37SAIL MAGAZINEsales records. Our test boat featured the “two
cabin” version of the Cruiser layout (shown
above), which really only has one segregated
stateroom (aft), unless you install the removable
bulkhead to close off the forward double berth
into another stateroom, which apparently most
buyers don’t do.
Be that as it may, the aft stateroom on our test
boat was fabulous, with a large, very comfortable
athwartship double berth, good vertical clear-
ance, and more cross ventilation than you could
ever hope to find in an aft cabin on a monohull
less than 50ft in length. The head was also very
impressive, with two segregated compart-
ments—one for the toilet and sink, and another
for the shower, side by side, aft to starboard.
The open space forward of the companionway
is delightful, light and airy, finished in tasteful
blonde oak, with a long settee to port and an
elegant, yet minimalist in-line galley featur-
ing a Reichsman stove and Vitrifrigo fridge to
starboard. The only significant difference I see
between this space on the 35 and the 38 is
that the open double berth forward on the
38 is much larger and more square than on
the 35. If you plan to stick a pair of small
children in the forward berth while enjoy-
ing the more private, more palatial aft berth
with your spouse (as I suspect many will),
this may not really matter to you.
One final note: none of these are really
seagoing interiors, as is reflected in their
bare-minimum electrical systems and
fuel- and water-tank capacities. These boats are
intended for coastal cruising, and the various
interiors, which have few handholds, work best
when stationary or in moderate conditions.UNDER SAIL
The boat has a 9/10ths Sparcraft fractional rig
designed to fly a modest jib with a wee bit of
overlap. A larger Code-Zero-type headsail or
an asymmetric spinnaker can be flown from
the beefy bowsprit/anchor-roller up forward.
Our test boat, with a shoal-draft keel, had an
ElvstrÖm in-mast furling mainsail and an
ElvstrÖm jib controlled by a Facnor roller-furler.
As sometimes happens when test-sailing
brand-new boats, I found the rig on our boat
had just been put up and wasn’t properly tuned.
Still, our sailing performance seemed credit-
able. Sailing on Chesapeake Bay in 15-20 knots
of true wind with apparent gusts to 35, we hit a
top speed of 7 knots sailing on a close reach to
a beam reach with a partially furled mainsail.
We maintained 6.8 knots with the
boat closehauled at a 40-degree
apparent wind angle, and when we
pinched to 35 degrees our speed
dropped to 5.4 knots. On a broad
reach under working sails with the
full main out, we made 5.4 knots.
The helm was extremely stable,
thanks to the twin rudders, with
a wide groove. Taking my hands
off the wheel, I found the boat
tracked on course for some time
before rounding up. Thanks also
to the pronounced hull chine,form stability was excellent, and even in the
robust conditions we experienced, heeling
was moderate.UNDER POWER
Our boat was equipped with the optional 30hp
Yanmar diesel auxiliary with a fixed prop, as
opposed to the standard 20hp mill, and we
were happy to have it. Motoring straight into 18
knots of breeze and a moderate chop, we made
7 knots with the throttle maxed out at 3,800
rpm. At 2,700 rpm we made 5.4 knots, and at
a moderate cruise setting of 2,400 rpm this
dropped to 4.3 knots.
Spinning donuts, I could turn the boat right
around in one boatlength. Backing down I
had no trouble holding the boat’s bow to the
wind once we got moving, and control other-
wise was good.CONCLUSION
All the features that made the Oceanis 38 an
award-winner are present in this boat, but in a
more compact package and at a lower price. It’s
a great starter boat for young couples or young
families who want a boat that can evolve as they
do. It should also appeal to more experienced
sailors who want an easy-to-handle moderate-
sized coastal cruiser that maximizes comfort
and livability at anchor. sDESIGNER Finot-Conq and Associates/
Interior by Nauta Design
BUILDER Beneteau, S. Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, France
U.S. DISTRIBUTOR Beneteau America, Annapolis, MD,
beneteauusa.com
PRICE $199,000 (sailaway)SPECIFICATIONSLOA 34ft 3in (including sprit) LWL 31ft 10in BEAM 12ft 2in
DRAFT 6ft 1in (deep keel); 4ft 9in (shoal);
3ft 9in/7ft 7in (centerboard) DISPLACEMENT 11,476lb
BALLAST 3,436lb (deep keel); 4,022lb (shoal)
SAIL AREA 585ft^2 (with 105% jib)
FUEL/WATER (GAL) 34/34
ENGINE 20hp Yanmar diesel (saildrive); 30hp optional
BALLAST RATIO 30% (deep keel); 35% (shoal)
SA/D RATIO 18 D/L RATIO 159
What do these ratios mean? Visit sailmagazine.com/ratiosThe Oceanis 35’s open-plan layout
provides plenty of space belowdecksBeneteau Oceanis 35