We were just going to contract on a 1994 400 and had the sellers change their mind at the last minute. We've now lost 2 - this one listed at 90K and another listed at 88.7K. The latter one we passed, because we preferred the one we made an offer on. So, anything at this type of asking price would be of great interest. We are in the New York area and would prefer something on the east coast. I can send a private email address if you prefer.
Beneteau 400 Wanted
- Thread starter taylort100
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Here's a couple after a real quick search:
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1994/Beneteau-Oceanis-400-2281633/Noank/CT/United-States
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1996/Beneteau-Oceanis-400-2228945/Bristol/RI/United-States
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1995/Beneteau-Oceanis-400-2277221/Old-Saybrook/CT/United-States
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1994/Beneteau-Oceanis-400-2281633/Noank/CT/United-States
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1996/Beneteau-Oceanis-400-2228945/Bristol/RI/United-States
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1995/Beneteau-Oceanis-400-2277221/Old-Saybrook/CT/United-States
Thanks. I have seen these listings. The lowest priced one, at 99.5K just turned down an offer of 92.5K. We are really in the 80s for our budget. I'm surprised, even though these boats are very good,that the price is holding up as well as it is, given the economy.
Given the difficulty of getting a 400 in our price range, we are thinking of a plan B. The 400 was for many future years of sailing, but we are now thinking of a 331 type size for now. Then moving up in another 5 years or so when we can really take the longer trips. That way, we could still enjoy our Friday evening sails, and our weekends in Long Island Sound, that a 400 might be a bit of an effort for (for 2 people). We are going to look at some 331 and 351 boats, although the prices are not far below what the 400 is.
Look at a 343 Also
You might want to include the 343 in your list. I sailed a 343 before I moved up to the 46. It is a very large 34 footer - I believe 35' 6" overall length and right around 12,000$ displacement. I found it to be a very seaworthy boat that had excellent performance in all conditions. It was a little tender at times, but playing the traveler and/or reefing as the wind topped 15 - 18 brought her right under control.
It had plenty of room for a couple to cruise for a week or more. My girlfriend really liked the large berth in the aft cabin, the large head, and the galley layout.
You might want to include the 343 in your list. I sailed a 343 before I moved up to the 46. It is a very large 34 footer - I believe 35' 6" overall length and right around 12,000$ displacement. I found it to be a very seaworthy boat that had excellent performance in all conditions. It was a little tender at times, but playing the traveler and/or reefing as the wind topped 15 - 18 brought her right under control.
It had plenty of room for a couple to cruise for a week or more. My girlfriend really liked the large berth in the aft cabin, the large head, and the galley layout.
taylor the 331 is a smaller version of the 361 which was our last boat which we had for 7 yrs and loved. The Beneteau dealer in Riverside NJ where deadhead and I bought our last couple of boats has one for $74,900. They're very reputable and easy to work with. They'll even take trades depending on the boat. You can view the 331 at www.winterssailing.com
Thanks, both Mike and Deadhead. The 343 is too expensive, we would be better waiting for a 400. As it happens, we are (per admiral instructions) making a higher offer on a 400 we saw some time back. Issue is that they already have one offer.
I agree that the 331 looks like a big 34 - I saw the Winters listing. Problem is that we are very fond of the 400. I'm surprised (as I said earlier) that the prices are holding up so well given the economy. The boats are good, but there are a surprising number of buyers out there who are not really going low on their offers.
I agree that the 331 looks like a big 34 - I saw the Winters listing. Problem is that we are very fond of the 400. I'm surprised (as I said earlier) that the prices are holding up so well given the economy. The boats are good, but there are a surprising number of buyers out there who are not really going low on their offers.
The 400 will sail better in the Bay where the chop or wave lengths are shorter and cause the 331 and 351 to hobby horse more. Where as the 400 will cut through the Chesapeake Chop with ease. In the big pond this is not an issue. The early 351s are not desirable since they only had two winches, making it very difficult to single hand. The winches were located on the coach roof and were not an easy reach to the wheel. Also the early 351s were over weighted to the stern, due to that big cockpit cooler and heavy cockpit and tankage. The furling main is also very heavy.
Try looking at the 381. They were a cross between a 400 and a 351 with a four cylinder Westerbeke engine a much better Iron Jib than the three cylinder Perkins units. Three cylinder engines are very rough and have a high idle, which gives you transmission problems.
Try looking at the 381. They were a cross between a 400 and a 351 with a four cylinder Westerbeke engine a much better Iron Jib than the three cylinder Perkins units. Three cylinder engines are very rough and have a high idle, which gives you transmission problems.
Thanks for the comments. Note that the 400 also has the winches on the cabin top, but we have sailed one and are ok with this arrangement. Not ideal, for all the reasons you say, but its workable for us. We have looked at a 381 - we only saw a 3 cabin, which was a mistake. It put us off the boat. Having said that, the deck was not so good - hard to navigate around the stays.
We've just had it confirmed that a very good condition 400 (1997) went for 94K a few weeks ago, a good condition (1994) went for 84K a few months ago, and an excellent 1996 (but original sails and zero canvas) has just gone to contract for between the ask of 99K and around 94K. So, the boats that are asking 120K and up seem out of touch. Oh well. We are still waiting.
We've just had it confirmed that a very good condition 400 (1997) went for 94K a few weeks ago, a good condition (1994) went for 84K a few months ago, and an excellent 1996 (but original sails and zero canvas) has just gone to contract for between the ask of 99K and around 94K. So, the boats that are asking 120K and up seem out of touch. Oh well. We are still waiting.
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