Aida is a 2-cabin, 2-head Beneteau Oceanis 473 that has just come off a multi-year program of significant reinvestment — mechanical, rigging, and electronics work that elevates Aida into a serious blue water cruising platform. Since 2019 her current owners have poured attention into every system on board: new standing rigging and sail inventory, a fully rebuilt water maker, new house and engine battery banks, 1,020W of solar with Victron monitoring, a re-engineered sail plan built around a gamechanging solent jib, and a 2025–2026 wave of fresh investment covering the running rig, electronics, safety gear, and bottom paint. The result is a boat that is turn-key, extensively proven on real passages (Lake Champlain to the Bahamas and back, repeatedly), and equipped to a standard that you will not often see in this class. All work has been done by marine industry professionals.

If you are in the market for a fully turn key Caribbean ready boat for this year, make an appointment to come see Aida.

Snapshot:

• 2-cabin, 2-head layout — spacious galley and cabin arrangement
• 75 HP Yanmar 4JH3-TE, professionally maintained throughout ownership — 2481 hours
• Fischer Panda 8 KW Generator
• Cruised extensively: Lake Champlain → Caribbean, and Lake Champlain → Bahamas (2022), with winters on the hard at Safe Harbor Fort Pierce, FL, professionally maintained by Loveridge Yachts
• Full standing rigging, sails, and running rigging renewed 2021–2022, with continuous upgrades through 2026
• Extensive fully-enclosed cockpit living space — functions as a true “back porch” at anchor, seats up to 12

Recently and Heavily Invested — 2022–2026:

• 2026: Spectra Catalina water maker fully rebuilt — new boost pump, new accumulator, new membrane, rebuilt Clark pump
• 2026: Cutlass bearing and dripless shaft seal replaced
• 2026: Garmin VHF 215 and Garmin AIS send/receive installed; new screen fitted to cockpit chartplotter; Fusion Stereo MS-RA770 Apollo Series added
• 2026: Starlink Mini installed for connectivity and streaming underway
• 2026: New mainsail clutch
• 2026: All 5 winches serviced (one electric)
• 2026: Winslow 6-person Super-Light Offshore Plus liferaft recertified for a further 3 years
• 2026: New cockpit and boom-shade sunscreens fitted
• 2026: 4 new batteries (Yanmar, generator, bowthruster/windlass)
• 2026: New alternator
• 2026: 5 hatches rebuilt by Hatchmaster
• 2026: Windlass platform strengthened
• 2026: New hoses for heads
• 2025: Victron BMV-712 Smart Battery Monitor with 500A shunt installed
• 2025: Fresh coat of bottom paint
• 2026: Custom Dyneema preventer lines (port and starboard) added
• 2024: Vulcan 33kg anchor and 225 ft of 3/8" galvanized chain
• 2024: New house battery bank — (6) West Marine AGM Group 31, 110Ah, wired in series
• 2024: Solent stay, mast winch, and dual clutches added for Genoa/Solent (Rhino Rigging) — a game changing investment
• 2024: New Genoa and Solent halyards; new hatch gaskets
• 2023: 1,020W of new solar — (3) LG 340W panels with a Victron MPPT SMART 150/100 controller
• 2023: New Solent jib (high-cut clew, Hydranet 343, Vermont Sailing Partners)
• 2022: October — new lazy bag/lines by Chesapeake Sailmakers. The Aida name is painted on a separate panel, stitched on, to facilitate a name change
• 2022: New starter motor for Yanmar diesel
• 2022: New injectors for Yanmar diesel

What Makes Aida Different:

Beyond the equipment list, Aida's current owners have focused deliberately on two things: making the boat exceptionally livable at anchor in a hot climate, and making her genuinely satisfying to sail short-handed. Both goals show throughout the boat.

Livability:

The owner reports that in 2026 in the Bahamas the washdown system was set to fresh water to hose down the deck, cockpit and cushions, even in remote anchorages.

The fully enclosed cockpit is the heart of the boat. Side and stern panels close it in completely, two side panels plus the central stern panel open with insect screens, and the space works as an all-weather living room whether at the dock or on the hook — it has hosted 12 people for sundowners. A layered shade system (permanent stern panels, removable side and dodger panels, and a boom-mounted slide-on panel) means the cockpit stays usable and cool even with the sun low or high overhead, and the boom shade in particular keeps the cabin noticeably cooler below. Cockpit seats are 6' long, bimini clearance is a full 6' at the dodger, and sightlines from the helm are excellent.

Below decks, the large L-shaped galley, double sink with foot pump plumbed for fresh or salt water, and custom mahogany spice rack make the boat easy to cook and live aboard in. Five 12V fans, extensive hatch and portlight screening, and vented hanging lockers (finished to look factory-original) keep the interior comfortable and bug-free. The forward head's one-piece fibreglass shower moulding has no teak grate to harbor mould, and with the water maker supplying unlimited fresh water it is, by the owners' own account, genuinely luxurious. A Fusion stereo with independent cockpit/saloon zones and a DC-powered Starlink Mini round out the creature comforts.

Sailing:

Since taking ownership, Aida's owners replaced the entire working sail inventory (keeping only the lightly-used original spinnaker): a new main and genoa in Hydranet from Vermont Sailing Partners, followed by a high-clewed Solent jib after a season of cruising revealed the genoa wasn't optimal upwind above 10 knots true. The Solent — built with a dedicated solent stay, mast winch, and clutches — has proven to be the standout upgrade: the boat goes upwind under solent and full main in 10 knots and above, tacks easily single-handed using the autopilot's auto-tack feature, and remains effective reaching and downwind, unlike a typical self-tacking jib.

Removable Dyneema halyard tails keep clutter off the mast while still allowing luff tension adjustment at the winch, and permanently rigged Dyneema preventers with soft-shackle tails run to the cockpit. Three Dyneema jacklines (port, starboard, cockpit) support offshore safety. In 2024 the original Bruce anchor was replaced with a Vulcan 33kg on a Mantus swivel and 225' of new 3/8" galvanized chain — a setup the owners describe as having never once dragged through seasons of Bahamas anchoring, including 40-knot blows. The Code 0 and asymmetrical spinnaker deploy from a removable sprit pole that even a smaller-statured sailor manages solo, with the spinnaker tack line led back to a cockpit clutch.

A lee-cloth berth to port is a comfortable, well-proven sea berth, and a similar setup could readily be added to starboard — which would give the boat four true sea berths in total, with the aft double remaining the best of all underway.

Aida is absolutely a standout example of the beloved Beneteau 473. Call the listing broker to schedule your visit to see her today!

Engine, Power & Batteries:

• 75 HP Yanmar 4JH3-TE, professionally maintained – 2481 hours
• Victron BMV-712 Smart Battery Monitor, 500A shunt (2025)
• House bank: (6) West Marine AGM Group 31, 110Ah, in series (2024)
• Engine battery: 110Ah AGM cranking (2026)
• Bowthruster/windlass batteries: (2) 105Ah AGM deep cycle (June 2026)
• Generator battery: 110Ah cranking (2026)
• 2015 Fischer Panda 8kW Mini generator (new mother board, 2024)
• Pro-Sine 2.0 inverter/charger
• 1,020W solar: (3) LG 340W panels with Victron MPPT SMART 150/100 controller, Bluetooth (2023)
• Bowthruster fitted

Watermaker, Tanks & Plumbing:

• Spectra Catalina water maker — fully rebuilt 2026 (boost pump, accumulator, membrane, Clark pump)
• Black-water “bazooka” for offshore holding-tank discharge
• Dual Racor fuel filters
• Kuuma 11-gallon water heater, front-mounted (2022), with spare anode
• Jabsco macerator head plus a Raritan manual head
• Deck washdown — salt or fresh water selectable, plus a 50' stern washdown hose with sprayer

Rig, Sails & Deck Hardware:

• Standing rigging and lifelines fully renewed 2021
• Full-batten main with 3 reefs (3rd reef at 50% luff, eliminating the need for a storm trysail) — Vermont Sailing Partners, Hydranet 343 (2022)
• 125% genoa, Hydranet 343 (2022, VSP)
• Code 0 on a furler, Stormlite 210 (2022, VSP)
• Solent jib, high-cut clew, Hydranet 343 (2023, VSP) — A must have for 20+ knots of wind
• North Sails asymmetrical spinnaker in a sock, lightly used
• 11' removable sprit pole for Code 0 / asymmetrical spinnaker, tack line led aft to a cockpit winch and clutch
• Solent stay, mast winch, and 2 clutches added for Solent/Genoa with removable Dyneema tails (2024)
• Custom Dyneema preventer lines, port and starboard (2025)
• 3 Dyneema jacklines — port, starboard, and cockpit (2022)
• 2 Wichard pad-eyes for cockpit jackline
• All new turning blocks at mast base and for the mainsheet (2022)
• New halyards, Spectra core — Genoa/Solent (2024)
• 5 winches serviced 2026, one electric
• New tapered spinnaker and Code 0 sheets (2022)
• Vulcan 33kg anchor with Mantus swivel, 225' of 3/8" galvanized chain (2024), plus a Mantus snubber (2023)
• Kato dinghy davits; Mantus dinghy anchor

Electronics & Communications:

• 2 Garmin 8612 chartplotters (cockpit and chart table); new cockpit screen (2026)
• Garmin GMI 20 instruments (depth, wind, speed) plus GRID 20 and wind/water instrument package
• Garmin Radar GMR Fantom 24
• Garmin Reactor 40 autopilot with Class B drive unit
• Garmin VHF 215; Garmin AIS send/receive (2026)
• Fusion Stereo MS-RA770 Apollo Series with cockpit and below-deck zones
• Starlink Mini (2026)
• Siren Marine Siren 3 Pro monitoring system and a Pep Wave network (both installed, currently not in use)
• MyTeamTalks headsets included

Comfort, Climate & Interior:

• Cruisair STL XR-16 (16,000 BTU) and STX-12 -410A (12,000 BTU) air conditioning
• 12V Adler-Barbour fridge and freezer
• Microwave and Force 10 3-burner stove
• 5 Caframo Bora 3-speed 12V fans — one per cabin, one in the galley, two in the saloon (2020)
• Custom mahogany two-tier spice rack (2021)
• Ventilation slits added to both hanging lockers, finished to look original to the build
• Yachtbedding throughout: pillow-top mattress forward, mattress pad aft, custom Red Land cotton linens, quilted coverlet and shams
• Sunbrella upholstery in the cockpit and saloon (2022)
• Saloon table converts to a double berth; opposite settee is full-length and fitted with a lee cloth for sea use
• Sogeman hatch screens (no-see-um rated) and hatch umbrella; Outland hatch covers
• Swim platform shower
• Culligan water filter on galley faucet
• Whale Gusher foot pump at galley sink

Enclosure, Shade & Deck Living:

• Full cockpit enclosure with insect screens — an all-weather “back porch” that has comfortably hosted 12 for sundowners
• Full bimini and dodger with hand-holds (navy)
• Removable stern shade panels for low-sun morning/evening comfort
• Removable side and dodger shade panels, including a central panel that zips open for airflow
• Boom-mounted slide-on shade panel (port or starboard) with roll-up stowage straps
• New cockpit and boom-shade sunscreens (2026)
• 6' cockpit seats; 6' minimum bimini clearance at the dodger, increasing aft

Tender & Outboard:

• Highfield CL130 Orca/CSM 5-person dinghy, under warranty until 2032
• Yamaha 6L2Kn 25HP 2-stroke outboard with electric start — new carburettor gaskets (2024), new fuel hose and fittings (2026)

Safety:

• Winslow 6-person Super-Light Offshore Plus liferaft, recertified February 2026 for 3 years
• 3 Dyneema jacklines and dedicated cockpit pad-eyes
• Lifeline netting bow to stern, both sides — safe for children and pets
• 2 Promariner Failsafe 30 galvanic isolators

Recent Miscellaneous Renewals:

• Hull soda-blasted, barrier-coated, and repainted (Sept 2022); fresh bottom paint (March 2025) (Recoated July 2026)
• New Lexan on all hatches (2021) and portlights (2022); new gaskets on hatch closures (2024) and other fittings (2025)
• Steering cable (2022); engine starter motor (2022); LED navigation lights (2022); windlass control (2023)
• Cutlass bearing and dripless shaft seal (2026)
• 2 new 11lb propane tanks (2021)
• Hull/deck washed, buffed and waxed each January in 2024, 2025 and 2026 by Johnny B. Good of Fort Pierce, FL.