Looking for advice on buying a Beneteau Ocenis 321

Tally Ho · Oct 3, 2024

No traveler? What sort of sail control does it have?

Shoal keels are very common these days…not a huge issue if you are not looking for all-out performance.

In-Mast furling also very common. And a huge convenience. Maybe even a safety factor since you “infinitely“ reef the main any where you want it for the given wind.

My 2 cents.

Greg

Caboteur · Oct 6, 2024

The Bénéteau « 321, 323 & 31 » are regarded as RV’s in the water… fantastic cruising sailboats but definitely not racing machines. The sailshape can be well enough adjusted without a traveller by using the vang and outhaul.
Many sail these boats with the bimini set and can’t continually adjust sailshape… and don’t really care.
When sailing in & around the 1,000 Islands… sailing is only a part of the pleasure of boating. Fishing, swimming meal prep and sundowners are just as important, for that the 321 is great!

BigEasy · Oct 6, 2024

JasonArthur said:
Hi, I'm considering buying a Beneteau Ocenis 321.

I don’t have any experience with the 321; however, I do have positive experiences with the 331, 343, & 393. I have owned my 343 for 12 years ( boat is now 17 years old) and have not had any major issues. It’s a comfortable cruiser that has a good layout. Sails well and easy to sail single hand. The shoal keel allows me to anchor in areas that I couldn’t get to with the deeper keel. The roller furled main has vertical battens, so I haven’t lost a lot of efficiency. Once you learn how to adjust & operate the furler, you will like it. Ever consider reverting back to a hanked on jib for better sail shape vs a roller furled jib......NOT! If the hands of time were turned back 12 years, I would certainly purchase my 343 again. Oh, parts are still available through Beneteau’s dealer network. Welcome to the forum; you may want to search the forum archives for specific info about the 321.

BigEasy · Oct 6, 2024

JasonArthur said:
Thanks BigEasy, Caboteur and Tally Ho for the information and advice. Very helpful and valuable. We just put an offer on the boat...scary, but exciting!

Good luck! I assume that the offer is contingent on satisfactory sea trial & survey. Hopefully everything comes to fruition.
And yes, it is a bit scary!

Caboteur · Oct 12, 2024

JasonArthur said:
Yup... contingent on satisfactory sea trial & survey.

Before or after winter? It’s been cold & windy for the last week!

jssailem · Oct 20, 2024

Perhaps the current owner knows it has been getting cold and windy.
Maybe the very reason the boat is up for sale.

dmdiehl64 · Oct 24, 2024

We’ve owned our 321 for 3 seasons now. Don’t expect it to be a competitive or speedy racer at all. Even at our 198 PHRF we get smoked in pretty much all wind conditions club racing jib and main. We also are weighed down with AC unit and cruising supplies so that doesn’t help either.

However! Awesome boat for cruising. Easy to single or double hand. Comfortable and still stylish by todays standards. A little tender but good coastal cruiser.

cymeyer · Oct 25, 2024

JasonArthur said:
Hi, I'm considering buying a Beneteau Ocenis 321. The size and the interior design work well for our family of four to do multi-day cruising.

However, the sailor in me is wondering if I would miss the speed & sail control that I would loose because of:
-in mast furling
-lack of traveler (I understand I could add one)
-the shorter keel

I'm not planning on racing this boat, but it is always fun to cruise with speed!

Thanks for any advice!

We had a 321 for 20 years and loved it. Furling main for me was a must since it is so convenient. We had the shorter keel which was good where we sail.
We did have a traveler, but we rarely used it.
We did have a genneker which was fun to fly.

Looking for advice on buying a Beneteau Ocenis 321

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SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John

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