My husband and I are selling our 28 Mark 11 catalina and considering purchase of a 2001 Beneteau 411 with three cabins. We will become full time cruisers and plan to sail the boat to Florida from New Jersey. We did rent a 40 foot Beneteau in the islands years ago, and liked it. I was just wondering how you all like this model, how it sails, the good, the bad and the ugly of it? Thanks for any advice. daretodream
upgrade from 28 ' Catalina to Beneteau
- Thread starter Sailingnat
- Start date
With a bit of searching here in the archives as well as on other forums, you will read about how the relatively flat bottom design tends to pound once you get offshore. If you are not wedded to a specific model, you might want to consider alternatives.
The Oceanis 400, 411, and 393 are the same hull but each newer in the series with minor differences in layout. They are one of the best to ever roll out of the Beneteau factory and certainly one of the most popular. If there are any consistent knocks against the model, they are about the cockpit winch configuration and the fact that the boat rides low on her lines - both fairly minor quibbles to me. It is also almost impossible to add a bow thruster, though I question the need for one on a 40 footer. We bought our 400 in the fall and so far a loving how she handles, love how well things are thought out, and the interior layout. We looked at the three cabin and initially preferred it but came to prefer the two cabin layout which to my mind has the best galley setup I've ever seen on a monohull.
A fast and capable, all-oceans rated boat. Plenty of water, plenty of fuel and powerful sail plan. Easy to maintain, good access to the water. This is great couples boat, easy to sail. Get a thorough survey, and have the rig and engine inspected. PM me if you have questions.
We have a 2001, US-built B411. We find the boat to be easily handled by two people. We have the three cabin model and love it.
Thank you for your post. It made me look at the layout again, and it looks to me like the two cabin is much more livable for long periods as it separates the "living room" from the " kitchen."
Yes, the two-cabin (owners version) with the galley in the starboard corner is in a preferred location. It works better for cooking underway, and frees up the saloon for use. You end up with two extra workable sea berths, and a massive deep starboard deck locker.