Oceanis 393 & 411 & 423' s Owner Comments Please

[GNWFast]

Hey Y'all,
We are Dave & Anne and we are Midwesterners. Gathering as much info as possible so we won't be chasing our tails when it comes time to buy. We will base ourselves on the S.E. USA coastal area once Anne can retire, in about 2 years.
My wife and I have started to look at Beneteau Oceanis class boats
39 to 43 footers, particularly the 2 Cabin boats.
We wish to sail the Carib, both coasts & maybe S.A. & Latin America depending upon the political climate at the time. We like the idea of 2 Cabins, but have no experience with these boats. It would be greatly appreciated if you could share your experiences and recommendations with us. Anne is a novice and I have experience as crew with my friends sailboats up to 30'.

Thanks, Dave & Anne

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

These are always very personal issues so won't express my opinion other than to say you are doing yourselves a disservice if you focus only on Beneteaus. I am not trying to imply anything bad - just that there are many comparable boats of different mfg which are in the same category of quality and price.
At it's most fundamental level, when buying a used boat, the choice is always more about the condition and how well maintained the previous owner kelp her than the nameplate on her.

 

[GNWFast]

Don,
Wasn't trying to exclude anything or anyone, just wanted to find a starting place. I have sailed on Hunters & Catalinas & Mac's and I have found them to be adequate. You are correct about the condition of the boat and how it meets my criteria and
I would be doing myself a disservice not to include all makes for consideration.
I would however disagree on the name plate issue. I like the looks & the accommodations of the Beneteaus. The price is also a consideration. I have recently sailed on a Beneteau 311 and I was very impressed. If any vehicle has a good reputation it would behoove anyone looking to purchase one of those vehicles to get as much information as possible before any decision is made. I will be doing just that.
I want to thank you for your input and hope that we will have further dialog in the future.
Dave

 

[Paul Mermelstein]

I won't get into the Beneteau vs other brands, but since I own a 393 and am very familiar with the other two models, I will try to give some input to you.

The 393 and 423 are the same vintage; the 411 is one model version older. They all share many characteristics in looks, features, handling, hardware, and even layout.

First, the 393 and 423: They are VERY similar except for the following: the 393 has a pullman berth forward and the 423 has a centerline "queen". My wife and I are of average height and the 393 is just fine, but the 423 berth looks a little better. Also, the forward head on the 393 is in the Vee while the 423 forward head is off-side to starboard. It also appears bigger. In the main salon, the 423 has a "couch" while the 393 has a built in "credenza" that in my opinion is beautiful and has lots of storage. Every once in a while though, my wife would like the couch thing. Both boats come standard with two cabins and two heads. Both have similar galleys and salons. And both have very roomy aft cabins. (We use the forward cabin due to superior ventilation, except with using the Air Cond then we use either cabin.).

The 423 should be a little faster, given it's greater length. However, I put on a folding prop on my 393 and it made a huge difference. Oh, the 423 will cost you about 45k more, given similar outfitting.

The 411 is sort of in the middle, but also a bit older. The layout is more like the 393 with a pullman berth forward, but appears bigger overall in the salon and forward cabin. The aft cabin actually appears a little smaller than the 393's and has less headroom while in bed. Otherwise, you can certainly see the family resemblence.

These are all good boats. They all come with furling mains and jibs, and all lines lead to the cockpit. All are easy to sail and live aboard. All do coastal sailing just fine and are seaworthy. When making the purchase, condition does count. Look at everything and have a professional survey done before completing the contract. And look at upgrades. We have A/C, a genset, fans, electric winch (1), folding prop, etc. These add to the cost, but might be worth it to you.

Good luck and have fun.

Paul

 

[Gunni]

411 2 cabin, full batten main pros: Mast-head rig, beefy-wide traveler, single-line reefing to the cockpit. Stout double spreader, low cabin top, low freeboard. The hull grid system imparts huge rigidity, there is no creaking and twisting. I love a forward head, and this boat has a good one. The aft galley is wonderful at sea, and well out of the way of a saloon that is bigger than most 45 ft. boats. Plenty of hatches and openning ports. Cabinet and joinery very nice. The late models came with a Yanmar JH regular aspirated diesel- a great engine. Transmission and shaft drive done right. Double anchor rollers of stout SS, big chain locker. Composite rudder shaft has proven to be tough and reliable. Very seaworthy boat.

Not as much room (narrow cabin doors, less headroom) as the Hunters or Catalinas, but this is a sailor's boat, not a dock party boat. The aft cabin is huge, but tight. For cruising I would convert half of that space (over top of the fuel tank) to stowage.- that would still leave a queen size bunk.

Look for the LE models for upgraded winches, electronics, windlass, and premium fittings.

 

[GNWFast]

Paul & Gunni.

Thanks to you both for your info. It was enlightening to read your reviews and opinions.
A couple of quick questions for you two to field, please.
I am a shade under 6'2" barefoot. Will there be enough headroom in the main saloon?
Would either of you recommend a gen set and a water maker? If so, any brands come to mind as reliable / worthy of the expense?

Thanks again, Dave

 

[Gunni]

I'm a little taller than you and have full headroom in the B411 everywhere but the forward head. 6'4" of headroom in the saloon. It is close but was a fine trade-off for the boat's low freeboard and low cabin top - things that you will appreciate when bashing to weather and having to go forward.

I do have a gen set - a Next Gen with 2 cylinder Kubota. Low hours at this point, but powers up reliably and provides 5KW of juice - enough to provide full AC/DC function. Under sail in light conditions it is minimally noisy, really more of a hum, way quieter than the main aux at idle. Don't have a watermaker, the 411 has adequate tankage for my uses, and don't want the maintenance of a watermaker.