Thanks for this, Don. My (French-built, 2003, blue hull) B423 looks like the twin sister of yours (albeit 2-cabin rather than 3). She is based in the W Med, and whilst it is not the Pacific or the Southern Ocean, we have had plenty of occasions to be glad of the strong rig and build quality. I am very jealous of your headsail options (3, if I have understood correctly...A downwind Code 0, a full-size genoa and a 'spitfire' staysail) - should give you amazing flexibility from 5 to 50 knots of windspeed (I assume you have a 3rd reef option in your mainsail) . I have a Hydrovane fitted, which works well in most conditions, but I have never managed to settle it down in a big (>4m) quartering sea - somehow the lateral pressure on the stern always seems to overwhelm the H/v...I would be really (really...) interested in your experiences and impressions after a few months with the boat...fair winds!
Great tour and sailboat! We also have a 423 and are interested in getting a staysail rig installed. My husband and I were wondering what make and dimensions your sail is. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Cindy
Hi Cindy...Opps I have not even rolled the sail out yet so not seen it...trapped working on the marina ..lol....but a couple points...the main chainplate on deck is important but seems to be possible attaching it to the bulkhead at the forward end of the double bunk in bow...This will be your biggest job before considering anything else....you could write to Beneteau maybe and ask for their construction design spec on that? .....the mast Tang take off a rigger should be able to organize that and the outlet ...Most of the 423's have it attached just below the head so it is supported by the twin backstays and no runners are needed....a solent type rig rather than attaching at the 2nd spreader with runners which would be better for southern ocean work but few will go there......if you then show your sailmaker that set up they may give you some recommendations on sail dimensions cloth weight etc...there are a couple sites online that can help too...good luck :) .. l-36.com/boat_dimensions_boat.php?boat=Beneteau%20Oceanis%20423&i=48.65&j=16.52&p=43.44&e=14.83&isp=&jsp=&py=&ey=&sail=&draft=5.58&disp=17199&wll=38.58#google_vignette
Very interesting! -- QUESTION -- Since you have lots of experience and knowledge regarding "blue water" sailboats, can we ask if you would prefer to take this for a circumnavigation (usual route from Florida through Caribbean, Panama canal etc going west, over an older boat like a Vancouver 36 or Sega 36 or a larger similar heavy build older "blue water" boat? We love the look and feel of this! How does it compare to the Benateau 49 which seems to be a larger version and same vintage. Is the 49 as solid and good as your sailboat? Trying to get an idea if your boat is an exceptional model and year for Benateau and if other ones are also as good for circumnavigating? Thank you for your time and keep up the great work!
Hi Coleen...you know boat choices are based on a few criteria...Budget..voyage plan/time line..number of people ..and sailing experience of crew...etc...so no simple answer or standard answer...one thing is certain...beneteau 411,423,473 are absolutely proven ocean cruising yachts that are not too old needing a rebuild and once serviced and set up properly are capable of sailing around the world on the tradewind route and relatively easy to maintain and have good human dynamics for living and fun to sail...they were designed and engineered to do that. They have a real timber interior but full glass heads and showers fully functional, great cockpits and aft in the water acess for fun..real sailing rigs etc so?? :) About 15 years ago many production boat builders started offering extra models for holiday sailing ...and that is the case today, so you then need to chose the holiday model or Ocean voyaging model....sometimes from the same builder at the same time if new...BUDGET is always a deciding issue....and that may answer your question about a Vancouver 34 Type..great boat, perfectly capable, fantastic even for Southern ocean! but if you can afford slightly bigger and fit a windvane and extra gear you will get there faster and have more space in a 411..etc?? etc and you cannot beat the value for money of a third owner boat about 15--20 years old...no matrter the boat...you need to make sure you prepare that boat right service and check everything...but...still better than a new boat budget :) ...if I was sailing the tradewind route around the world... as a couple I would look at the 411...perfect...the 473 is too big for a couple, unless you have family or friends all the time..but cost to buy maintain and berth etc all are more....we would have and nearly did buy the 411 which I have admired for 10 years.....all Beneteaus before that were pretty much ocean going, but then if it goes back to the 80's there is a lot to check..like all Stainless fitting etc etc...but again all good boats if you do the refit...and most other production boats are the same..particularly the Jenneau's as well ..they were basically the same builds and back in the day we used to say Jenneaus were ahead of Beneteau for ocean going :) ...so good luck hey!! :)
@@mcintyreadventure ...thank you for those pointers! Well said indeed. You mentioned that the 423 has glass heads.. That was a question that kept coming up when speaking to friends...whether the sub frame was "glued in" or tabbed and glassed, and the bulkheads too. We watched recent Sailing UMA videos doing their refit of a Pearson 36-1, which we thought was a quality boat, yet none of the bulkheads were tabbed and glassed in. Some parts were glued (and broken loose) and had nothing connecting it.. ie the deck was simply sitting on the bulkhead with nothing connecting it but gravity and weight. So does your awesome looking 423 have glassed/tabbed sub frame? How about deck to hull joints are they tabbed on the outside and inside of the joint?? (ps., if you want to sell you 423 please ping us)
@@Coleen-Love yes interesting subject..first Group Finot know what they are doing when it comes to design and structures and Beneteau can build to those plans and did...and sometimes best not to over think it and look at the boats in the water and what they are doing....the 411, 423 and 473 are all proven ocean boats for tradewind circumnavigations and live aboard cruising..simple as that...the hull deck flange on 423 is about 2.5 to 3 inches...and OK...I have not read of problems with others...the bulkheads on the 423 are glued in ..not tabbed but the glue should never fail and is stonger than the ply and glass...there are no longitudinal stringers but the moulded sub floor structure is structural and connected to the hull and in fact the keel bolts and backing plates are external to this so bolted as well. the Rig, keel, deck , hull engineering load bearing area looks first class to my eye and very solid indeed and again so the loads are all well directed. ..we are not hearing of boats with problems even after 20 years and some have been around....and the internet and social media talks :) so it all looks good to my standard....having been invovled with around the world racing boats YES you can build stronger and better but?? that is not the point...is this boat fit for purpose??? in my honest opinion YES...and I have a high standard generally in that I like solid boats that can face any weather...there are little things I still look at and cringe...lol...the companionway would leak with the boat upside down...and the hull ports would probably burst being dropped 10 meters through the air sideways slamming into the trough like concrete in a Southern Ocean gale and 10 meter waves ( touch wood) . and the same for the opening cabin ports lol...which I love for living onboard but...I fear in a storm....but that should not happen in the sailing I have in mind :) ...previously I had a Lagoon 450 with HUGE bulkhead issue that is all over the web ..that decided us to sell the boat! and loose lots...so this boat is OK ... good luck and not ready to sell yet :) all the best...Don
@@mcintyreadventure ..Don, I am going to put you on the spot (if you don't mind).. We love watching the GGR and I want to make you give an answer on this: what would you expect to happen if we took your exact Oceanis 423 sailboat as is, provisioned it fully and sailed it as an experienced couple on the exact GGR route? Sort of an unsactioned GGR... Would you expect it to "win" the race or is it unlikely to be able to complete and have some serious damage and blow out one of the bulkheads or a windows/port lights etc. Just for fun, can you guesstimate what would happen? (personally I would love to see that race). The reason we ask is we are trying to get a feel of the difference between something like you excellently built 423 and a real GGR boat.
@@Coleen-Love hahaah you guys!! ..OK first you need to understand the challenge of a GGR....there is no GGR boat...they are just boats prepared to 70-80kt winds and 15mtr plus seas with no chance of any help..... Susie Goodall in DHL R36 had a bullet proof refit, strong as you could possibly imagine no expense spared...the boat was completely trashed in a partial pitchpole. Abandoned....Are Wiig..in an OE32 was knocked down in 35k and 3-4mtr seas and blew the main bulkhead out and cracked tore the laminate in the deck! ....dismasted etc...so it goes, you know the story...no boat is indestructible ....I would not take this boat on a GGR course until I did some work...that would include....the opening windows all need to be covered....same with hull windows...I would have to do 2nd spreader staysail and runners and strengthen some small parts of the rig, including boom spreaders.....we have spare goose neck onboard but would carry extra spares, sleeve for spinnaker pole etc...rebuild the companionway to make it airtight hatch not storm boards, easy and secure in and out....Probably? take the Targa off ? and redo solar panels/wind generator on deck etc...Make a much stronger removable dodger with spare cover.....make secure stronger locker lids with locks and lock all cabin soles down etc...so tip boat upside down and nothing moves...fit huge race required bilge pumps and safety gear and radio satellite comms gear.....Modify anchor hatch and seal it 100% ..buy extra sails and another spinnaker pole -store both poles on deck not on mast. fit two extra house batteries 500 amp hr total...fit a hydrovane with spares .... I would drop the rudder and check everything...at that point I am just about ready for the Southern ocean load the food etc..but not before....so?? :) I would absolutely win the race if all goes well as it is MUCH faster than 36ft long keel boats and all circumnavigations include LUCK.,..I could sail around now as is , no prep as she is a good ocean boat now and I may get away with it...but may not either??? hence I would not go till I prepared well first for the worst...good luck!! ..all the best...Don
Thanks for this, Don. My (French-built, 2003, blue hull) B423 looks like the twin sister of yours (albeit 2-cabin rather than 3). She is based in the W Med, and whilst it is not the Pacific or the Southern Ocean, we have had plenty of occasions to be glad of the strong rig and build quality. I am very jealous of your headsail options (3, if I have understood correctly...A downwind Code 0, a full-size genoa and a 'spitfire' staysail) - should give you amazing flexibility from 5 to 50 knots of windspeed (I assume you have a 3rd reef option in your mainsail) . I have a Hydrovane fitted, which works well in most conditions, but I have never managed to settle it down in a big (>4m) quartering sea - somehow the lateral pressure on the stern always seems to overwhelm the H/v...I would be really (really...) interested in your experiences and impressions after a few months with the boat...fair winds!
💪⚓️❤️fabulous 🎉
I have a 2002 Oceanis 473.
I totaly anderstand what are you talking about... Great boats!
great stuff Don!
Great tour and sailboat! We also have a 423 and are interested in getting a staysail rig installed. My husband and I were wondering what make and dimensions your sail is. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Cindy
Hi Cindy...Opps I have not even rolled the sail out yet so not seen it...trapped working on the marina ..lol....but a couple points...the main chainplate on deck is important but seems to be possible attaching it to the bulkhead at the forward end of the double bunk in bow...This will be your biggest job before considering anything else....you could write to Beneteau maybe and ask for their construction design spec on that? .....the mast Tang take off a rigger should be able to organize that and the outlet ...Most of the 423's have it attached just below the head so it is supported by the twin backstays and no runners are needed....a solent type rig rather than attaching at the 2nd spreader with runners which would be better for southern ocean work but few will go there......if you then show your sailmaker that set up they may give you some recommendations on sail dimensions cloth weight etc...there are a couple sites online that can help too...good luck :) .. l-36.com/boat_dimensions_boat.php?boat=Beneteau%20Oceanis%20423&i=48.65&j=16.52&p=43.44&e=14.83&isp=&jsp=&py=&ey=&sail=&draft=5.58&disp=17199&wll=38.58#google_vignette
Very interesting! -- QUESTION -- Since you have lots of experience and knowledge regarding "blue water" sailboats, can we ask if you would prefer to take this for a circumnavigation (usual route from Florida through Caribbean, Panama canal etc going west, over an older boat like a Vancouver 36 or Sega 36 or a larger similar heavy build older "blue water" boat? We love the look and feel of this! How does it compare to the Benateau 49 which seems to be a larger version and same vintage. Is the 49 as solid and good as your sailboat? Trying to get an idea if your boat is an exceptional model and year for Benateau and if other ones are also as good for circumnavigating? Thank you for your time and keep up the great work!
Hi Coleen...you know boat choices are based on a few criteria...Budget..voyage plan/time line..number of people ..and sailing experience of crew...etc...so no simple answer or standard answer...one thing is certain...beneteau 411,423,473 are absolutely proven ocean cruising yachts that are not too old needing a rebuild and once serviced and set up properly are capable of sailing around the world on the tradewind route and relatively easy to maintain and have good human dynamics for living and fun to sail...they were designed and engineered to do that. They have a real timber interior but full glass heads and showers fully functional, great cockpits and aft in the water acess for fun..real sailing rigs etc so?? :) About 15 years ago many production boat builders started offering extra models for holiday sailing ...and that is the case today, so you then need to chose the holiday model or Ocean voyaging model....sometimes from the same builder at the same time if new...BUDGET is always a deciding issue....and that may answer your question about a Vancouver 34 Type..great boat, perfectly capable, fantastic even for Southern ocean! but if you can afford slightly bigger and fit a windvane and extra gear you will get there faster and have more space in a 411..etc?? etc and you cannot beat the value for money of a third owner boat about 15--20 years old...no matrter the boat...you need to make sure you prepare that boat right service and check everything...but...still better than a new boat budget :) ...if I was sailing the tradewind route around the world... as a couple I would look at the 411...perfect...the 473 is too big for a couple, unless you have family or friends all the time..but cost to buy maintain and berth etc all are more....we would have and nearly did buy the 411 which I have admired for 10 years.....all Beneteaus before that were pretty much ocean going, but then if it goes back to the 80's there is a lot to check..like all Stainless fitting etc etc...but again all good boats if you do the refit...and most other production boats are the same..particularly the Jenneau's as well ..they were basically the same builds and back in the day we used to say Jenneaus were ahead of Beneteau for ocean going :) ...so good luck hey!! :)
@@mcintyreadventure ...thank you for those pointers! Well said indeed. You mentioned that the 423 has glass heads.. That was a question that kept coming up when speaking to friends...whether the sub frame was "glued in" or tabbed and glassed, and the bulkheads too. We watched recent Sailing UMA videos doing their refit of a Pearson 36-1, which we thought was a quality boat, yet none of the bulkheads were tabbed and glassed in. Some parts were glued (and broken loose) and had nothing connecting it.. ie the deck was simply sitting on the bulkhead with nothing connecting it but gravity and weight. So does your awesome looking 423 have glassed/tabbed sub frame? How about deck to hull joints are they tabbed on the outside and inside of the joint?? (ps., if you want to sell you 423 please ping us)
@@Coleen-Love yes interesting subject..first Group Finot know what they are doing when it comes to design and structures and Beneteau can build to those plans and did...and sometimes best not to over think it and look at the boats in the water and what they are doing....the 411, 423 and 473 are all proven ocean boats for tradewind circumnavigations and live aboard cruising..simple as that...the hull deck flange on 423 is about 2.5 to 3 inches...and OK...I have not read of problems with others...the bulkheads on the 423 are glued in ..not tabbed but the glue should never fail and is stonger than the ply and glass...there are no longitudinal stringers but the moulded sub floor structure is structural and connected to the hull and in fact the keel bolts and backing plates are external to this so bolted as well. the Rig, keel, deck , hull engineering load bearing area looks first class to my eye and very solid indeed and again so the loads are all well directed. ..we are not hearing of boats with problems even after 20 years and some have been around....and the internet and social media talks :) so it all looks good to my standard....having been invovled with around the world racing boats YES you can build stronger and better but?? that is not the point...is this boat fit for purpose??? in my honest opinion YES...and I have a high standard generally in that I like solid boats that can face any weather...there are little things I still look at and cringe...lol...the companionway would leak with the boat upside down...and the hull ports would probably burst being dropped 10 meters through the air sideways slamming into the trough like concrete in a Southern Ocean gale and 10 meter waves ( touch wood) . and the same for the opening cabin ports lol...which I love for living onboard but...I fear in a storm....but that should not happen in the sailing I have in mind :) ...previously I had a Lagoon 450 with HUGE bulkhead issue that is all over the web ..that decided us to sell the boat! and loose lots...so this boat is OK ... good luck and not ready to sell yet :) all the best...Don
@@mcintyreadventure ..Don, I am going to put you on the spot (if you don't mind).. We love watching the GGR and I want to make you give an answer on this: what would you expect to happen if we took your exact Oceanis 423 sailboat as is, provisioned it fully and sailed it as an experienced couple on the exact GGR route? Sort of an unsactioned GGR... Would you expect it to "win" the race or is it unlikely to be able to complete and have some serious damage and blow out one of the bulkheads or a windows/port lights etc. Just for fun, can you guesstimate what would happen? (personally I would love to see that race). The reason we ask is we are trying to get a feel of the difference between something like you excellently built 423 and a real GGR boat.
@@Coleen-Love hahaah you guys!! ..OK first you need to understand the challenge of a GGR....there is no GGR boat...they are just boats prepared to 70-80kt winds and 15mtr plus seas with no chance of any help..... Susie Goodall in DHL R36 had a bullet proof refit, strong as you could possibly imagine no expense spared...the boat was completely trashed in a partial pitchpole. Abandoned....Are Wiig..in an OE32 was knocked down in 35k and 3-4mtr seas and blew the main bulkhead out and cracked tore the laminate in the deck! ....dismasted etc...so it goes, you know the story...no boat is indestructible ....I would not take this boat on a GGR course until I did some work...that would include....the opening windows all need to be covered....same with hull windows...I would have to do 2nd spreader staysail and runners and strengthen some small parts of the rig, including boom spreaders.....we have spare goose neck onboard but would carry extra spares, sleeve for spinnaker pole etc...rebuild the companionway to make it airtight hatch not storm boards, easy and secure in and out....Probably? take the Targa off ? and redo solar panels/wind generator on deck etc...Make a much stronger removable dodger with spare cover.....make secure stronger locker lids with locks and lock all cabin soles down etc...so tip boat upside down and nothing moves...fit huge race required bilge pumps and safety gear and radio satellite comms gear.....Modify anchor hatch and seal it 100% ..buy extra sails and another spinnaker pole -store both poles on deck not on mast. fit two extra house batteries 500 amp hr total...fit a hydrovane with spares .... I would drop the rudder and check everything...at that point I am just about ready for the Southern ocean load the food etc..but not before....so?? :) I would absolutely win the race if all goes well as it is MUCH faster than 36ft long keel boats and all circumnavigations include LUCK.,..I could sail around now as is , no prep as she is a good ocean boat now and I may get away with it...but may not either??? hence I would not go till I prepared well first for the worst...good luck!! ..all the best...Don