Beneteau Oceanis 393 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

Two interior configurations were offered from new, and both circulate on the used market, though the three-cabin version is the more common of the two. That layout places two quarter cabins under the cockpit with fore-and-aft double berths, a portside navigation station, and a linear galley running along the starboard side — practical for couples or families who need the extra stateroom and the dedicated chart table. The two-cabin version gives up the aft guest cabin in exchange for a U-shaped galley, a larger athwartship double berth to starboard under the cockpit, and a deeper cockpit locker. Practical Sailor's review noted the U-shaped galley as the more sea-kindly arrangement, offering better support when moving around below in a seaway, while the linear galley in the three-cabin version yields considerably more stowage and cabinetry. Both layouts share a forward double cabin with en-suite head and shower, a second aft head, a U-shaped dinette seating up to eight, and three overhead deck windows that flood the saloon with light. Buyers who plan to sail shorthanded with a partner tend to find the two-cabin version's saloon more functional at sea; those chartering or sailing with crew or family typically prefer the three-cabin arrangement.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

The typical used 393 arrives well equipped by the standards of its era, and active owners have continued layering gear onto these boats over the years. A bimini, chartplotter, and autopilot are commonly fitted across the used fleet. Most examples also carry a cockpit shower and life raft, and heating is frequently found on boats that have been based in northern Europe or used for shoulder-season sailing. Solar panels have become a near-standard addition on boats that have seen any extended cruising use.

Beyond the baseline, radar, AIS, a dodger, an inverter, and hot water systems are often seen. Teak decks — either original or owner-fitted — appear with some regularity, particularly on boats that spent time in the charter or Mediterranean market. Electric winches show up frequently on boats configured for shorthanded sailing.

Among owner upgrades, a furling main is a frequent addition, reflecting the 393's appeal to short-handed crews who value simplified sail handling. Watermakers, gennakers or asymmetric spinnakers, and an EPIRB are seen with some regularity on boats prepared for bluewater passages. Boats owned by sailors who pushed toward offshore work occasionally carry dinghy davits, a freezer, bow thrusters for tight marina work, and in more recent conversions, lithium battery banks. The standard in-mast furling mainsail that many early examples were fitted with is worth scrutinizing — it trades sail area and shape for convenience, and some owners have swapped to a traditional slab-reefing or stack-pack arrangement.

What to Inspect

The 393's iron keel is the single most important item on any pre-purchase inspection checklist. Beneteau used cast iron rather than lead on the Oceanis line, and while the company's engineers argue it allows a thinner, more hydrodynamically efficient fin, iron corrodes aggressively when its protective coatings fail. Practical Sailor's used-boat review flagged this directly: coatings and coverings on iron keels must be scrupulously maintained to prevent the ferrous metal from contacting seawater. Look carefully at the keel-to-hull joint, the antifouling, and the paint around the keel root for any signs of rust bleeding, soft filler, or poorly repaired weeping. A survey that includes an ultrasound of the keel fin is worthwhile.

The deck-stepped mast is another area deserving attention. The same Practical Sailor review noted a preference for a keel-stepped mast on a boat this size, and pointed out that the deck-stepped arrangement requires a babystay to help keep the rig in column. Inspect the compression post below, the mast boot, and the step hardware. Check the rig terminals and shrouds carefully, particularly on older examples — the babystay fitting and its attachment point are worth particular scrutiny.

The hull-to-deck joint uses an inward-turning flange bedded in sealant with machine screws at six-inch centers along most of its length. Practical Sailor described the technique as quick rather than structurally overbuilt, relying on chemical bond and mechanical fastening to manage shear loads. Probe the joint along the toerail for any movement, soft spots, or evidence of water intrusion, especially in the area of stanchion bases and chainplates.

Because the 393 has a relatively flat hull bottom and a shallow bilge with a concentrated sump, any standing water tends to collect in one place rather than distributing across the bilge. Inspect the bilge sump, the limber holes, and the area beneath the engine closely. The molded liner is bonded to the hull on all sides — Practical Sailor noted that the quality of that bond and the taping of structural bulkheads demands good quality control, so look for any signs of bulkhead movement or separation at the tabbing.

On the rig, inspect the in-mast furling system if fitted — these systems can develop issues with the foil, the furling line exit, or the motor on powered versions, and rebuilding them is not inexpensive. Upwind, the 393 can pound in steep chop at speed, so check the bow sections and the anchor locker for any signs of impact stress or osmosis.

The engine access is genuinely good on this boat — the Westerbeke or Volvo diesel can be reached from the companionway or through either quarter cabin — so use that access thoroughly during survey. Check raw water impellers, heat exchanger zincs, and the stuffing box or shaft seal condition.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The 393 is widely available across the Mediterranean and North America, with concentrations in the United States, France, Spain, Greece, and Italy. The United Kingdom also sees regular listings. Production ran from 2002 through 2007, and while none of these boats are new, the model's popularity in the charter and brokerage markets means a good supply of well-maintained, professionally serviced boats circulates continuously.

For buyers who understand its character — a fast, roomy, daylight-loving coastal cruiser that excels on a reach and rewards good sail trim — the 393 offers genuine value and broad owner satisfaction. The Cruising World sea trial found it balanced and weatherly in moderate conditions, and owner testimony in the Practical Sailor forum thread underlines that point: at least one owner has returned to buy a second example after selling their first.

Pre-purchase checklist:

• Keel condition — inspect iron fin thoroughly for rust, coating failure, and weeping at the keel-hull joint; insist on ultrasound
• Hull-to-deck joint integrity along the full toerail, stanchion bases, and chainplates
• Deck-stepped mast compression post, step hardware, mast boot, babystay fittings, and all rig terminals
• In-mast furling system (if fitted) — test operation and inspect foil and line exits
• Bilge sump and limber holes beneath the engine and keel area
• Bulkhead tabbing and liner bonding for any movement or separation
• Engine service history, raw water system, zincs, and shaft seal
• All throughhulls and seacocks for ease of operation
• Solar, inverter, and electrical systems for age and condition of wiring
• Antifouling history and bottom paint record for osmosis risk