My father had a Zeston 40 for a quite a few year before he passed away. Built by Buzzen prior to the Buzzen range of pilot house boats. The Zeston 40 Sails exceptionally well. Their construction is amazing and yes they do have a cast iron keel which never presented an issue with dads boat. If any spots appeared he would just grind them out and treat them, no problems. Nearly all the modern European boats including my Hanse 575 have cast iron keels. The Zeston 40's are more expensive than most other boats of that age but they are a way better boat. I would go the 40' over the 36' only because it gives you just a little more room and handles the sea a little better. One of the best things is they are quite to sleep in as they do not get slap under the transom due to its shape.
That is a nice Zeston 40. It has the hydraulic main sail furling the same as my dads boat and is priced at about the same as we sold dads boat. You will not get a better boat. They also have hydraulic steering which is a little different as you get no feed back through the wheels, but makes it very light and easy to steer. Go for it Donk you will not regret it PS I would question that it has a lead keel, unless it was a special. A cast iron keel would not turn me off.
