The Beneteau Oceanis 36CC Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Beneteau Oceanis 36CC is a well-crafted centre-cockpit sailboat with a sleek design and solid performance. It was built by Beneteau from 1996 to 2003, designed by Berret Racoupeau Yachts Design, and features a GRP hull, wing keel, and sloop rig.

The Beneteau Oceanis 36 Centre-Cockpit Sailboat

Published Specification for the Beneteau Oceanis 36CC

Keel & Rudder Configuration: Wing keel and single spade rudder.
Hull Material: Glass-reinforced polyester (GRP).
Length Overall: 36'5" (11.1m).
Waterline Length: 31'1" (9.48m).*
Beam: 12'6" (3.8m)*.
Draft: 5'0" (1.53m)*.
Rig Type: Masthead Sloop
Displacement: 12,125 pounds (5,500 kilograms)*.
Ballast: 4,630 pounds (2,100 kilograms), made of cast iron*.
Sail Area: 632ft² (58.7m²)*.
Water Tank Capacity: 110 gallons (416 liters).
Fuel Tank Capacity: 40 gallons (151 liters).
Hull Speed: Approximately 7.48 knots.
Designer: Berret Racoupeau Yachts Design.
Builder: Beneteau.
Year First Built: 1996.
Year Last Built: 2003.
Number Built: Information not available.

* Used to derive the design ratios referred to later in this article - here's how they're calculated...

Options & Alternatives

Draft Options: Buyers could choose between a standard deep draft keel (approximately 5'0" or 1.53m) and a shallow draft keel (around 4'9" or 1.45m)

Sail Areas & Rig Dimensions

Sail Areas & Rig Dimensions

Sail Areas

Mainsail Area: 258ft² (24m²).
Genoa Area: 374ft² (34.7m²).
Total Upwind Sail Area: 632ft² (58.7m²).

Rig Dimensions

I: 42'4" (12.9m)
J: 13'9" (4.2m)
P: 36'1" (11m)
E: 14'5" (4.4m)

where

'I' is measured along the front of mast from the highest halyard to the main deck. The main deck is where the deck would be if there were no deckhouse;
'J' is the base of the foretriangle measured along the deck from the headstay to the mast;
'P' is the luff length of the mainsail, measured along the aft face of the mast from the top of the boom to the highest point that the mainsail can be hoisted;
'E' is the foot length of the mainsail, measured along the boom from the after face of the mast to the outermost point on the boom to which the main can be pulled.

Published Design Ratios
The Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

The design ratios of the Beneteau Oceanis 36CC provide a theoretical glimpse into its sailing characteristics:

The Sail Area to Displacement Ratio (18.09) indicates that the Oceanis 36CC is primarily a cruising sailboat. It balances enough sail power for moderate speeds in light to moderate winds while remaining easy to handle. This ratio suggests that the sailboat is not designed for high-performance racing but for reliable and enjoyable cruising.

The Displacement to Length Ratio (183) places it in the category of medium-displacement cruisers, offering a balance between speed and comfort. This ratio suggests that it has a stable, smooth motion through the water, which is desirable for extended cruising. It's not overly heavy, so it won't feel sluggish in lighter wind conditions.

The Ballast Ratio (38%) points to a good level of stability. This means the Oceanis 36CC is resistant to heeling under sail, providing a comfortable and predictable sailing experience even in moderately rough conditions.

The Comfort Ratio (21.61) highlights its focus on cruising comfort. This figure suggests a boat that handles well in various conditions, reducing motion discomfort for those on board, a critical factor for long passages.

The Capsize Screening Formula (2.12) reflects strong offshore capability, as any value below 2.0–2.2 is considered safe for open-water sailing. This reassures potential owners that the sailboat is stable and secure in rough seas.

Combining these ratios, the Beneteau Oceanis 36CC is a sailboat optimized for comfortable and stable cruising rather than speed or agility. It’s suitable for sailors prioritizing ease of handling, safety, and onboard comfort over racing performance.

But the Design Ratios Don't Tell the Whole Story...

Although the design ratios can be interpreted to provide an indication of such a vessel's likely sailing characteristics they do however, have their limitations:

The design ratios are static measurements which don't account for dynamic factors like wave action, wind gusts, or crew actions.

They simplify complex interactions into single numbers, which can be misleading. Real-world performance is influenced by a multitude of factors that these ratios can't fully capture.

The context in which the boat is intended to be used (e.g., coastal cruising vs. offshore racing) can greatly affect how these ratios should be interpreted.

Consequently, while these ratios provide valuable insights into the theoretical performance characteristics of a sailboat, they should be used as part of a broader assessment that includes practical experience, sea trials, and expert advice.

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I wrote this article using GPT-4, OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model, as a research assistant to gather information, summarize research findings, and provide suggestions for the content and structure of the article.

Dick McClary, creator and owner of sailboat-cruising.com

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More Specs & Key Performance Indicators for Popular Cruising Boats

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35' to 40'

40' to 45'

45' to 50'

50' to 55'

Over 55'

This article was written with the assistance of Copilot, a large language model developed by Microsoft. Copilot was used to gather information, summarize research findings, and provide suggestions for the content and structure of the article.