Oceanis 323 / First 31.7

[paulx]

Any views on the Oceanis or First as cruising (uk waters) boats. Generally sail singlehanded or just two of us. I like to sail well but not into racing. The 6ft keel of the first 317 is a bit daunting. Always sailed 24 - 27 ft boats in the past

Thanks,

 

[Twister_Ken]

I know nothing of the 323, but have sailed a 31.7 in fast cruising mode, and we had great fun. It responds well to tweaking and needs to be helmed and trimmed quite actively to get the best from it, but it's very rewarding when going well.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

The First might be a bit of a handful single handed (not undoable, but perhaps harder than might be described as 'relaxed cruising'), but the Oceanis would be fine.... at least one forumite on here sail his Oceanis 343 regularly single handed....

 

[dom]

I think it depends on what you want it for. The First is a more rewarding boat to sail if it is the sailing you really enjoy. In terms of accommodation the Oceanis would be the winner. The First could be a bit of a handful if you pushed it in particular with a light crew but if you have an autopilot etc very doable.

 

[Sans Bateau]

paulx

Welcome to the forum

Apart from my own boat, I do sail on a friends Clipper 311, whilst different to the 323, it does have a close resemblance, in fact, I believe it is closer to the 31.7, as it shares the same hull but has smaller rig and shallower keel.

It sails well, in fact a pleasure to sail, but! It is a little tender, rounding up gently if over canvassed, so you must reef early, as is practice with many similar boats. As far as single handed is concerned, yes, the only problem is, the main sheet traveller is on the coach roof, you cannot reach it from the helm!

 

[doris]

Have sailed a mate's 363 in the med. If the 323 is anything similar you can forget about going to windward in anything more than about 12-14 kts. The boat will just go sideways no matter what you do. Smashing caravan but limited sailing ability, the first will light years ahead on sailing ability and ignore what others say about it being a handful single handed, complete tosh. Just have a decent pilot and don't over canvass, piece of p*ss! Enjoy the sailing.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Well the 343 i've sailed goes to windward very nicely indeed....

 

[doris]

14kts true wind, 18-20 apparent and a really nice slop, sorry mate I don't believe it!

 

[dom]

"14kts true wind, 18-20 apparent and a really nice slop"

You must have been going pretty fast then?

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

What possible reason would I have for lying.... I don't own one....

And besides, the hulls are all different, so the 343 and 323 may have quite different characteristics from the 363 you sailed.....

 

[doris]

Wouldn't disagree with that at all. Of the 4 of us on board there a couple of well competent sailors and the leeway was unreal. When we got is there was a sister ship on the hard and one look at the keel etc showed why we went sideways.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Also, meant in the nicest possible way, if you are used to sailing sportier slippier boats, then you may have been sailing her a bit high..... I find that most modern fat arsed, flat bottomed boats make much better VMG when freed off a degree or two, and allowed to breath a little.....

 

[StugeronSteve]

Didn't know that Benny made a 363, I thought the range ran 323-343-373 etc.
As to their ability to go to windward, I have no experience of the new range of Oceanis, but with longer and deeper keels they should be better that than my 331, which most certainly will go to windward. I'm sure MagnaCarter will vouch for her performance beating out through the Needles Channel swell into a good blow, and what's more....without slamming.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Yup.... she was handling it beautifully, and felt fun to sail....

 

[Sans Bateau]

Wasnt the old 361 a bit of a caravan? I dont think they do windward to easy do they?

 

[StugeronSteve]

I have no practical experience of the 361, but from what I have read it wasn't the best of performers.

 

[dom]

But you couldn't have being going sideways. 14kts true and 18-20kts apparent implies making progress through the water at an angle of 45 degrees at between 5.5 and 8.5kts which is positively stonking in a vessel of 32 feet! In my opinion your crew should have been delighted with both themselves and the boat. If there was a sloppy sea then you did even better. These numbers even within normal error margins are surely the basis of praise rather than criticism?

 

[smth448]

I used to own an Oceanis 311 which is the predecessor to the 323. It was quite simply the worst sailing boat I ever had the misfortune to own. The only way to go to windward was to use the engine. The mainsheet on the cabin top is dangerous. I nearly broached into another boat because I was on my own in the cockpit and couldn't release the main.
My advice is go for the First. If it gets too hairy just put a reef in.

 

[StugeronSteve]

I am very surprised to hear this. The 311 was a First from the deck down, with a shorter rig for cruising. IIRC they were also considered to be one of the quickest of "cruisers" in that size range.

 

[jhr]

[ QUOTE ]
Yup.... she was handling it beautifully, and felt fun to sail....

[/ QUOTE ]

Seconded, though I seem to recall that we had to tack to weather the Bridge buoy. Any suggestion that this was because of erm the person helming at the time being incapable of holding a straight course is scurrilous rubbish, and I will sue.