At 37 feet 8 inches, the Beneteau 37 offers comfortable accommodations at rest but shows its Finot-Conq lineage on the wind.
Design and Construction
The 37 is built to a predictable standard of quality. Its narrow-chord fin keel is externally fastened with stainless-steel bolts and backing plates, then coated with an anti-corrosion treatment. Below the waterline, a free-standing rudder blade carries a beefy stainless-steel stock. The propeller shaft exits the hull through a molded skeg, eliminating the need for an external strut.
The companionway hatch is an unusually refined bolt-on, all-in-one assembly. The top slide and drop board are articulated but separable, allowing the slide to open while the drop board remains in place. When connected, the slide carries the drop board, which pushes up and stows underneath.
Engine access is equally well considered. The four-step companionway ladder hinges just above the third step and is supported by gas struts. It swings up to expose the entire front of the engine, while panels in the head and aft cabin open onto service points along the sides.
Rig, Sailing Performance, and Handling
The 37 carries a 9/10 fractional rig, with a loose-footed mainsail and a midboom traveler. More sail area lies in the foretriangle than in the mainsail itself. A 105-percent furling genoa is standard, and the inboard shrouds permit tight sheeting angles. All running rigging except the topping lift leads aft to the cockpit through jammers.
Writing in Cruising World, Jeremy McGeary found the boat lively to sail, though a handful in bigger puffs. Taking the first reef in the main immediately tamed the helm upwind, but the boat remained demanding in gusts. Even with an in-mast furling mainsail, she embarrassed boats with greater waterline length on the wind. Off the wind, the large headsail delivered solid performance across a wide range of angles.
Under power, the 37 responded well in normal maneuvers. Its conventional-shaft propeller sits far enough aft to direct useful thrust onto the rudder. However, the rather under-pitched folding propeller made a full stop from full ahead slow.
Cockpit and Deck
The cockpit helm bench can seat a family of four side by side. Its center section hinges open on a gas strut to reach the transom platform.
The companionway arrangement also provides a secure descent from cockpit to galley. However, while the space between the aft bulkhead and transom provides extra stowage and appears to offer access to the steering system, it doesn’t. Reaching the steering gear seems to require some dismantling of the overhead, a real consideration when servicing the boat.
Interior and Accommodations
Nauta Design gave the interior a svelte look, while the two-cabin, one-head layout makes intelligent use of the available volume.
At the foot of the companionway, the L-shaped galley is immediately to port. It is necessarily compact because it also provides access to the aft sleeping cabin. The galley includes centerline double sinks, a gimbaled stove and oven, and a front-opening 12-volt refrigerator that leaves the countertop intact. Storage is less successful: full-size dinner plates won’t fit in the slender outboard cabinets, and there are no drawers for utensils.
To starboard, the commodious all-in-one head and shower uses easy-to-clean white gelcoat, with slanted, mirror-fronted cabinets above the sink. Farther forward, the chart desk has a facing-aft nav station and passes the chart-book size test.
The saloon combines rectilinear settees with square corners that allow several sitting and reclining positions. A straight settee to starboard has storage beneath it, while a U-shaped settee to port wraps around the table. There is no fore-and-aft overhead grabrail, and the stainless-steel shelves serve as neither fiddles nor handrails.
The owner’s cabin forward provides 6 feet 3 inches of headroom and an island-style double berth. The aft cabin, reached through the galley, contains a genuine athwartships double berth with sitting headroom, a hanging locker, and three opening ports, including one in the transom.
Machinery and Tankage
Access for routine engine service is genuinely good. The hinged companionway ladder and removable side panels in the head and aft cabin expose the Yanmar on three faces.
The standard 29-horsepower Yanmar diesel is very fuel efficient and drives the Beneteau 37 at more than 6 knots in protected waters. A 40-horsepower engine was optional.
Rotomolded water tanks beneath the berths hold a total of 98 gallons. An 80-amp alternator charges a 110-amp house battery and a 70-amp starting battery. The 52-gallon fuel tank was judged ample for a season.
The Verdict
The Beneteau 37 is a well-thought-out 37-footer that brings speed and sailing sensations to the Oceanis range without giving up comfort at rest. It combines sprightly performance, generous accommodations, and predictable build quality. The Finot-Conq hull is genuinely quick on the wind, even with furling gear aloft.
The compact galley has real storage compromises, and access to the steering system is awkward. Even so, the overall package makes a compelling midsize cruiser.
Pros
- Lively, quick upwind performance that embarrassed longer boats despite in-mast furling
- Excellent engine access through the hinged ladder and side panels
- Thoughtful companionway hatch and secure descent from cockpit to galley
- Generous two-cabin layout, with standing headroom in the forward cabin
Cons
- Steering-system access appears to require dismantling part of the overhead
- Galley lacks drawers and storage for full-size plates
- No fore-and-aft overhead grabrail in the saloon
- Under-pitched folding propeller made stopping slow under power
