The Beneteau Oceanis 43 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Beneteau Oceanis 43 sailboat, a light-displacement fractionally-rigged sloop, was designed by French naval architects Jean Berret and Olivier Racoupeau and built by Beneteau in France.

The Beneteau Oceanis 43

Buyers could choose from four layout versions:

two large cabins with two heads,
three cabins with three heads, and
four cabins with two heads.

The Beneteau Oceanis 43 was also available as the Moorings 43.4 for the yacht charter market.

Published Specification for the Beneteau Oceanis 43

Keel & Rudder Configuration: Fin keel with spade rudder
Hull Material: Fiberglass
Length Overall: 13.13m (43 ft)
Waterline Length: 11.58m (38 ft)
Beam: 4.12m (13 ft 6 in)
Draft (standard keel): 1.65m (5'5")
Draft (deep keel): 2.00m (6 ft 7 in)
Rig Type: Fractional sloop
Displacement: 8,875 kg (19,561 lbs)
Ballast: 2,830 kg (6,239 lbs)
Designer: Jean Berret & Olivier Racoupeau
Builder: Beneteau
Year First Built: 2006
Year Last Built: 2014
Number Built: Approximately 500 units

Published Design Ratios for the Beneteau Oceanis 43
The Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Based on the published design ratios, the theoretical sailing characteristics of the Beneteau Oceanis 43 are:

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 20.7 - This ratio indicates a relatively high performance capability. With a Sail Area/Displacement Ratio above 20, the Beneteau Oceanis 43 is expected to be quite powerful and capable of good speed, especially in lighter winds. This makes it suitable for sailors looking for a responsive and lively sailing experience.

Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 31.9 - A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 31.9 suggests moderate stiffness. While not as stiff as boats with a ratio of 40 or more, it should still provide reasonable stability and the ability to stand up to the wind. However, this ratio does not account for the location of the ballast. If the ballast is concentrated lower in the keel, the boat will be stiffer compared to a boat with a higher ballast location.

Displacement/Length Ratio: 158 - With a Displacement/Length Ratio of 158, the Beneteau Oceanis 43 falls into the light displacement category (100-200). This means it will require less sail area to reach its hull speed, making it easier to handle and more efficient in lighter winds. Light displacement boats are generally more agile and quicker to accelerate.

Comfort Ratio: 23.9 - The Comfort Ratio of 23.9 indicates a motion associated with a coastal cruiser with moderate stability. This suggests that the Beneteau Oceanis 43 should provide a reasonably comfortable ride in typical coastal cruising conditions, though it may not be as comfortable in rougher, ocean-going conditions compared to heavier bluewater cruisers.

Capsize Screening Formula: 2.0 - A Capsize Screening Formula of 2.0 indicates that the Beneteau Oceanis 43 is on the threshold for bluewater capability. It suggests that the boat is reasonably safe for ocean passages, though it is better suited for coastal cruising. The lower the number, the better the boat's resistance to capsizing.

Theoretical Nature and Limitations of the Design Ratios

While these ratios provide useful insights into the theoretical performance and characteristics of the Beneteau Oceanis 43, they have limitations:

Ballast/Displacement Ratio: This ratio does not consider the distribution of ballast. A boat with a deep keel and low center of gravity will be stiffer and more stable than one with a shallow keel, even if they have the same Ballast/Displacement Ratio.

Comfort Ratio: Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio favors heavy displacement, narrow-beamed vessels with long overhangs. Modern light-displacement, beamy cruisers with plumb bows may not score well on this ratio, even though they can offer good comfort and bluewater capability.

Overall, while these ratios provide a good starting point for understanding the Beneteau Oceanis 43's sailing characteristics, they should be considered alongside other factors such as hull design, keel type, and overall build quality for a comprehensive assessment.

Here's how to calculate the KPIs yourself - without having to wrestle with the mathematics...

What the Yachting Press have to say about the Beneteau Oceanis 43...

Yachting Monthly published a detailed review of the Beneteau Oceanis 43, highlighting its performance, comfort, and design. The review mentions that the boat is designed to offer a personal experience with more style and attention to detail.

Read the full Yachting Monthly review...

Sail Magazine published a review which discusses the Beneteau 43’s suitability for the charter market, emphasizing its comfort and reliability. It also notes the boat’s satisfying sailing performance.

Read the full Sail Magazine review...

Other sailboats in the Beneteau 'Oceanis' product range include:

The Beneteau Oceanis 311

The Beneteau Oceanis 343

The Beneteau Oceanis 381

A Beneteau Oceanis 42CC sailboat at anchor

The Beneteau Oceanis 42CC

A Beneteau Oceanis 473 on a mooring ball

The Beneteau Oceanis 473

A Beneteau Oceanis 48 sailboat on a mooring ball

The Beneteau Oceanis 48

A Beneteau Oceanis 50 sailboat at anchor

The Beneteau Oceanis 50

A Beneteau Oceanis 500 sailboat at anchor

The Beneteau Oceanis 500

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