First Yacht - Beneteau Oceanis 311 Clipper

[Minerva]

I sailed one across to Norway a good few years ago - it sailed really well and comfortable accommodation. I was very impressed!

Great boats, I'm sure it will do you a good turn!

 

[Concerto]

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.

These AWB v MAB discussions are caused by a wide ranging question and many of us regular forumites have very differing views. Part of the problem is very few people have much experience of many different types of boats and believe a particular boat is the only solution. Unfortunately this may not be exactly what the questioner asked for or within their budget.

Usually the question is from an inexperience yacht owner, they want to learn to sail and expect to be able the following year to sail around the world. Should they buy a 30 to 40 year old boat or one 20 to 30 years old. This happens to be across the perceived AWB and MAB divide. There is no divide in reality, they are all old boats and all old boats need some tlc from time to time. The older the boat does not always mean more work if it has been well maintained or comes from a higher quality builder. The only real difference is the way the boat floats and sails, with generally older boats being more comfortable, and more modern boats have a larger internal volume and a cockpit more suitable in sunny climate. There is no perfect boat, only one that has imperfections you can live with.

 

[Jan van Rensburg]

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!

 

[fredrussell]

Very fair comment. Went to see her today and felt the space below decks will be a compromise…it will work for the next couple of years, but if my children still want to sail with me in 5 years time if will be a struggle.
My search continue. Now looking for something with a bit more space.

Confused. Are you the OP?

 

[Ningaloo]

I am coming to this a little late however I'd like to share my experience of 15 years ownership of a 321 which is the same generation as the 311 but slightly larger.
This is a pretty light production boat with very shallow draft. (311 also came with lifting keel option). The limited ballast combined with shallow draft does make the boat very tender and it will round up in almost any gust.
The sailplan with large Genoa does not help and you might consider trying a smaller jib if this is a problem. Other than this performance isn't terrible.
I sailed from Chichester for 5 years then La Rochelle for 8 years and finally Porto for 2 years, living aboard for up to 5 months each summer. Very comfortable with large galley. We had single aft cabin which was amazing size but with kids you might be better off with twin aft cabins.
So as a beginner I feel this might be a reasonable first boat - just don't keep it for 15 years! I traded my in for a Hanse 385 and wish I'd done it before leaving the UK.

 

[Ningaloo]

Many people seem to be satisfied with these more modern boats

Hmmm. He's looking at a 20 year old boat designed in the early '90s.
In no way would I describe it as a modern boat.

 

[Tranona]

Hmmm. He's looking at a 20 year old boat designed in the early '90s.
In no way would I describe it as a modern boat.

Think you will find what constitute "modern" depends on who is using the word. For some here anything post 1980s is modern, particularly if it comes from "abroad".

 

[SailingEd]

Think you will find what constitute "modern" depends on who is using the word. For some here anything post 1980s is modern, particularly if it comes from "abroad".

for some on this forum and the sailing fraternity anything without a crow's-nest is considered modern

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.

Great boat for your intended purpose, if its well cared for and well equipped it means you can just hop on and go sailing! we started with a 32ft basically similar boat, loved it, the amount of times we called up a marina and managed to sneak in despite it being "full" because we wasn't over 10m, and with young kids at the time, marinas were certainly the key to happy sailing and keeping them entertained, with the ability to step off the boat without a long dinghy ride etc. and electric for their ipads and what have you. not sure on the comments about not enough room, no idea what they're bringing with them, ours had a similar layout, one child in the front and one on the sofas we managed fine, they would often bring friends too and we would have 6 people on some weekends and it was fine.

if you wait too long it will be sold if its a good example, very popular boats and with good reason!

 

[wully1]

not sure on the comments about not enough room, no idea what they're bringing with them, ours had a similar layout, one child in the front and one on the sofas we managed fine,

A lot of people buy into the myth that they NEED a boat of a certain size -maybe due to their perceived social status or whatever?
One day I realised I was carrying about a whole lot of empty space that costs a lot of money for no reason I could justify.
Lockers were full of stuff I never had need of, cabins just a dumping ground for stuff I was to lazy to stow properly.. A few minutes saved for a longer LWL?
In the beginning I assumed bigger was better but not as it turned out in my case.

 

[KompetentKrew]

I'm so messy I'd be unable to move in a smaller boat.

 

[DueSouth]

for some on this forum and the sailing fraternity anything without a crow's-nest is considered modern




Great boat for your intended purpose, if its well cared for and well equipped it means you can just hop on and go sailing! we started with a 32ft basically similar boat, loved it, the amount of times we called up a marina and managed to sneak in despite it being "full" because we wasn't over 10m, and with young kids at the time, marinas were certainly the key to happy sailing and keeping them entertained, with the ability to step off the boat without a long dinghy ride etc. and electric for their ipads and what have you. not sure on the comments about not enough room, no idea what they're bringing with them, ours had a similar layout, one child in the front and one on the sofas we managed fine, they would often bring friends too and we would have 6 people on some weekends and it was fine.

if you wait too long it will be sold if its a good example, very popular boats and with good reason!

I went to see her yesterday, made an offer, full asking price subject to survey...broker called me later to say the seller went with buyer who saw her before me and also offered full asking price...but no survey required.

So yes, clearly a popular boat - My search continue!

 

[DueSouth]

Thanks for all the feedback - I lost out on the boat, she went to somebody who saw her before me.

My search continue - Now decided to increase my budget and look for a newer boat - Looking at a 2016 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349

Stepped onto one yesterday, all my research suggest she can meet my brief - Feel free any knowledge you may have regarding this yacht.

I am going to kick off another thread to get some input.

Thanks again for all the advice!

 

[SailingEd]

A lot of people buy into the myth that they NEED a boat of a certain size -maybe due to their perceived social status or whatever?
One day I realised I was carrying about a whole lot of empty space that costs a lot of money for no reason I could justify.
Lockers were full of stuff I never had need of, cabins just a dumping ground for stuff I was to lazy to stow properly.. A few minutes saved for a longer LWL?
In the beginning I assumed bigger was better but not as it turned out in my case.

alot of people fall into this trap, its hard to know what you want in a boat until you sail one though, my second boat is not at all what i thought i would upgrade to, but it works for me.