Design Brief & Intent
The Blue II was conceived to bridge the gap between traditional cruising monohulls and the emerging market of stable, low-draft multihulls. Rather than attempting to maximize interior space by pushing the cabin house to the beam's edge, Philippe Briand designed narrow, easily driven hulls and kept the cabin top's windage to an absolute minimum. Structurally, the boat departs from modern solid bridgedeck designs, utilizing three substantial aluminum crossbeams—located at the bows, under the mast step, and at the aft end of the cockpit—bolted to separate hull and deck moldings. The hull-to-deck joint is incredibly robust, featuring a wide eight-inch flange where the deck sits, which is glassed and through-bolted to form an upward-turning bulwark that is flooded with a thickened resin mixture. Internally, the design brief sought to deliver a high-quality finish reminiscent of Beneteau’s popular First series of the same era. Warm teak veneers and molded fiberglass liners create an inviting, albeit compact, living space. The bridgedeck house is dedicated entirely to a panoramic, U-shaped salon with 360-degree views, while the galley, head, and berths are tucked down into the narrow hulls, ensuring that the main living area remains open and uncluttered.
Variations & Configurations
Due to its short production run, factory variations were limited, but the Blue II’s versatile platform allows for notable configurations. The standard layout features two spacious double cabins situated in the aft sections of each hull, offering excellent headroom and privacy, with the galley located midships to starboard and the head and shower compartment to port. A secondary configuration utilized the narrower forward sections of the hulls to squeeze in additional berths or storage; however, these forward cabins are severely restricted by the taper of the bow and are generally preferred for equipment storage. Under the waterline, the boat features fixed twin low-aspect-ratio keels molded integrally into the fiberglass hulls, which allow the boat to dry out flat on a sandy bottom. The standard rig is a fractional sloop with a deck-stepped mast. Power configurations typically consist of dual inboard diesel engines, which was a luxury for a 34-foot catamaran of this era. While early models often shipped with twin 10-horsepower or 15-horsepower Yanmar or Volvo Penta diesels, some units received larger upgrades up to twin 24-horsepower or modern three-cylinder Yanmar replacements, transforming the boat's motoring capability.
Sailing Performance & Handling
The performance metrics of the Blue II paint a picture of an agile, highly responsive multihull. With a displacement of 7,275 pounds and a waterline of 29.2 feet, the boat carries a displacement-to-length ratio of 130.45, highlighting its exceptionally light build. Coupled with an aggressive sail area-to-displacement ratio of 29.78, the Blue II is a fast, lively performer that easily outpaces contemporary monohulls of similar length. The physical sensation at the helm is highly connected; the dual steering wheels link to twin internally mounted spade-type rudders, providing precise and immediate control. On a reach or downwind, the slim hulls slice cleanly through the water, with experienced owners reporting speeds of 12 to 13 knots in a brisk 20-knot breeze, and downwind surfs reaching well into the mid-teens under experienced hands.
However, this performance comes with compromises in comfort and windward ability. The capsize screening ratio of 4.06 and comfort ratio of 6.95 signal that the Blue II acts like a light, agile multihull rather than a heavy-displacement cruiser. Its motion in a seaway is rapid and alert, with a quick lateral acceleration that can feel jerky to those accustomed to the slow, heavy roll of a monohull. Furthermore, because of its low-aspect-ratio fixed twin keels and lack of deep daggerboards, windward performance is modest. While it tacks reliably in flat water, it will make noticeable leeway when sailing close-hauled into a chop, requiring the crew to crack off a few degrees to maintain speed and minimize slamming.
Market Snapshot & Economics
On the brokerage market, the Beneteau Blue II occupies a niche of its own, representing a high-value, entry-level pathway into catamaran ownership. Because only 48 units were ever built, they are relatively scarce, often requiring buyers to search across international borders, particularly in Europe and coastal North America. The model trades at a significant discount compared to newer, high-volume production catamarans, making it an attractive target for sailing purists and DIY-capable buyers. However, the economics of buying a Blue II require a realistic assessment of refit costs. Because the vessel relies on dual inboard engines, a complete repower of both diesels can easily equal or exceed the purchase value of the boat itself. Prospective buyers must prioritize finding hulls with well-maintained, relatively recent engines over those with cosmetically perfect interiors.
Known Issues & Triage
Decades after leaving the factory, several specific areas on the Blue II require close inspection and preventative triage. The most notable performance and comfort issue is bridgedeck slamming. The bridgedeck is set relatively low to the water to minimize windage and lower the center of gravity; consequently, sailing into short, steep head seas results in a persistent structural slapping and slamming. While this is a known design characteristic rather than a structural failure, it can be physically exhausting on long passages.
Structurally, the aluminum crossbeams and their through-bolted connections to the hulls must be carefully surveyed. Over time, galvanic corrosion can weaken the aluminum around the stainless-steel hardware, particularly at the forward crossbeam which supports the forestay and trampoline. Another factory-specific quirk is that Beneteau foam-filled the aluminum mast from the factory to prevent complete inversion in a capsize. Over the decades, this foam has often trapped moisture, leading to internal wire deterioration and potential corrosion of the mast section itself.
Additionally, like many Beneteau models of the 1980s, the decks are balsa-cored. Handheld moisture meters and percussion testing are essential during a survey to identify soft spots or delamination, which are commonly found around the mast step, stanchion bases, and deck hatches. Finally, mechanical access to the dual engines is notoriously cramped. Because the diesels are housed in the aft ends of the narrow hulls, accessing the raw water pumps, heat exchangers, and stuffing boxes requires extreme physical flexibility, often resulting in deferred maintenance by previous owners.
Modernization & Upgrades
Modern owners have successfully updated the Blue II to serve as highly functional, off-grid coastal cruisers. Transitioning the house electrical system to Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries is a highly recommended upgrade, as it dramatically reduces weight while providing the capacity needed for modern refrigeration and electronics. The expansive, low-windage cabin top and cockpit bimini present an ideal surface for mounting rigid solar panels; owners have easily integrated up to 400W to 600W of solar power without disrupting the boat's clean lines.
Given the boat's light displacement and easily driven hulls, some owners have successfully explored electric propulsion conversions. Replacing the cramped, aging diesel engines with electric sail-drives or shaft-drives eliminates the tight maintenance struggles of the aft hull compartments and capitalizes on the boat's ability to sail well in light air. Another highly popular physical upgrade is the addition of molded "sugar-scoop" transom extensions. Extending the sterns by two to three feet not only increases the static waterline length—improving ultimate hull speed and reducing hobby-horsing—but also provides an incredibly practical swim and boarding platform, solving the boarding challenges of the original reverse transoms.
The Verdict
The Beneteau Blue II is a rare, historically significant catamaran that values the joy of sailing above the demands of maximizing interior volume. Designed by Philippe Briand during an era before catamarans became heavy, high-windage charter platforms, it delivers a level of helm feel, speed, and agility that is hard to find in modern cruising multihulls. While its narrow hulls, low bridgedeck clearance, and compact galley limit its appeal as a long-term liveaboard for large families, it excels as a fast, stable, and fun coastal cruiser for a couple or a small family 5. For those who want the stability and shallow draft of a catamaran without sacrificing the thrill of active sailing, the Blue II remains a unique and highly rewarding classic.
Pros
- Exceptional light-air performance and fast off-the-wind speeds for its era
- Shallow draft with twin keels allows for beaching and exploring shallow anchorages
- Excellent 360-degree visibility from the spacious bridgedeck salon
- Extremely robust hull-to-deck joint and solid overall fiberglass construction
- Dual inboard engines provide superb maneuverability in tight marinas
- Low bridgedeck clearance leads to frequent and noisy slamming in head seas
- Narrow hulls limit interior volume, galley counter space, and forward cabin comfort
- Engine access is extremely cramped and difficult for routine maintenance
- Aluminum crossbeam connections and foam-filled masts are prone to age-related wear
- Scarce on the brokerage market due to a limited production run of only 48 units
