Beneteau First 305 - 1988 - Lefkada Greece - Only €15000 (winter yard fee's included)

Our 1988 Beneteau First 305 is for sale after owning her since Oct 2023 but many upgrades and a season later it is ready to continue the journey for the next lucky person. We are moving to the dark side and have just purchased a catamaran after an offer we couldn’t refuse.

The price is only €15000 including winter yard fees in Nydri Lefkada, this is until end of May 2025. Liveaboard cost is included in the cost should someone want this!

So a little background was that we purchased it from an Englishman in October 2023 where it had sat unused for 4 years. He had at that point owned it over 20 years, all based in Greece, but Covid like for many others, altered people’s travel so it was in Cleopatra Marina during that period. It was there during the last 20 years, maybe more. Cleopatra can confirm the boat was in the yard during brexit.

The boat is currently UK registered.

VAT status unknown. This is a confusing matter as we understood that if the vessel was in Greek water pre-brexit, VAT was not an issue. We have since learnt that should VAT be needed to be paid, then it should be a nominal value given the age of the boat. Alternatively registering under Polish I believe would remove the question? https://www.polish-boat-registration.com/polish-yacht-registration-form.html

Jobs done this year;

Installed;

A solar arch

480 watts solar over 3 panels.

DCC50S 12V 50A DC-DC On-Board Battery Charger with MPPT – https://www.renogy.com/dcc50s-12v-50a-dc-dc-on-board-battery-charger-with-mppt/

• This is fantastic, saving space and reducing wires required. It monitors and handles both the house bank and also the starter/windlass battery. It can also handle lithium charging from the engine should you wish to swap the house bank to lithium. It has the usual Bluetooth monitoring.

Renogy battery monitor panel + shunt. I actually prefer this to the Victron version as everything is there in one display without having to touch buttons once set up.

Nasa windex.

NMEA 2000 – B+G chartplotter with 2023 Navionics on a card.

Swapped 40m for 70m of chain.

New 15kg Rocna (after a Delta on our previous boat, this is just simply the best for us).

Serviced the engine, replaced usual oils, filters and impeller.

Engine exhaust temperature sensor and alarm (incase your impeller breaks).

Engine work lights so you can actually see what you’re doing in the engine bay.

An extra engine water stainer internally as it only had the external hull mounted one prior (also still fitted).

2x Trudesign seacocks replacing 2x seized cocks.

Carbon activated water filter, so it makes the boat’s tank water very drinkable. There is no need for bottled water.

Swapped out the single fridge fan to replace with 3x quiet PC fans to improve airflow through the compressor, housed in the usual dark seating area. Fridge is cold btw.

4x Hella fans (life savers after this summers heat).

Swapped the navigation lights to LED.

Changed some of the running rigging.

Part rewire on battery cables, earthing.

Made two large bus bars for pos/neg in case of future increase on electrical requirements.

New plumbing hoses fitted throughout.

New upholstery throughout.

Inventory;

Autopilot.

Lofrans remote windlass with chain counter.

New fire blanket/extinguishers 2024.

3x lifejackets.

Hypalon Avon rib, rowing only at present which is what I wanted as a loose attempt to get fit this summer (failed). Light though and sits on the bow when sailing, great on a smallish boat.

6x fenders.

2x extra water carriers.

3x fuel cans (22 + 2×5 litres). With the installed tank, it gives approximately 66 hours of constant motoring.

Usual assortment of tools, ropes.

Kettle, pots/pans, knives/forks etc.

Sun shade.

Large bimini.

Engine;

I’ve been really pleased with this motor. Volvo Penta 2002 probably from the 80’s like the boat. Two cylinder and raw water cooled only. Less to go wrong.

Nearly uses no fuel. I don’t have a gauge for it but if you work on an average of 1ltr an hour, 34 litres in the main tank, 32L in the portable tanks, you shouldn’t run out bashing around the islands in Greece.

The hour meter is showing 4952 as I type this and I think that is probably correct. No records to substantiate though.

I’ve put approx 300ml of oil in this summer, approx 100hrs usage. Wouldn’t consider that excessive usage.

I adjusted the valve clearances, starts great on the button.

Sails and sailing;

She points well, even though the sails are not new. I don’t know how old they are, but we’ve had 7.5 knots out of her this summer going to Vonitsa on the aft quarter, into wind 6-6.5 knots in 15-20 knots wind.

There is one small rip caused by me on the main, patched but on the whole you can sail with them just fine. If you are experienced, want to race etc, buy some new ones. Not needed to get moving though.

The spinnaker looks hardly used and is massive. I have the pole and is included but I planned on jury rigging the sail to be used without. Never got chance with all the above happening and working at times for a living also.

Rigging. I think at some point in its life it has been changed as it has the Noresman style fitments at the turnbuckles. I don’t think that would be standard Beneteau fitment or not?? The condition of the wires looks good as do the buckles hence I am not changing them.