Any one know what these boats are like or has had one

What sort of sailing are you planning to do?

Just casual cruising around 4/5 nights max trips only coastal

Hi aus005,
sorry, no experience with the 345, but if you get a moment check out the new Oceanis just for some boat porn
I think Bendytoy have done an amazing facelift. I hope they've nailed a great cruiser. Look beautiful to me, but the new design house being the same as my boat I might be biased!
Except the 35.1 that is, don't look at that. It needs a good foot or two less freeboard, looks a bit ungainly.
Cheap enough...ish! .

www.beneteau.com/en/oceanis/oceanis-461

MMmmm....have a look at the 30.1. Nice cabin layout for a sub 10mtr boat. .
I know, I'm evil!

Select to expand quote

shaggybaxter said..
MMmmm....have a look at the 30.1. Nice cabin layout for a sub 10mtr boat. .
I know, I'm evil!

Looks roomy enough to be used as a porn set

But what is it with the photos that don't line up ???
From the out side it shows a single window on cabin top and inside shows 2 window's?

HI Craig,
That's a trick they do, it is one sheet of perspex, with the centre pillar recessed to go behind the nice shiny face.
My windows are the same, you can see a dimmish outline of the centre pillar (sorry not the best picture)

Select to expand quote

Gravy7 said..
A quick Google turns up these useful links:
forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?/topic/153502-opinions-on-beneteau-first-345/
https://www.practical-sailor.com/reviews/boatreview/beneteau_first_345-1129-1.html

Sounds like a pretty good boat!
Aus005, it mentions the 345 has running backstays, is that ok considering your intent?

Select to expand quote

shaggybaxter said..
HI Craig,
That's a trick they do, it is one sheet of perspex, with the centre pillar recessed to go behind the nice shiny face.
My windows are the same, you can see a dimmish outline of the centre pillar (sorry not the best picture)

Thanks Shaggy
I thought that may be the case to have smooth lines from the outside

Sweet pic, twin rudders must make life at the helm easier

Yes, but twin rudders mean it's a lot harder to dock the boat because you can't use the prop wash against the rudder to pin the boat on the dock while you secure the lines.

Select to expand quote

shaggybaxter said..
Hi aus005,
sorry, no experience with the 345, but if you get a moment check out the new Oceanis just for some boat porn
I think Bendytoy have done an amazing facelift. I hope they've nailed a great cruiser. Look beautiful to me, but the new design house being the same as my boat I might be biased!
Except the 35.1 that is, don't look at that. It needs a good foot or two less freeboard, looks a bit ungainly.
Cheap enough...ish! .

www.beneteau.com/en/oceanis/oceanis-461

How come only Pascal's name is listed, have he and Jean Marie parted ways?

Select to expand quote

Tamble said..
Yes, but twin rudders mean it's a lot harder to dock the boat because you can't use the prop wash against the rudder to pin the boat on the dock while you secure the lines.

Oh that is so true. Thank god for prop walk, which is still pretty naff.

Select to expand quote

LooseChange said..

shaggybaxter said..
Hi aus005,
sorry, no experience with the 345, but if you get a moment check out the new Oceanis just for some boat porn
I think Bendytoy have done an amazing facelift. I hope they've nailed a great cruiser. Look beautiful to me, but the new design house being the same as my boat I might be biased!
Except the 35.1 that is, don't look at that. It needs a good foot or two less freeboard, looks a bit ungainly.
Cheap enough...ish! .

www.beneteau.com/en/oceanis/oceanis-461

How come only Pascal's name is listed, have he and Jean Marie parted ways?

Thats a good pickup Loose, I missed that. To the best of my knowledge they're still Finot-Conq.
Hmm...I notice the 46.1 lists Pascal Conq only as the architect, the rest of the range is all Finot-Conq.
TYpo I hope.

Thanks for the comments guys i will keep looking not quite what i want

Select to expand quote

shaggybaxter said..

Gravy7 said..
A quick Google turns up these useful links:
forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?/topic/153502-opinions-on-beneteau-first-345/
https://www.practical-sailor.com/reviews/boatreview/beneteau_first_345-1129-1.html

Sounds like a pretty good boat!
Aus005, it mentions the 345 has running backstays, is that ok considering your intent?

My old boat had runners wont go there again

Select to expand quote

aus005 said..

shaggybaxter said..

Gravy7 said..
A quick Google turns up these useful links:
forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?/topic/153502-opinions-on-beneteau-first-345/
https://www.practical-sailor.com/reviews/boatreview/beneteau_first_345-1129-1.html

Sounds like a pretty good boat!
Aus005, it mentions the 345 has running backstays, is that ok considering your intent?

My old boat had runners wont go there again

HI Aus005,
Don't know how far your budget stretches, but if you're looking for ideas the Catalina 309's are a nice boat. They were much beamier aft than the previous shape hence things aren't as claustrophobic below, it had headroom, cockpit space was comfy, I liked it. It sailed respectably too.
Not sure how much they are now, but I always thought they were good value.