Beneteau Cruising Sailboats

Oceanis 46 Review, the 2007 Beneteau 46 for Used Buyers

The 46 footer where Beneteau let megayacht stylists loose on a fast Berret-Racoupeau hull, and ended up with a diagonal double berth people still talk about.

2007 to present Discontinued Updated

Beneteau Oceanis 311 at anchor in the UK
For reference, Beneteau Oceanis 311 at anchor in the UK, not the Beneteau Oceanis 46. Photo: Timbow001, CC0, source
Length
47.3 ft14.4 m
Beam
13.9 ft4.25 m
Draft
5.8 ft1.75 m
Cabins
2 or 3
Used price
$160K to $250K
On this page
  1. Overview
  2. When Beneteau handed a 46 footer to megayacht stylists
  3. Sorting out the 461, the 46 and the 46.1
  4. The diagonal aft berth and the rest of the Nauta interior
  5. Biscayne Bay and Government Cut, two sea trials
  6. Stability figures and the bluewater debate
  7. Shaft drive, a 54 hp Yanmar and the tank discrepancy
  8. Cockpit details owners still praise
  9. What a 2008 Beneteau 46 costs today
  10. Specifications
  11. Price and value
  12. Strengths and weaknesses
  13. Used buyer checklist
  14. Rivals
  15. Our verdict
  16. FAQ

The Oceanis 46, sold in the US as the Beneteau 46, is a 47 ft 3 in Berret-Racoupeau design with a Nauta interior, launched for 2007. It has two or three cabins, a fractional rig, shaft drive and a 54 hp Yanmar as standard.

Best for
  • Couples who want a stylish, quick 46 footer
  • Buyers stepping up from a 40 foot cruiser
  • East Coast and Caribbean cruising
  • Owners who prefer shaft drive

When Beneteau handed a 46 footer to megayacht stylists

At the 2006 Paris boat show Beneteau unveiled four new cruisers, the 40, 43, 46 and 49, all drawn by Berret-Racoupeau with interiors by Nauta Design of Milan, a studio better known for megayachts. Practical Sailor called the result the fifth generation of the Oceanis line. In Europe the 46 footer was the Oceanis 46; in the US it was sold simply as the Beneteau 46. Either way, it is the boat most people mean when they search for oceanis 46 or 46 beneteau.

The styling was the headline. A long, low coachroof starts on the foredeck and blends into the coamings, slit-like hull ports make the topsides look longer, and big house windows flatten the profile further. Beneteau USA's president at the time called it floating art. Underneath, though, sits a serious hull: Berret and Racoupeau came from Open 60 design, and they gave the 46 a fine entry, a powerful midsection and beam carried well aft.

Beneteau Oceanis 46 by the numbers

LOA 47' 3" / 14.40 mBeam 13' 11" / 4.24 mBow
Plan view drawn to scale from the published length and beam.
Sail area to displacement
20.7Plenty of sail for the weight, the boat should feel lively in light air.
Displacement to length
162Light displacement for its length, quick but sensitive to added cruising weight.
Theoretical hull speed
8.5 knThe practical top speed of a displacement monohull under normal sailing, based on waterline length.
Ballast ratio
31%A typical ballast ratio for a cruising monohull.
Capsize screening
1.95Below 2.0, the traditional threshold for offshore suitability.
Motion comfort ratio
25.6Moderate motion comfort, typical of modern cruisers.
Length to beam ratio
3.39 : 1Moderate proportions.

Length compared with the 149 cruising sailboats we cover

22 ft63 ft

Sorting out the 461, the 46 and the 46.1

Beneteau has used the number 46 three times, and listings mix them up. The Oceanis 461 is a Bruce Farr design built from 1996 to 2001. The Oceanis 46 covered here launched for 2007. The Oceanis 46.1 is a Finot-Conq design with a stepped hull built from 2018 to 2025. A Beneteau 46 for sale with a model year between 2007 and the early 2010s is almost certainly this boat.

The quickest tells are the deck and the stern. The 2007 boat has the long, low coachroof with eyebrow handholds, twin wheels and a fold-up helm seat, and no mainsheet arch. The 461 has an older, more upright deckhouse and a single wheel, and the 46.1 has hard chines, a stepped hull and a much wider stern.

The diagonal aft berth and the rest of the Nauta interior

SAIL's Tom Dove singled out the aft cabin as the most striking feature of the boat. In the two cabin version the double berth is set diagonally, so it can be reached from three sides and the headroom falls where you need it. Beneteau's specification gives 6 ft 7 in of headroom in the aft cabin and 6 ft 4 in in the forward owner's cabin, which has a 6 ft 7 in island berth. The three cabin version divides the aft space into two doubles and shrinks the big cockpit locker above.

The saloon is bright, with panoramic windows, opening ports set into the house glass and overhead hatches. Woodwork is light Alpi moabi, with parquet style soles. Practical Sailor liked the fiddles that double as handholds, the centerline sink and the semi-circular plexiglass shower doors in both heads, but marked down imprecise latches and handles, unsealed floorboard edges and the lack of drawers in the cabins. The aft head on the starboard side has a large shower stall that can double as a wet locker.

Biscayne Bay and Government Cut, two sea trials

SAIL sailed the 46 on Biscayne Bay in 12 to 15 knots ahead of a cold front. The boat accelerated quickly, tacked through less than 90 degrees and felt racy, with plenty of power in light air and a need for a reef once whitecaps appeared. Under power, the standard three blade fixed propeller gave a turning circle of about 1.5 boat lengths, and 2,400 rpm produced a 7.6 knot cruise with moderate noise in the saloon.

Practical Sailor took its test boat out of Government Cut into the wakes of passing sportfishermen. Under power the flat sections forward of the keel landed with a thud, but under sail the boat sliced through more gently, settled close-hauled at about half the true wind speed and tracked well with a light, precise helm. Owners told the magazine to reef early to keep the helm balanced, and called the large, deep rudder virtually stall-proof.

Stability figures and the bluewater debate

The Beneteau 46 carries Category A (ocean) certification and, according to Practical Sailor, a STIX score of 40 and a limit of positive stability of 120 degrees, the minimum once used for the Newport Bermuda Race. Its capsize screening value of about 1.95 sits just under the traditional 2.0 threshold. Ballast is a cast iron fin with an anvil shaped bulb, carrying about a third of the boat's displacement.

Practical Sailor's view was that beamy, lightly ballasted cruisers like this are not its first choice for the North Atlantic, while acknowledging that boats of this type cross oceans every year. That is a fair summary. The 46 is a fast, stable coastal and trade wind cruiser; anyone planning high latitude work should look elsewhere. One welcome detail is a pre-engineered fitting on the foredeck for a detachable inner forestay, so a hanked-on storm jib can be set.

Shaft drive, a 54 hp Yanmar and the tank discrepancy

Beneteau's US specification lists a Yanmar 4JH4AE of 54 hp on integrated engine beds, driving a stainless shaft with a fixed three blade propeller. SAIL praised the conventional shaft for long term reliability. Some boats carry a larger Yanmar: Practical Sailor's test boat had a 76 hp engine and sailboatdata lists 75 hp, so confirm what is fitted. Practical Sailor found engine access from the aft cabin adequate but the port side panel awkward, and advised owners to check alignment every year.

Fuel capacity is a puzzle. Beneteau's own summary says 53 gallons, but the same document describes a 63 gallon rotomolded tank, and SAIL printed 63 gallons. Water is listed at 140 gallons by Beneteau and 150 by SAIL. Ask the seller to confirm the tank size, and plan range around the smaller figure until you know.

Cockpit details owners still praise

Cruising World's Andrew Burton, reviewing the boat in 2007, pointed to the transom: a locking hatch in the swim platform holds a six-person life raft, and removing the insert leaves space to fit a small generator under the cockpit sole. Twin wheels flank a patented helm seat that pivots out of the way for boarding. A sturdy drop-leaf table divides the cockpit and carries a chartplotter mount visible from both wheels, and a broad bridgedeck gives the crew a secure spot for working halyards.

Lines from the mast run aft under cover to stoppers and two Lewmar 40 winches by the companionway, while Lewmar 46s near each wheel handle the genoa, so one person can steer and trim the jib. The mid-boom traveler keeps the cockpit clear. Forward, the waist-deep anchor locker has a windlass with remote and a double offset bow roller.

What a 2008 Beneteau 46 costs today

In 2026 the Oceanis 46 typically asks between about $160,000 and $250,000 in the US. A 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 46 in good private condition usually lands in the $180,000 to $230,000 band. Boats with the optional bow thruster, which SAIL considered essential for short-handed sailing on a boat this size, plus a generator, new sails and modern electronics, sit at the top.

Annual costs for slip, insurance, haul-out and maintenance on the East Coast generally run $14,000 to $28,000. The biggest one-time bills to anticipate are a replacement in-mast furling main, standing rigging at around 15 to 20 years, and the usual pumps, refrigeration and electronics upgrades.

Beneteau Oceanis 46 specifications

Length overall47.3 ft14.4 m
Waterline length40 ft12.2 m
Beam13.9 ft4.25 m
Draft5.8 ft1.75 m
Displacement23,292 lbs10,565 kg
Ballast7,145 lbs3,241 kg
Sail area1,055 sq ft98 m²
Fuel capacity53 gal2 L
Fresh water14 gal53 L
Cabins2 or 3
Berths4 to 6
Heads2, each with shower
Standard enginesYanmar 4JH4AE, 54 hp, shaft drive
Optional enginesLarger Yanmar of about 75 hp seen on some boats
Maximum power75 hp
Cruise speed7.6 knots
Hull typeModerate displacement fin keel monohull with balanced spade rudder
KeelCast iron fin with bulb, 5 ft 9 in standard or 6 ft 9 in deep
RigFractional 9/10 deck-stepped sloop, twin swept spreaders, in-mast furling main standard
Hull constructionHand-laid solid fiberglass hull with vinylester barrier coat, cored deck
CE design categoryA
BuilderBeneteau (US boats priced FOB Marion, South Carolina), France
Naval architectBerret-Racoupeau
Other design creditsNauta Design, Milan (interior, chief designers Massimo Gino and Mario Pedol)
Production2007 to present
StatusDiscontinued

Figures come from builder documentation and independent tests where available. Displacement is usually quoted light, so a loaded cruising boat will weigh more. Compare these specs with another model.

How much does a Beneteau Oceanis 46 cost?

New, typical sail-awayNo longer built
Used, typical asking$160K to $250K
Yearly running costs$14K to $28K

SAIL listed a 2008 base price of $247,900 FOB Marion, including sails, in-mast furling and a windlass. Today the gap between boats comes from equipment and use: two cabin owner's boats with the deep keel, bow thruster, generator and updated electronics ask the most, while three cabin boats that spent years in charter, and boats still on original sails, sit near the bottom. Expect the in-mast furling main and the standing rigging to be due on many early boats.

Estimated used asking prices by model year, US market, 2026
$150K$200K$250K20072007, $160,000 to $225,00020082008, $165,000 to $238,00020092009, $175,000 to $250,000

Estimate your yearly cost

A planning estimate using common rules of thumb: insurance near 1.5 percent of value, maintenance near 3 percent, haul out and bottom paint by length. Your marina, region and use will move these numbers. Open the full cost calculator.

Versions and options

Two cabin version
Diagonal island berth aft, the large port cockpit locker and two heads. The owner's choice.
Three cabin version
Splits the aft cabin into two doubles; common on charter and family boats.
Standard or deep keel
5 ft 9 in standard draft, or 6 ft 9 in deep keel with less ballast and better pointing.

Beneteau Oceanis 46 timeline

  1. 2006Paris boat show debut of the Berret-Racoupeau 40, 43, 46 and 49
  2. 2007Beneteau 46 enters production and Cruising World reviews it
  3. 2008SAIL tests it on Biscayne Bay; base price $247,900 FOB Marion; Practical Sailor review published
  4. 2018The unrelated Oceanis 46.1 reuses the number

Strengths and weaknesses

What owners like

  • Fast, easily driven Berret-Racoupeau hull
  • Striking Nauta interior with excellent light
  • Diagonal aft berth with room on three sides
  • Shaft drive rather than a saildrive
  • Transom life raft locker and good cockpit ergonomics
  • Category A certification

What to weigh up

  • Small fuel tank by any measure
  • Flat forward sections can pound under power
  • Imprecise latches and few drawers
  • Conflicting published tank figures

Used Beneteau Oceanis 46 buyer checklist

Take this list to a viewing. Your ticks are saved in this browser so you can come back to it.

Always commission an independent marine survey and an engine survey before you buy. How a marine survey works.

Rivals to consider

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i

Slightly smaller and more conventional inside, a strong performer and common on the US market.

Hanse 470

German self-tacking jib cruiser with a more modern open plan interior and lead keel.

Compare side by side

Beneteau 49

The bigger sister from the same design team, with a larger cockpit and similar Nauta styling.

Compare side by side

Dufour 455 Grand Large

French rival with a big cockpit and a traditional cruising layout.

Compare side by side

Our verdict on the Beneteau Oceanis 46

The Oceanis 46 is a boat for buyers who want their cruiser to look good and sail even better. The Berret-Racoupeau hull tacks through 90 degrees, accelerates willingly and steers with a light touch, while the Nauta interior still feels fresher than many newer boats. Its weak points are a small fuel tank, some flimsy hardware below and flat forward sections that slam under power in a chop. Pick a two cabin boat with the deep keel and a bow thruster, budget for sails and rigging, and you have one of the best looking 47 footers of its decade at a fraction of the cost of a new boat.

Beneteau Oceanis 46 questions answered

Is the Beneteau 46 the same boat as the Oceanis 46?

Yes. The 2007 Berret-Racoupeau design was sold as the Oceanis 46 in Europe and as the Beneteau 46 in the US.

Is the Oceanis 46 the same as the Oceanis 46.1 or the 461?

No. The 461 is a Farr design from 1996 to 2001 and the 46.1 is a Finot-Conq design from 2018 to 2025. They are unrelated hulls.

What engine does the Beneteau 46 have?

The US specification lists a 54 hp Yanmar 4JH4AE on a conventional shaft; some boats have a larger Yanmar of about 75 hp.

How much does a 2008 Beneteau Oceanis 46 cost?

Expect about $165,000 to $238,000 in the US in 2026, depending on layout, equipment and condition.

Is the Oceanis 46 suitable for ocean crossings?

It is certified Category A and has a 120 degree limit of positive stability, so it can cross oceans in season, but it is a beamy, lightly ballasted cruiser rather than a heavy weather boat.

What was the Beneteau 46 price when new?

SAIL listed a base price of $247,900 FOB Marion, South Carolina, in 2008, including sails, in-mast furling and a windlass.

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