First off – I’m a Hunter owner (1980 H25, lake sailing), however, I have been admiring the aesthetics of the Beneteaus for some time. Just returned from the Chicago sailboat show and I was quite taken with the new 373 – beautiful boat, well laid out – makes one lust after it when you see it. The question I have is a general one. I have read criticisms of Beneteaus as to their seaworthiness for the blue water. I realize that there is much snobbishness out there about selections of craft for ocean crossings, but I’m interested in opinions about 35 to 45 foot Beneteaus and their blue water worthiness. Thanks, Dennis
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Jose Venegas
Full confidence
Dennis, I raced my 361 in the 2003 Marion-Bermuda and have full confidence on her blue water capability. Check the link below for more details. Also, it is reassuring to know that virtually all the Beneteau boats being chartered in the Caribbean were build in France and have sailed across the pond. As to the 373, I don't think you can go wrong. It is a beauty.
Dennis, I raced my 361 in the 2003 Marion-Bermuda and have full confidence on her blue water capability. Check the link below for more details. Also, it is reassuring to know that virtually all the Beneteau boats being chartered in the Caribbean were build in France and have sailed across the pond. As to the 373, I don't think you can go wrong. It is a beauty.
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John Carr
Bluewater
Any boat is only as good as the sailor although in fairness, some can take care of themselves! The Beneteau has a lloyd`s of London category 1 ocean class certificate which is all right in my books.
Any boat is only as good as the sailor although in fairness, some can take care of themselves! The Beneteau has a lloyd`s of London category 1 ocean class certificate which is all right in my books.
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Ivan Edwards
Keel and Rudder
I own a Beneteau First 285 (1990). From what I have learned, the key elements for Blue water are: Strength of components (like portlights, hull-deck joint, stantions, rudder skeg, etc...) and Handling Characteristics in heavy weather (ease that the boat hoves-to, stability, balance, etc...) In terms of Strength, I would not push the extremes of the Ocean in the standard Beneteau. They are built to be afordable and comfortable (and safe) for regular usage, not built for rounding the Cape or sailing the North Sea. But few of us need a boat for extreme ocean conditions. In terms of handling characteristics, Beneteaus use the modern "fast" hull design, with fin keel, which is more tricky in heavy weather than a full keel (like the Island Packet). In particular, with a full keel you can heave-to in a storm, and she will ride well even in the worst conditions. The modern hull design takes more skill and effort, to manage in a storm. It may not be possible to hove-to, since she wants to pivot on her fin keel. You need other techniques to manage heavy weather. Either run before (with a drouge to prevent planning), or point close to the wind under storm sails and sail throught the storm. My understanding, such as it is...
I own a Beneteau First 285 (1990). From what I have learned, the key elements for Blue water are: Strength of components (like portlights, hull-deck joint, stantions, rudder skeg, etc...) and Handling Characteristics in heavy weather (ease that the boat hoves-to, stability, balance, etc...) In terms of Strength, I would not push the extremes of the Ocean in the standard Beneteau. They are built to be afordable and comfortable (and safe) for regular usage, not built for rounding the Cape or sailing the North Sea. But few of us need a boat for extreme ocean conditions. In terms of handling characteristics, Beneteaus use the modern "fast" hull design, with fin keel, which is more tricky in heavy weather than a full keel (like the Island Packet). In particular, with a full keel you can heave-to in a storm, and she will ride well even in the worst conditions. The modern hull design takes more skill and effort, to manage in a storm. It may not be possible to hove-to, since she wants to pivot on her fin keel. You need other techniques to manage heavy weather. Either run before (with a drouge to prevent planning), or point close to the wind under storm sails and sail throught the storm. My understanding, such as it is...
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Jack
Beneteau is The Oldest Boat Builder in The World!
I have read articles about the poeple have traveled the globe in 26' or smaller boats! The size of your boat is not so much the requirment as the size of your *&%$* are. Having said that; I think it would be a safe bet that a 25' Lake sailor is not going to cross any oceans any time soon. Having said that; I have owned two Beneteaus and one Hunter during my sailing days. My Hunter was a Cherubini design 27'. Those were the best Hunters ever made, hands down. I owned a Beneteau 370 and now a Beneteau 411. The fit and finish is far superior than any of the productions boats I have seen. The woodworking and blind joinery for a production boat are tops. All of the hardware is top notch, the standing rigging is by Z-Spar, again, top notch. My sails are from Neil Pride, there are better sail makers, granted, but they hold up nice and they move the boat through the water fine. We just came from the Atlantic City show last month.... Catalinas with four thousand phillips head screws holding the bulkheads together, Hunter with plastic door jams on some of the models we were in. Oh, Hunter uses a 2 piece riveted mast on the larger boats. I don't know about you, but I think I would feel much better about a mast that was in ONE piece! My wife and I do a fair amount of coastal cruising and probably would never cross the ocean. Ships can be lost at sea no matter how well they are built. I wish you luck in your boat search. Of course ,my vote is for Beneteau (but I am biased). It is a fine boat and the service and parts department are very attentative! Fair Winds, Jack Beneteau 411
I have read articles about the poeple have traveled the globe in 26' or smaller boats! The size of your boat is not so much the requirment as the size of your *&%$* are. Having said that; I think it would be a safe bet that a 25' Lake sailor is not going to cross any oceans any time soon. Having said that; I have owned two Beneteaus and one Hunter during my sailing days. My Hunter was a Cherubini design 27'. Those were the best Hunters ever made, hands down. I owned a Beneteau 370 and now a Beneteau 411. The fit and finish is far superior than any of the productions boats I have seen. The woodworking and blind joinery for a production boat are tops. All of the hardware is top notch, the standing rigging is by Z-Spar, again, top notch. My sails are from Neil Pride, there are better sail makers, granted, but they hold up nice and they move the boat through the water fine. We just came from the Atlantic City show last month.... Catalinas with four thousand phillips head screws holding the bulkheads together, Hunter with plastic door jams on some of the models we were in. Oh, Hunter uses a 2 piece riveted mast on the larger boats. I don't know about you, but I think I would feel much better about a mast that was in ONE piece! My wife and I do a fair amount of coastal cruising and probably would never cross the ocean. Ships can be lost at sea no matter how well they are built. I wish you luck in your boat search. Of course ,my vote is for Beneteau (but I am biased). It is a fine boat and the service and parts department are very attentative! Fair Winds, Jack Beneteau 411
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Dennis Bidney
thanks
Thanks for the replies everyone. Jack - as a 25 foot lake sailor, I not only may not be crossing the ocean anytime soon, I may never make it out of Iowa. On the other hand I may be ready to splash tomorrow and begin using the irreplaceable days left of my life in the way I imagine I would like to. For me to decide. I just wanted to hear some learned opinions of these great looking boats and I thank those that took the time to write. Dennis
Thanks for the replies everyone. Jack - as a 25 foot lake sailor, I not only may not be crossing the ocean anytime soon, I may never make it out of Iowa. On the other hand I may be ready to splash tomorrow and begin using the irreplaceable days left of my life in the way I imagine I would like to. For me to decide. I just wanted to hear some learned opinions of these great looking boats and I thank those that took the time to write. Dennis
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Stan
Beneteau 361
I've owned my Beneteau 361 since Sept 2001 and have the workmanship to be superb. The joinery, the fiberglass, and the systems are well built allowing me to enjoy the sailing with little or no worry. The boat handles well in winds up to 25 knots and is fast at 5-8 knots
I've owned my Beneteau 361 since Sept 2001 and have the workmanship to be superb. The joinery, the fiberglass, and the systems are well built allowing me to enjoy the sailing with little or no worry. The boat handles well in winds up to 25 knots and is fast at 5-8 knots
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Jack
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