Beneteau First 38s5
Built 1989–1994 by Beneteau (France; some US models built in Marion, SC)
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About the Beneteau First 38s5
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1989–1994
- Builder
- Beneteau (France; some US models built in Marion, SC)
- Designer
- Berret-Racoupeau (interior Philippe Starck)
- Length
- 38.25 ft
- Waterline
- 31.33 ft
- Beam
- 12.33 ft
- Draft
- 6.5 ft
- Displacement
- 14,520 lb
- Ballast
- 4,850 lb
- Hull / keel
- fin keel
- Rig
- sloop
- Stern thruster
- not fitted
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
-
Fuel unknown
“tankage for 32 gallons of fuel” — search excerpt, boats.com · “Fuel: 23 gal.” — search excerpt, jvetter2.wixsite.comRobert Perry's design review says 32 gal; one owner's page for a single boat says 23; our earlier 29 came from spec databases. The Beneteau brochure couldn't be checked.
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Water unknown
“90 gallons of water” — search excerpt, boats.com · “Water: 90 gal. (2 tanks)” — search excerpt, jvetter2.wixsite.com · “fresh water tank capacity of 370 L (98 US gal)” — search excerpt, sailcentral.comRobert Perry's review and an owner's page say 90 gal (two tanks); spec databases say 370 L / 98 gal (our earlier figure). The Beneteau brochure would settle it.
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Holding unknown
An owner's page mentions two heads with holding tanks but no size.
-
Water heater unknown
One owner's web page mentions hot and cold showers but gives no heater size and doesn't say whether it was standard.
Tanks are often replaced or added on older boats — check the tank labels or a survey for yours.
Thrusters and steering — where this comes from
-
Bow thruster unknown
A builder General Equipment List exists but couldn't be checked, and the reviews found don't mention a thruster.
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Stern thruster not fitted
Our earlier figure of none has no source, and nothing was found either way.
-
Steering unknown
Three reviews (Perry, SpinSheet and a dealer compilation) don't describe the steering; only a video listing mentions wheel steering on one boat.
Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.
Sources disagree on fuel tank, water tank — left blank rather than guessed.
Fractional-rig racer-cruiser with bulb fin and spade rudder; shoal draft 5.16 ft. Charter versions sold as the Moorings 38. No model-specific problem sources were read.
Engines fitted
-
Volvo Penta 2003 — 28 hp, diesel, single
standard
UK broker Yachtsnet's model data gives a Volvo 2003 at 28 bhp (noting it may vary); SpinSheet's review cites a 28 hp Volvo diesel.Sources: yachtsnet.co.uk · spinsheet.com
-
Yanmar 3YM30 — 30 hp, diesel, single
common repower
A 1991 hull was repowered with a new Yanmar 3YM30 in 2011; one documented case.Sources: brucehillyachtsales.com
Boats of the same model can differ — check which engines yours actually has before ordering parts.
Manuals and brochures online
- Document Beneteau heritage page, First 38s5 (links to the builder's French brochure and general equipment list PDFs) (1988-1992) — beneteau.com
Hosted by the builder or an owners' association; they own the copyright.
Known problems for this model
No well-sourced problem reports found yet.
Engines & parts
Volvo Penta 2001 / 2002 / 2003 / 2003T parts: limited
Factory standard engine — you entered “Volvo Penta 2003”
Parts are available through Volvo Penta but owners consider them unique and overpriced (e.g., 2003T turbo, aluminum heat exchanger and oil cooler each quoted in the $1,700–3,000 range). Workarounds include converting the 2003T cooling system to aftermarket cupronickel heat exchanger and oil cooler, using the common aftermarket turbo, and cross-referencing some Perkins parts. Parts4Engines stocks aftermarket service parts.
Parts sources: Parts4Engines, Power Products Systems (genuine Volvo Penta parts)
Common problems (3)
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Aluminum oil cooler and heat exchanger failures (2003T) cooling
The aluminum oil cooler and heat exchanger are the usual first failures, and genuine replacements are very expensive, so some owners convert to aftermarket coolers or repower.cruisersforum.com · facebook.com
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Carboned exhaust elbow and turbo from low-load running exhaust
Long periods at low rpm carbon up the elbow and the 2003T turbo; the turbo can also be wrecked if it ingests the intake silencer foam.cruisersforum.com
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Hard starting on older raw-water-cooled 2002s engine
Original raw-water-cooled 2002s are described as reliable but difficult to start.forums.ybw.com
Maker’s service schedule (10)
| Engine oil & filter change | 100 hrs or 1 yr | “100 HOURS (OR SEASONAL) ENGINE SERVICE” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Oil filter change (every second oil change) | 200 hrs or 2 yrs | “The oil filter should be changed after the first 20 hours of running, and thereafter at every second change of engine oi” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Air filter / intake silencer 2001, 2002, 2003 (clean) | 1 yr | “The intake silencer should be cleaned each season.” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Air filter / intake silencer 2003T (replace) | 2 yrs | “On 2003T the intake silencer should be replaced once every two years.” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Transmission fluid change | 400 hrs or 1 yr | “The oil in the drive should be changed after every 400 hours or at least once a season.” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Raw-water pump impeller | 100 hrs or 1 yr | “CHECK/CHANGE THE IMPELLER” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Valve clearance check / adjust | 100 hrs or 1 yr | “CHECK VALVE CLEARANCE Checking and adjusting the valve clearance should only be carried out by an authorized Volvo Penta” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Dismantle and clean the vacuum (siphon-break) valve | 1 yr | “To make sure that the vacuum valve functions properly it should be dismantled at least once every season.” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Replace S-drive rubber seal (dealer) S-drive (saildrive) installations | 7 yrs | “The seal should be changed every seven years.” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
| Replace rubber stuffing box (shaft seal) Shaft installations with a rubber stuffing box | 500 hrs or 5 yrs | “The rubber stuffing box must be replaced after 500 hours or 5 years.” — manufacturer, sbo.sailboatowners.com |
Service part numbers (7)
| Oil filter | Volvo Penta 22057107 Replaces 834337 |
“p.90 "2001, 2002, 2003, 2003T" block: Oil filter — 22057107” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “Volvo Penta genuine oil filter to replace old model 834337. Fits … 2001, 2002, 2003, 2003T” — dealer, foxschandlery.com |
| Fuel filter | Volvo Penta 21492771 Replaces 829913, 3825133 |
“p.90 "2001, 2002, 2003, 2003T" block: Fuel filter — 21492771” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “Brandstoffilter Volvo Penta 21492771 (vervangt 829913) … Volvo Penta 2001 … 2003T” — dealer, bakker-ijlst.nl |
| Raw-water impeller 2001, 2002, 2003 (not 2003T) |
Volvo Penta 21951342 Replaces 3586496, 875583 Also: Johnson 09-808B |
“p.90 "2001, 2002, 2003, 2003T" block: Impeller kit (2001, 2002, 2003) — 21951342” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “Replaces: Johnson Impeller 09-808B / Jabsco Impeller 22405-0001 … 875583-7, 21951342. Used on Volvo Penta 2001, 2002, 20” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au |
| Raw-water impeller 2003T |
Volvo Penta 21951346 Replaces 3862281, 3855546, 3856039 |
“p.90 "2001, 2002, 2003, 2003T" block: Impeller kit (2003T) — 21951346” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “Volvo Penta: 21951346, 3862281, 3855546, 3856039 / 2003T, MD22A, TMD22A, MD22B, TMD22B, D2-55, D2-75” — dealer, repowermarine.com |
| Thermostat raw-water (directly) cooled 2001 / 2002 / 2003 |
Volvo Penta 877355 Replaces 876691 |
“Volvo Penta 2001, 2002, 2003 thermostat kit – 877355 … Replaces: 876691” — dealer, ab-marineservice.com · “Thermostat Volvo Penta 2001 2002 2003 - 877355 … 2001 (Directly cooled) 2002 (Directly cooled)” — dealer, marinedustrie.com |
| Drive belt raw-water-cooled 2002 / 2003 / 2003T (alternator) |
Volvo Penta 966900 Replaces 958303 |
“Part Number: 966900 … Supersedes: 958303 … 2002 / 2002AG / 2002B / 2002BG … 2003T / 2003TB” — dealer, marisolmarine.com · “V Belt for Volvo Penta 2002, 2003 with Raw Water Cooling … Replace Volvo Penta: 966900, 958303” — dealer, repowermarine.com |
| Maintenance kit (oil filter, fuel filter, impeller with gaskets) | Volvo Penta 877194 | “p.89 Maintenance kits for diesel engines: 2001, 2002, 2003 — 877194” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “Servicekit Volvo Penta 2001 2002 2003 - 877194” — dealer, marinedustrie.com |
From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.
Yanmar 3YM30 / 3YM20 parts: good
Factory common repower engine — you entered “Yanmar 3YM30”
Current-generation Yanmar with full dealer support; raw water pump impellers are Jabsco-compatible.
Parts sources: Mack Boring & Parts (Yanmar distributor), Yanmar USA genuine parts
Common problems (3)
-
Leaking heat exchangers and overheating cooling
Owners report heat exchangers leaking (pressed-in tube joint) and overheating; trapped air in the freshwater circuit and failed impellers are other common causes.forums.ybw.com · forums.sailboatowners.com
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Seawater pump leaks cooling
The Johnson seawater pump is a frequent leak source, and leaks near the elbow hose can corrode the starter and heat exchanger studs.forums.ybw.com
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Restrictive cast iron elbow exhaust
The cast iron exhaust riser/elbow clogs with soot, raising back pressure.forums.ybw.com
Maker’s service schedule (18)
| Engine oil & filter change | 150 hrs or 1 yr | “4.3.4 Inspection Every 150 Hrs (or one year). (1) Replace the Engine Oil” — manufacturer, j30.us |
| Replace engine oil filter | 250 hrs or 1 yr | “4.3.5 Inspection Every 250 Hrs (or one year).” — manufacturer, j30.us |
| Transmission fluid change KM marine gear (shaft drive) | 150 hrs or 1 yr | “4.3.4 Inspection Every 150 Hrs (or one year). ... (2) Replace the Marine Gear oil” — manufacturer, j30.us |
| Transmission fluid change SD sail-drive installations | 100 hrs or 6 mo | “4.3.3 Inspection Every 100 Hrs (or six months). (1) Replace the Sail Drive Oil” — manufacturer, j30.us |
| Fuel filters & water separator | 250 hrs or 1 yr | “4.3.5 Inspection Every 250 Hrs (or one year). (1) Replace the Fuel Tank Refer to 4.3.1(4). (2) Replace the Fuel Filter” — manufacturer, j30.us |
| Drain fuel/water separator | 50 hrs or 1 mo | “4.3.2 Inspection Every 50 Hrs. (or Monthly) (1) Drain the fuel/water separator.” — manufacturer, j30.us |
| Drain fuel tank (water/sediment) | 250 hrs or 1 yr | “4.3.5 Inspection Every 250 Hrs (or one year). (1) Replace the Fuel Tank Refer to 4.3.1(4).” — manufacturer, j30.us |
| Raw-water pump impeller | 1,000 hrs or 4 yrs | “The impeller must be replaced with new one periodically (every 1000 hrs or 4 years whichever comes first).” — manufacturer, j30.us |
| Coolant replacement & freeze-point test | 1 yr | “Replace the fresh water coolant Every year When long life coolant is used of a specified type (see page 24), a replaceme” — manufacturer, j30.us |
| Air filter / intake silencer | 250 hrs or 1 yr | “4.3.5 Inspection Every 250 Hrs (or one year).” — manufacturer, j30.us |
| Exhaust mixing elbow inspection | 250 hrs or 1 yr | “4.3.5 Inspection Every 250 Hrs (or one year).” — manufacturer, j30.us |
| Drive belts inspect / replace | 250 hrs or 1 yr | “Replace the alternator driving belt with new one every 1000 hours or four years, whichever comes first, even if there is” — manufacturer, j30.us |
| Valve clearance check / adjust | 1,000 hrs or 4 yrs | “4.3.6 Inspection Every 1000 Hrs (or 4 years). (1) Inspection and Adjustment of Intake/ Exhaust Valve Clearance.” — manufacturer, j30.us |
| Injector test / service | 1,000 hrs or 4 yrs | “4.3.6 Inspection Every 1000 Hrs (or 4 years). ... (2) Inspect and Adjust the Fuel Injection Spray Condition.” — manufacturer, j30.us |
| Inspect/adjust fuel injection timing (dealer) | 1,000 hrs or 4 yrs | “4.3.6 Inspection Every 1000 Hrs (or 4 years). ... (4) Inspect and Adjust the Fuel Injection Timing” — manufacturer, j30.us |
| Replace flexible engine mounts | 1,000 hrs or 4 yrs | “Be sure to replace the Yanmar flexible engine mounts every 1000 hours or 4 years, whichever comes first.” — manufacturer, j30.us |
| Breather diaphragm assembly inspection (dealer) | 1,000 hrs or 4 yrs | “4.3.6 Inspection Every 1000 Hrs (or 4 years). ... (5) Diaphragm assembly inspection” — manufacturer, j30.us |
| Check wiring connectors | 250 hrs or 1 yr | “4.3.5 Inspection Every 250 Hrs (or one year).” — manufacturer, j30.us |
Service part numbers (9)
| Oil filter | Yanmar 119305-35170 Replaces 119305-35151, 119660-35150 |
“3YM30 Basic Service Kit up to serial #E01732 ... 119305-35170 FILTER ASSY, D68XL65 (Oil)” — dealer, oldportmarine.com · “It fits Yanmar 1GM10, 2GM20F, 2YM15, 3GM, 3GM30F, 3JH2E, 3YM30, 4JH3E engines. Cross Reference: 119305-35151 119660-3515” — dealer, deltadieselparts.com |
| Fuel filter | Yanmar 104500-55710 | “Fuel Filter Element 1 104500-55710 / Fuel Filter O-Ring 1 24341-000440” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “3YM30 Basic Service Kit up to serial #E01732 ... 104500-55710 ELEMENT, FUEL FILTER” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
| Raw-water impeller | Yanmar 128990-42570 Replaces 128990-42200 |
“3YM30 Basic Service Kit up to serial #E01732 ... 128990-42570 IMPELLER KIT” — dealer, oldportmarine.com · “(Supersedes part number: 128990-42200) ... 2YM15 3YM20 3YM27A, 3YM30R 3YM30” — dealer, palmerpower.com |
| Drive belt early 3YM30 / 3YM20, below the serial break |
Yanmar 128990-77350 | “128990-77350 3YM30 up to serial #E01732 Belt” — dealer, oldportmarine.com · “S/W Pump Belt 1 128990-77350 < E00304” — dealer, ellebogen.com |
| Drive belt later 3YM30 / 3YM20, from the serial break |
Yanmar 104511-78780 | “104511-78780 3YM30 starting serial #E01733 Belt” — dealer, oldportmarine.com · “S/W Pump Belt 1 104511-78780 E00305 >” — dealer, ellebogen.com |
| Drive belt June 2004 up to serial E20847 |
Yanmar 129612-42290 | “Alternator V-Belt 1 129612-42290 June 2004 > / < E20847” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “3YM30 Basic Service Kit up to serial #E01732 ... 129612-42290 V-BELT, A37.5 (Alternator)” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
| Drive belt from serial E20848 (120 A alternator) |
Yanmar 128990-77580 | “Alternator Flat Belt 1 128990-77580 E20848 >” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “3YM30 Basic Service Kit starting serial #E20848 ... Serpentine belt 128990-77580” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
| Air filter | Yanmar 128270-12540 | “Air Filter Element 1 128270-12540” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “128270-12540 Air Element” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
| Thermostat | Yanmar 128990-49800 | “Thermostat 1 128990-49800 / Thermostat Gasket N/A Not Fitted” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “128990-49800 Thermostat” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.
Model sources (4)
sailboatdata.com · yachtsnet.co.uk · spinsheet.com · brucehillyachtsales.com
Other Beneteau models
- Beneteau 331 (Oceanis 331) 1999–2004
- Beneteau 393 (Oceanis Clipper 393) 2002–2007
- Beneteau 423 (Oceanis 423) 2002–?
- Beneteau Oceanis 390 1987–?
Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.