Grabau International is delighted its successful sale of the 1990 Beneteau First 38s5 ‘MINNIE’.
Comprehensively refitted and upgraded Jean Berret and Philippe Starck designed Beneteau 38s5. The perfect ‘do it all’ fast family cruiser racer.
FURTHER BROKER’S COMMENTS:
Originally supplied to the UK in mid-1990 as hull No.59 of 115 built between 1989 and 1994, MINNIE is a beautiful example of this iconic Philippe Starck interior Beneteau First 38s5.
Configured with the practical 1.90m keel option (the 38s5 was also offered with a shoal draft and a deep draft keel) and stainless steel wire (rather than rod) standing rigging, MINNIE has been set up for effortless short-handed fast cruising or club racing. Thanks to her recent conversion to a non-overlapping 110% Genoa (replacing the origjnal 150% overlapping genoa), larger fully-battened mainsail and German mainsheet system, MINNIE is very easily handled and with all control lines led aft the cockpit (and even an anchor windlass control at the helm), and low-friction battencars, she can be sailed without compromise singlehandedly.
Sporting recent carbon tri-radial laminate sails, an upgraded Sole (Mitsubishi) engine, upgraded Raymarine instrument package and with almost every aspect of the boat overhauled or replaced in recent seasons, MINNIE has performed beautifully as a family cruiser and also as a very competitive club racer.
Her specification highlights include:- • GRP non-slip decks • Owner’s cabin layout with two heads • Stunning Philippe Starck designed interior with mahogany joinery and contrasting cast aluminium saloon table ends, marble counters and white cloth uplstery • 1.90m draft keel option for optimal windward performance and offshore stability • Sole (Mitsubishi) engine from 2012 • Carbon tri-radial laminate mainsail and genoa • Symmetric spinnaker • Raymarine instruments with WiFi plotter from 2015 • Upgraded batteries • Eberspacher Hydronic diesel water heating system • Standing rigging replaced 2015 • Upgraded deck gear
Since purchase by her current owners in 2015, MINNIE has left the Solent only to compete in the Round The Island Race (finishing 110th overall in 2018), and in the last three years, she has been used only a handful of times due to increasing business commitments and the recent addition of a motor yacht to the family fleet.
RECENT REFIT HIGHLIGHTS: • Engine service, new anodes, new antifoul and hull polish – Summer 2021 • New Furlex, adjustable backstay system and vang gas strut – 2019 • Varta 180Ah service batteries – 2018 • Flex-o-Fold 3-bladed folding prop – 2017 • TV and stereo system – 2017 • New deck gear and running rigging – 2016/17 • Sanders Sails carbon laminate mainsail and genoa – 2016 • Standing rigging replaced – 2015 • Stackpack and lazyjacks – 2015 • Raymarine instrument package including WiFi plotter, i70’s instruments and new autopilot head and course computer – 2015 • Quick anchor windlass with cockpit and deck control – 2014 • New Sole (Mitsubishi) engine and gearbox with 410hrs run – 2012 • Seacocks replaced – 2012
MANUFACTURER’S COMMENTS:
An authentic Beneteau. From the First family. Spirited at all speeds. Lively in the lightest of winds. Powerful in the breeze. Capable of accelerating without ever losing steam, and able to eat up the miles of the journey with the quiet indifference of a confident champion. The First 38s5 is what dreams are made of for the most discerning skippers.
PRESS REVIEW:
“Everyone who has ever owned one knows there is no such thing as a “maintenance free” boat. However, with its minimal use of wood and maximum use of aluminum moldings and liners, the Beneteau-First 38s5 may require no more than a good scrubbing, hosing down and an occasional coat of wax to maintain her cosmetic appearance and keep you cruising in style.
The First 38s5 was introduced in 1989 and continued in production until 1994. The design resulted from the collaboration of designers Jean Berret, who was responsible for the hull and rig, and Philippe Starck, who designed the interior. With the exception of a plethora of vertical, horizontal, square, rectangular and teardrop-shaped cabin windows, the appearance of the 38s5 is quite typical of production boats of this vintage. Freeboard is moderate, and the sheer is quite flat in order to maximize interior volume. The bow is rather plumb again, to maximize interior volume as well as waterline length…
…The hull of the 38s5 is constructed of solid laminates of fiberglass cloth and resin with a fiberglass grid system bonded to the hull to withstand stresses generated by the rig and keel. The decks are constructed of a composite utilizing various core materials to reinforce the structure…
…The decks are wedge-shaped with very highly radiused contours from the cabin top to the side decks and, no matter what you might think of the non-traditional appearance of this layout, the functionality is hard to overlook. Once you learn to avoid the numerous ports and hatches, you will find this a very safe and easy deck to move about on, particularly while sailing at normal angles of heel…
… The deck layout features a large anchor locker forward with an anchor windlass… All halyards and sail controls are led aft to the cockpit concealed under fiberglass panels so that there is nothing to foul or trip over. Grab rails are recessed into the cabin top…”
Spinsheet – March 2017
We wish her new owners fair winds and following seas.
For those that missed out, Grabau International has a number of other similar yachts available for sale including:
Do you have a yacht like this to sell? Grabau International are always looking for new high quality cruising yacht listings both in the UK and internationally. For further information about our tailored brokerage services, please look here or feel free to contact us
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