32 foot beneteau sailboat

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• Sailboat Reviews

French designed, US built, fast in light air, nice below, and priced competitively.

Beneteau is the largest sailboat manufacturer in the world. The company builds monohulls and multihulls ranging in size from 23 to 57 feet, and in recent years introduced a power trawler to the US market.

In general, the Beneteau brand appeals to the mainstream, offering boats designed by Groupe Finot, for use by casual cruisers. Beneteau’s First line, targeted to the performance sailor, includes boats drawn by the likes of Farr and Associates. Though performance is the primary criterion in the First line, those models also provide a full galley, dining area, and enclosed sleeping quarters.

The Beneteau 323, introduced in the 2010s, was designed to fit into the US niche, which has always been a moving target. Composed of several elements, it includes people new to the sport, those moving up from smaller boats, those moving down from bigger boats, and empty nesters who may not want to bring crew aboard to handle the chores, and who are content to sail alone or shorthanded. These groups are all looking for mid-sized boats with big-boat amenities.

The 323 replaced the aging 311, which was only moderately successful in the US market. The new 323 couples good overall performance with a spacious cockpit and living accommodations suitable for four. During our test sail we learned she’s pretty quick, albeit somewhat tender.

When Beneteau boats first appeared on the US scene more than three decades ago, they were distinguished by rounder, more radiused shapes than traditional American boats, and hulls and decks were accented by black portlights, some molded into the topsides—a bold step in those days. The next generation had more traditional profiles, though plumb bows and reverse transoms became the norm. The boarding and swim platforms that initially took hold in Europe are now de rigeur here.

Though the 323’s appearance follows a more modern aesthetic, her appearance depends upon your point of view-literally. The view in the photo above, from leeward when she’s under sail, shows her slightly heeled. From this angle, she looks ready to challenge all comers, with a nearly plumb bow, reverse transom, and a hint of swoop to her sheer. The coachroof looks low, and a Plexiglas portlight that spans the coachroof adds a rakish touch.

However, stand her back up and take a look at her at rest, and she takes on the appearance of the cruiser she’s intended to be. Viewed from abeam, the topsides show themselves at their true height, and the cabintop’s elevation reflects a goal of having sufficient headroom for crew to stand upright without fear of banging a noggin on the headliner. The cabintop slopes downward gradually enough to provide standing headroom in the forward cabin, albeit at the expense of a lounging surface on the bow.

The mast sits above the leading edge of the keel, perhaps a bit farther forward than it would be on similar boats. This opens up some space belowdecks. The designers also carried the beam well aft, increasing interior volume enough to allow space for an aft stateroom and full-sized head.

Deck Layout

The newest Beneteau models have two unique and positive characteristics—a patented helmseat bracket that eases access when stepping aboard, and a pivoting wheel that opens the space between the binnacle and starboard cockpit seat. Boats manufactured in the US are equipped with a split backstay, eliminating that boarding obstacle, as well.

The helmseat bracket is attached in a manner that allows the seat to be tilted entirely out of the way of boarding passengers; it is the best method of securing a seat that we’ve seen.

Of the wheel arrangement, Beneteau says, “It’s held in a locked position by a stainless steel pin. Pivoting the wheel out of the way is as simple as pulling the pin and rotating the wheel forward to the second locked position.”

The pin has a positive lock, and only stops in two places, so appears fail-safe. We’d equate it to the lever on the steering wheel of an automobile that allows adjustment of the height of the wheel. When pivoted forward, the wheel still doesn’t interfere with the addition of an optional cockpit table on the binnacle.

With 6′ 4″ of space between the binnacle and the companionway, the cockpit is long enough to seat six comfortably on teak slatted seats. However, there are no cutouts or cubbies, and a single winch handle pouch is the only storage area in the cockpit. Owners might want to add line pouches, fabric gear holders, and cup holders to avoid operating in a cluttered space. A cockpit locker to starboard provides stowage for sailbags, docklines and fenders, cleaning materials, and so on.

The mainsheet is located mid-boom and the traveler is located on the coachroof. Halyards and sail controls are led aft through Spinlock turning blocks to three-wide Spinlock XAS rope clutches. Standard hardware includes Lewmar #30 self-tailing winches as primaries, and smaller twins on the cabintop. The standard gear list also includes a rigid vang—a real plus—and continuous reefing lines inside the boom.

Headsail sheets can be led through inboard or outboard sail track. There are four mooring cleats for the docklines, and a 10″ aluminum stemhead fitting equipped with a bowroller for the anchor rode. The roller is oriented off-center for those occasions when two hooks are deployed, and to avoid dinging the gelcoat during retrieval. The anchor well is self-bailing.

The mast and boom are anodized aluminum sections constructed by US Spars. Stainless steel standing rigging runs through a single set of spreaders. The mast is deck-stepped. Since this boat is designed to meet CE Category 2 requirements for coastal cruising, it’s not a great concern that the mast is not keel stepped. The boat is not designed to be sailed extensively in big seas and heavy winds. The mast is supported by a compression post located at the forward edge of the dining table.

Boats are sold with an “almost” fully battened mainsail and 116% genoa built by Neil Pryde. Fully battened mainsails ease trimming, but Thoney says that “the battens do not extend to the luff of the sail, making it less likely a sail will bind while being hoisted or lowered.”

The standard suit of sails presents 540 square feet of sail area to the breeze. A genoa furler is not standard equipment, as it is aboard most of this boat’s competitors. An optional Profurl B29-S is the most common choice of 323 buyers.

The company also offered a Z-Spar in-mast mainsail furler option, which reduces sail area about 15%.

Given the constraints of operating within the space available in a 32-footer, Groupe Finot managed to locate things in a way that allows four adults to have adequate elbow room in the living quarters. The saloon is fitted with an L-shaped galley to port at the foot of the companionway, settees port and starboard that will seat six comfortably, a functional nav station, and generous-sized head that could even serve as a wet locker. Forward and aft cabins will each sleep two adults comfortably.

With 10′ 7″ of beam, there’s little room for a pas de deux , as the dining table prohibits much movement when leafs are up. The primary casualty, though, appears to be the size of storage areas belowdecks and the absence of a second cockpit locker. Granted, the boat wasn’t designed for extended offshore cruising, but it’s nice, if you’re going on a week-long cruise, to be able to stow your personal gear in a drawer or locker and not have to live out of your duffel bag. Though there are several storage compartments, many are shallow or narrow.

We would quickly point out that the Beneteau323 is far from alone in this shortcoming; in fact most modern production boats of this size suffer from the same problem: Given a choice between bigger places to lounge around and bigger places to stow gear and clothing, people seem to think the former choice is better, and designers respond. It’s a shame, because a boat of this size looks very different with gear for four aboard than it does at a boatshow with a vase of flowers and a copy of one of those glossy sailing magazines on the table.

A neat touch is the sliding companionway slat that eliminates the hassle of dealing with multiple sections of Plexiglas and their storage. The designers managed to add this feature without compromising access to the engine compartment.

Varnished handrails provide a firm handhold when moving belowdecks, and footing is secure on curved fiberglass companionway steps coated with a heavy-duty nonskid. The saloon measures 9’8″ on the centerline and 7’7″ wide at a point behind the settees where storage compartments are located, with a bit over 6′ 3″ of headroom at its highest point. Spaces are well lit with overhead light fixtures, three ports on each side of the cabin, and the flush deck portlights. Light also is reflected by a shiny fiberglass liner fitted with Douka wood strips, the same material used throughout the interior.

This model also reflects improvements in the fit and finish of Beneteau yachts that have been noticeable since the woodshop was fitted with computerized cutting tools and varnishing machines.

Standard equipment in the galley includes a two-burner stove/oven combination connected to a 10-pound LPG tank that may provide a summer’s supply of fuel. An Adler-Barbour 12-volt reefer also is standard. Working space is on a generous laminated countertop measuring 3’11” wide and 20″ deep. The stainless steel sink is fitted with a single faucet mixer tap that disperses both hot and cold pressure water.

Opposite the galley you’ll find a chart table is large enough to spread chart kits, and the electronics panel large enough for the installation of VHF radio, GPS, and stereo system. The panel also has a 110-volt outlet. Space in the forward cabin is filled primarily by a double berth. Removing the bunk insert produces a space with 6′ of headroom and enough space for an average-sized crewmember to dress while standing. With the insert in place, the berth measures 6’10”, though it is only 5′ wide at the head. Storage is in a hanging locker to port.

At the other end of the hull, the aft cabin is furnished with a double berth measuring 6’10” x 6’3″ in a space lit and ventilated by a portlight in the transom, two opening ports, a halogen light overhead, and two reading lights.

A hanging locker is located to port, and a storage shelf spans the stern.

Beneteau obviously considers a full- sized head to be a desirable feature in this market.  The 323 designers produced a space that’s larger than that found aboard most 32-footers. With 6’2″ of headroom and measuring 4’9″ fore and aft, the space is wide enough to bend over the sink without banging the interior bulkhead, and allows a bather to shower while seated on a bench. Light and fresh air come through two Lewmar portlights. Aft of the vanity is a tall, shallow, fiberglass storage area in which wet gear and towels can hang to drop and dry.

Except for the lack of storage space (perhaps unavoidable, given the demands of the market) the designers deserve high marks for producing well-conceived and well-equipped living spaces, while not increasing interior volume to the point where the boat’s sailing qualities begin to suffer.

Construction

Though traditionalists and custom builders often disdain the use of hull and deck liners, the major manufacturers have developed construction methods and are using adhesives that negate many of the historical criticisms of this method of building boats. Properly constructed and installed, hull and deck liners provide structural support for the hull and sturdy areas onto which bulkheads and furniture may be installed. Space-age adhesives also produce secure bonds that allow liners to flex without breaking the bond. Once buried in fiberglass, plumbing and wiring runs also are now accessible through PVC conduits. From the consumer’s standpoint, these processes also allow builders to maintain lower prices.

Given 30-plus developmental years, Beneteau’s system appears to have reached maturity. Hulls are solid fiberglass with vinylester resins in the outer skin to prevent osmotic blistering. Behind the skin coat are computer-cut sections of fabric wetted with polyester laminating resin.

The company is now using zone-specific stitchmat in the layup, varying the weight of the fabric to meet calculated stress loads in specific areas. In theory, this method avoids overbuilding in certain areas, and we suspect it may also reduce the cost of the lamination, while slightly reducing the weight of the final product.

The hull liner consists of a pre-formed grid system of fiberglass stringers, beams, engine and tank supports, and cutouts into which tanks are installed. Chainplates are attached to stainless steel rod bedded in solid fiberglass. The lamination schedule employs non-woven stitchmat fiberglass, and unidirectional rovings. Hull and deck liners are bonded with a polyester adhesive compound.

Bulkheads are bonded to both hull and deck to produce a monocoque structure; they are bedded in a two-part polyurethane adhesive, an alternative to the traditional method of tabbing with fiberglass strips.

The deck is a sandwich cored with Trivera, a polyester cloth that provides some structural support while preventing print-through during the lamination process. (Larger boats are cored with end-grain balsa.)

Areas where deck gear and stanchions are installed are solid fiberglass. Deck gear is secured with nuts, bolts, and backing plates. This can almost be considered a “traditional” method of construction these days, since some builders are now bedding aluminum plates into the fiberglass and tapping them to receive mounting bolts for deck hardware. The advantages of that method include the elimination of protruding washers and nuts belowdecks, and of the leaks that often come through these mounts. The big disadvantage would be in stripping the threads in any of the tapped holes.

In the hull-deck joint, the deck rests on an inward-turning hull flange, and the two are married by a combination of stainless steel fasteners, polyurethane glue, and a toerail secured with through-bolts and nuts.

Performance

With a sail area-displacement ratio of almost 21 and a displacement-length number of 152, you would expect this boat to be quite sprightly for a cruising boat—and you would be right. We took a sail  on the Chesapeake, and found the 323 to be a very good light-air performer albeit a bit tender in stiffer breezes. Initially sailing in 5 knots of wind, we saw 4-4.5 knots of speed on the GPS. This was, of course, speed over the ground, but there was little current.

When true windspeed increased to 10 knots, we close-reached at 5.8-6.2 knots (SOG). The boat was well-mannered and dry, but was slightly overpowered in the gusts at that point with the full mainsail and 116% genoa. We’d guess that a single reef in the main and/or a working jib would provide a more comfortable combination when windspeed reaches 15 knots—but we’d like to hear from any 323 owners on this topic. Please go to the comments.

Beneteau 323

LOA: 32′ 10″

LWL: 29′ 2″

Beam: 10′ 8″

Draft, std: 4′ 9″

Draft, deep: 5′ 11″

Displacement: 8,448 lbs.

Ballast: 2,414 lbs.

Sail area: 540 sq. ft.

Water: 42 gallons

Fuel: 17 gallons

Auxiliary: Yanmar 18-hp.

The wheel is large enough to allow a helmsman to steer from windward using the leeward seat as a footbrace, a typical position for cruisers. Though we’re generally in favor of tillers on boats of this size and type (like the Europeans), the wheel was quite responsive, giving good feedback. There’s a slight weather helm, which makes for easier steering than a balanced helm, for most people.

She easily tacked through 90 degrees and accelerated to 5.5 knots as quickly as we could properly trim the sheets. The test boat was fitted with a shoal-draft keel drawing 4’9″, which is good for the Chesapeake. Owners in heavy-air venues and deeper water should consider the optional 5’11” fin keel for more stiffness and better windward performance.

Easing sheets and sailing on a beam reach, our GPS registered 7.5 knots over the ground.

It was nice, on returning to the dock, to find the boom low enough that flaking the mainsail is a simple matter, even without lazy jacks.

In the early 2000s when the 323 was introduced, base price was $76,700.  Yacht World listings now show a low of $49,900 for an ’05 version to a high of $73,000 for a 2006. All prices are subject to the rules of “willing sellers/willing buyers,” but given the boat’s price history and current offerings, the Beneteau 323 appears to hold its value. The “preliminary” equipment list back then appeared to include an optional “cruising package” of standard equipment and included Raytheon ST 40 Bi-data instruments, ICOM VHF, AM/FM/cassette player and speakers, cockpit shower, and 110-volt shore power cord.

Among the competition in the same rough price range would be the Catalina 320, Hunter 333, and Jeanneau 32, but option packages and boat-show deals scramble the price picture. Brokerage sites usually show a mix of prices reflective of model year, condition—and the eagerness of the seller. Always, boats will show differently according to the fastidiousness of the owner, so a survey including sea trial will help you find a good one. And there are plenty of 323s out there.

Sailors scouring the marketplace for a boat in this size and price range should check out the 323. She provides good creature comforts, but is designed to be sailed, and is nicely performance oriented. The company builds solid structures. The quality of deck gear, spars, and standing rigging is good. She performs well in light to moderate winds, and shortening sail when the wind pipes up will be relatively straightforward. And, though she comes from a French- owned company, she’s built in the US at Beneteau’s 200,000- sq. ft. factory in Marion, South Carolina. Customer service is facilitated by dealers working directly with the plant there.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

What make of anchor do you recommend for a Beneteau 323. I sail in waters of B.C. Canada. What weight do you recommend for cruising in BC Strait of Georgia.

Look at the YouTube video tests by SV Panope and then talk to Ground Tackle Marine.

Hasn’t Groupe Finot closed the Marion facility?

Thanks for a great review. It confirms the boats reputation to me. I wish the SC sailboat plant was still opened. An idea for a future story would be traditional sailboat builders that have merged or gone out of business the past 15 years.

I would like to see, for every boat reviewed, the particulars on keel build, material/ballast, and attachment method to hull.

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Feather II – Beneteau 32′

Posted by HarborMoor Crew | Sep 8, 2020 | Racers , Sailboats | 0 |

“I got introduced to Wednesday night PHRF racing… and became addicted.  The Beneteau First 30 seemed to be the ideal boat.” 

INTERVIEW WITH THE SKIPPER – Don Miller 

Why did you choose to buy a Beneteau sailboat? The combination racer/cruiser initially appealed to me.  I wanted a boat that I could race competitively as well as comfortably day sail with family and friends.  Designed by talented Juan Kouyoumdjian (Juan K), the 10’ beam is carried all the way aft.  This provides for a very large cockpit for a 30 footer; I can comfortably sit six while sailing and 8 while hanging out on a mooring.  The feet of the people on one side don’t hit the feet of the other. 

Below decks is spacious with 6’ of head room in the center of the main salon.  For cruising, the forward V-berth can sleep two, plus two in the aft quarter berth, plus two on the main salon seats.  I liked having a tiller instead of a big wheel in the cockpit which would take up a lot of room.  An enclosed head with shower plus a galley with two burner propane stove and icebox were pluses.  The nav station opposite the galley (on the starboard side) is comfortable to use and right near the companionway for ease of communicating with the crew while racing. Create your own instrument package (right next to the nav station) offers a lot of options.  Under the starboard cockpit seat is a wet locker where I can store fenders, lines, buckets and other things I’d rather keep out of the cabin. The Yanmar 19 HP engine with a saildrive is very quiet.

What boats have you previously owned? I grew up on the North shore of Long Island and sailed in Manhasset Bay off LIS.  I started sailing when I was 5.  My father’s boat was a Bulldog (about 15 ft) named “Woof”.  When I was 7 or so, he built for me an 8’ pram in the basement which we just barely got out the basement door.  Very much like an Opti hull but with a Marconi rig.  I sailed that all over Manhasset Bay, taking part in informal races against like boats and kids my age out of the Plandome Field and Marine Club. 

My first real racing boat was a Meteor Class.  Sixteen feet long centerboard; very much like a Comet except with a larger main and handkerchief jib.  The hull was very similar to a Hustler.  The class was only in Manhasset Bay; about 15 boats.  The boat’s name when we bought it was “Bedlam” which I didn’t like, but I was taught back then that it was bad luck to change the name of a boat, so I didn’t.  I then graduated from skippering what I could afford and started crewing, doing foredeck, on the hot shot racing class in Manhasset Bay at the time:  the Resolute.  Again, the class was only in Manhasset Bay.  The boats were very much like a Shields but were all built in Norway out of wood.  Beautiful boats all kept in indoor storage over the winter.   

After graduating from college, I moved to Marblehead in 1968 and started crewing (again doing foredeck – I was still young) on IODs which was the class to be in in the late 60s and 70s.  First crewing for Tom Rowen, whose father Carlton, founded the IOD class in Marblehead, and then for Jon Wales when Tom retired.  I was very proud to do foredeck for Jon when we won the IOD Worlds in 1980.

With 3 young kids and a wife sitting at home every Sat, it was time to reconsider.  I wound up buying a Sailstar Corinthian designed by Carl Alberg.  It was a popular boat (19’6”) with over 50 in the harbor and as many as 20 showing up on the starting line when the weather was good.  A great social class, even through the winter.  

When the kids were old enough for me to leave on Saturdays, Bill Douglass got me interested in the Etchells class.  Probably the best one design boat ever built, it was a challenge.  For several years, I was in partnership with another racer.  When he decided to leave the class, I sailed with Bill for many years and, as were his wishes, I continued racing “the mighty Valk” for a couple of years after his passing.

I got introduced to PHRF racing around that time and crewed for quite a few skippers on different boats.  I also got introduced to Wednesday night PHRF racing (on a couple of different J/105s) and became addicted.  Now retired from a long career at Raytheon, the Beneteau First 30 seemed to be the ideal boat.

  What other kinds of boats did you consider buying before this model? It just had to be a sailboat!  I did a lot of looking, not finding anything quite like the Beneteau.  So my program for many years was OPB (other people’s boats). 

What are the features you like most about your boat? The large cockpit and tiller, and down below, the layout (headroom, nav station, sleeping capacity, shower, stove, ice box). 

What features/improvements have you added or do you plan to add? I’ve made a few minor modifications, but basically kept the boat the way it was when I bought it.

How do you typically use your boat over the summer, and where do you go? Wed. night PHRF racing is number one.  Also day sailing with family and friends.  I haven’t yet cruised too far from home.

What is the biggest challenge you have in servicing your boat? Paying the bill.  I have chosen to have all my work (yearly maintenance, repairs) done at Manchester Marine.  They have very knowledgeable people, do excellent work, and are friendly and accommodating to my needs. 

Do you have any advice for those looking to buy a Beneteau sailboat? Each to his/her own.

What’s the story behind the boat’s name? My uncle was quite a sailor.  His modus operandi was to buy a boat in need of work, fix it up, put a great racing record on it and then sell it.  His boats were all named Feather, up to his last boat which was a 40 square meter named Feather XIV.  He had passed on, so when I bought my Corinthian, I asked my aunt if she would mind if I carried on the name.  She said she’d be honored so my Corinthian was Feather and Beneteau is Feather II.  I know I’ll never get up to Feather XIV.

Check it Out To learn more about Feather II , click the gallery below . To see other boats like this, simply type in Beneteau in the manufacturer’s drop down list in the Harbor Directory.

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Bénéteau 323 Deep draft

Sailboat specifications.

• Last update: 15th March 2020

Bénéteau 323's main features

Bénéteau 323's main dimensions, bénéteau 323's rig and sails, bénéteau 323's performances, bénéteau 323's auxiliary engine, bénéteau 323's accommodations and layout, bénéteau 323's saloon, bénéteau 323's fore cabin, bénéteau 323's aft cabin.

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Pearl – 32′ Beneteau Sailboat

Quick Details

Users Boat Capacity:  6 people

Cruise Ship Boat Size:  32 feet

Key Hole Cabins:  2

Clock Check-In: Complimentary boarding is available any time after 6 p.m. the night before your charter begins

Info Not Included: Bed linens, towels, groceries, food seasonings

Checkmark Add-Ons:   Boat add-ons are available for purchase during checkout

Set Sail Aboard Pearl for a Lake Superior Cruise

Pearl, a  Beneteau  311, combines the amenities of a large cruiser with the easy handling performance of a 30-footer. It features private cabins forward and aft, a full galley with plenty of storage, and a generous main salon with centerline table.

There is six-foot headroom throughout the cabin and 6′-3″ salon berths. The spacious cockpit includes stern pulpit seats and cockpit speakers. All of these features make her a versatile boat perfect for family cruising, or for simply relaxing and watching the sunset at anchor.

Cruise aboard Pearl when you book an Apostle Islands boat rental.

Booking a Bareboat Charter

If you have never booked a bareboat charter before, the term ‘bareboat’ generally indicates that the boat is not supplied with a licensed captain. You are the skipper of the boat and will sail and manage the boat during your charter. You can request a captained charter once you have reserved your boat if you are not comfortable being a skipper.

Please follow the bareboat process in the drop-down below:

• Chevron down Bareboat Charter Requirements

To ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable bareboat charter experience, we want to be sure that you and your crew are knowledgeable in handling the yacht you have chosen. We ask that you complete our  Boating Resume  & submit it under the Forms & Documents page to help us determine your sailing skill level.

To be a qualified skipper, we are looking for you to meet the following criteria:

• Recent charter experience aboard a vessel of similar size/type
• Or ownership of a vessel of similar size and type
• And/or completion of a qualified charter certification program
• Chevron down Important Information

Prior to your arrival, you can be confident that the yacht you have selected has been fully inspected by our qualified staff. All of the fuel and water tanks have been topped off and all systems have been tested to ensure they are fully operational. Each yacht is fully equipped with all the Coast Guard required safety equipment, as well as many other items required by Superior Charters to ensure a pleasant and successful sailing vacation for you and your crew.

Aboard each yacht, you will find the galley is fully equipped to prepare the most gourmet of meals. A BBQ grill is standard equipment with each vessel. Other standard equipment found on all vessels in the Superior Charters fleet includes:

• Inboard engine
• Dockside heat
• Wheel steering
• Depth sounder
• Stereo radio
• Barbeque grill
• Chevron down Specifications

Make: Beneteau Year: 2001 Length:  32′-4″ Beam:  10′-7″ Draft:  4′-11″

• Chevron down Galley

Icebox / Fridge: Refrigerator – Top Load – 2.1 cu ft Microwave:  No Stove: 2 Burner Propane Oven:  Yes BBQ Grill: LP Gas

• Chevron down Rig, Sails & Deck

Rig:  Sloop Mainsail:  Conventional Headsail:  Furling Bimini:  No Dodger:  Yes

• Chevron down Electronics

Depth Sounder:  Yes Knotmeter:  Yes Navigation:  Handheld GPS Autopilot:  No Stereo:  Stereo with CD Player Television:  No Inverter:  No

Charging capabilities away from dock: 12V outlet

• Chevron down Mechanical

Water Tank:  47 Gallons Fuel Tank:  17 Gallons Holding Tank: 13 Gallons Heater:  Dockside Only Generator:  No Windlass:  None

• Chevron down Equipped With:
• Required Coast Guard safety gear
• Engine fuel
• Stove and BBQ grill (with gear & fuel)
• Refrigerator
• Complimentary consumable kit that includes paper towels, trash bags, dish soap, all-purpose cleaner, a sponge, matches/lighter stick and marine toilet paper
• GPS navigation
• Chevron down What to Bring/What Not to Bring

Please bring:

• Sleeping bags, pillows, towels
• Warm clothing, rain gear, chapstick, insect repellant
• Sunscreen, bathing suit, sunglasses
• Deck appropriate footwear (non-marking soled shoes), sweater or jacket, motion sickness pills, pain reliever, small flashlight, and camera
• Food, seasoning, drinking water, dishcloth, and dish towels

Do NOT bring: 

• Coolers: only soft-sided coolers are allowed onboard while sailing
• Tents: camping on the islands while chartering is not allowed
• Kayaks: not allowed on any of our boats and are not allowed to be towed behind the boats
• Smoking is  not  allowed

Related Charters

• Most Popular Small Sailboat
• Key Hole 1 1/4 Cabins
• Users Sleeps 4

Opal – 31′ Catalina Sailboat

Come see why our 2004 Catalina 310 sailboat has earned the title of most popular small sailboat! This sweet little boat is a great fit for a small family or couple for some time away on the Big Lake.

• Key Hole 2 Cabins
• Users Sleeps 6

Breeze – 33′ Jeanneau Sailboat

Learn more about the specs, details, and accommodations on Breeze, our 33′ 2010 Jeanneau sailboat! Take her for a spin when you book an Apostle Islands boat rental.

• Second most popular small boat

Pavati – 33′ Jeanneau Sailboat

Come aboard our 33′ 2013 Jeanneau sailboat, Pavati, which sleeps six comfortably in two cabins. Enjoy use of a large galley, roomy aft cabin, and other amenities.

Technical specifications - First 32

Technical features.

• Length HT : 34ft (10.33m)
• Max. width : 11ft (3.37m)
• Weight : 3.8 tons
• Draft : 4ft (1.35m) to 6ft (1.80m)
• Max. sleeping capacity : 7
• Number of cabins : 2
• Bathrooms : 1
• Water capacity : 200L

Standard motorisation

• Engine Power : 25hp
• Fuel capacity : 60L

Standard canopy

• Mainsail area : 69sqft (21m2)
• Genoa/jib area : 73sqft (22.4m2)

Ideal destinations for renting a First 32

• Oceanis 30.1
• Oceanis 34.1

Oceanis 37.1

• Oceanis 40.1
• Oceanis 46.1
• Oceanis 51.1
• Oceanis Yacht 54

Oceanis Yacht 60

• FIGARO BENETEAU 3
• Heritage Sailing Yacht
• Flyer 7 SUNdeck
• Flyer 7 SPACEdeck

Flyer 8 SUNdeck

Flyer 8 spacedeck.

• Flyer 9 SUNdeck
• Flyer 9 SPACEdeck
• Antares 7 Fishing
• Antares 8 Fishing
• ANTARES 11 FLY
• Gran Turismo 32
• Gran Turismo 36
• Gran Turismo 41
• Gran Turismo 45
• Swift Trawler 35
• Swift trawler 41 Sedan
• Swift trawler 41 Fly
• Swift Trawler 48
• Grand Trawler 62
• Heritage Powerboats
• Future Owners
• A REMARKABLE ANNIVERSARY
• Our History
• Our Architects and Designers
• Our philosophy
• Our Innovations
• Your way to ownership
• Event calendar
• Annapolis Sailboat Show
• Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
• Remarkable Offer
• Tests and Awards

BENETEAU - Designed to be remarkable

Designed to be remarkable.

Our long history and tradition demonstrate our commitment to continuous innovation and pride in the quality and craftsmanship. They strive to push the boundaries of what is possible in terms of boat design and performance while making sailing and boating accessible to everyone, from experienced sailors to newcomers. 

JOIN OUR FAMILY

There’s a whole world to discover out there, and there’s no better way to  discover it than at our BENETEAU events . Come and join our family at our events, boat shows, owners rendezvous, and leave with a lifestyle !

Pacific Sail & Power Boat Show

Next events, open house/ demo days, new york vendée, beneteau by invitation by clarks landing.

We built our first boats  in 1884  and many things have changed since then. We’ve transformed living spaces and the list of innovations in hull design and navigation continues to grow at a rapidly increasing pace. However, some things haven’t changed and never will. BENETEAU’s philosophy of building the strongest, safest, most beautiful boats on the water is alive and well. The BENETEAU  family’s pride in craftsmanship and passion  for performance can easily be recognized in every sailing yacht and powerboat.

Your Way To Ownership

Backed up by dedicated teams with solid expertise in sea trials, boat financing, customization, boating events, after-sales service, and by its global dealership network , BENETEAU supports each and every BENETEAU boat owner throughout their recreational boating life , using its extensive skills and experience to build a long-lasting customer relationship.

Build your dream boat

Find a dealer

Test a boat

Exclusive updates.

Did you know that every month BENETEAU America sends out a newsletter that gives you exclusive updates and the latest news from around the Americas? Don't miss VIP invitations to events, sneak previews of our new launches, tips from the experts, stories from owners, and more!

2024 San Diego BENETEAU Cup

350+ sailors and 42 Beneteau yachts came to San Diego Yacht Club the weekend of Sept. 21st and 22nd from all over Southern California, for what has evolved over 11 years into the largest All Beneteau Regatta in the world, the San Diego Beneteau Cup!

Lock in 5.5% APR for 5 Years on All BENETEAU Models*!

Until May 31st, 2024

Navigating the Waters: How to select the best boat insurance

Motor yachts & powerboats

We love sharing the  boating lifestyl e with our family and friends. This love manifests itself in every BENETEAU built in any one of our many manufacturing facilities worldwide. Every  BENETEAU sailboat and powerboat  on the water reflects the best efforts of the finest architects, designers, and craftsmen along with the highest quality materials and the latest innovations. BENETEAU has been building  sailing yachts  and  powerboats  for all types of boating practices since 1884. Would you like to  buy a new boat ? Leisure boating, short trips, cruising, competitive sailing – whatever type of sailing you envision, there is a boat to suit you at your  local BENETEAU dealer .

BENETEAU: A LONG STORY THAT BEGAN IN 1884 

The first BENETEAU boats sailed from the shipyards of Croix-de-Vie over 136 years ago. Since that time, the BENETEAU brand has been synonymous with quality and innovation to all those who have taken to the water – first by the fishermen who made their livelihood from the sea and then by the legions of recreational boaters around the globe.

Over the years, our commitment to innovating and embracing ideas, no matter how unconventional, has been at the forefront of who we are in order to bring you the best boat possible. BENETEAU was one of the first boatbuilders many years ago to use computer-aided design (CAD) as well as lighter, stronger composite building materials. We’ve also been at the cutting edge of using greener materials and processes to do our part in protecting the incredible world which we explore. However, all this innovation doesn’t mean we’ve turned our back on tradition. One thing we’ve discovered in over a century of boatbuilding is that new-world innovations work best with old-school craftsmanship. This combination has resulted in some of the most iconic sailboats and powerboats in the world – supremely seaworthy yachts renowned for their sense of style, luxury, and comfort along with their creative use of space and new technologies.

WIDE RANGE OF SAILING YACHTS AND POWERBOATS 

Sailboat Range

We built our first sailboats over 135 years ago and many things have changed since then. The oak we once relied on has been replaced with strong but lightweight resin and carbon fiber. Where canvas once caught the wind, now it’s Kevlar and Vectran. We’ve transformed dark, confining saloons and cabins into bright, open living spaces. And the list of innovations in hull design and navigation continues to grow at a rapidly increasing pace.

However, some things haven’t changed and never will. Benjamin BENETEAU’s philosophy of building the strongest, safest, most beautiful boats on the water is alive and well. The BENETEAU family’s pride in craftsmanship and passion for performance can easily be recognized in every FIRST, FIRST YACHT, FIGARO, OCEANIS, and OCEANIS YACHT built today.  

Knowing what to keep and what to change – that’s why BENETEAU continues to set the bar in sailing.

Powerboat Range

In North America, we might be considered by some to be a late-comer to the powerboat market, but in fact, we’ve always been a major force in it. As with most things, we have our founder, Benjamin BENETEAU, to thank. He was one of the first to put a petrol engine on his fishing trawlers in the early 1900s, thus changing the French commercial fishing fleet forever.

His successors found that power was a perfect fit for the bold, new hull materials they were pioneering in the ’60s. Since then, new technologies in propulsion have always found their way aboard a BENETEAU first, and power has long been part of our equation for success.

Today, there’s a BENETEAU powerboat or motor yacht for whatever you’re looking for – from casual cruising to long-distance adventuring, from fishing and diving to water skiing. They can be found on the open ocean, coastlines, harbors, lakes, and rivers. There’s a whole world to discover out there, and there’s no better way to discover it than at the helm of a BENETEAU powerboat, trawler or motor yacht.

THE LARGEST WORLDWIDE DEALER NETWORK 

No matter where you cruise in the world or what port you drop anchor, there is a BENETEAU dealer close by to help if needed. With over 400 dealers on five continents, our network is a dedicated and motivated army of hand-selected, factory-trained individuals standing ready to provide you with expert advice and service.

Our infrastructure honed by years of experience, means each dealer has access to the spare parts and expertise needed to effect repairs and get you back on the water as soon as possible.

To purchase a new or pre-owned BENETEAU sailboat or powerboat, locate an authorized BENETEAU dealer near you. They will be there every step of the way to help you choose the right boat and maintain it properly for years to come.

Request a technical document

Order a spare part

Request an administrative document

Select your area and your language

• Chinese, Simplified

Technical specifications - First 32

Technical features.

• Length HT : 34ft (10.33m)
• Max. width : 11ft (3.37m)
• Weight : 3.8 tons
• Draft : 4ft (1.35m) to 6ft (1.80m)
• Max. sleeping capacity : 7
• Number of cabins : 2
• Bathrooms : 1
• Water capacity : 200L

Standard motorisation

• Engine Power : 25hp
• Fuel capacity : 60L

Standard canopy

• Mainsail area : 69sqft (21m2)
• Genoa/jib area : 73sqft (22.4m2)

Ideal destinations for renting a First 32