Design and Construction
The Oceanis 300 is built by the French yard Bénéteau with a solid fibreglass hull, and it carries design DNA from elsewhere in the fleet: it shares the same hull as the Figaro I and First 31.7, while taking the cockpit of the First 310. Two versions left the factory — a fin-keel and the lift-keel, twin rudder version — though the Clipper trim has proven the more popular of the two. The keel itself is iron, and the wing-keel configuration keeps the draft modest at roughly 4.4 to 4.7 feet dependent on load, letting the boat slip into shallow marinas. At 9.47 meters overall with a 3.23-meter beam and a displacement near 3,200 kilograms, the yacht sits on a 33-percent ballast ratio and a length-to-beam ratio of 2.83, figures that place it among the lighter racer-cruiser breeds rather than heavy displacement passagemakers.
Rig and Handling
The masthead rig carries roller furling on both main and headsail, a setup that makes for quick and easy rigging and marks a measurable improvement in handling over earlier Beneteau models. Test sailors found the boat fast and fun to sail, combining easy handling with superb upwind and downwind performance, and it holds its manners even in tough weather. Both the fin-keel and lift-keel versions are stable and easy to sail, and the review record notes the design should satisfy the requirements of more exacting blue-water sailors. With a sail-area-to-displacement ratio near 21 and a displacement-length ratio of 132, the hull behaves like a light racer; the theoretical displacement hull speed is 7.2 knots with a calculated max near 6.4, and writing in yachtdatabase.com, reviewers measured the capsize screening value at 2.21, indicating that this boat would not be accepted to participate in ocean races. The Motion Comfort Ratio of 16.0 and an immersion rate of about 1,063 pounds per inch round out a picture of a stiff, responsive coastal and mid-range cruiser.
Accommodations
Below decks the Oceanis 300 is spacious and airy, with an abundance of opening ports that flood the cabin with natural light and ventilation. The builder promoted the quality of life on board as a reason to keep cruising further and longer, and the accommodation delivers: an L-shaped galley sits at the foot of the companionway for direct cockpit access, while a saloon table large enough for the whole crew to dine together anchors the main cabin. The aft head with shower is a one-piece fibreglass moulding for easy cleanup, and two cabins finished in high-quality cherry wood provide generous storage. The Clipper version carries the same luxury feel as the other Beneteau Clippers, making the boat pleasant to live in whether at sea or in port.
The Verdict
The Oceanis 300 earns its reputation as a well-mannered and capable ocean yacht that remains approachable for family cruising. Its shared Finot hull gives it a turn of speed and poise that pure cruisers lack, while the roller-furling rig and thoughtful interior keep life aboard easy. The modest draft and light-racer metrics suit coastal and moderate offshore work more than heavy-weather ocean racing, but the boat's stability and comfort have made it a enduring favorite.
Pros
- Race-derived hull shared with Figaro I and First 31.7 gives lively, capable handling
- Roller furling main and headsail for quick, easy rigging
- Airy, spacious interior with cherry-wood cabins and smart galley placement
- Modest draft wing keel suits shallow marinas
Cons
- Capsize screening value excludes it from ocean racing participation
- Light-racer displacement profile favors coastal and mid-range cruising over heavy blue water
