Six Months in a Leaky Boat - Part 2 of 3

We struggled with the decision whether to buy Toodles, a Beneteau Cyclades 50, or a Beneteau 473.  It was a very close call at the time.  On one hand we had the 473, which is a very pretty boat, known for it's blue water prowess and available in the 3 cabin owners version complete with real wood interior and on one of the boats available, teak decks.  On the other hand we had Toodles, a significantly larger boat due to it's high top sides, larger footage and beam, arguably slightly less pleasing to the eye, less documented blue water sailing, but much newer with a proper kitchen, king sized owner's cabin, air conditioning and generator.  Despite Toodles already having crossed one ocean to get to the Caribbean, we felt we needed further reassurance of her capabilities.  We contacted the Cyclades 50's designer who assured us that his boat was designed for, and well up to, the voyage ahead of us (to cross the pacific).

After 6 months living aboard and nearing 1000 miles sailed, we couldn't be happier with Toodles.  We had been told that Toodles had won some cruiser races in the BVI, so we shouldn't have been so surprised with just how fast she sails.  We often average 9knts and the current top speed we have seen is 13knts.   As a purpose built cruising yacht, her weatherly performance exceeds expectations.  She is easily managed by one person, with the help of the autopilot and electric winch.

Our fears of coming along side on such a large boat were unfounded.  We have always managed with just the two of us, with no dramas.   With a couple of well placed fenders, and a trick or two learnt from Al Gwyer, coming along side has been so much easier than we had expected for a 50 footer.

At anchor, there is enough room to swing a Pickle, oops I mean Cat.  Perhaps the space has aided our ability to deal with each other, having more places to run away to and more doors to slam. The huge owner's cabin has just been amazing and made the boat more like a home.  The cockpit is also larger than other boats we looked at, and has been great for entertaining and sunbathing alike.  While we haven't needed all 5 toilets, it is great to have another head to run to when the holding tank fills up.

Mechanically, she has caused us very little problem.  While we have done quite a bit of work on her, it has been all maintenance or putting on new toys.

The negatives?  Well the forward crew cabin is unnecessary (I still haven't actually ventured down the hatch!).  It's good for storage of fenders, sails and the odd extra suitcase - but that's about it.  But then, with only two people aboard, we haven't exactly been short on space!

Being an ex charter boat, she did come fairly bare.  While she came with plates, cutlery, pots, pans and 10 snorkels and masks, the entire toolkit consisted only of two screwdrivers.  Electronically, she was also very basic, and we had to spend quite a bit on toys to get her up to spec for our voyage.  I saw this as not entirely negative.  We were able to fit her with just the things we needed, all up to date, rather than having to put up with whatever the boat came with, which was often a lot of unnecessary or out of date electronics.

There has been a bit of bad press about European production boats lately, regarding the use of brass through hull fittings that can corrode quickly under certain circumstances.  Fortunately, Beneteau addressed this from 2007 onwards (ie including Toodles), fitting bronze through hull fittings instead.

Six months on, we are more happy with the boat than expected.  She is continually able to give us pleasant surprises with her performance, or an extra spot or gadget we hadn't found before.  We are looking forward to some proper blue water sailing to stretch her legs.