Considering a Beneteau 331 (2024)

Hi Folks,

I've just sold my Catalina 250 and am getting ready to purchase a bigger boat. I've narrowed my choices (via online browsing & research) to either a Catlaina 320, Catalina 34II, or a Beneteau 331.

These boats seem to have the critical factors we need in common: shallow draft to get back to our dock (need under 4'8"ish), nice swim platform, and decent displacement for a smoother ride.

It's a bit hard to test drive these boats, as there are not any in Cayman, where I live. I'm up in northern Maryland 3rd week of June, and will attempt to find some for sale then, but in the mean time, I would be grateful if anyone could help me answer any of the following questions about the 331:

• A major reason to upgrade from the 250 is that it bounces over the waves in the short chop we have here. Is the 331 able to cut through waves, or does it bounce over the short chop too?
• Anything over about 18knts and the 250 rounds up, no matter how reefed the sails are (within reason). Is the 331 able to stand up to a blow pretty well... or does it also need a lot of reefing early?
• I've heard horror stories about centerboard / retractable keels on other boats, but so far nothing negative on the 331 version. As this is a possibility for me (or the wing), anyone have any feedback on them?
• I read about two 'design' flaws in the early 331s: the keel was too far forward on the wing, thus leaving its boot stripe in the water at the bow, and the anchor roller was too short. Were these issues corrected in later models, or do they remain through the production?
• Any other feedback on this boat -- I'd love to hear -- it's really got me captivated and I'm like a sponge trying to learn about it!
• Anybody have any suggestions on how I could get out on one? Since there aren't any here in Cayman, I've even searched Maryland for someone who charters them, but I think the admiral would shoot me if I spent that much just to kick the tires.

Any thoughts on anything above would be really appreciated - it's a lot of fun searching for a new boat, but sometimes it gets a little scary too!

Many thanks,
Mike

We've had our 331 for 4 seasons and just love her! Can't say enough on how nice of a boat Beneteau made. We sail on lake Michigan and while its not the ocean it does blow hard at times and it can be a littlr hairy. Our 331 has always been solid. For what it 's worth the 331 has an ocean offshore rating. For the full fin which is what I have. Not that I would do it but it does show nice.

I do have roller main and roller jib of course. Comfortable to spend weekends on.

BTW we moved up from a Catalina 30 we had for 14 great seasons. Also a great boat.

If you fly though Chicago O'hare i'd be happy to give you a spin, if it ever gets warm again! Its about 45 minutes to my boat.

Anyway if you need more info feel free to contact me direct.

Hi Mike, just going into my second summer of ownership, after searching thousands of makes/models, this was it. Hearoom, sailing performance, sea worthiness all at a great price of 65K usd. I'd be looking at the ex charter boats in BVI. the newer model 343 is listed there. I second the others comments on bow roller etc. I switched to a campbell sailor prop, which I am now beating at almost 7 knts in 10 knts of wind.

Happy to chat anytime!

Gord
Victoria BC, Canada. (just north of Seattle)

All great news Gord - keeping my interest in this model really high.

I took a long hard look at those ex-charter 343s out of the BVI. Drooled a while - as the price is hard to beat, and they are a shorter sail down to Cayman. But, the 343's keel is just a little to deep for me. Crazy, I know, but that extra 1/2 foot would likely mean the difference between a making it back to my dock and sleeping on the wrong side of the sandbar on a few nights! So - I'll stick with the 331, which from the photos and info I've seen around the net seems to really fit my needs well.

Kind regards,

Mike

Mike
When I was on the hunt, I started out looking at the 343. A Beneteau dealer in another province who had nothing to gain in selling me a boat was the one who suggested I look for a good 331, his reasoning - it is a much better designed, better sailing boat than the 343.

Good luck.

Jamie

Bum said:

Hello Mike, We moved up from a Catalina 270 which we had for six seasons. Great Boat. We bought our 331 w/swing keel, new in 2004. We have been down the ICW from NJ to the Keys and Bahamas twice with it so far. We are very happy with the boat and the way it handles. My wife does a blog on our travels, if you go onto the blog, you will have to backtrack past a couple of trips with our little camper to find our sailing adventure. www.bumsrest331.blogspot.com If you are ever up in NJ, let me know, we are close to Atlantic City. Bum

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Sounds like you were in a very similar place moving up from the 270 - great to hear that you are happy with it - it means a lot to me coming from a former Catalina owner.

I was fortunate to have a chance to meet up with Chuck earlier this week and see his 331, and am going to Annapolis to see a few C320s and a 331 tomorrow. Looking forward to narrowing my decision a bit more.

Thanks for the link to your blog. I love reading stories about these boats. And by the way, any boat that makes a dog (an aptly named one at that!) as comfortable as yours looks, must be a great one!

Kind regards,

Mike

watercayman said:

...and am going to Annapolis to see a few C320s and a 331 tomorrow. Mike

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Is Ariadne one of the 320s? He's in my sailing club.