Beneteau First vs Oceanis - what are the differences?

[Judders]

As for Boats, wow the First is a thoroughbred, tried tested and proven in Race circles but can a short handed crew of mainly girls handle a 47.7 beauty ? I am sure they could be set up to be Sailed single handed mind you.

Pi2 used to be fairly successful at double handed racing. It's not such a big rig that it cant be set up properly and you can always shorten sail.

The downside for two might be the freeboard which can make them a bugger to park and to step off and on, but then that will be truth of any of the designs mentioned.

 

[waterbird]

It is a difficult one

Hi Judders and the gang,

It is going to need some real in depth evaluation but what has been discussed here in this thread is wonderful information for not only me but others too . You are all so kind and it is greatly appreciated. I have noted a few Oceanis owners here and it would be lovely to hear more about the performance side of them

In my reading they will happily truck along on a Beam at 10 knots + and are certainly Boats that handle Blue Water well. We are planning some long cruises thus they bode well in one's thoughts . All models mentioned along with the Bav's and Jeanneau's will handle the Mediterranean beautifully and I am sure each and every model has made the Atlantic safely too.

Personal preferences are personal and I am sure every one who is in the same boat as me lol who is looking at production boats due to their Bang for buck is very happy with their choice be it buying or currently owning. I have seen some older yachts, some very beautiful boats but to be frank new technology and new innovations do lead to certain leaps.

Companies as we know can go all out for a quality product reputation then as they grow, they like all other companies with investor's and share holders trim, trim, streamline their production processes, eek out every penny of saving for profit. This can lead to them faltering on their initial mission statement of quality must come first, happens time and time again.

I am not saying this is true of all companies but it happens to many, some realise quickly and avoid the hole mind you. Some don't make that mistake at all thus we see variance in years and models, a 98 may be superior in build quality and materials to a 2003 for example.

As for Jeanneau, didn't Beneteau buy Jeanneau and now both are currently being built by the same company, or is it a mistake on my part?

The new Oceanis looks lovely as does the new 'First' as do most new yachts but unfortunately at this point in my life a new Oceanis 50 is but a fantasy lol so looking at Boats post 00 is all one can muster. Cruising the Med will be awesome, I am hoping it will inspire much creativity, Musically and Art wise as well as be a set of Adventure's one will treasure forever.

The chosen Boat will be our Home from home and will be loved, whatever she may be.

Waterbird

 

[Chuteman]

A Boat for Everyone

Jeanneau part of Beneteau Corp = Yes, for some time but they still work hard to keep their brand separate although you do see some designs pieces crossing over. Main sheet routing on the Jeanneau 409,439, etc line has been adopted by some Beneteaus.

Speed - yes, even an Oceanis will move quite nicely with proper sail trim to match the conditions.

No matter the brand of anything there will be fans and detractor which reflect the broad range of preferences, hot buttons and prejudices. Then add price into the mix and the flame is fanned. Built to a price point as mentioned is spot on + using mass production delivers a certain type of product which may or may not attract buyers. I wonder if Jeanneaus and Beneteau were not in so many charter fleets, if that would improve their image in the eyes of some.

Speaking of Charter - Sunsail has brought their Beneteau First series charter to San Francisco Bay.......thought I read last year they have an active Fleet of Firsts in England........might be a way to test out unless you meet a willing owner.

Older boats to consider - 473 & 423 favorites of many especially the 473 since you are looking at a 47.7

Just looked at a F50 out of the water today - if the hull is different, it is very subtle, But one thing that I forgot to mentioned earlier -they have Sail Drives vs Shaft for Oceanis...... Some like - some hate

Stern slap - yes, sugar scoop with hull sweep upward creates it - I like the V-berth so I do not hear.

No matter what match the boat to your needs and wants not the other way around. Many people mentioned the word Compromise when choosing I do not like the word yet the bank account can certainly affect choice.

If you won the lottery, would you keep your boat or upgrade? Think a few extra pennies would get me closer to a dream boat or two.

Enjoy the shopping - test drive and live aboard as much as possible before choosing.

 

[waterbird]

Wise Words

No matter what match the boat to your needs and wants not the other way around. Many people mentioned the word Compromise when choosing I do not like the word yet the bank account can certainly affect choice.

If you won the lottery, would you keep your boat or upgrade? Think a few extra pennies would get me closer to a dream boat or two.

Enjoy the shopping - test drive and live aboard as much as possible before choosing.

Dear Chuteman and the gang,

Wise words there Thank you and very much appreciated. We are thoroughly enjoying Eric Hiscock's Cruising Under Sail driving the passion ever forth, he has a very fine diction, quite comical

Yes the Oceanis 473 is a wonderful choice, a quality Vessel and one we have in our sights, fingers crossed ' upstairs ' may be on our side and Dream's this year will become firm reality. Even a smaller Boat if need be initially during relocation and settling in would be wonderful way to get back out on the Water during our Skippering courses; whilst as you say trying out each of our selected choice Boats.

Eventually the ultimate Boat perhaps the Beneteau will be a means to enable one and us to conduct research around the Med and Coastline's further afield too as well as encompass all desires and passions, let alone Artistic creations, what a wonderful goal. I miss fun on the Water, it run's in the Veins lol.

Thank you again

Waterbird

 

[Chuteman]

Forgot one

Heads/WCs - avoid the best you can 3 head versions (mostly charter versions) it really affects the layout and you end up with smaller WCs

Crewing is another way to see/feel the various models + get water time. Many owners look for crew for races, casual races (beer can - term in the states) or just a day on the water. Might wanna check for owners group online or contact local Beneteau dealer for links to various events or a cluster of owners nearby

Good Luck and Have Fun

 

[waterbird]

Wonderful

Heads/WCs - avoid the best you can 3 head versions (mostly charter versions) it really affects the layout and you end up with smaller WCs

Crewing is another way to see/feel the various models + get water time. Many owners look for crew for races, casual races (beer can - term in the states) or just a day on the water. Might wanna check for owners group online or contact local Beneteau dealer for links to various events or a cluster of owners nearby

Good Luck and Have Fun

Thank you very much, some good advice there I am sure there are many looking forward to this Summer time afloat, I know we are if all goes well

Thank you so much for all your Time. It has turned into a great thread with good advice from people experienced with the Boats of topic, fantastic.

Waterbird

 

[malcolmswainwright]

ah, yes, the intra boatyard rivalry continues

 

[jac]

ah, yes, the intra boatyard rivalry continues

You created a profile and dragged up a 5 year old thread for that

 

[GrahamM376]

Re: I'm in the same Boat (pardon the pun)

Hi All,

We are getting very close now fingers crossed to hopefully achieving our dream. We are weighing things up and have narrowed it down to either the 'First' or the 'Oceanis' ourselves, the First seems from all our research to be a great all round Boat and seems to fit our criteria of Cruising and then in the future some Blue Water work and perhaps some UK travels.

The Oceanis seems to have a more luxurious interior and more suited to cruising and has pace to boot. We are hoping fingers crossed to go and look at some over the next Month.

Haven't sailed either so no personal experience but, I see far more liveaboards/long distance folks passing here on Oceanis than First series. I'm told more comfort and easier sail handling.