Beneteau 310 vs. 311

[afelgate]

I am looking at the Beneteau 310 & 311. Both meet my needs - 30-32', fore & aft cabins for coastal cruising w/family, nicely designed interior - and budget, but how do they sail compared to each other?

By the #s they look pretty similar:

310
LOA: 31.16'
LWL: 27.72'
Beam: 10.49'
Draft: 4.2'
SA: 400 sq ft
Disp: 7054 lbs
Ballast: 2160 lbs
SA/Disp: 17.45
Bal./Disp.: 30.63%
Disp./Len: 147.85
PHRF: 138

311
LOA: 32.25'
LWL: 28.67'
Beam: 10.50'
SA: 482 sq ft
Draft: 4.67'
Disp: 8047 lbs
Ballast: 2425 lbs
SA/Disp: 19.27
Bal./Disp.: 30.14%
Disp./Len: 152.44
PHRF: 159

There are a lot more 311s for sale in my part of the world (New England). But my understanding is the First series (310) is more performance-focused than the Oceanis series (311).

While I'm not an active racer, I *do* like to go fast However if the performance was basically similar then I'd go with the 311 since it's a later model (typically 2000-04 vs. 1991-93 for the 310).

It would be great to hear from folks who have sailed either or both boats. Looking forward to the feedback!

Thanks,

Alan

 

[reworb]

I have a 2004 311, I don't find it particularly a fast boat especially in light air . Once the wind get to 10 knots the performance picks up a lot and it's fun to sail. In 4 or 5 knots of wind it's performance is very poor we usually don't sail until there is at least 6 knots of wind. I have the centerboard twin rudder version so that may be the cause of what I consider poor light air performance.

 

[Capn Russ]

We learned during our search for a 30ish ft Beneteau that the Beneteau hulls prior to 2000-2001 have blister problems below the waterline which was confirmed when we looked at a 1997 321. With that in mind, I would go for a 2002 or newer Beneteau, regardless of model. We ended up purchasing a 2003 311. If I had it to do over again (and who knows, maybe one day I will) I would not get the 311. Instead, I would go for the 361 or longer. The quality of the interiours and increased engine size are far better IMO. From my experience, the 311 interiour has lots of shoddy workmanship and cheap materials and the 2GM20F that comes standard on the 311 is just too underpowered to make it a good cruising sailboat. YMMV.

 

[JRacer]

I've had a First 310 for three years, a 92 model. I really like the boat. Good balance of performance and comfort. I come from campaigning j24's so have had 30 years of performance to compare. I have the shallow draft because of water depth issues in the lakes around here and wish I had the fin keel. My pointing ability with the shallow keel is not the best. That's my only real complaint with the boat. It also likes a little breeze and performs better at 10 and above although it isn't hateful below 10. Go drive them both and then decide.

 

[Jackdaw]

The First 310 is a decent boat. For sure faster than the 311, but both are a bit under canvassed in light air. We race against a 310; in 6-4 knots they are several MINUTES a mile slower than us, not the 60 seconds the PHRF numbers suggest.

I've been on a 310 tall rig with a deep keel and a tiller. Now THAT was a boat!

The wheels on both are ridiculously small... Impossible to drive from the coaming.