Design and Construction
The 400 is a handsome boat with beautifully executed deck tooling, and its hull form follows a coherent design approach. In profile, the canoe body has a deep chest forward and minimal rocker, while the beam is pushed well aft. Beneteau carried that aft emphasis into the cabin trunk, which widens toward the stern; its widest point, along with the coaming’s, is at the aft end.
The maximum beam-to-transom beam radius is 1.23. With a displacement-length ratio of 168, the hull is moderately loaded rather than featherweight. The keel sits well forward and is a fin with bulb with wing type. A shoal-bulbed fin without wings was also offered. The deeper winged version draws 5 feet 6 inches, compared with 4 feet 8 inches for the shoal option.
One trade-off is the minimal width of the side decks, a consequence of the beam-forward geometry. In return, the boat has a huge cockpit with space for a large dining table.
Rig and Handling
The rig combines swept-back spreaders and single lowers with a furling mast. Its sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 16.88, enough to support the boat’s performance-cruiser brief.
The deck-hardware layout is particularly distinctive. Beneteau moved the primary winches off the coaming and forward to the edges of the cabin trunk. The genoa tracks are likewise positioned on the cabin trunk rather than on the side decks. This arrangement clears the narrow side decks for movement and centralizes sail handling forward of the cockpit, consistent with the boat’s stated aim of easier, more reliable passage-making.
Accommodations
Beneteau offered two factory layouts. Version one places the galley aft and the navigation center amidships, next to the U-shaped settee. Version two adds a second double quarter berth, moves the galley amidships, and gives the settee a center-island seat.
The interior is impressively detailed. The same aft-beam treatment that defines the exterior also provides substantial volume well aft.
Practical access features extend to the stern. To make the swim platform easier to reach, a centerline section of the aft coaming hinges down. That same piece fills the boarding-ladder recess, creating a flush swim platform.
Equipment and Specifications
The factory auxiliary was a Perkins 50 Prima. Fuel capacity is 41 gallons, and water capacity is 140 gallons.
Published specifications are:
- Length overall: 39 feet 9 inches
- Waterline length: 34 feet 1 inch
- Beam: 12 feet 10 inches
- Displacement: 16,000 pounds
- Ballast: 5,600 pounds
- Sail area: 670 square feet
- Winged-keel draft: 5 feet 6 inches
- Shoal-keel draft: 4 feet 8 inches
As noted above, the boat was available with two keel configurations and two interior arrangements.
Verdict
The Oceanis 400 was a deliberate attempt by Beneteau and Finot to combine cruising volume with a performance-oriented hull and a deck plan intended to simplify sail handling. Its beam-aft hull, forward keel, and centralized winch and genoa-track positions make it a thoughtfully arranged cruiser for a couple or family, although the narrow side decks are a clear trade-off of the geometry.
Pros
- Handsome deck tooling and an impressively detailed interior
- Beam carried aft for volume
- Two distinct interior layouts
- Forward-mounted primary winches and cabin-trunk genoa tracks reduce cockpit congestion
- Hinged centerline coaming section provides access to a flush swim platform
Cons
- Minimal side decks restrict lateral walkaround space
- Two keel options make it important to verify the actual draft of any particular boat
