Differences in Bene 265, 26, 281, 285??? Similar Specs....?

[sailingandsuch]

I am boat shopping at the moment and hoping that an interested buyer with purchase my Watkins 29 soon.

Anyways, I am partial to Beneteau's, always have been. So I have been looking closely at them.

I like the 265 and have found one that I am interested in. When I compare the 265 to the 281 and 285 they all have very simular specs. I was wondering what the real difference (other than being made in different years) was. I am mainly interested in the cabin size.

Here are the specs for the boats.

Bene 265:
lwl24'2inbeam9'5indraft4'2indisplacement4800ballast1450

Bene 281:
lwl24'3inbeam9'5indraft4'displacement5732ballast1676

Bene 285:
lwl24'3inbeam9'9indraft3'11indisplacement6162ballast2115

The water line and beam on all three boats are very close. So what could the big difference be in the boats? Are the hull shapes much different?

I see that the displacement on the boats is different but how much of an effect does that really have?

I am mostly concered with the cabin.

Thanks!

 

[Mike B]

As you noted they're all different models made in different years. Any differences are a result of the designers approach. Beneteau changes their entire model lines over about every five years and each series of boats tends to favor the popular trend for that era. I think all of the models you referenced are cruisers but will have slightly different approaches to comfort, conveniences, sail handling, etc. Generally speaking the newer the model the more up to date the rigging and sail handling layouts will be. Good luck with your search.
Mike

 

[Ross]

Sailingandsuch, You have just discribed a question I have had for years.
How can four women each stand 5 feet 7 inches tall weigh 130 pounds and measure 36-26-37 and have blond hair and blue eyes and look so completely different?

 

[sailingandsuch]

Lol, your right Ross.

I guess what my dilema is, is that I'm trying to decide wich model I should go with. For some reason, the 265's (which is newer) are a great deal lower in price and I was wondering what the major difference was..... I am thinking it is the cabin.

I am mainly wondering if the 265 has as much interior volume as the 28's.

 

[Ross]

Look closely at such things as the size and type of storage spaces. Drawers cost more than bins, three burner stoves cost more than two burner stoves. Volvo cars used to be sold complete, no built in "optional " extras. other makes and models sold for a lower list price until you added up the extras that you had to buy. Check the quality of the hardware, is it Harkin or Chinese? cost cutting is a tough business and in boats and in women the rigging costs more than the hull.

 

[Ron20324]

I think you'll find they all favor a salon seat that is long enough to sleep on. It's the vee berth that usually pays the price in a shorter hull. I'd say go with the one with the most user-friendly head.

 

[Ross]

I think you'll find they all favor a salon seat that is long enough to sleep on. It's the vee berth that usually pays the price in a shorter hull. I'd say go with the one with the most user-friendly head.

Ron, I grew up with a two holer out back, The head just needs to be functional.