What is so great about the Oceanis 473

[HughMcB]

Originally Posted by robert sailor

Cheap boats...yup for sure, no matter the price they are generally the cheapest boats on the market. Why we want to believe for some reason that the cheapest are amoung the best is mind boggling. Where else and what else is manufactured to be the lowest price and a great product?

Korean/Japanese cars come to mind. Not lowest price, but lower end.

[lordgeoff]

Originally Posted by David Lord

I bought a 2004 473 recently after a long search for a yacht around this size. I looked at the younger 46 and was disappointed with the saloon finish and the quality of the fittings. 2004/05 seem to be the last of the old style crafted timber finishes which have been replaced by cheaper veneer panelling. I have a mate with the 46 and it is a great boat. I think its all about personal preference and whether or not you value a more traditional marine finish.

Hi David. Welcome aboard. I agree with your comments. The 473 and Beneteau 50 were both designed by Bruce Farr for private and charter market. They were both the backbone of the Moorings/Sunsail fleet around that era. Hate to compliment a kiwi at ANY time but Bruce's hull design is a good combination for cruising and passage making. Hate to also complement the French but the interior design and finishes are timeless. Galley, saloon, Nav station maximise cabin space below. Everything on both boats is big. Standing rigging, chainplates, winches, windlass, steering chains/gearbox and hull beams and stiffeners. Both have keel stepped mast and plenty of working space around the engine, lazaret. Big simple engines Yanmar/Perkins? The cockpit layout is excellent and safe. Everything within reach. Big water and fuel storage is always nice to have. Mine has a water maker and 1,000 litres of water and 500 litres of fuel. The Admiral likes plenty of water. Solo or short hand sailing is fine. Blue water crossings are fine.
Bang for bucks and security of a proven design from a known production builder is pretty hard to beat.

[boatman61]

Its a Beneteau.. What more can I say..??

[lordgeoff]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Its a Beneteau.. What more can I say..??

Glad you concur with my appraisal Boatman61

[Tayana42]

SpermWhale, I've got some bad news for you. If you can't attract "hot chicks" without a boat a Beneteau isn't going to make a difference for you.


S/V B'Shert

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Tayana42

SpermWhale, I've got some bad news for you. If you can't attract "hot chicks" without a boat a Beneteau isn't going to make a difference for you.


S/V B'Shert

Ahahahahahahaaaa.. remember meeting 2 pissed off brothers in Panama who were grumbling about 'Hot Chicks' not swarming like flies around them and their boat...

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Ahahahahahahaaaa.. remember meeting 2 pissed off brothers in Panama who were grumbling about 'Hot Chicks' not swarming like flies around them and their boat...

But were the flies?

[lordgeoff]

Chikas ..... You mean Chikas.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

But were the flies?

NoSeeUms...

[Clipper4730]

Originally Posted by robert sailor

Cheap boats...yup for sure, no matter the price they are generally the cheapest boats on the market. Why we want to believe for some reason that the cheapest are amoung the best is mind boggling. Where else and what else is manufactured to be the lowest price and a great product?

Ok I'll bite, here is a production craft that is mass produced, affordable and incredibly safe and successful, a craft that operates in a very harsh climates all over the world. The Boeing 737. It is built to certain price point, it is mass produced, and I'm pretty sure the parts are sourced from the lowest bidder, I know I have been flying them for the last 15yrs. When you go to the airport do you ask for a true blue skies airplane not some mass produced piece of junk. I'm not sure why some folks on here seem to think a "production vessel" is somehow inferior to a whatever you call a true blue water cruiser. When you build a few thousand boats you learn a few things about what works and what doesn't. There will always be compromises and at the end of the day it is all about RRM. Risk Resource Management. If the big manufactures truly built shoddy unsafe boats no one would by them because they would be sinking all over the world instead of sailing all over the world. One other thing about Beneteaus in particular. I read this a few years ago while researching our potential purchase options. More Bennies have competed in more offshore races than any other manufacturer period. And did quite well I might add. Am I biased, sure I own one but it has been a great boat so far and would not hesitate to sail across the ocean tomorrow. Btw we looked very closely at the 473 as well as the 46 and ultimately went with the 50 owners version and couldn't be happier. I do agree that the 473's do seem a bit overpriced.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Lizzy Belle

Taking a boat without a dishwasher offshore is just completely irresponsible and bad seamanship.

Just look at the numbers: most boats that get into serious trouble or even sink did not have a dishwasher installed.

True, but can a singlehander still "have" a dishwasher on board?

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Ahahahahahahaaaa.. remember meeting 2 pissed off brothers in Panama who were grumbling about 'Hot Chicks' not swarming like flies around them and their boat...

What kind of boat were they on?

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

What kind of boat were they on?

Was not an Oceanis.. it was a 34ft US built boat.

[lordgeoff]

Originally Posted by Clipper4730

Ok I'll bite, here is a production craft that is mass produced, affordable and incredibly safe and successful, a craft that operates in a very harsh climates all over the world. The Boeing 737. It is built to certain price point, it is mass produced, and I'm pretty sure the parts are sourced from the lowest bidder, I know I have been flying them for the last 15yrs. When you go to the airport do you ask for a true blue skies airplane not some mass produced piece of junk. I'm not sure why some folks on here seem to think a "production vessel" is somehow inferior to a whatever you call a true blue water cruiser. When you build a few thousand boats you learn a few things about what works and what doesn't. There will always be compromises and at the end of the day it is all about RRM. Risk Resource Management. If the big manufactures truly built shoddy unsafe boats no one would by them because they would be sinking all over the world instead of sailing all over the world. One other thing about Beneteaus in particular. I read this a few years ago while researching our potential purchase options. More Bennies have competed in more offshore races than any other manufacturer period. And did quite well I might add. Am I biased, sure I own one but it has been a great boat so far and would not hesitate to sail across the ocean tomorrow. Btw we looked very closely at the 473 as well as the 46 and ultimately went with the 50 owners version and couldn't be happier. I do agree that the 473's do seem a bit overpriced.

What year? Mine is 2002. Love it. Bang for bucks, easy to sell when the time comes, simple, tough, bullett proof. Good boat anywhere but great in the Med

[leftbrainstuff]

The Beneteau 473 has a lower Disp/Len 129 versus 163 for the 46. That would indicate the 473 would be potentially quicker point to point.

Sa/D is similar at 17 according to sailboatdata.

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