Beneteau Oceanis 281 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Groupe Finot·1995·~331 hulls·Beneteau
Beneteau Oceanis 281 drawingBuilder drawing
Hull type
Monohull · bulb
Rig
Masthead Sloop
LOA
28.5' · 8.69 m
Displ.
5,732 lbs · 2,600 kg
First year
1995

The Beneteau Oceanis 281 represents a pivotal moment in the development of the "pocket cruiser," a segment where manufacturers struggle to balance seaworthiness with the creature comforts typically found on much larger yachts. Launched in 1995 as an evolution of the more performanceoriented Beneteau First 265, the 281 was designed by the prolific naval architecture firm Groupe Finot to maximize internal volume without sacrificing the stable, predictable handling required for family coastal cruising. Produced until approximately 2002 with 331 units completed, the model remains a benchmark for how much living space can be engineered into a hull under 30 feet. According to the Beneteau Group Heritage archives, the design was specifically aimed at providing an "unrivalled ease of handling" for the entrylevel cruising market.

Market snapshot

Median asking · 12 mo
$ 33,595
Ask, not sold · 25 listings
Recent listings · 90 d
8
25 tracked · 12 mo
3-month price trend
-5.8%
vs. 12-mo median
Countries with listings
6
United States (33.3%) · United Kingdom (25.0%) · Netherlands (25.0%)

Recent Listings

13 for sale · sampled 10 newest

Where they're listed

Beneteau Oceanis 281 listings span 6 countries. United States leads with 8 listings (33.3%), followed by United Kingdom and Netherlands.

Median ask by country
USD · past 12 months
Share of listings
Count · past 12 months

Country breakdown

24 listings · 6 countries
CountryMedian askListings · 12 moActive · 90 dShare
United States$ 30,0008033.3%
United Kingdom$ 33,5956425.0%
Netherlands$ 31,9386125.0%
France$ 37,232208.3%
Spain$ 33,741114.2%
Greece$ 26,862114.2%

Comparable models

Similar length overall, displacement, and era. Click a row to jump to that model's market page.

Peer cross-shop

11 designs · same segment
ModelLOAMedian askListings · 12 moActive · 90 d
Beneteau Oceanis 38.137.73'$ 215,00016367
Oceanic Oceanis 36136.42'$ 78,50012146
Beneteau Oceanis 4140.78'$ 180,34010558
Beneteau Oceanis 3131.69'$ 77,7608140
Beneteau Oceanis 33133.96'$ 59,0007534
Beneteau Oceanis 38138.58'$ 67,7737038
Beneteau Oceanis 32132.64'$ 47,9006736
Beneteau Oceanis 46146.59'$ 114,0226326
Beneteau Oceanis 281You are here$ 33,595258
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 28.127.89'$ 25,6042314
Beneteau Oceanis 32030.28'$ 33,518103

Frequently asked questions

01How much does a used Beneteau Oceanis 281 cost?+
The median asking price for a used Beneteau Oceanis 281 over the past 12 months is $33,595. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
02How many Beneteau Oceanis 281 sailboats are for sale?+
8 Beneteau Oceanis 281 listings have gone live in the last 90 days, and 25 have been tracked across the past 12 months.
03Are Beneteau Oceanis 281 prices going up or down?+
The median asking price for the Beneteau Oceanis 281 has decreased by 5.8% over the last 3 months compared to the 12-month median.
04Where are Beneteau Oceanis 281 sailboats for sale?+
The top markets for used Beneteau Oceanis 281 listings over the past 12 months are United States (33.3%), United Kingdom (25.0%), Netherlands (25.0%).
05Do Beneteau Oceanis 281 listings get price reductions?+
About 13% of Beneteau Oceanis 281 listings have had a price reduction, with an average discount of 20.7% off the original ask. A listing that has been on the market more than 90 days without a reduction usually signals the seller isn't motivated.
06What should I look at instead of a Beneteau Oceanis 281?+
Comparable models include Beneteau Oceanis 38.1, Oceanic Oceanis 361, Beneteau Oceanis 41. See the peer cross-shop table above for pricing and availability.