Adventures of ET2 Ep 23 - First 211 review

[@loriansmith7304]

Great advice. The 211 is so much fun

[@Stevew10000]

Owned a First 21.7 for a few years. Was delighted with it. We eventually bought a bigger boat. Easy resale of the First. Very good used market. Could have sold it many times over.

[@easytigeriisadventures3273]

Hi Steve. Thanks for the comment. Yes, they do seem popular as when I was looking a couple of boats had gone by the time I replied to what looked like newish adverts. Not looking to sell yet but it is comforting to think that it may be an easy sell when the time comes.

[@markalfresco]

I have come back to sailing after a 20 year break and I got a 21.7 🤓2010,and it has all the negative stuff redone , except toilet 😢. I had 45 foot sail boats with everything and I wanted a smaller boat on a buoy that I swill out too and sail for 2 hour in the afternoon 😋. So far I don’t think I am going back to mariner’s expense and driving to and foe as I live 200 meters from my mooring

[@easytigeriisadventures3273]

@@markalfresco Lucky you! I'd love to live 200m from my boat but unfortunately it is 75 mins drive away 😔 I'm envious!

[@alvaromoyano1635]

Very good and usefull review, thank you so much. Could you please tell me which in your opinion is the maximum wind knots that can be sailed with the ship in a safe and nice condition? Cheers

[@easytigeriisadventures3273]

Hi. I've been pleasantly surprised by how well the boat has dealt with heavy conditions. For e.g. we started this year's Round The Island Race (round the Isle of Wight, UK) in 20-25 kts with some gusts in the high 20s and the boat was fine. We had 2 reefs in the new sails (see Ep 24) and it was manageable. We did retire in the end and ran back to Cowes but that was because we heard the winds were even higher on the west side of the island and didn't fancy 10-12 hours out there. Having said that, the crew (3 total) knew what they were doing but I think the boat is fine at 20kts with suitable reefs. Generally, I wouldn't intend to go out to cruise with winds over 20kts but it can deal with more without becoming totally uncontrollable. It really depends on what your crew are prepared to put up with. HTH

[@alvaromoyano1635]

Many thanks for your reply, I will check ep24. Cheers.

[@rubelux]

Own a 211 in Medway. Love everything about it but the lack of proper heads. 265 would be a better choice for it. Are you in the FB 211 owner group?

[@easytigeriisadventures3273]

Hi. I have to confess that I'm unaware that the FB211 is still up and running. Is it? If so, couldn't put a link to it in these comments - thanks

[@rubelux]

@@easytigeriisadventures3273 see you there

[@easytigeriisadventures3273]

​@@rubelux Hi. Do you have any contact details for the FB211 group?

[@skippywinters]

Waiting for the news sails video. Great review, I’m on the lookout for a 210 myself

[@easytigeriisadventures3273]

Hi. It is coming. The sails are great but having fun finding someone to take good off-board footage of the boat sailing and finding a decent day weather-wise.

[@skippywinters]

Question to someone who owns one: the boat Im looking to get is in general good condition except (big but) for the screws at the bottom holding the keel, that are completely corroded, so bad that they’ve seized. Also the mechanism to raise the keel is long broken. I wonder if these are a deal breaker or a relatively cheap and easy fix. Any ideas?

[@easytigeriisadventures3273]

Hi. For me it would be a matter of cost and skill level. The boat will have to be lifted well clear of the ground. Putting it on a trailer won't be enough so factor in the cost of proper crane lift and storage ashore in a cradle. Beneteau do ( I assume it is still available) a servicing kit for the lift mechanism and the fitting of it doesn't look too difficult. See first210.org/technotes/keel.html. You'll need a friend or friends to help and at least 2 jacks to support the weight of the keel. Given the hassle the boat price would need to be very cheap to compensate. These boats come up for sale reasonably frequently so it might be worth hunting around for a ready to go one.

[@skippywinters]

Great tips sir, thank you

[@antonioschatzigeorgiou2691]

Owning a First 210 Spirit in Greece. Fair winds. Great liitle boat

[@easytigeriisadventures3273]

Hi Antonio. I'm envious of your sailing location! Good to hear from you

[@stephanegavignet1592]

Interesting video... it allows me to compare the First 211 with its direct competitor the ETAP 21i (my current boat).

[@easytigeriisadventures3273]

Hi. Yes, I considered the Etap too. Pretty similar concepts and target markets.

[@stephanegavignet1592]

@@easytigeriisadventures3273 From what I see on a regular basis (there is a 21.7 that often sails in my area), the First is a bit faster, but the Etap is way better built (in terms of quality).

[@easytigeriisadventures3273]

@@stephanegavignet1592 Yes, I think that's the consensus view from what I've seen on the forums - slightly faster but slightly less well built.