Beneteau Oceanis

Thedreamoneday

Thedreamoneday

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I've decided to push the pause button on the daily grind and spend 2 years around the Greek Islands starting in about 20-22 months, I'm considering a Beneteau Oceanis in the 36-40 ft range, my budget is max £45k for the right one but I'd like to keep that lower really and included in that figure is a buffer for necessary works to bring it up to scratch, looking around I'm probably looking at a late 90's early 2000's model.

I'll be looking to buy in Greece so hopefully there will be a few to choose from that someone has had their fun out of it and now wants to move on.

I'm one of these who like to research so can anyone point me to a site/ forum etc where I can begin to submerge myself in all things Beneteau, I'm looking for common faults, what to look for etc, clearly when I've narrowed it down and closer to the time I'll be getting it surveyed but in the meantime I can swot up on common areas that break/fail it'll hopefully allow me to fix things rather than paying someone else.

(With this in mind are there just general areas on most boats being used for long term live aboard/ sailing that tend to fail?)

Anyone on here got one and have any pointers?

Also any other suggestions as apposed to the Oceanis?

Cheers
 
AWBs seem to have been better built 15 years ago, so you should be able to find something that will scrub up OK. Most things in the 40 foot range will have been delivered with teak decks which will be showing their age by now and will be expensive to replace, so look very carefully at them before committing. It's not just cosmetic - when water starts getting under the teak, it can get into all sorts of places where you don't want it and weakening the structure of the boat. Jeanneaus of that era were decently built too - the more recent generation seem to be a bit light weight.
 
maby said:
AWBs seem to have been better built 15 years ago, so you should be able to find something that will scrub up OK. Most things in the 40 foot range will have been delivered with teak decks which will be showing their age by now and will be expensive to replace, so look very carefully at them before committing. It's not just cosmetic - when water starts getting under the teak, it can get into all sorts of places where you don't want it and weakening the structure of the boat. Jeanneaus of that era were decently built too - the more recent generation seem to be a bit light weight.
Click to expand...

I do like the look of teak decks but would stay well clear for the reasons you mention, unless of course someone had replaced them very recently but that would probably push the price up again.
 
Thedreamoneday said:
I do like the look of teak decks but would stay well clear for the reasons you mention, unless of course someone had replaced them very recently but that would probably push the price up again.
Click to expand...

Shouldn't be too many teak decks in the ex charter market out there - they are horrible things most days unless kept wet to stay cool. Even the little bit of teak on our cockpit seats can burn feet
 
Many of the boats in that price range will be ex charter boats, probably with 5/6 years of private ownership after charter use, although there are still some older boats still in charter. Be wary of paperwork, particularly VAT payment. If the boat is still in charter use the price quoted will almost certainly be subject to VAT. If it is already in private ownership essential to see the VAT receipt and the deregistration document in addition to certified Bill of Sale.

There is not a lot to choose between the 3 major builders, and it is service record and condition that is more important than brand. Personally I would favour Bavaria over Benny - perhaps because that is the choice I made when I bought my boat out there new in 2001. You won't find many boats in that size range with teak decks, but teak cockpits are common and generally stand up well. The basic structure of the boats is usually good, although you need to look for grounding damage, and most problems are related to services such as electrics, water systems etc which get a hammering from constant use.

Your budget is the bottom end for the size/age and you may find better value at the lower sizes, particularly the Bavaria 34, which is as roomy and capable as most 36's. It was very popular in its day, and I would probably have chosen one rather than the 37 I bought, but there was a long waiting list and the 37 ended up nearly the same price with an end of production offer. The Benny 351 and Jenny 36 also are models that hit sweet spots for combination of space and capability.

Good luck with your search.

ps Sail Ionian have a 2004 Bav 32 for sale at £36500 - bit smaller than you are looking for but a very good boat for its size.
 
Last edited:
Might want to look at that budget.

We bought a 1998 oceanis 36cc for just under £60k. We have needed to replace standing rigging, all mooring lines, repairs to the original B&G instruments, new liferaft, general titivation to sails/ cockpit cover. Probably £66k in total. Surveyor thought she was in excellent condition.

You will get an oceanis for 45k but not in good condition, that age or size unless you're really lucky!
 
jac said:
Might want to look at that budget.

We bought a 1998 oceanis 36cc for just under £60k. We have needed to replace standing rigging, all mooring lines, repairs to the original B&G instruments, new liferaft, general titivation to sails/ cockpit cover. Probably £66k in total. Surveyor thought she was in excellent condition.

You will get an oceanis for 45k but not in good condition, that age or size unless you're really lucky!
Click to expand...
That is a very different kind of boat from the aft cockpit boats usual in Greece. Centre Cockpit versions invariably sell at a premium. Typical asking prices for 36' or so aft cockpit boats from the early 2000's is low £40k plus VAT - so selling prices somewhere between £45-50k
 
Tranona said:
Many of the boats in that price range will be ex charter boats, probably with 5/6 years of private ownership after charter use, although there are still some older boats still in charter. Be wary of paperwork, particularly VAT payment. If the boat is still in charter use the price quoted will almost certainly be subject to VAT. If it is already in private ownership essential to see the VAT receipt and the deregistration document in addition to certified Bill of Sale.

There is not a lot to choose between the 3 major builders, and it is service record and condition that is more important than brand. Personally I would favour Bavaria over Benny - perhaps because that is the choice I made when I bought my boat out there new in 2001. You won't find many boats in that size range with teak decks, but teak cockpits are common and generally stand up well. The basic structure of the boats is usually good, although you need to look for grounding damage, and most problems are related to services such as electrics, water systems etc which get a hammering from constant use.

Your budget is the bottom end for the size/age and you may find better value at the lower sizes, particularly the Bavaria 34, which is as roomy and capable as most 36's. It was very popular in its day, and I would probably have chosen one rather than the 37 I bought, but there was a long waiting list and the 37 ended up nearly the same price with an end of production offer. The Benny 351 and Jenny 36 also are models that hit sweet spots for combination of space and capability.

Good luck with your search.

ps Sail Ionian have a 2004 Bav 32 for sale at £36500 - bit smaller than you are looking for but a very good boat for its size.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the detail-I think if my budget is too low for the age and size I'd go for an older one rather than sacrifice the size unless I could drive a bargain!

Ps don't tempt me with boats currently for sale :-)
 
Tranona said:
Many of the boats in that price range will be ex charter boats, probably with 5/6 years of private ownership after charter use, although there are still some older boats still in charter. Be wary of paperwork, particularly VAT payment. If the boat is still in charter use the price quoted will almost certainly be subject to VAT. If it is already in private ownership essential to see the VAT receipt and the deregistration document in addition to certified Bill of Sale.

There is not a lot to choose between the 3 major builders, and it is service record and condition that is more important than brand. Personally I would favour Bavaria over Benny - perhaps because that is the choice I made when I bought my boat out there new in 2001. You won't find many boats in that size range with teak decks, but teak cockpits are common and generally stand up well. The basic structure of the boats is usually good, although you need to look for grounding damage, and most problems are related to services such as electrics, water systems etc which get a hammering from constant use.

Your budget is the bottom end for the size/age and you may find better value at the lower sizes, particularly the Bavaria 34, which is as roomy and capable as most 36's. It was very popular in its day, and I would probably have chosen one rather than the 37 I bought, but there was a long waiting list and the 37 ended up nearly the same price with an end of production offer. The Benny 351 and Jenny 36 also are models that hit sweet spots for combination of space and capability.

Good luck with your search.

ps Sail Ionian have a 2004 Bav 32 for sale at £36500 - bit smaller than you are looking for but a very good boat for its size.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the detail-I think if my budget is too low for the age and size I'd go for an older one rather than sacrifice the size unless I could drive a bargain!

Ps don't tempt me with boats currently for sale :-)
 
Tranona said:
That is a very different kind of boat from the aft cockpit boats usual in Greece. Centre Cockpit versions invariably sell at a premium. Typical asking prices for 36' or so aft cockpit boats from the early 2000's is low £40k plus VAT - so selling prices somewhere between £45-50k
Click to expand...

I've noticed they are more expensive an I'd prefer an aft cockpit whilst sailing round Greece.

36' would be fine, so based on the above I'm not too far with my calculations which is good to hear.

I've seen a few for sale around those figures you mention but I've not seen them in the flesh an could be dogs.
 
Thedreamoneday said:
Thanks for the detail-I think if my budget is too low for the age and size I'd go for an older one rather than sacrifice the size unless I could drive a bargain!

Ps don't tempt me with boats currently for sale :-)
Click to expand...

Suspect when you see them you might come to the opposite conclusion!. The numbers of older boats, pre 1998, say is much smaller as it was only around that time the volume kicked in. There was also a step change in specifications and build quality- for the better in my view, although not everybody agrees. Later boats feel more modern and there is a much bigger choice.

Anyway, book a couple of weeks holiday based in Corfu, then do a trip round Preveza and Levkas. You will see a good range of boats for sale and be able to form your own opinion. Alternatively have a look in Croatia as now they are in the EU it is a more sensible place to buy and there is always a good choice.
 
Tranona said:
Suspect when you see them you might come to the opposite conclusion!. The numbers of older boats, pre 1998, say is much smaller as it was only around that time the volume kicked in. There was also a step change in specifications and build quality- for the better in my view, although not everybody agrees. Later boats feel more modern and there is a much bigger choice.

Anyway, book a couple of weeks holiday based in Corfu, then do a trip round Preveza and Levkas. You will see a good range of boats for sale and be able to form your own opinion. Alternatively have a look in Croatia as now they are in the EU it is a more sensible place to buy and there is always a good choice.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's early days (I'm sure it'll fly though) I have 2 weeks booked in the South Ionian in September on a flotilla on a Beneteau 323 so I'll be doing a bit of looking around then. I'll start looking at Croatia too
 
Hi,

We have a 323 and have just moved her to SofF. We are on our last night of a two week break and have found the space fine for the two of us! Consider joining the Beneteau Owners association as there are lots of helpful Beneteau owners.
 
Tranona said:
. Alternatively have a look in Croatia as now they are in the EU it is a more sensible place to buy and there is always a good choice.
Click to expand...

Sunsail / The Moorings have closed their bases in Dubrovnik and moved to Marina Agana and Sunsail have also moved all their fleet from Marina Kremik to Marina Agana which is now a dedicated base with over 200 charter boats. Their largest base outside Tortola on the BVIs I understand. I was there a few weeks ago and it is an impressive number of branded boats but it is a great place to start a cruise from.

The consolidation has resulted in, I think, 40-odd boats for sale through the Sunsail brokerage although I guess these will be too expensive for the OP although they may take an offer as they have a lot of boats on the hard at the moment presumably costing them plenty.

They were installing bow thrusters on some of the boats. even the smaller ones, when we were down there. Apparently monohulls without bow thrusters are not easy to sell these days so perhaps put in an offer on one without a thruster!

Richard
 
Thedreamoneday said:
I've decided to push the pause button on the daily grind and spend 2 years around the Greek Islands starting in about 20-22 months, I'm considering a Beneteau Oceanis in the 36-40 ft range, my budget is max £45k for the right one but I'd like to keep that lower really and included in that figure is a buffer for necessary works to bring it up to scratch, looking around I'm probably looking at a late 90's early 2000's model.

I'll be looking to buy in Greece so hopefully there will be a few to choose from that someone has had their fun out of it and now wants to move on.

I'm one of these who like to research so can anyone point me to a site/ forum etc where I can begin to submerge myself in all things Beneteau, I'm looking for common faults, what to look for etc, clearly when I've narrowed it down and closer to the time I'll be getting it surveyed but in the meantime I can swot up on common areas that break/fail it'll hopefully allow me to fix things rather than paying someone else.

(With this in mind are there just general areas on most boats being used for long term live aboard/ sailing that tend to fail?)

Anyone on here got one and have any pointers?

Also any other suggestions as apposed to the Oceanis?

Cheers
Click to expand...

If a lot of work is required, consider the practical problems if the boat is based in Greece.
 
Sybarite said:
If a lot of work is required, consider the practical problems if the boat is based in Greece.
Click to expand...

This is the main reason for the post, to try and glean ideas, pointers, common problems so I can start to build knowledge to do the work myself or build the costings into my negotiations for when I find.

Having a very quick look at what sort of thing is available in my price banding there are quite a few like this:

http://www.yachtworld.com/listing/boatDetails.jsp

I'm sure with some negotiating, repairs myself I could own something like this for my budget or am I missing something?
 
Thedreamoneday said:
This is the main reason for the post, to try and glean ideas, pointers, common problems so I can start to build knowledge to do the work myself or build the costings into my negotiations for when I find.

Having a very quick look at what sort of thing is available in my price banding there are quite a few like this:

http://www.yachtworld.com/listing/boatDetails.jsp

I'm sure with some negotiating, repairs myself I could own something like this for my budget or am I missing something?
Click to expand...

Link is dead.

Boats have a curious habit of requiring more money than you budgetted for. It's the little details.
Never quite worked out why.:ambivalence:
 
Typical well used ex charter boat, probably in a charter fleet until 2010/11. Useful to find out who operated it.
 
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