Thanks that helps. Can anyone summarize the differences between these 3 models. I'd especially like to hear about any features that are available in the newer models (eg, 31) that would be missing from the older models (eg, 311).Here's a maintenance diagram which shows how it works in a 311 and also a larger drawing
Thanks. Are you saying that the ballast is in the box which houses the board? If so, what is the ballast made of?My understanding that the design of the keel is the same on all of them, the size maybe different but it's the same design. It's not really a lifting keel. It's a winged keel center board combination. The ballast is the winged keel although the board (in mine) is about 700lbs I think. I would be happy to take a picture of mine (I keep it on boat lift behind the house).
I wonder if there were different variations of the swing keel version. This Ben 311 brochure link below on page 5 has two photos showing a short wing keel that is wider at the bottom than it is at the top, while the second drawing above "appears" to shows a keel that is wider at the top. http://beneteau.sailboatowners.com/dl/downloads.php?task=model&mid=217&model=311Here's a maintenance diagram which shows how it works in a 311 and also a larger drawing
The picture in the brochure is exactly like my keel. Before I bought mine I looked other 311s all different years all out of the water and the keels were all the same. I didn't look at ones that were the first ones made so maybe the very late 1990s were different I don't know, I think they started making the boat in around 1997 (mines a 2004)I wonder if there were different variations of the swing keel version. This Ben 311 brochure link below on page 5 has two photos showing a short wing keel that is wider at the bottom than it is at the top, while the second drawing above "appears" to shows a keel that is wider at the top. http://beneteau.sailboatowners.com/dl/downloads.php?task=model&mid=217&model=311
I think I was misinterpreting the drawings, the lines are a bit fuzzy. When you say the keels were the same on the boats you looked at. I assume you looked at only shoal keel versions, as my 2001 Beneteau 311 has a deep fin keel with a large bulb at the bottom. such as the example below.The picture in the brochure is exactly like my keel. Before I bought mine I looked other 311s all different years all out of the water and the keels were all the same. I didn't look at ones that were the first ones made so maybe the very late 1990s were different I don't know, I think they started making the boat in around 1997 (mines a 2004)
If you mean the drawings I posted both drawings are documents that came with my boat.
I only looked at centerboard boats. The short keel and twin rudder version which draws 2' 7" board up. Yours I guess draws 4' 9".I think I was misinterpreting the drawings, the lines are a bit fuzzy. When you say the keels were the same on the boats you looked at. I assume you looked at only shoal keel versions, as my 2001 Beneteau 311 has a deep fin keel with a large bulb at the bottom. such as the example below.
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Yes, I too am only considering the lift keel version. I saw a 323 yesterday and hope to see a 31 on Monday. The 323 was pretty nice overall, but it had a few negatives:I only looked at centerboard boats. The short keel and twin rudder version which draws 2' 7" board up. Yours I guess draws 4' 9".
Thanks. You're right about engine hours; it all depends on care given by prior owner(s). I'm not sure how effective an oil sample is if oil has been recently changed. I was just surprised by the location of shrouds. My previous boats have been double spreader rigs which I believe allows shrouds to be brought inboard. I don't race, but I do appreciate performance. It always seems like my final destination is upwindThe 311 also has outboard shrouds attached at the toe rail, that's why the boat only came with 116% headsail. We don't race so I haven't compared it's windward performance with other boats. It's a nice sailing boat; it's not a light air flyer you really need 5kts of wind but once the wind reaches 8 kts she really comes into her own.
Personally I wouldn't be afraid of the engine hours; as long as it has been maintained. Just make an oil analysis part of the survey. My old boat was 12 years old when I sold it and it had 1250 hours and never had a problem with the engine.