First Boat Qs - Beneteau FIRST35.7

[TAKmate]

I am buying a 1993 Beneteau FIRST 35.7. She has been on the hard for 14 months+ and needs a few things. Will be doing the work myself.

1. Stanchions rebedded?
- Need any diagrams or schematics or video on "How To" or Step by Step?
- What is best bedding material?

2. Bottom Job?
- Keel needs some of the packing replaced (does not leak). What to use - what is there is white and no paint on? How to finish?
- Will brite white keel and what is best paint and # of coats for keel?
- How do I get paint all over the bottom of the keel while on the jack stands and blocks?
- Not sure what kind of paint is on the bottom and owner not much help, so how to determine what kind of paint is on the bottom? .
- What is the best paint for a boat in Central Florida that plans to winter in the Carribean and summer in the upper Cheasapeake, then Central Florida the rest of the time?
- Number of coats? Plan the carpet clean bottom and debarnacle quarterly to monthly depending on build up.
- This may be a dumb Q but never dealt with - How to get coats of paint under jack stands?
- Best tape to use - Blue, Green or ??

3. Looking for any info on this boat - manuals, schematics, etc

[MarkSF]

When paint is dry, move jack stands, paint patch where jack stands were.

[Faster]

Originally Posted by MarkSF

When paint is dry, move jack stands, paint patch where jack stands were.

Often this should be a service provided by the yard. If you're on a cradle rather than individual jackstands that might require a lift to reposition the cradle. OTOH if there's a jackstand available you can substitute one for a cradle pad and back off the pad for painting.

HOWEVER... this needs to be done with care and properly - a mistake here might drop the boat on yourself!!

The best you can do with the bottom of the keel, generally, is the slap some paint on once they lift it for launch.. try to get the boat on the lift before lunch, and let it dry for an hour before launch if you can. Not ideal but better than nothing.

Matching paint, hopefully you'll find an old half-can somewhere.. otherwise you may need to try a test patch for compatability. We generally use two coats and get 2 years with ablative paint.. we will shorthaul for a pressure wash or a rub in between a time or two.

The Beneteau may have an iron keel.. this will need proper epoxy sealing to avoid having to deal with rust every time you haul... this is a job worth doing right (or have done right) originally - it will pay dividends down the road.

It's difficult to assess keel fairing issues on-line.. I suggest you consult an expert or a knowledgeable sailor in your area.

[Cptken]

This should give you an idea of how to redo the stanchions. Buytl tape is also available on Mainsail's site....no interest in his business
Re-Bedding Deck Hardware Photo Gallery by Compass Marine at pbase.com

As far as the rest of it goes need pictures or ask some of the workers where the boat is kept. A 6 pack goes along way when seeking advice.

Another way to get at those hard to paint spots is to ask the yard to put your boat in the slings as the last job of the day. Paint under the keel/jackstands then splash in the morning.

Most folks go with an ablative paint. But need to know what is on now. Some types aren't compatable.

Join the First 35.7 owners group. They will have the answers to boat specific questions.

[Peas]

Sure is a pretty boat! Congratluations!

The beneteauusa.com site still has an original brochure and equipment list online that you can download.

I've also found that their online parts store is really handy as well as their online SERVICE FAQs

Look here for the FAQ
Beneteau Previous Models:

and here for the parts store:
BENETEAU USA - MARION

Good luck!

[TAKmate]

THANKS FOR INFO and IDEAS

Always can use more knowledge