The 2014 Beneteau Oceanis 35 is a surprisingly spacious cruiser that buyers can optimise to their requirements, improving the fit-out at a later date if their needs change. Take a look at the boats.com Beneteau Oceanis 35 video tour.

 

Under sail: Beneteau Oceanis 35 review

Beneteau Oceanis 35: the mainsheet arch is common to the weekender and the cruiser version, but is removed on the daysailer.



 

Key attributes


This model follows on from the Oceanis 38 that was launched at the 2013 Southampton Boat Show and was notable for being offered in three alternative versions of the same boat: a daysailer, weekender or longer-term cruiser. With the 35, all versions share the same 10 metre (32ft 9in) hull and deck, designed by Finot-Conq Architects, although Daysailer versions don’t have either the mainsheet arch or the large fold-down bathing platform as standard.

 

Below decks


As with the Oceanis 38, the interior arrangements are by Nauta Design. Overall the layouts are similar to those of the larger model, although with 29cm less beam and 1.16m less overall length, the interior of the 35 is less voluminous. Nevertheless the amount of room on offer is impressive for a boat with a hull less than 33ft and the open plan layout of the Daysailer and Weekender versions gives a feeling of space that is normally associated only with significantly larger craft.

 

Interior: Beneteau Oceanis 35 review

The open-plan layout seen in the weekender and daysailor configurations does away with any bulkheads creating a feeling of space below that you'd normally associate with much bigger boats.



 

The Daysailer model is exactly that – the standard specification doesn’t even include a cooker. There is arguably more similarity between the Weekender and Cruiser models, which are both offered with the choice of either one or two aft cabins, although the former still doesn’t feature a cooker. The Cruiser adds the full pack to create a decent linear galley on the starboard side of the saloon, opposite the settees, plus a proper table and a bulkhead to separate the forecabin.

 

Cruiser saloon

The Cruiser configuration includes a forward bulkhead and a linear galley that takes up quite a bit of the starboard side of the boat down below.



 

The broad transom means the aft cabins on the Weekender and Cruiser variants are of a good size, however, the twin aft-cabin option loses out on cockpit locker space compared to the single aft cabin version.

 

On deck and performance


The broad transom – the boat’s generous 3.7m beam is carried almost right aft – helps to create a very spacious cockpit layout that gives ample space for relaxing while in port or at anchor. This is amplified still further when the folding bathing platform on Weekender and Cruiser models is deployed. There’s a good view forward from the twin wheels, with the luff of the jib in easy sight when sailing to windward.

In terms of sail handling, all the essentials for easy sailing are provided, although keen sailors may rue the lack of a mainsheet traveller and efficient mainsheet adjustment that would facilitate accurate sail trim. However, the primary sheet winches are positioned conveniently close to the helm stations and the mainsheet arch helps to keep both the mainsheet and the boom out of harms way during a gybe. There’s also an option for a self-tacking jib that would further simplify sail handling.

Weekender and Cruiser models add a combined double bow roller for ground tackle and short sprit for flying asymmetric spinnakers and Code 0 reaching sails. It’s this fitting that takes the overall length of the boat up to Beneteau’s quoted figure of 10.45m (34ft 3in).

 

Equipment and options


As with the Oceanis 38, there are in effect a number of easy menu priced options to upgrade interior specifications, systems and deck gear. In theory it’s possible to start with a boat in the basic Daysailer specification and gradually add extras until the Cruiser inventory is reached.

 

What it does best


Like the Oceanis 38, for many potential boat owners this is a welcome development that will enable buyers to specify the fit-out and equipment of their vessel to best suit their requirements, without being forced to spend a significant sum of money on features they don’t need. The concept also gives you the option to upgrade individual elements at a later date if your family needs, or the type of sailing you want to engage in, changes.

 

Compromises


In reality the basic Daysailer specification is really quite basic and it’s unlikely a great many boats will be sold in this configuration, although it does for example clearly have the potential to prove popular with owners of waterside homes. On the other hand the more highly specified Oceanis 35 models sacrifice some of the supremely spacious open plan feel for a higher degree of facilities and stowage.

 

Beneteau 35 review: three cabin weekender

The three cabin weekender layout sacrifices cockpit locker space but maintains the open-plan spaciousness in the main saloon.



 

Other models in the range


The 35 is now the third smallest boat in Beneteau’s nine-model Oceanis range, which runs from 31-60ft (take a look at the boats.com review of the recent Oceanis 55 or a used boat review of the older Oceanis 400 / 411). The company also produces the four-model range of Sense 43-55ft cruising yachts (see boats.com review of the Sense 55) and a five-model line-up of First performance cruiser/racers.

 

Alternative boats


The newly launched Bavaria Easy 9.7 is the most obvious alternative choice and is the German boat builder’s first model to follow a broadly similar concept to the Oceanis 38 and 35 – in this case it is a pared down version of the Bavaria Cruiser 33. Beyond that Jeanneau’s Sun Odyssey 349 has exactly the same hull length, although it’s 26cm narrower than the Oceanis 35, which impinges on the volume below decks. The Hanse 345 is also a possible option.

 

www.beneteau.com

 

Beneteau Oceanis 35: Specifications


LOA: 9.99m
LWL: 9.7m
Beam: 3.70m
Draught (fin keel): 1.45 or 1.9m
Draught (lift keel): 1.15-2.3m
Displacement: 5,207kg
Ballast: 1,950kg
Mainsail: 27.5sq m
103% jib: 26.72sq m
Code 0 asymmetric: 50.9sq m

 

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Written by: Rupert Holmes
Rupert Holmes has more than 70,000 miles of offshore cruising and racing experience, in waters ranging from the North Sea to the Southern Ocean and Cape Horn. He writes about all aspects of boat ownership and marine travel, including destinations, seamanship and maintenance, as well as undertaking regular new boat and gear tests. He currently sails around 5,000 miles per year and in the past couple of seasons has cruised from the UK to the Azores, as well as winning his class in the 2014 two-handed Round Britain and Ireland Race. He also owns two yachts, one based in the Mediterranean and the other in the UK.
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