Beneteau Oceanis 350
1986
Boatbuilding in France grew rapidly in the 1980s thanks to a combination of innovative designers and a recognition that, for many boat buyers, interior comfort, space and style were the most important criteria. Beneteau’s makeover of the First 35 in 1984 that created the First 345 was a huge success.
This model benefited from a much brighter and more stylish interior, including the option of a spacious two-cabin owners’ version, plus more refined external lines and decals. The 345 quickly became a hit as a cruiser, with both private buyers and charterers. If a performance design could succeed in that market, what could be achieved with a boat that was designed from the outset as a cruiser?
We didn’t have to wait long to find the answer to that question and the Oceanis 350 was the start of a revolution. The distinctive windows that wrapped over the coach roof represented a huge stepchange towards lighter interiors while wide beam, carried well forward and aft created an impressive internal volume. Accommodation in the main part of the boat was pushed out to the sides of the hull, which emphasised the amount of space available, albeit at the expense of stowage volumes.
A shallow draught fin keel, or optional even shallower wing keel, allowed access to a wider range of cruising destinations. On the downside, the boat was lightly ballasted, leading some to query whether the lessons of the 1979 Fastnet Race just six years earlier had already been forgotten.
Nevertheless, the 350 was a huge success and four other Oceanis models – the 320, 390, 430 and 500 followed within two years. Later Oceanis designs sprouted efficient deep keel options which significantly improved performance to windward and ultimate stability.