Design and Construction
The Oceanis 351 measures 34.83 feet overall, with a 12.42-foot beam and 5-foot draft. Displacement is a modest 11,684 pounds, balanced by 3,748 pounds of iron ballast, while the displacement-to-length ratio is near 185.
The boat has a solid fiberglass hull and a balsa-and-fiberglass sandwich deck, a construction approach Beneteau also applied to the Groupe Finot Oceanis. The deck sandwich provides stiffness and insulation while keeping weight reasonable for a 35-foot cruiser.
Below the waterline are a bulb keel, fin-keel profile, and spade rudder. The original review described the keel as cutting an easy passage through the waves. Derived from a racier sibling, the low-drag hull gives the cruiser a light, responsive character beneath its voluminous deck.
Rig, Handling, and Performance
The Oceanis 351 has a masthead sloop rig with roller-furling main and genoa. A period review praised this arrangement for nice easy rigging. The furling setup suits short-handed sailing and supports the boat’s role as a manageable coastal and mid-range cruiser.
Test sailors found that she easily reached an impressive 7 knots in good winds and even 10 knots when cruising. She sails efficiently in a breeze and feels secure in rough water, with a good, solid feel in rough seas and strong winds.
The same light weight that helps her speed can also be a drawback. Combined with an engine that is less powerful than those fitted to some later Oceanis models, it leaves her performance soft in light winds.
Accommodations
Below decks, the Oceanis 351 is arranged for life in the sun and pleasant spells at anchor. The open saloon has a tasteful, classic interior, with full 1.9-meter headroom. A U-shaped salon forms the social center, while the galley runs its full length.
The three-cabin layout includes a forward owner’s cabin and two equal-size aft cabins, each with a large hanging locker. Natural light comes through four portholes in the hull and deck, plus a window above the sink.
In the cockpit, an icebox sits beneath the table. The stern platform provides easy access for bathing. With its generously sized cabin and open-plan social spaces, the Oceanis 351 is comfortable for long-distance trips.
Known Issues
Some owners report blistering on the Oceanis 351, particularly bubbling of the keel finish and rudder. This is the one documented cosmetic-to-structural concern to emerge from owner accounts, and it warrants close inspection of both components on any candidate hull.
Verdict
The Oceanis 351 combines Jean Berret’s cruiser design with the quick hull of the First 35.7 and a roomy, sun-oriented deck. She sails efficiently in a breeze, feels secure in rough water, and offers a rare three-cabin layout with full headroom for a boat of this size.
The trade-offs are softer performance in light air with the smaller engine and reported blistering on the keel finish and rudder, which buyers should have surveyed.
Pros
- Shared low-drag hull with the First 35.7 gives lively performance
- Full-length galley and U-shaped salon create an open, social interior
- Two equal-size aft cabins and a forward owner’s cabin, with full 1.9-meter headroom
- Roller-furling main and genoa simplify short-handed rigging
- Good, solid feel in rough seas and strong winds
Cons
- Light-air performance suffers with the less powerful engine
- Owner reports of blistering on the keel finish and rudder
