Sailing Performance & Handling
The Oceanis 390 was designed with a focus on stability and ease of handling rather than raw upwind speed. With a masthead sloop rig and a relatively high displacement-to-length ratio compared to modern "ultra-light" cruisers, the 390 offers a predictable and forgiving motion in a seaway. The hull features a moderate beam that is carried well aft, providing a spacious cockpit but also contributing to significant form stability.
Under sail, the boat tracks reasonably well, though its relatively shallow draft (common in the wing-keel versions popular in North America) can lead to some leeway when pinched too close to the wind. Owners often report that the boat "finds its groove" at a 15-to-20 degree heel, where the Philippe Briand hull design balances out. The steering, typically a large-diameter destroyer wheel connected to a spade rudder, is light, though it can lose feel in heavy following seas. For the modern cruiser, the 390’s sail plan is manageable, often equipped with roller furling for both the genoa and the mainsail, making it an ideal candidate for short-handed or solo sailing. While it lacks the "bite" of the First series siblings of the same era, it compensates with a sea-kindly motion that reduces fatigue during long coastal passages.
Interior Comfort & Variations
The interior of the Oceanis 390 was revolutionary for its time, utilizing the yacht's 12.8-foot beam to create a sense of space usually reserved for 45-footers. The primary hallmark is the "Sunlight" coachroof—three forward-facing fixed ports that flood the salon with light, an innovation documented in Beneteau's heritage design notes.
The model was offered in two primary configurations to suit different markets. The "Owner's Version" typically features two large double cabins and two heads, with a spacious U-shaped galley and a dedicated navigation station. The "Charter Version" or three-cabin layout adds a second aft cabin, sacrificing some storage but providing berths for up to eight people when utilizing the convertible salon settee. The joinery is primarily light-colored teak or mahogany veneers, which, combined with the white headliners, prevents the "cave-like" feel common in many 1980s designs. Headroom is generous throughout, exceeding 6’3” in the main salon, making it a favorite for taller sailors.
Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist
Prospective buyers should focus on several age-related technical areas specific to the Oceanis 390’s construction and era:
- Coachroof Window Crazing and Leaks: The signature forward-facing windows are prone to UV degradation. Crazing can obscure vision, and the sealant often fails after three decades, leading to leaks that can damage the interior woodwork. Replacing these requires specialized acrylic bending and high-grade marine sealants.
- The "Beneteau Smile": Like many boats of this era with a bolted-on keel and an internal fiberglass grid (matrix) system, the 390 can develop a hairline crack at the forward leading edge of the keel-to-hull joint. While often cosmetic, it should be inspected to ensure the internal hull grid has not separated from the hull skin, which can happen after a hard grounding.
- Rudder Bearing Wear: The spade rudder design puts significant stress on the bearings. Check for "slop" or play in the steering system while the boat is hauled out.
- Original Engine Maintenance: Many 390s were fitted with the Perkins 4-108 or the Volvo Penta 2003 series. While robust, the Volvo 2003 is known for expensive parts and a specific spline wear issue between the engine and the gearbox/saildrive (if equipped).
- Osmotic Blistering: While Beneteau’s layup process was generally high-quality, hulls from the late 80s are at a higher risk for osmosis if they have not been protected by an epoxy barrier coat.
Community & Resources
The Oceanis 390 benefits from a massive global footprint and an active secondary market. The most prominent resource for technical support is the Beneteau Owners Association, which maintains a deep archive of manuals and owner-contributed "hacks" for aging systems. Because the 390 shares many components (spars, hatches, and hardware) with other Oceanis models of that generation like the 370 and 430, parts are generally easier to source than for more obscure boutique brands.
The Verdict
The Beneteau Oceanis 390 remains a benchmark in the "value-per-foot" category of the used boat market. It is an ideal vessel for coastal cruising and island hopping, offering a bright, airy interior that feels decades newer than its launch date.
Pros:
- Exceptional Interior Light: The forward-facing windows create a bright salon that is still modern by today's standards.
- Proven Hull Design: Philippe Briand’s hull is stable, predictable, and seaworthy.
- Volume: Huge storage and living space for a 39-foot boat.
- Market Availability: High production numbers mean plenty of choice and a steady supply of spare parts.
Cons:
- Window Maintenance: The large acrylic panels are a recurring maintenance item and a common source of leaks.
- Aging Systems: Original plumbing, wiring, and engines are reaching the end of their reliable service life.
- Keel Performance: The shallow-draft versions lack the upwind performance of deeper-draft competitors.
