Boat preparation underway…

So the plunge has been taken and boat bought! Our diverse range of requirements led to some soul searching over what to get; We want to be competitive at cans racing, do some offshore racing, short hand cruise to the Channel Islands and sail the Solent with three kids! As a good friend of mine kept saying to me, ‘Every boat’s a compromise!’ but really, how can we get even half those boxes ticked?

The end result, a Beneteau First 34.7. She’s a 2008 commissioned, fairly lightly used example with some racing modifications (carbon mast and rod rigging) but lacking in sail wardrobe. So have we achieved our requirements? Only time will tell.

Decision made, money exchanged, now for the hard work.

First things first, she needed a good scrub down. Note to anyone selling a boat; some simple cleaning will really help your cause. Seeing a boat filthy dirty doesn’t inspire most purchasers!

First job, sort out her bottom. Pre-launch she’s being sand blasted and spray anti-fouled to give her a nice smooth finish, should help