First Yacht - Beneteau Oceanis 311 Clipper

[DueSouth]

My search for my first yacht continues and I would appreciate any points regarding a Beneteau Oceanis 311 Clipper, circa 20 years old.

She had new sails and looks well cared for, a lot of other extra inventory and well equipped.

My original brief was to find a yacht to allow my young family (wife, 8 and 5 year old's) to get into sailing - Having sailed mainly dinghy's in my younger days and only been on a yacht a few times over the years, this will be a new venture for all of us in many ways. I was originally looking for a Bavaria 34 cruiser or bigger, wanted a yacht to do some coastal cruising and on occasion cross the English Channel...

Please share your thoughts on a Beneteau Oceanis 311 Clipper being able to meet this brief.

Many thanks.

 

[wully1]

I don’t see why not?
some people will need want a bigger boat for all sorts of reasons but often smaller is better, especially for a first boat. It will be also cheaper and easier to moor , maintain and handle as you get used to a bigger boat from what you’ve been used to.
The accommodation should be perfectly adequate and they are at least as well built as the Bavaria - I looked at both before buying an older Westerly Storm which suits me better for all sorts of reasons.
You and your family really need to go and look at as many of the boats you are interested in, preferably back to back in the shortest space of time to get a good feel for them.

 

[KompetentKrew]

My original brief was to find a yacht to allow my young family (wife, 8 and 5 year old's) to get into sailing - Having sailed mainly dinghy's in my younger days and only been on a yacht a few times over the years, this will be a new venture for all of us in many ways.

I haven't sailed on this particular model, but it looks quite suitable for what you describe here.

 

[roblpm]

I am an expert "what boat" thread aficionado and a slightly less expert sailor.

One thing since brexit and the pandemic is that it's all very well doing masses of research but in reality there is not much available.

It is also clear to me that when everyone asks about capabilities of boats, the capability of the skipper is usually miles more important than the capability of the boat. Shane Acton circumnavigated on a 19 foot caprice, Jonathan Green won the Ostar (Original Single Handed Transatlantic Race) in a Beneteau Oceanis 351.

So if the boat doesn't smell too bad and it gets a decent survey go for it before it sells! Actually the most important question is if your wife likes it? If not you will be sailing on your own. If you procrastinate it will be gone.

 

[Bobc]

It'll do the job just fine.

 

[johnalison]

It’ll do what it says on the tin. Boats of that general style will need reefing earlier than you may be used to, for comfort and decent performance, but that may not be a bad thing and will make you and the family more aware of the weather. Many people start with something like a Bav 34, but although it s a forgiving boat it is larger than I would think ideal. You would trade a little more comfort against greater costs, heavier loads when handling gear, and a boat that was less handy to manoeuvre in harbour.

 

[Firefly211]

I owned a Beneteau 323 for 10 years (just a slightly updated 311 with same hull and layout and mostly same machinery and gear.). Sailed her from UK to the Med and served me proud. Even lived aboard for around 9 months. Aft cabin is big for adults and vberth great for kids and occasional guests. Great sized heads! Huge cockpit locker.

As others say, reef early, more comfortable and sails faster. Your hull is a domesticated Figaro race design which was a fast design In its day. Relatively flat hull so they can slam a bit in the rough. I‘ve never been a fast (or good) sailer but I worked on 6 - 7kts for passage planning And usually kept pace with bigger boats. At just under 10m they are easy to squeeze into busy marinas and I found having less beam than modern designs they fit better in older marinas where berths can be a bit narrower. As you would expect, deep keel versions track a bit better and point higher than the shallow draft or lift keel version. Easy to manage single handed And perfect for a couple. usually a 21hp Yanmar that gives enough push but check engine elbow has been changed. Mine also needed a water pump in the last season I owned her, might be worth checking. Manoeuvres well, I found them easy to park.

As with any boat of that age check the obvious stuff. I ran a program of running maintenance; I’d changed all seacocks (a couple each season), shaft seal, shaft bearing, etc. check the fridge as the compressor is getting older and mine was problematic at times. Holding tank pump might need a refresh. Mine had the vetus pump and the joker valves needed routine fettling (have spares aboard When cruising).

My boat was 15yrs old when I sold her and there were no major issues with survey. The 311 /323 are great small family coastal cruisers that can have longer legs to hop over Biscay, etc if prepped well.

 

[Concerto]

Any boat should be able yo do what you want. Boats of all eras have their benefits and problems. The advice would be to find a boat that you like and is in acceptable condition. The Beneteau Oceanis 311 Clipper should meet your requirements, so try to see it as soon as possible and if you like it, negociate to buy it.

 

[opwanderer]

Any boat should be able yo do what you want. Boats of all eras have their benefits and problems. The advice would be to find a boat that you like and is in acceptable condition. The Beneteau Oceanis 311 Clipper should meet your requirements, so try to see it as soon as possible and if you like it, negociate to buy it.

 

[DueSouth]

I am an expert "what boat" thread aficionado and a slightly less expert sailor.

One thing since brexit and the pandemic is that it's all very well doing masses of research but in reality there is not much available.

It is also clear to me that when everyone asks about capabilities of boats, the capability of the skipper is usually miles more important than the capability of the boat. Shane Acton circumnavigated on a 19 foot caprice, Jonathan Green won the Ostar (Original Single Handed Transatlantic Race) in a Beneteau Oceanis 351.

So if the boat doesn't smell too bad and it gets a decent survey go for it before it sells! Actually the most important question is if your wife likes it? If not you will be sailing on your own. If you procrastinate it will be gone.

Very sage advice, much appreciated...

 

[DueSouth]

I owned a Beneteau 323 for 10 years (just a slightly updated 311 with same hull and layout and mostly same machinery and gear.). Sailed her from UK to the Med and served me proud. Even lived aboard for around 9 months. Aft cabin is big for adults and vberth great for kids and occasional guests. Great sized heads! Huge cockpit locker.

As others say, reef early, more comfortable and sails faster. Your hull is a domesticated Figaro race design which was a fast design In its day. Relatively flat hull so they can slam a bit in the rough. I‘ve never been a fast (or good) sailer but I worked on 6 - 7kts for passage planning And usually kept pace with bigger boats. At just under 10m they are easy to squeeze into busy marinas and I found having less beam than modern designs they fit better in older marinas where berths can be a bit narrower. As you would expect, deep keel versions track a bit better and point higher than the shallow draft or lift keel version. Easy to manage single handed And perfect for a couple. usually a 21hp Yanmar that gives enough push but check engine elbow has been changed. Mine also needed a water pump in the last season I owned her, might be worth checking. Manoeuvres well, I found them easy to park.

As with any boat of that age check the obvious stuff. I ran a program of running maintenance; I’d changed all seacocks (a couple each season), shaft seal, shaft bearing, etc. check the fridge as the compressor is getting older and mine was problematic at times. Holding tank pump might need a refresh. Mine had the vetus pump and the joker valves needed routine fettling (have spares aboard When cruising).

My boat was 15yrs old when I sold her and there were no major issues with survey. The 311 /323 are great small family coastal cruisers that can have longer legs to hop over Biscay, etc if prepped well.

Thank you for sharing your experience. Very useful.

 

[KompetentKrew]

I too am speechless at @Concerto's failure to recommend a more suitable Westerly.

 

[fredrussell]

I too am speechless at @Concerto's failure to recommend a more suitable Westerly.

And not only that. This whole thread is a disgrace to the great YBW tradition of all AWB-related threads degenerating into bitter acrimony and violent discord.

So, just to show that there is still one of us wearing the correctly faded red trousers may I just say to the OP, no, that boat will not do. Try and find something with a waterline length half of its length overall, three foot wide at its beamiest, and preferably suffering from woodworm.

Pah!

 

[Concerto]

I too am speechless at @Concerto's failure to recommend a more suitable Westerly.

The OP, DueSouth, is looking for a safe cruising boat for his young family. Many people seem to be satisfied with these more modern boats and I can see no reason why he would not get satisfactory sailing from one. It would not be my choice, but my Westerly Fulmar suits me just fine and I expect to keep her until I swallow the anchor.

It seems just answering the OP's question is too much for you, Skylark and Buck Turgidson. As for fredrussell, well his comments do nothing to help the OP as it is nonsense. By the way I do not have any red trousers.

 

[Tranona]

Many people seem to be satisfied with these more modern boats and I can see no reason why he would not get satisfactory sailing from one. It would not be my choice,

What a lovely put down!

The reality is that people who buy and use modern boats are absolutely delighted with them, even the ones brought up with older boats. Why do you think that boats like yours (and mine) have not been made for over 30 years?

Of course the OP will be fine with the boat - exactly the kind of buyer it was designed for, and in its many variations sold in the thousands.

 

[Beneteau381]

My search for my first yacht continues and I would appreciate any points regarding a Beneteau Oceanis 311 Clipper, circa 20 years old.

She had new sails and looks well cared for, a lot of other extra inventory and well equipped.

My original brief was to find a yacht to allow my young family (wife, 8 and 5 year old's) to get into sailing - Having sailed mainly dinghy's in my younger days and only been on a yacht a few times over the years, this will be a new venture for all of us in many ways. I was originally looking for a Bavaria 34 cruiser or bigger, wanted a yacht to do some coastal cruising and on occasion cross the English Channel...

Please share your thoughts on a Beneteau Oceanis 311 Clipper being able to meet this brief.

Many thanks.

Anote of caution, lovely boat, but you will soon want a bigger one! We bought a 351, soon eealised it was too small, then we got our 381, just big enough for two of us!

 

[V1701]

My first boat was a 20 year old 30ft modern production boat, it'll be very suitable as a first "big" boat & feel familiar to a dinghy sailor - that's kind of how they sail especially if you get one with a tiller rather than a wheel. They steer well in reverse so a doddle to "park" but can be a bit lively so, as others have said, reef early. However the "Oceanis" are the more cruisey where the "First" Beneteaus are the more racey.

Whatever you do make sure you don't frighten the bejesus out of your family on the first trip out by being overcanvassed and having the boat heeled over alarmingly...

Good luck!

 

[fredrussell]

... As for fredrussell, well his comments do nothing to help the OP as it is nonsense. By the way I do not have any red trousers.

Not a dig at you Concerto, just a tongue in cheek remark re the endless tedium of the AWB vs MAB threads on this ‘ere forum.

 

[Skylark]

The OP, DueSouth, is looking for a safe cruising boat for his young family. Many people seem to be satisfied with these more modern boats and I can see no reason why he would not get satisfactory sailing from one. It would not be my choice, but my Westerly Fulmar suits me just fine and I expect to keep her until I swallow the anchor.

It seems just answering the OP's question is too much for you, Skylark and Buck Turgidson. As for fredrussell, well his comments do nothing to help the OP as it is nonsense. By the way I do not have any red trousers.

I'm one of those people who seem to be satisfied with a more modern boat. I progressed my sailing skills and experience by buying increasingly bigger boats over around 20 years. I sold my 30ft long keeler to buy a Beneteau 361, same generation as the 311 of interest to the OP. It was a very fine boat and I owned it for about 10 years before buying brand new. I have no doubt that the OP and his family would derive a great deal of learning and pleasure from owning a 311.

It's good to see that our friend Mr Concerto has found his sense of humour. You may not wear red trousers but you do provide us with hours of fun watching your video clips. It's good to be obsessive and proud of your boat. We all hit the "like" button out of affection, honest.

 

[doug748]

My search for my first yacht continues and I would appreciate any points regarding a Beneteau Oceanis 311 Clipper, circa 20 years old.

She had new sails and looks well cared for, a lot of other extra inventory and well equipped.

My original brief was to find a yacht to allow my young family (wife, 8 and 5 year old's) to get into sailing - Having sailed mainly dinghy's in my younger days and only been on a yacht a few times over the years, this will be a new venture for all of us in many ways. I was originally looking for a Bavaria 34 cruiser or bigger, wanted a yacht to do some coastal cruising and on occasion cross the English Channel...

Please share your thoughts on a Beneteau Oceanis 311 Clipper being able to meet this brief.

Many thanks.

It's pretty much what the boat was designed and built for, so happy days.

You might get more specific replies if you ask for advice from anyone who has actually owned a Beneteau Oceanis 311 or has direct experience of it's construction and any specific things to look out for.
But on reflection probably not, forget what I said ?

.