HOME
NEWS
INFO INDEX
PHOTOS
REVIEWS
F235 FORUMS
LINKS  

REVIEW
1987 YACHT Entry level cabin cruisers
First 235 Gib'Sea 242 Jeanneau Tonic 23
Below are two First 235 reviews found in the French magazine NEPTUNE in the late 80s.  The first article is from a two page spread with pics with an interesting sailing comparison against a five true Mini-Transat boats - Some interesting results.  The second blurb is a comparison with two other similar boats, one of which is COCO, the Finot Mini-transat production model.  F235 sailor Boudewijn Neijens, who translated the 10 page French review as well, performed the excellent translation.      See original articles at right
See Yacht Cover Scan


Sailing Quality
In winds up to 15 knots all three boats sail fast and are well balanced. The stiffness is in line with what one can expect from such a boat size. In winds over 15 knots the Tonic needs to be reefed and fly the smallest jib, whereas the First can still be sailed with a full main and a slightly reduced jib. The Gib’Sea can hold on to its full sails longest. In high winds the Tonic has the lowest stiffness of the three boats. The Tonic and First have nicely balanced rudders, whereas the Gib’Sea is heavier to steer.

First: good; Gib’Sea: good; Tonic: acceptable.
 

Click for full view of all three boats
click above to view all three boats
Hull and Deck Design
All three boats are built around a compromise: a higher standing room in the cabin requires high freeboards and high coach roofs. The First and Tonic have a well balanced design, whereas the Gib’Sea does not look as elegant. The underwater hull is flat on all three boats and offers good form stability. Despite a very wide stern, all three boats flow well through the water. The plumb bow of the First is unusual but gives the boat a very long waterline.

First: good; Gib’Sea: acceptable; Tonic: good.
 

Click for full view of all three boats
click above to view all three boats
Cockpit and Storage
The high freeboard not only increases the size of the main cabin – it also allows for space under the cockpit. All three boats have an aft cabin under the cockpit but also found enough space for a large storage locker and for a liferaft, which is remarkable. All three cockpits are ergonomically well designed and the sidedecks of the Tonic are best for trimming the boat. The Gib’Sea and Tonic have a well for the outboard engine, whereas the smaller First has a mount on the transom, allowing easy access to the engine.

First: good; Gib’Sea: good; Tonic: good.
 

Click for full view of all three boats
click above to view all three boats
Main Cabin and Berths
The Tonic has the highest cabin at 1.67 meter, whereas the Gib’Sea and First offer 1.64 m and 1.63 m respectively. Under the companionway hatch the Gib’Sea offers 1.78 meter. The main cabin berths can be widened to a comfortable 90 cm each on the First by lowering the table, whereas the table is fixed on the Tonic and Gib’Sea, which therefore only offer 68cm and 63 cm wide berths. The length of the berths is over 2 meter on all boats. The Gib’Sea and Tonic have upholstered back cushions, improving the comfort when seated around the table. All three cabins are clear and well lit.

First: good; Gib’Sea: good; Tonic: good.
 

click to view all three boats
click above to view all three boats
Navigation
A separate navigation table could only be added to the smaller First in the head compartment. But the unique compromise of having the head compartment double as nav station works well. All three nav stations allow you to work efficiently on charts, come with some storage for the usual instruments and allow you to sit while working. On the Tonic and First you sit backwards, which needs some adjustment. None of the boats have closing cabinets for books, and the First has no proper storage for charts. The navigation table on the Tonic is a bit too high.

First: good; Gib’Sea: good; Tonic: good.
 

click to view all three boats
click above to view all three boats
Galley
All three galleys are L-shaped and offer more working and storage space than on previous boats of similar length. Had the galleys offered better storage for dishes and glassware they would have been truly practical. None of the boats offer a silverware tray. Only the First has an icebox. The water supply is also unsatisfactory: only 20 liters (4.5 gallons) on the Tonic and Gib’Sea. The First does a better job with 50 liters (11 gallons). Larger tanks should be added on board.

First:Not ok; Gib’Sea:not ok; Tonic:Not OK.
 

click to view all boats
click above to view all three boats
Aft Cabin
Due to its shorter overall length the First also has the smallest aft cabin, with the lowest clearance to the cockpit floor and with the narrowest entrance. This being said, the aft cabins on all three boats are surprisingly large and two children (or two adults in a pinch) can sleep here in comfort. All three boats lack an opening portlight to supply some fresh air to the aft cabin. The First and Tonic have a fixed portlight on the stern, whereas the aft cabin on the Gib’Sea is quite dark. None of the cabins are separated from the main cabin, and a curtain might be a good addition. All three have some storage in the cabin.

First: ok; Gib’Sea: good; Tonic: good
 

click to see all three boats
click above to view all three boats
Head Compartment
These compartments literally had to be squeezed into these small boats, making them comfortable only for smaller persons. Yet all three heads are acceptable compromises – even the double-function compartment on the First. Many boats of this size only offer a portable head under a main cabin berth, so the double-function head on the First is not that shocking. The largest head is on the Tonic, which also has a hand wash basin and a cloth hanging bar. The Gib’Sea has a hand wash basin whereas the First does not. None of the boats have opening portlights for ventilation in the head compartment.

First: acceptable; Gib’Sea: acceptable;
Tonic: good
 

click to view all three boats
click above to view all three boats
     


Return to First 235 Reviews Index


©2006 beneteau235.com ~ kelly holsten ~ site design & hosting by I-VOL