Beneteau 281 Oceanis

[Muddy]

Hi, all. Muddy here. I am a late bloomer (in my 50's) and would like
to move up from a 17 foot dinghy (Thistle) that I sail and race on the
LI Sound. The 281 seems to be an affordable and good weekender. I
would also like to race but if that is not the 281's forte, I can
always crew for someone else.

I don't see any comments (or information on the web) on how the boats
performs or whether peolple really love the boat. What I do see seems
to indicate the need to reef early, I believe.

My question to the group, if you would be so kind, is how would you
rate the performance of the 281 for (a) weekend cruising & (b) phrf
racing?

Thanks. Merry Christmas and happy holidays.

Muddy Waters

[Chuck Weissberg]

My 2 cents worth...if you plan on cruising then the 281 is better then the
First 285...it is almost as fast as the 285...if you think that you will
race more then cruise then the first 285 is the better choice for you

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[Cory]

Well Muddy, the 281 is a cruiser first. If racing is your main priority then
I would pass on it, but if you are only racing around the cans a half dozen
times a year (like myself) the it is a great little cruiser.
As far as reefing early. Yes. It is required. The boat is very tender, but
do not mistake that for being a poor handling boat. I have had mine in 35
knot sustained winds with 6 foot breaking waves on Lake Superior and the
boat handles like a champ. I have a furling main, which I did not like at
first, but while racing or cruising you have an infinite amount of reefing
choices, and while your competition may be overpowered or underpowereed due
to sudden wind changes, you can make the required adjustments in a matter of
seconds with the furling main. The main performance problem I have is no
traveller, so it does not point well unless I hook the main sheet to the
windward toe rail, then it points much better. I plan to put a traveller in,
I just haven't figured out a design which i like yet.
For the cruising end of it, My GF and I cruise her for 10-14 days at a time
every summer and It is enough boat for us.I am 6'3.5" and can stand up right
under the sliding hatch when closed in the cabin which is a hard find in a
boat under 30'.
I am planning to take it on a circumnavigation of Superior in 2012, which
will be a 6 week, 2,000 km trip.

Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Cory Zyromsky

PS- I love you blues!

----- Original Message -----
From: "Muddy" <bluesth...@gmail.com>
To: "Beneteau 281" <benete...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Friday, December 24, 2010 9:53 AM
Subject: Beneteau 281 Oceanis

[Muddy]

Thank you for the replies. Next questions:

How does one trim the main? Where is the main sheet relative to the
skipper at the helm?

Does the mid-deck traveler function well?

Thanks.

Muddy

[Chuck Weissberg]

The ORIGINAL set up from Beneteau had the main sheet coming down straight
from the end of the boom. Most 281's have been modified by their owners to
have either a traveler or a block arrangement attached on the coach room for
control of the main. The problem with the
end of boom attachment is that is makes it extremely difficult to put a
bimini over the cockpit.

[sven finnis (gmail)]

Depends if your boat has a wheel or a tiller. The tiller versions have "end
boom" sheeting, with an anchor point on the floor by the skippers feet.
Tradition now has a traveller, and uses three separate atatchment points on
the boom. Usually sheet in all the way on the main sheet, then use the
traveller to fine tune it.

Thanks.

Muddy

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