First 31.7/ Oceanis

[nickh]

I'm thinking of buying a First 31.7 or possibly the equivalent Oceanis . Does anyone know of any issues relating to safety between the two. Does the First carry less weight in the keel as the racing version. Do they both have the same designer? etc.

 

[kdf]

The OC 331 and the 31.7 share the same hull design so both will be fast. Don't know of any issues around safety - I wouldn't take one blue water cruising but for coastal/inshore work they would be perfect. Not sure about where the weight is but you can assume that any boat with a deeper keel with be a little stiffer than one with a shallow draft.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Can't be very helpful on this I'm afraid, but the First and Oceanis range often share the same hull design, with different appendages below the w/line, a different deck moulding, different accommodation (First cruiser/racer, Oceanis definitely cruiser/charter), different rig (First bendy, Oceanis bullet-proof), deck gear etc.

I've sailed a 31.7 once which was quite feisty, lots of fun, but not probably what you want for relaxed crusing. I've SunSailed an Oceanis 311 in Greece which was definitely K9, lots of leeway, difficult to get above 5 kts evn with a cruising chute, but did have shagged-out sails which weren't helping. Suffered badly from 'transom-slap' keeping us all awake.

www.beneteau.com is quite good for basic dimensions, tankage, displacement, accom layout stuff

 

[david_e]

The designer is the same, www.finot.com. The 31.7 has a similar hull, longer keel and rudder. The rig is taller and fractional, and set up for fine tuning and power. In general much faster on all points than the 311 which is a quickish cruiser. The 31.7 has Category A RCD whereas the 311 has Cat B (last time I looked), I am led to understand that this is principally because of the keel design. I test sailed one with a complete race set up including the 3DL sails. It was a good 5 and we had full main with a blade, concluded it was too lively upwind for my inexperienced family crew. The 31.7 is a slow seller in the UK unless cheap, the 311's have a good market but prices are drifting down. Below £40k in France,and just above in the UK for '98 spec ones. In Ireland the 31.7 has a great following and does well in races. I know where there is an expensive nearly new one, PM for details!

 

[jimi]

I presume some of the forum are confusing the 331 & 311? I've got a 331 which obviously will not sail as well to windward as a racer, but I'm pretty happy with her, last time coming back from St Vaast to Hythe we averaged just over 7 knots and came in through the North Channel of the Needles in a F7 (gusting 8). I have no worries regarding stability, and for her size she's reasonably stiff. I do have the fin keel though and not the lifting keel. PM me if you want to know more.

Jim

 

[Guest]

I've got a first30e. Probably totally different. berthed in Ramsgate. If you fancy a trip.............

 

[SilverBreeze]

You have had some good replies...perhaps I can add a few more.

We have one of the Irish 31.7's and we think it's a great boat. Designed by Finot, the 31.7 and the Oceanis 311 have the same hull, based on the Beneteau Figaro racing class.

We have no safety concerns and we use the boat for teaching sailing. Mind you, we added a few things: liferaft mounting, jackstay thru-bolts at the bow, loadsa chain and a big anchor...

The Oceanis 311 has a smaller draft, a smaller sail plan, 100 kg less displacement, more cabin portholes and an extra forward hatch, more "wood" in the cabin, and (I think) a deck stepped mast. It has CE classification B

The First 31.7 has a keel stepped, fractionally riggged mast with a powerful backstay. Draft is 1.9 m, disp is 3600kg and the cabin is a bit spartan, in that there ain't a lot of storage space for a family's collection of cruising things. The deep keel version has CE Class A for offshore work, and yes we have no hesitation doing Baltimore to Scillies or France.

On our boat, trainees are aboard for a week and willing to learn, even if there is reduced storage space for shore clothes.

Our sail plan includes main with three reefs, 140% genoa, 110% working jib, a 90% jib 2, a storm jib and a fine big blue spinnaker.

When the wind picks up, the boat will tell you smartly "it's time to reef." We have sailed to windward in 7 & 8 with three reefs and the number 2, clocking 5 - 6 knots with a good helm, else wet times with a less capable person on the helm.

Downwind, it is a rocket. I don't know about prices in UK, but the boats are selling fine here in Ireland and is rapidly growing as a one design fleet, with starts in Howth, Dublin and Kinsale. One design racing is sooo much more fun.

Have a look at our website for details of some of the modifications and the maintenance on our boat:

http://www.glenans-ireland.com/fleet/mods_to_rhythm.htm