Beneteau Oceanis 40-45

[smackdaddy]

Crazy - that report is definitely interesting...especially in light of their route which, in earlier discussions about what constitutes "blue water", could be classified as "extended coastal" (from Malta, to Gibraltar, to A Caruna, and toward Plymouth); the farthest point from land being in the Bay of Biscay where they rolled (maybe 300-350 nm from land?).

So, with that in mind, look at this section of the report...

"2.1 TheYacht

Ocean Madam was a production Beneteau Oceanis 390 yacht. The class is typical
of its type with a high volume, low ballast ratio, light displacement and shallow
hull form. It is highly suitable for most activities including charter work and has a
good safety record. It is not a suitable craft for crossing oceans in bad weather.

Such craft are more susceptible to the effects of oceanic weather conditions and
especially to heavy seas. No stability information about the yacht was held in
board. Indeed at the time of purchase such information was only made available by
the builders to owners on request. There is no evidence to suggest the craft was
unsuitable for moderately rough weather conditions nor is it suggested there should
be any restrictions imposed. The lack of this information about the yacht's
stability, including a GZ curve, denied the skipper any opportunity to scrutinise the
possible implications of handling such a yacht in a very high sea state. The
limitations of this type of light displacement craft are, however, well known to
experienced blue water sailors."

Was it an "ocean crossing"? Or was it "coastal"?

Interesting reading. Lots to think about.

[Vasco]

Bay of Biscay can act up like the devil. Can be a very rough stretch of water.

[malyea]

nightOwl states "Also, they use Lead keels over Iron which have their plusses and minuses." ref Catalina compared to Beneteau.

Please expand on what are the plusses and minuses comparing lead to iron keels.

[SecondWindNC]

Originally Posted by malyea

nightOwl states "Also, they use Lead keels over Iron which have their plusses and minuses." ref Catalina compared to Beneteau.

Please expand on what are the plusses and minuses comparing lead to iron keels.

Lead is more dense, so a lead keel gives you more weight down low than an iron one of the same size. Lead is malleable, so if you bash it, it will deform, then can be refaired (there is a limit to this, of course). Iron rusts.

The plus of iron is the lower cost.

[soulfinger]

Agreed that Catalinas are more expensive than Beneteaus, but not by 25%. I would say more like 10-15%.

[night0wl]

Originally Posted by soulfinger

Agreed that Catalinas are more expensive than Beneteaus, but not by 25%. I would say more like 10-15%.

I'll concede that. I just checked yachtworld and you are correct. I was just comparing with the deal that I got on *MY* Beneteau vs. a comparable Catalina at the time...but I really bargained hard and it really wasn't "market" price.

[Fstbttms]

Originally Posted by night0wl

Here are things that drive me a bit nutty about my era of Beneteau

> Not enough zincs...undersized zincs. My boat eats through zincs very quickly...so the diver gets $70 a month from me.

The prop zincs for Beneteaus are notoriously runty for the job they are meant to perform. Have your diver go to Beneteau Collar Zinc Anodes for limited-clearance shaft zincs that are designed to fit in the very short exposed length of prop shaft your boat has.

[FlyinNOE]

jgrasell,

We have a 1996 Beneteau Oceanis 400. Our boat is the 3 cabin 2 head layout. My wife and I bought her over a year ago now. When I'm home (not deployed in your part of the world) we sail her constantly.

She has crossed the Straits of Juan De Fuca several times and brought us through in winds at or near 40 knots or a little more with me single handing her. We have an 11 month old and my wife is usually busy taking care of her.

We have taken her on a few 15 day trips and a bunch of week long and long weekend trips in all types of weather.

Before we bought her we looked at almost 100 boats of comparable length from 38-45 feet and from 1975-new. We like our decision but there were other boats I enjoyed sailing including Catalinas,J boats, a beautiful Moody and a few other Beneteaus.

Since we bought her I have installed or purchased:
A Boom Break
An Asym. Spinnaker
Engine Insulation
Increased the sail inventory
Flexofold prop (made a .5 kts difference in anything below hull speed)
Davits

What we like:
She sails to weather extremely well for a “performance cruiser”.
She reaches hull speed (7.3ish kts) with little effort. For a cruiser she is a good light air boat.
The Pullman berth is outstanding.
When trimmed correctly she has a light responsive helm that is well balanced.
The inside is beautiful with plenty of room, a good galley and a comfy living space (the extra cabin becomes storage when no one is using it).
Light and airy interior

What we don’t:
Like a lot of the newer, lighter boats she’s not as sea kindly as a full keel boat weighing twice as much. This boat is not as happy in a following sea as a boat without the suger scoop stern.
With three cabins she could use more tankage.
She’s loud when motoring (hence the insulation which helped).
The aft head has a shower but is only really usable as a head and wet locker (too cramped to shower in).
I wish she had a few more handholds down below for heavy seas.

Hope this helps you make a decision. Feel free to ask for pics if you want them.
Brian-