Beneteau's

[DJW]

Let me say wright off that this is not intended to flam any one or start a Chevy vs Ford kind of thing but just want to get some other opinions. We have a 1975 42'Cascade CC 2 staterooms 2 heads version. The Cascade is built like a brick you no what. They tried to shot a 45Cal at point blank range and the round did not penetrate. They tried with a 30-06 again at point blank range and it made a bulge but again did not penetrate. These boats are made tuff. She is a great boat that my son loves to sail in HI. We spend our winters in HI livinging on the boat for 3-4 months at a time. I would like to upgrade to a newer more modern boat,one with a furling main sail a little wider beam (we are 11'6") we are in a 50' slip with full power etc. I have been looking at a Beneteau 461 2 cabin model that is equipped very nicely (actualy our Cascade has more equipment then the 2000 461. So here is my problem the folks on the dock tell me that these production Beneteaus are not made as well as our Cascade and that they are not true blue water cruisers but rather coastal cruisers. That they are made flimsy as compared to our Cascade which is all hand laid up fiberglass with 10-12 layers of heavy cloth. This is not ment to enrage anyone only asking because if we do upgrade what ever boat we get will be left to our son in HI and someday he might want to sail around the world. I know the Cascade could and or would take him there and back safely. I am not a very proficient sailor(I just wright the checks) as a matter of fact the first time I was ever on a sailboat was when we bought the Cascade in Seattle, WA and left to sail it to HI 7 days latter (my wife did not go on this trip only myself my oldest son and a professional captain I hired). My wife and I treat it like a floating RV and it gives us some place to live while we are wintering in HI but we do enjoy taken her out on nice days. Our son on the other hand loves to sail and goes out several time a month to the different islands when we are not in HI and keeps the boat looking grand. We have a granddaughter that loves to sail and want something safe. So this is my question are Beneteaus built strong enough to with stand the sometime heavy sea's around HI much less go off on a round the world cruise? Thank you for your input.

 

[DJW]

Let me say wright off that this is not intended to flam any one or start a Chevy vs Ford kind of thing but just want to get some other opinions. We have a 1975 42'Cascade CC 2 staterooms 2 heads version. The Cascade is built like a brick you no what. They tried to shot a 45Cal at point blank range and the round did not penetrate. They tried with a 30-06 again at point blank range and it made a bulge but again did not penetrate. These boats are made tuff. She is a great boat that my son loves to sail in HI. We spend our winters in HI livinging on the boat for 3-4 months at a time. I would like to upgrade to a newer more modern boat,one with a furling main sail a little wider beam (we are 11'6") we are in a 50' slip with full power etc. I have been looking at a Beneteau 461 2 cabin model that is equipped very nicely (actualy our Cascade has more equipment then the 2000 461. So here is my problem the folks on the dock tell me that these production Beneteaus are not made as well as our Cascade and that they are not true blue water cruisers but rather coastal cruisers. That they are made flimsy as compared to our Cascade which is all hand laid up fiberglass with 10-12 layers of heavy cloth. This is not ment to enrage anyone only asking because if we do upgrade what ever boat we get will be left to our son in HI and someday he might want to sail around the world. I know the Cascade could and or would take him there and back safely. I am not a very proficient sailor(I just wright the checks) as a matter of fact the first time I was ever on a sailboat was when we bought the Cascade in Seattle, WA and left to sail it to HI 7 days latter (my wife did not go on this trip only myself my oldest son and a professional captain I hired). My wife and I treat it like a floating RV and it gives us some place to live while we are wintering in HI but we do enjoy taken her out on nice days. Our son on the other hand loves to sail and goes out several time a month to the different islands when we are not in HI and keeps the boat looking grand. We have a granddaughter that loves to sail and want something safe. So this is my question are Beneteaus built strong enough to with stand the sometime heavy sea's around HI much less go off on a round the world cruise? Thank you for your input.

 

[Jeff Field]

Bene 461

The Beneteau's are built and certified to Bureau Veritas standards for offshore duty, and are certainly capable of world cruising, and are built very well for a production boat in the price range. They have hand laid glass, with a bonded grid structure, etc. I am on my third Beneteau (currently have a '97 461), and I wouldn't hesitate to take it cruising in the Pacific. Though I'd tell my son to buy his own damn boat! I recommend a visit to the factory in SC, if you have doubts about their construction.

 

[Jeff Field]

Bene 461

The Beneteau's are built and certified to Bureau Veritas standards for offshore duty, and are certainly capable of world cruising, and are built very well for a production boat in the price range. They have hand laid glass, with a bonded grid structure, etc. I am on my third Beneteau (currently have a '97 461), and I wouldn't hesitate to take it cruising in the Pacific. Though I'd tell my son to buy his own damn boat! I recommend a visit to the factory in SC, if you have doubts about their construction.

 

[DJW]

Thanks Jeff. Again I was not trying to offend Beneteau owners just trying to learn more about them other than what some folks on our docks in HI said. The part about telling my son to buy is own damn boat. Nothing makes me or my wife happer than seeing him use and enjoy the boat. This is a person who has turned his life around 180 degrees since he was a teenager (now 34) God has blessed my wife & I with much and I do not mine one bit sharing it with our two sons and thier families.

 

[DJW]

Thanks Jeff. Again I was not trying to offend Beneteau owners just trying to learn more about them other than what some folks on our docks in HI said. The part about telling my son to buy is own damn boat. Nothing makes me or my wife happer than seeing him use and enjoy the boat. This is a person who has turned his life around 180 degrees since he was a teenager (now 34) God has blessed my wife & I with much and I do not mine one bit sharing it with our two sons and thier families.

 

[Bill35]

We like Beneteau's the a lot (+)

When we were shopping last year, we'd have probably bought one if the broker had acted a little quicker with us--in their defense though, it's got to be hard to sense during the show who's serious. I really like their "3" series--323, 373, 393...I think B. does some of the nicest cabinetry in the business. The boats are well-designed and their build reputation is solid. You can spend and buy more, of course, but I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better overall value.JMO, of course...Bill

 

[Bill35]

We like Beneteau's the a lot ( )

When we were shopping last year, we'd have probably bought one if the broker had acted a little quicker with us--in their defense though, it's got to be hard to sense during the show who's serious. I really like their "3" series--323, 373, 393...I think B. does some of the nicest cabinetry in the business. The boats are well-designed and their build reputation is solid. You can spend and buy more, of course, but I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better overall value.JMO, of course...Bill

 

[Bill35]

Errr. make that "We liked the Beneateau's a lot" -

-

 

[Bill35]

Errr. make that "We liked the Beneateau's a lot" -

-

 

[Stu Jackson]

Serviceability

DJWIf he's going to go around the world in a boat, make sure that the systems and equipment and hoses and wires are accessible.Beneteau makes a nice boat, but it's been my experience that there is a lot that hides behind joiner work and Formica mini-walls.If you can't get to it, it's hard to fix.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Serviceability

DJWIf he's going to go around the world in a boat, make sure that the systems and equipment and hoses and wires are accessible.Beneteau makes a nice boat, but it's been my experience that there is a lot that hides behind joiner work and Formica mini-walls.If you can't get to it, it's hard to fix.

 

[Tom]

They can take it

I crew on a Beneteau 411. I have been back and forth from the Chesapeake to BVI every fall and spring since 1999. Departing again Nov 7th. The first year down we got caught in 45kt wind and 30 ft seas for 4 days the 411 came through fine. I personally own a Lancer 36 by the way one of which won the transpac twice. At any rate, I always ask how could I buy a more expensive boat such as the so called true blue water boats like HR, Moody, Swan etc unless I knew they could sail as well in all conditions as the 411.

 

[Tom]

They can take it

I crew on a Beneteau 411. I have been back and forth from the Chesapeake to BVI every fall and spring since 1999. Departing again Nov 7th. The first year down we got caught in 45kt wind and 30 ft seas for 4 days the 411 came through fine. I personally own a Lancer 36 by the way one of which won the transpac twice. At any rate, I always ask how could I buy a more expensive boat such as the so called true blue water boats like HR, Moody, Swan etc unless I knew they could sail as well in all conditions as the 411.

 

[gjhinc]

B 411

I've owned my 411 for 4 years. Bought new at the Norwalk, CT boat show in 1999. Sailed from ME to FL Keys and back (to NY) three times over the past four years. 30% of that singlehanded. Four other boats before the 411. Ten foot seas, 40 knot winds has been the worst of it for me. Here's my thoughts about Beneteau and the 411... for what it’s worth. A+ layout below. Great hull speed for 36' LWL. Great for singlehanded sailing. I like the light displacement (I’d rather be a sled then a plow!) Wish it could sail closer to the wind. Wish the ports and hatches were a little more heavy-duty (they give me the hee-bee-gee-bees, sometimes). Wish the companionway was smaller, sometimes. Wish the bilge was deeper and the sole boards could be locked down. With all that said... I love Beneteau... but, I have absolutely no interest in sailing around the world on ANY boat; 70' Hinckley, 90' Swan, 100' Oyster, ...

 

[gjhinc]

B 411

I've owned my 411 for 4 years. Bought new at the Norwalk, CT boat show in 1999. Sailed from ME to FL Keys and back (to NY) three times over the past four years. 30% of that singlehanded. Four other boats before the 411. Ten foot seas, 40 knot winds has been the worst of it for me. Here's my thoughts about Beneteau and the 411... for what it’s worth. A+ layout below. Great hull speed for 36' LWL. Great for singlehanded sailing. I like the light displacement (I’d rather be a sled then a plow!) Wish it could sail closer to the wind. Wish the ports and hatches were a little more heavy-duty (they give me the hee-bee-gee-bees, sometimes). Wish the companionway was smaller, sometimes. Wish the bilge was deeper and the sole boards could be locked down. With all that said... I love Beneteau... but, I have absolutely no interest in sailing around the world on ANY boat; 70' Hinckley, 90' Swan, 100' Oyster, ...