Beneteau keel/centerboard option

[Tom]

I currently own a Catalina 27 with a 3' 6" draft, which is the max allowed in my marina (which we love). I would like to move up to a larger boat and understand Beneteau has a few models in the 30 to 35 foot range with a keel/centerboard option that offers a draft of under 3' 6".

Anyone have any experience with this option and how the boat performs?

[Tony Marchesani]

Tom,
I had a '99 Beneteau 311 with the swing keel. Draft as I recall went from 3'0" to 7'6". It was fine on all points of sail and tracked like it was running on rails. The swing keel models have twin rudders so the boat steers very well even when heeled. I believe the swing keel models are all made in the France factory so there are some minor accessory differences from the US made fixed keel model. The swing keel is raised and lowered with a winch handle on the centerboard trunk, it was easy enough to turn but it's 90 or 100 turns to go from one extreme to the other. I had it 2 years when my wife made me get a 36 Beneteau. I wanted the swing keel she wanted the fixed keel. She won, loves the boat but really misses all the anchorages we can no longer get into!

Tony

[Tom]

Tony

Thanks for the info and congratulations on marrying such a fine woman (any wife who "makes" you buy a bigger boat is a great catch!).

Tom

[Pat S/V Ciao!]

Tom, only sailed a beneteau 331 with a keel that wasn t dropped { 30" draft} The boat sailed okay but wasn t fast due slippage. I wanted to drop the keel to six feet but didn t get the chance. By the way the boat was pretty stable even with keel up. Pat

[Tom]

Pat

Thanks for the info! This will be helpful, but it sounds like it will be critical that I test sail the boat first.

Tom