Beneteau Oceanis 311 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

Below decks the 311 uses two-cabin arrangements optimized for liveability, with a double-berth cabin on the port side aft and a double V-berth in the forepeak. The galley is on the port side, with a bathroom and small navigation area to starboard and the table on the centreline. Headroom is a fraction under 6ft (around 180cm). The same hull lines that gave the Figaro racer its speed also yield a long waterline that makes the companionway and cockpit feel larger than the nominal LOA, and the deck plan carries wide sidedecks with a relatively protected, wheel-steered cockpit. Clipper versions more neatly lead many controls aft, a point worth confirming when comparing used Beneteau Oceanis 311s.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

On the used market, boats are commonly fitted with hot water, autopilot, air conditioning, heating, solar, a swim platform, cockpit shower, AIS, and a chartplotter. The typical small Yanmar auxiliary, fractional sloop rig with aluminum spars, and 1x19 stainless standing rigging are standard to the design; the furler headsail is only about 110% and the main is less roachy than that of the First, with a rigid vang and lazyjacks feeding a zippered boom bag. Because commonly recommended improvements include modern electronics and a good sail wardrobe, many boats will have had some owner investment in those areas, though the market brief notes no specific upgrade tier beyond the commonly fitted equipment listed.

What to Inspect

The cored deck brings risk of water intrusion at penetrations such as stanchions, cleats, and chainplates unless those details have been well-sealed, and documented known issues include water entry into the deck/core around hardware and hatches as well as occasional delamination or stress near chainplate beds. Some owners have reported structural repairs around chainplates or local hull cracking after heavy loads. Cast-iron keels on some versions can need attention for corrosion, and on boats with the lifting-keel option some failures or wear in lift-keel mechanisms have been seen. A survey should prioritize re-bedding status of deck hardware, seacock and raw-water system condition, and—where fitted—the lift-keel windlass and mechanism.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The Oceanis 311 is typically found in Spain, Denmark, and France. For a shopper, the takeaway is straightforward: confirm whether the boat is a standard fin-keel or lifting-keel version; inspect deck penetrations and chainplate beds for water intrusion or stress; check iron-keel corrosion; verify lift-keel mechanism service if equipped; and review electronics and sail wardrobe currency. A well-sealed cored deck and a documented keel/mechanism history turn a high-volume Finot cruiser into a practical, slightly sporty companion.