Beneteau models question

[dgasmd]

First of, I would like to ask you that you forgive my ignorance here. I am just getting started in the "sailing world". As I start to look at boats, I have come to be very interested in the Beneteau line as a potential buy in the future. I would like to eventually get something that is roomy enough (38-45 ft) for a family of 4 and 2-4 more guests. I don't plan on doing any transatlantic passages, regattas, or anything of that sort. I live in South Florida, so mostly to be used as a weekend cruiser, trips to the keys, and the occasional Bahamas/caribbean trip 1-2/year. Given my location, A/C is a must for me to use while docked. So, here is where my question comes in:

It seems Beneteau has about 3-4 different models that are almost about the same to the untrained eye (393, oceanis 40, 423, cyclades 43). Give or take 1-3 feet of LWL and the single vs dual wheel, could you give me a synopsis of the real differences between all of them assuming same age (2004 or newer) boat, cost, and condition? I mean something along the lines of: cyclades has less luxury but more bang for the buck vs the 423, etc. I did do a side by side table of features and specifications to compare them all, but I am sure that is a very simplistic way of looking at things, especially for someone that has no first hand knowledge and very little experience.

If it makes any difference, here are some priorities for me:
-A/C as stated.
-I like luxury in the interior
-Clean exterior, but actually prefer non-furling mains
-easy to single hand and use
-fast
-roomy interior
-3 cabins would be ideal
-prefer 2 heads with separate shower space if at all possible

Thanks in advance!

[Chuteman]

Pretty Straight Forward

Oceanis - General Cruising Line / also in Charter
393, 423, 473 - 2000(est) - 2006 models
37, 40, 43, 46 - 2007(est)-2011 models
41, 45, 48 - 2012 Models

First - Racing/Performance Cruising Line

Cyclades - Charter / Value Cruising

Sense - New / Alternative Design Cruising Line

Links:
Sailboats - BENETEAU USA

Previous Models & Second hand boats - BENETEAU USA

Your wish list:
A/C - should be able to find w/o too much trouble
Lux Interior - definitely Oceanis line - in the eye of the beholder
Classic (non-furling) Main - good luck, I searched the same way and discovered that 90+% sold have furling mains. I did get Classic but a story
Single Hand - I do
Fast - sailed in their groove (flatter) & sail config they more than hold their own
Roomy interior - depends on config you choose - avoid Charter config i.e. 3 heads
3 Cab - plenty out there
2 Heads - one should have separate shower space

Have You looked at their sister company = Jeanneau?
http://www.jeanneau.com/sailboats.html

[CrawfishColvin]

Glad to see this thread, I have some of the same questions, hoping it doesnt take the course of many other Beneteau threads, lol!
Best of luck Dgasmd!

[dgasmd]

What direction have the other threads taken?

Oh, yes. I've looked at jenneaus too. Very few in the market compared to beneteau despite being made by the same group.

[Randyonr3]

when we purchased ours, we opted for an older first.. I wanted the performance of a first without the price of a new boat.. and were lucky enough to find an owners version, cutter rigged, tall mast,
you'd be surprised how much difference the different models perform..

[Chuteman]

Originally Posted by dgasmd

What direction have the other threads taken?

Oh, yes. I've looked at jenneaus too. Very few in the market compared to beneteau despite being made by the same group.

Yes, Jeanneau has not penetrated the USA market (significantly more in Europe) to the same degree as Beneteau, however there are 16 Jeanneaus on YW in the southeast 2000-2011, 40-55' vs 27 Beneteaus. A couple of nice ones at good prices of each mfg even in FL.

Happy Shopping