Looking for advice on an Oceanis 473

[haydude]

I thought I would have never considered a Beneteau, but looking at what I can get for my money, an Oceanis 473 has become attractive.

I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this yacht or a model of the same series and if I could get some advice on the qualities and the potential defects or troubles to look for.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Rhian]

473 Info

Hi, we bought our 473 two years ago and have nothing but praise for her. She sails beautifully, feels really solid and takes all sorts of weather in her stride. She is great for socialising too - we have had 16 people inside the saloon.

It depends what sort of sailing you want to do, but we are planning to cross the Atlantic next year and our boat did the ARC in 2007. She is perhaps a little big for some of the solent harbours and at the speed she can go in a good wind, gets around a bit too quickly, so we tend to head off to France or to Weymouth instead.

We live on our boat and haven't found a single thing so far which we would change. I love her to bits and talk to her all the time - perhaps thats a girl thing?

If you have any specific questions please let me know and I'll do my best to help.


Rhian

 

[Magnum]

I chartered one a few weeks ago and overall was impressed.

Positives

Very roomy down below
Well designed helms/cockpit
Stable

Negatives

Rig on our boat wasn't that powerful
Large genoa (140% I think) was a bit unwieldy
Heads were very basic (but the same can be sad about many sailing boats of this era)

 

[Monique]

If it was me... I looked at the 473 carefully 3 years ago before buying a Bavaria 46 Exclusive. Lovely vessel but given the big price difference due to the keel issue, I got an equivalent boat for far less money.

However, if I was buying now... I would get a First 47.7. Basically same size vessel except for Tall rig/deep keel, rod rigging etc. Yet can be sailed by 2 people. good luck and keep us posted!!!

 

[Skylark]

My sailing pal bought his new in 2004 and since that time I've covered more than 3,000 miles as crew, mostly around the Irish Sea but including a Biscay crossing. I know it as least as well as I know my own smaller version, the 361.

The answer to your query obviously depends upon what you're planning to do with her, what type of saling you want from her, family needs, crew capabilities and a thousand other variables but, overall, I can not imagine for one second that you would be disappointed.

Personally, I'd avoid the blue hull version. I'm a big believer that Beneteau has the resources to produce well-sorted boats and the number of 473's afloat would seem confirmation.

 

[Paddy_N_Murphy]

Chartered one in Fethiye this year for a week.

Thought her to be very good and we saw off many others larger and smaller even with our cack handed crewing.
I am trying to think what I would change, but not a lot would be the answer.

Charter one first and try before you buy.

We had a 3 Cabin version, and it is the one I would have.

 

[asteven221]

I had 423 which obviously very similar but smaller and loved it. No complaints whatsever. It was easy to sail by myself if required, easy to handle in tight spots using the motor, once I got the hang of the severe propwalk when going astern. FWIW when I went on a 473, I didn't think it seemed that much bigger than the 423 but of course it's down to personal preferences. I would definately stay away from a blue hull version however, as they fade badly which let's the looks of the boat down.

 

[Rhian]

Blue Hull 473

In response to the comments about the blue hull, personally we think the blue hull looks beautiful but ours was re-sprayed with Awlgrip a few years back by the previous owner. Reason was that she had sat in a marina too much and one side had faded more than the other. So yes, be prepared to budget for that.

We also bought a smaller genoa and the 2 of us can manage that fine, just keep the larger one for lighter winds.

Enjoy your 473 if you decide to go ahead