New boat options

[BAtoo]

Could you explain this comment?

Is it because it is not a 'good boat', or because it is too good and therefore out of this budget?

The First ranges are the cruiser-racers of the Bene range; the Oceanis is the cruiser range and as such are somewhat "de-tuned" with small rigs, small keels, more voluminous hulls (albeit giving even more internal accommodation) but overall a much poorer sailing performance & less stability. Especially looking at those you might find within your budget.
They have less ability to adjust the sail shape and are often difficult to de-power the main during gusts etc as the main traveller is often coach-roof mounted with poor/little control.

All IMHO - (& some experience sailing these.....)

Stands back and awaits vigorous defence of the Oceanis.

 

[Bobc]

I would vouch for the First 325 or 345 (if you can get a 345 in your budget, they're fabulous).

32s5 and 35s5 was at the start of the "plastic fantasic" era and some had build quality problems, as with early Oceanis models (well, the ones I looked at anyway).

We ended up with a First 345 and loved it.

 

[Magaz97]

The First ranges are the cruiser-racers of the Bene range; the Oceanis is the cruiser range and as such are somewhat "de-tuned" with small rigs, small keels, more voluminous hulls (albeit giving even more internal accommodation) but overall a much poorer sailing performance & less stability. Especially looking at those you might find within your budget.
They have less ability to adjust the sail shape and are often difficult to de-power the main during gusts etc as the main traveller is often coach-roof mounted with poor/little control.

All IMHO - (& some experience sailing these.....)

Stands back and awaits vigorous defence of the Oceanis.

OK, thanks. That makes sense.

 

[Magaz97]

Any thoughts on the Jeanneau Sunlight 31?

 

[BAtoo]

I would vouch for the First 325 or 345 (if you can get a 345 in your budget, they're fabulous).

32s5 and 35s5 was at the start of the "plastic fantasic" era and some had build quality problems, as with early Oceanis models (well, the ones I looked at anyway).

We ended up with a First 345 and loved it.

Had the 38s5 of that range, very satisfied with the build quality.

 

[cmedsailor]

The First ranges are the cruiser-racers of the Bene range; the Oceanis is the cruiser range and as such are somewhat "de-tuned" with small rigs, small keels, more voluminous hulls (albeit giving even more internal accommodation) but overall a much poorer sailing performance & less stability. Especially looking at those you might find within your budget.
They have less ability to adjust the sail shape and are often difficult to de-power the main during gusts etc as the main traveller is often coach-roof mounted with poor/little control.

All IMHO - (& some experience sailing these.....)

Stands back and awaits vigorous defence of the Oceanis.

A lot of Oceanis share the same hull as First. An example is the Beneteau Oceanis 361 that has borrowed the First 35S7 hull. Ben 361 keel was offered as either 1.53m or 1.80m. First 35S7 keel was offered as 1.53m, or 1.85m.
The 35S7 has empty displacement of 5.300kg and ballast of 1.700kg. The 361 has empty displacement of 5.690kg and ballast of 1.820kg.
A lot of people claim that First are better built than Oceanis. They are not. The difference is that they are more race oriented, thus having probably bigger rigs and probably stronger fittings because they are necessary. Do they sail faster? Well, they better do because this is their purpose. Do they sail better? It depends what "better" means for each person.

 

[White Angel]

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Thanks for the thoughts... She has plenty of experience sailing on larger stuff. Sun Odyssey 37, and an Oceanis 373. She is definately drawn towards the more 'comfortable' boat. The 32 - 34 ft range was so that if need be, I could handle her myself. I do have other crew available if need be. Then again she wants to sail in permanent sunshine, so there may not be a proper solution for her

Just a reflection on single handed sailing. You would probably get used to whatever size of boat you have, with the perhaps the setup and handling chararacteristics being the most significant in their ease of single handed sailing.

I had a 29' boat which I replaced with a 34' Maxi 1000. The Maxi was the easier to single hand. I have had a Jeanneau Sun Fast 37' for over 10 yrs and have sailed it extensively single handed, including a trip to Portugal last year. Unlike the Sun Oddesey, the Sun Fast has the traveller, main sheet, and in my case genoa sheets all accessible from the helm.

A friend has a 50' boat which he sailed back from the States single handed, and now sails in Channel area, sometimes single handed. Though I must admit the idea of single handing it looks pretty scary to me.

 

[BAtoo]

A lot of Oceanis share the same hull as First. An example is the Beneteau Oceanis 361 that has borrowed the First 35S7 hull. Ben 361 keel was offered as either 1.53m or 1.80m. First 35S7 keel was offered as 1.53m, or 1.85m.
The 35S7 has empty displacement of 5.300kg and ballast of 1.700kg. The 361 has empty displacement of 5.690kg and ballast of 1.820kg.
A lot of people claim that First are better built than Oceanis. They are not. The difference is that they are more race oriented, thus having probably bigger rigs and probably stronger fittings because they are necessary. Do they sail faster? Well, they better do because this is their purpose. Do they sail better? It depends what "better" means for each person.

Agreed that Beneteau used various hulls in the first & oceanis ranges BUT they were modified en-route. I know the smaller 31ft range better, but I believe similar principals were applied to the other ranges too.

The Beneteau Figaro, First 310, Oceanis 310 and the First 31.7 all essentially have the "same" hulls but the hulls are modified in that the freeboard is changed - the Figaro has the lowest freeboard and this is increased a bit for the first and a little more for the oceanis.

The other significant difference is that the deck mouldings are very different - the Figaro has not much more than a "blister" without full standing headroom, the First has a decent sized coachroof, standing headroom, and wideish side decks and the Oceanis has a much larger coachroof.

Add to this generally smaller, simpler, rigs and keels and you get the decreased sailing abilities.

Agreed, for many (possibly most), the Oceanis is a decent enough boat for their needs but as a sailing boat I would (& have) always choose the First range.

Again, all IMHO..