Beneteau Oceanis 393

Rupert Holmes looks at a popular model from the third generation of Beneteau's Oceanis cruising yachts that represented a big step forward compared to earlier designs

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Bavaria 40 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey/Sun Fast 40 Dufour 40 | Hanse 411 | Dehler 39

The third generation of Beneteau's Oceanis range, which consisted of seven designs from 32-52ft, marked a change in the expectations of what a cruising yacht can offer. Ever since its inception with the Oceanis 350 and 430 in 1986, this line proved hugely popular with private owners and charter companies alike thanks to excellent accommodation volumes and a greater emphasis on interior design, natural light and ventilation.

Sailing performance, and in some cases seaworthiness in extreme conditions, took more of a back seat in early models, however, which were lightly ballasted, had relatively shallow draught and lacked low centre of gravity bulb keels.

Sadly, one of these boats, a 1989 Oceanis 390, was knocked down and inverted in a Force 8/9 while crossing the Bay of Biscay back in October 1997, with the loss of a crew member who'd been on deck at the time. Two more were winched to safety by a French rescue helicopter.

One of the findings of the subsequent Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report was: 'The Oceanis 390 is a safe, comfortable, yacht suitable for pleasure sailing and charter work. Her lightweight design, however, together with her stability characteristics, introduce a high risk factor in the type of extreme sea state conditions encountered. The yacht is not designed for crossing oceans in bad weather.'

This was addressed with the third Oceanis generation that debuted with the Oceanis 473 in 2000. These boats, with model names ending in 3, sprouted the option of deep, low centre of gravity keels that, along with higher aspect ratio rudders, significantly improved handling characteristics and ultimate stability as well as improving speed to windward.