Beneteau First 210 Sailing Yacht Boat

Reluctantly for Sale is ‘Cartahu’ our lovely and well cared for Beneteau First 210. Chances are if you’re looking at the listing you’ll know already just how highly thought of these are. Cartahu is an extremely well cared for ‘94 year example. Before she was purchased by us I spent many many months looking for the ‘right’ example. Her previous owner was part of the Ellen MacArthur sailing trust and was based in Cowes.

History wise standing rigging has been replaced and doesn’t have much use on it. The all import swing keel bolts and mechanism has also been replaced and well cared for. Serviced annually it’s operating exactly as it should with no play. Keel up she draws just 0.7m so has been a joy keeping in Christchurch Harbour and when sailing can reach sheltered anchorage most can’t. These boats are known for their speed relative to size and ease to sail.

She’s a great family boat in that regard. All sails are from North Sails and the cupboard includes spares for all main, jib etc. There’s an additional smaller jib and a race one that’s barely used. We also have a north sails spinnaker, but the icing on the cake is the furling gennaker which I always refer to as ‘red mist’ because when that comes out Cartahu’s race pedigree comes alive and she flys along even on really calm days. Plus it’s a little easier than the spinaker if you’re short of hands and more versatile.

The furling system for that is from the USA and was a big expense by the receipts! Safety wise we have an Epirb and an auto inflate life raft. VHF. Depth and speed (raymarine). There’s a leisure battery for all the LED Nav lighting and it runs the CD/Radio quite happily. A 60w solar system keeps that all topped up through the season.There’s also an autopilot but I seldom use it in the Solent.

Moving on to the general bits. Interior wise it’s pretty much as it would have been from the factory. The interior is clean and dry. Very easy to keep that way also! We have a 6hp Yamaha sail drive outboard which has always been maintained by us.

It’s relatively new and again in great condition. We’ve found this to be perfect weight for the boat as I like to remove when we aren’t sailing so it’s easy to take on and off. Equally we have motored back in foul weather from Cowes to Christchurch with no issues. For the 2018 season as well as the usual service items and antifoul we paid for a machine polish. Also renewed the model decals.

I have new ones for the silver trim on the windows just not fitted. There’s enough antifoul to get her painted again for this 2019 season. I’ll include a free crane out at the local yard in Christchurch to help the new buyer. Her current pontoon mooring is not available from April. I may be able to assist with alternative if keeping in Christchurch.

All in all I’m extremely sad to be letting her go as she’s been absolutely fantastic and lived up to all our expectations and then some! Sadly I have a back injury and need to take things easy so I do not think I’ll get the use out of her this coming season. She will make a great family boat and round the cans racer on the weekend if that’s your thing, or just a nice bit of cruising. She’s been further afield all along the south coast and Channel Islands and beyond being that her original owner previously mentioned worked in the Industry and was French (much of her history receipts are French). I don’t know what else to say.

I can arrange for you to see her at the local yard during the week. Now the important bit... I’m looking for £6,950. This is, from my experience, a great bargain free of the usual ‘pre season’ boat tax haha! It’s also a mega amount of boat for the money! If you’re looking for a nice family boat, without the massive expense of an older one, the inconvenience of a deep draft, or the expense that comes with a much bigger vessel this is the boat for you!

Contact simon 0phone Located Christchurch, Dorset.