Beneteau Idylle 1150 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the brokerage market for a Beneteau Idylle 1150 means taking a serious look at an early-1980s French cruiser that straddled the cruiser-racer and motor-sailer worlds. Jean Berret designed the hull with clear lineage to the First 35 but softened for comfort, and the boat's reputation rests on a substantially built shell, a raised coachroof, and an interior that was more spacious than its racing sibling. Ex-charter examples are common, so condition and ownership history deserve scrutiny alongside the standard design traits.
Layouts on the Used Market
Owner three-cabin layouts are the more common on the used market, but both are available. The standard accommodation keeps double cabins fore and aft with a saloon that converts to supplement berths, and the head is a single but very large compartment to starboard of the descent. A particularly good chart table and an effective seagoing saloon distinguish the interior from more sparsely fitted contemporaries, while the raised and extended coachroof with fixed screen gives the volume that made the Idylle a credible cruising marque rather than a stripped racer.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Radar is commonly fitted on these boats and is worth verifying for a functioning display and a sound mast mount. Beyond that, the most consequential factory equipment for a buyer is the 50 horsepower diesel with its stainless steel 120-liter fuel tank, the electric and manual double-acting bilge pump, and the pressure-water system serving the galley and head. The rig carries internal halyards, Lewmar 44 three-speed sheet winches, and a quick reefing boom device; the self-draining teak cockpit, large sail locker, and recessed inflatable storage are practical assets that survive well if maintained. Navigation and comfort cluster around the Grand'Aigle chart table, the Goiot hatches, and the two-basin galley sink with tilting stove.
What to Inspect
A shortage of stowage is the design weakness, so check how prior owners managed locker space and whether aftermarket shelving has been added without compromising structure. The moulded shaft log and skeg-hung rudder are construction points worth a close look for cracking or moisture at the moulded shaft log interface, and the self-draining cockpit should be confirmed clear of blockage given its role in keeping the teak-lined cockpit and bilge pump system effective. The diesel's cooling and exhaust paths should be inspected.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats typically appear in the United States and Italy. For a buyer, the checklist is brief: confirm the layout variant and ex-charter history, test the diesel and bilge pumps, inspect the shaft log and rudder skeg, verify radar function if fitted, and assess stowage solutions. The Idylle 1150 rewards the shopper who wants a substantially built, comfortable cruiser with a proven hull and strong auxiliary power rather than a pristine racer.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Beneteau Idylle 1150. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 1 row
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25 | 1 | $83,956 | — |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
4 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Island Packet 38 | 38' | $ 99,000 | 58 | 12 |
| Hallberg-Rassy 38 | 37.96' | $ 94,191 | 29 | 6 |
| Hylas 44 | 44.17' | $ 129,495 | 14 | 3 |
| Morgan 38 | 37.67' | $ 69,000 | 5 | 1 |