Beneteau Oceanis 331

[ithet]

Have looked at owners version of this and both wife and I like for the large galley and rear cabin, on a deep fin version.The simple low aspect rig (when conventionally reefed) looks easy to handle but not sure if the ST30s are enough for the genoa on a 34ft yacht? Any experiences of these yachts from others welcomed. We are not looking for hot performance but comfortable cruising with an enjoyable feel to the sailing, and higher average speeds than our current 28ft Moody.

 

[Pete7]

Seems a bit mean to fit ST30s, we have ST30s on our Moody 31 and I would consider them okay for the size of the boat but not great. There are M31 with ST40 which may have been an ugrade option.

Sea trial perhaps and factor in a £1400 upgrade, less the re-sale value of the ST30s.

Pete

 

[EdWingfield]

I own one. 13 yrs old now. Volvo Penta remains reliable. Sails renewed and Furuno plotter upgraded to Raymarine with AIS. Simrad radio remains the business. Galley is big, as you say. I had to renew the centre-plate mechanism in winter 2013/2014, it was worn out. That was expensive. I sail her single-handed, she is on the limit of my capability. (she takes some unintended knocks)

The shallow draft is useful for sneaking into creeks. I had a lot of fun sailing the Dutch Waddenzee. But remember she is tender. You are reefing before everyone else of same size. The twin rudders are a magnet for lobster pots. Upon drying on sand/mud, she's fallen over a couple of very worrying times, but always floated of again ok.

 

[ithet]

Thanks Ed and Pete, all info useful. Should have said it was deep fin keel we were looking at. Any info gratefully received especially interested in handling under power and Sail.

 

[Mandarin331]

We've had a deep keel version since December last year and so far are delighted, although we've not done as much sailing as we'd like for other reasons. She's fitted with ST40s and two ST16s on the cabin top, so can't comment on an ST30, except that we've never struggled with the job sheets with the larger winch. She was well and truly tested on the delivery trip in December, averaging 7 knots from Chichester bar to Ramsgate with up to force ten at times, so we have huge confidence in her abilties.

She is certainly easy to handle, however failure to reef the main in good time leads to her rounding up even with full rudder, but thats the case with any boat with broad quarters. In light airs she's somewhat under canvassed but goes well enough.

We're impressed by the build quality, feeling this is better that the Hunters and Jeanneaus we looked at (just our opinion for our needs) and we love the interior space. However having moved from a traditionally shaped MAB we do notice a lack of stowage space under bunks and floors, sacrificed to water tanks, hull shape, heater ducts and plumbing.

 

[langstonelayabout]

Have just returned from a Sailing Holidays flotilla holiday. There were a couple of 331s in our flotilla.

Those who sailed them enjoyed them, the only negative comments involved the small size of the rig which (on the SH fleet) is also mainsail luff furling. Otherwise if you find a good one with all the necessary toys in good condition (water, calorifier, holding tank, gas, etc) get it surveyed and buy it!