, and could likely fashion any sort of keel you want for your First 235. Good luck.