Beneath the cruising trim is a hull with a racing pedigree. Its lines were drawn in the early ’90s as a one-design platform for the Figaro race. Although those circuit boats used water ballast, the production hull form remained unchanged and is the same hull as the Beneteau 31.7. The result is a fast, spacious platform with just over 28 feet of waterline, 10.5 feet of beam, and a displacement near 8,700 pounds. Beneteau marketed it as a very fast and safe high-performance cruiser.
Design and Construction
The 311 is a solid-fiberglass monohull carrying about 3,085 pounds of iron ballast. Its 35-percent ballast-displacement ratio points to a stiff platform.
The centerboard keel arrangement distinguishes the boat below the waterline. Standard draft is roughly 7.1 feet, while the lifting-keel version draws just 2.6 feet with the board up. Beneteau also offered a shoal-draft, lifting-keel, twin-rudder option. The propeller and shaft sit inside a skeg, and the rudder has a lower aspect ratio than a fin-and-spade setup would.
Above the waterline, the builder cited exceptional fairing that conveniently distributes all stress across the entire hull. The same source described the boat’s comfort as rivaling that of larger models while providing comprehensive equipment.
The racing origin shows in the hull’s eagerness. Testers found that it slid along easily when given enough push, an attribute carried over from its Figaro one-design parentage.
Rig and Handling
The 311 carries a fractional sloop rig with a forestay, backstay, single spreaders, and single lowers. Its standard sail plan is deliberately modest for cruising. The furling headsail is only about 110 percent, and the mainsail has less roach than the race-oriented rig on the First series. As a result, the 311 carries less standard sail area than its performance cousin.
The sail-handling arrangements are straightforward. Lazyjacks guide the lowered mainsail into a zippered boom bag, while a single-sheave block mounted well up the leech handles the reefing line. A rigid vang supports the boom. The mainsheet system straddles the main hatch, and wheel steering suits a boat intended for cruising or charter.
In light conditions, test sailors recorded three knots of boat speed in a 7-knot apparent gust while pointing as close to the wind as they could. They also noted that the boat was short on sail area for those conditions.
Accommodations
Below deck, the 311 makes good use of its 10.5-foot beam and 28.7-foot waterline. A double-berth cabin lies aft to port, while the forepeak contains a double V-berth. The galley is to port, with the bathroom and a small navigation area to starboard.
A centerline table anchors the saloon, and headroom is a fraction under six feet. The main hatch uses the same clear material as the section of cabin roof immediately below it, bringing light into the aft part of the interior.
Beneteau claimed space and comfort comparable with larger models. The layout supports that claim by fitting two private double berths and a functioning navigation station into a boat just over 32 feet overall.
The Verdict
The Oceanis 311 Lktr is a cruiser with an understated racing side. Its Figaro-derived hull delivers genuine speed and easy motion when it has enough power, while the lifting-keel and twin-rudder options extend its cruising range into shallow water.
The trade-off is a conservative standard sail plan. In light air, the boat is undercanvased without an owner-added spinnaker or larger genoa.
Pros
- Fast, spacious hull with Figaro one-design parentage
- Centerboard and shoal-draft twin-rudder options provide versatile draft
- Practical cruising rig with lazyjacks, boom bag, and rigid vang
- Two double berths and a navigation station within 32 feet
Cons
- Standard 110% headsail and small mainsail leave the boat short on sail area in light wind
- Lower-aspect rudder and skeg-housed shaft favor cruising over agility
