Hi all.. I have my eye on a 1990 Ocieanis 350 and I am trying to get opinions from B350 owners out there. I have search this forum's archives and read everything I can find posted about this model and seems to be the biggest beef about this model is the leak-prone curved window Beneteau used on this model. However, my biggest concern with the 350 is the lackluster light wind performance I have read about. I understand the sail area/displacement ratio is 16.2 which seems low for a racer/cruiser type sailboat. I sail on a lake in the midwest and wind is mostly fluky and light. Also, I see from Beneteaus site that the mast hight is 40 feet. I assume that is the hight from the deck but still seems a little short for a 34' boat. Can anyone tell me if there were any changes to the rig design during the 1986 to 1993 production run. I am interested to get thoughts from others out there on the performance of this boat as well as any other things to look out for. I currently own a Hunter 285 which does very well in my location. Any thoughts wll be appreciated. Thanks, Kenny
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Mast hgt above the water
I can't help with the other topics but when Beneteau states the height of the mast they're usually referring to the height from the water not the deck. It's bridge clearance they're giving you. As a reference for you I have a Beneteau 361 and my mast is 50' above the water. I agree 40' does seem a little short for a 35' boat. Good luck wiht your decision. Mike
I can't help with the other topics but when Beneteau states the height of the mast they're usually referring to the height from the water not the deck. It's bridge clearance they're giving you. As a reference for you I have a Beneteau 361 and my mast is 50' above the water. I agree 40' does seem a little short for a 35' boat. Good luck wiht your decision. Mike
Mast height
You need to check, but the key measurement for sail area is not mast height but P, the distance from the boom to the top of the mast. ON my 323, which is a bit over 32' long, the P is 38'11", but the mast height over the water is 48'7". On the Beneteau USA website it does say that the mast height over water is only 40' and the P is 35.76', but this is an '86 model and may not be the same as the one you are looking at. It also shows a 488 square foot sail area, again not too large for a 35 footer.
You need to check, but the key measurement for sail area is not mast height but P, the distance from the boom to the top of the mast. ON my 323, which is a bit over 32' long, the P is 38'11", but the mast height over the water is 48'7". On the Beneteau USA website it does say that the mast height over water is only 40' and the P is 35.76', but this is an '86 model and may not be the same as the one you are looking at. It also shows a 488 square foot sail area, again not too large for a 35 footer.
Mast height above water
Just to clarify as well. I was talking mast height above the water for bridge clearance. I wa not referring to sail area.
Just to clarify as well. I was talking mast height above the water for bridge clearance. I wa not referring to sail area.
Thanks for the posts
Thanks, to all for the posts. The only info I have to go on is the data on Beneteau's site. I feel pretty certain that the 350 is has a greater waterline mast height than 40' and the stated data refers to the height from the cabin top. I also understand that this boat was built in a 3-cabin charter configuration and a 2-cabin owners config. The boat I am looking at is the 2-cabin version which makes me wonder if there were different rig configs for the charter version and the owner's version. So far, I have not been able to find this info. The specs presented by the seller state the mast height to be 48' but I do not know where they are getting this info or if it is accurate. The "P" is 35.76' and the sail area is 488sf as Ted stated but this is based on info from Beneteau's site. I just want to know if there is chance it could be greater on the boat I am looking at. I am afraid that I may be disappointed in the boat if it truly only has 488sf of sail. I think the next step is to ask Beneteau or contact the seller.
Thanks, to all for the posts. The only info I have to go on is the data on Beneteau's site. I feel pretty certain that the 350 is has a greater waterline mast height than 40' and the stated data refers to the height from the cabin top. I also understand that this boat was built in a 3-cabin charter configuration and a 2-cabin owners config. The boat I am looking at is the 2-cabin version which makes me wonder if there were different rig configs for the charter version and the owner's version. So far, I have not been able to find this info. The specs presented by the seller state the mast height to be 48' but I do not know where they are getting this info or if it is accurate. The "P" is 35.76' and the sail area is 488sf as Ted stated but this is based on info from Beneteau's site. I just want to know if there is chance it could be greater on the boat I am looking at. I am afraid that I may be disappointed in the boat if it truly only has 488sf of sail. I think the next step is to ask Beneteau or contact the seller.
Check Ted's link
Kenny check out Kenny's link. It's an offical Beneteau spec sheet and it cleary states "over water". Also based on Ted's comments and the spec sheet the P is only 35.76. It's unlikely the P spec would be in that range with a taller mast.
Kenny check out Kenny's link. It's an offical Beneteau spec sheet and it cleary states "over water". Also based on Ted's comments and the spec sheet the P is only 35.76. It's unlikely the P spec would be in that range with a taller mast.
Still confused
Thanks Mike and to everyone else for the discussion. I reviewed the datasheet on Beneteau's site prior to posting to this forum and if the stated mast height above water (bridge clearance) is 40' and the "P" is 35.76' then that would place the boom somewhere inside the cabin. Therefore 40' "above water" just cannot not be correct and I think this data is erronious and my confusion persists. None the less, I have a call into Beneteau and I am waiting for a call back. We'll see what they say. I have the HIN and I am hoping that they will have record of the rig that was used on the specific boat. Again, thanks to all.
Thanks Mike and to everyone else for the discussion. I reviewed the datasheet on Beneteau's site prior to posting to this forum and if the stated mast height above water (bridge clearance) is 40' and the "P" is 35.76' then that would place the boom somewhere inside the cabin. Therefore 40' "above water" just cannot not be correct and I think this data is erronious and my confusion persists. None the less, I have a call into Beneteau and I am waiting for a call back. We'll see what they say. I have the HIN and I am hoping that they will have record of the rig that was used on the specific boat. Again, thanks to all.
SA/D Ratio
If you have the correct SA/D ratio as 16.2, that is low and the boat will not do well in light air, period. Heavy displacement blue water boats are generally in the 15-16 range, coastal cruisers seem to be in the 16-19 range, racer/cruisers (note order) are usually in the low to mid 20's, and all out racers seem to usually be in the high 20's to mid 30's range. Sport boats like Melges, et al, are off the map! FWIW, there is a 350 in the marina near me (33' LOA I believe) and his mast has a lower off-the-water height than my B321. Fair Winds...
If you have the correct SA/D ratio as 16.2, that is low and the boat will not do well in light air, period. Heavy displacement blue water boats are generally in the 15-16 range, coastal cruisers seem to be in the 16-19 range, racer/cruisers (note order) are usually in the low to mid 20's, and all out racers seem to usually be in the high 20's to mid 30's range. Sport boats like Melges, et al, are off the map! FWIW, there is a 350 in the marina near me (33' LOA I believe) and his mast has a lower off-the-water height than my B321. Fair Winds...
Go Sailing
Instead of worrying about the numbers, why not just take it for a sail? I have a 390 and sail it on Lake Michigan. It moves along well in 7-10 knots of wind and it'll also handle 25 without much difficulty. I could improve its performace considerably with new sails and a feathering prop, but I have to get my kids through school first. Check out the PHRF rating if you want to compare it to other boats- that may tell you more about the overall package than just the SA/D ratio. Overall, its a very predictable boat and very easy to sail. I've never had any problems with the curved window, either. It's funny how a lot of other boats are just now showing up with windows in a similar configuration.
Instead of worrying about the numbers, why not just take it for a sail? I have a 390 and sail it on Lake Michigan. It moves along well in 7-10 knots of wind and it'll also handle 25 without much difficulty. I could improve its performace considerably with new sails and a feathering prop, but I have to get my kids through school first. Check out the PHRF rating if you want to compare it to other boats- that may tell you more about the overall package than just the SA/D ratio. Overall, its a very predictable boat and very easy to sail. I've never had any problems with the curved window, either. It's funny how a lot of other boats are just now showing up with windows in a similar configuration.
When sailing an OC 350...
do not go directly down wind. You get much better speed bearing up on a broad reach and gybing. The boat does well upwind as well. I have a 1993 OC350 and no problems with the ports. Boat was in Texas and we crossed the Gulf of Mexico when we moved. No leaks. Good luck, Marc
do not go directly down wind. You get much better speed bearing up on a broad reach and gybing. The boat does well upwind as well. I have a 1993 OC350 and no problems with the ports. Boat was in Texas and we crossed the Gulf of Mexico when we moved. No leaks. Good luck, Marc
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