Beneteau Cruising Sailboats

Beneteau Oceanis 50 Review, the 2010 Arch-Deck Cruiser

Beneteau kept the hull of its award-winning 49, drew a new deck around a mainsheet arch and built the result in South Carolina.

2010 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 50. Photo: Timbow001, CC0, source
Length
49.5 ft15.1 m
Beam
14.8 ft4.5 m
Draft
6.9 ft2.1 m
Cabins
2 (owner aft) or 3 (owner forward, two doubles aft)
Used price
$210K to $310K
On this page
  1. Overview
  2. A new deck on a proven hull
  3. Three boats that answer to the name 50
  4. The arch, a longer boom and a bridge-friendly mast
  5. Two keels and what to expect under sail
  6. Owner aft or owner forward
  7. A 76 hp diesel and tanks sized for coasting
  8. The Moorings 50.5 is a different animal
  9. Buying an Oceanis 50 in 2026
  10. Specifications
  11. Price and value
  12. Strengths and weaknesses
  13. Used buyer checklist
  14. Rivals
  15. Our verdict
  16. FAQ

The 2010 Beneteau Oceanis 50 is a 49 ft 6 in Berret-Racoupeau cruiser built at Beneteau's South Carolina plant. It reused the Beneteau 49 hull under a new deck with a fixed mainsheet arch, and offered two or three cabins with two heads.

Best for
  • Couples who want a large aft owner's cabin
  • ICW and East Coast cruisers
  • Families who need three cabins with two heads
  • Buyers who want a 50 footer at mid-40s prices

A new deck on a proven hull

When Beneteau launched a new generation of long range Oceanis cruisers around 2010, it started at the top of the range with a 58 footer and the Beneteau Oceanis 50. Cruising World explained the recipe in 2011: the 50 replaced a 49 footer in the line, kept the same hull and added a completely new deck. The 49 it replaced was the Beneteau 49, Cruising World's Best Full-Size Production Cruiser of 2007, so the starting point was a good one.

The 50 was built in the United States at Beneteau's South Carolina plant and was aimed squarely at American cruisers. Cruising World reported that it debuted at the Miami show and was then exhibited at Annapolis, and it was priced at $318,000 when the magazine published its specifications in 2011. Anyone searching for a Beneteau Oceanis 50 for sale today is mostly looking at hulls built in Marion in the early 2010s.

Beneteau Oceanis 50 by the numbers

LOA 49' 6" / 15.09 mBeam 14' 9" / 4.50 mBow
Plan view drawn to scale from the published length and beam.
Sail area to displacement
20.9Plenty of sail for the weight, the boat should feel lively in light air.
Displacement to length
147Light displacement for its length, quick but sensitive to added cruising weight.
Theoretical hull speed
8.9 knThe practical top speed of a displacement monohull under normal sailing, based on waterline length.
Ballast ratio
35%A typical ballast ratio for a cruising monohull.
Capsize screening
1.96Below 2.0, the traditional threshold for offshore suitability.
Motion comfort ratio
25.9Moderate motion comfort, typical of modern cruisers.
Length to beam ratio
3.36 : 1Moderate proportions.

Length compared with the 149 cruising sailboats we cover

22 ft63 ft

Three boats that answer to the name 50

The Oceanis 50 name causes more confusion than most. First, there is the Farr designed Beneteau 50 of 1995 to 2004, a completely different, larger masthead boat. Second, there is the Beneteau 49, whose hull the Oceanis 50 reuses; Beneteau's own heritage website files Beneteau 49 brochures under an Oceanis 50 page, so even the builder's archive blurs the two. Third, The Moorings ran a charter derivative called the Moorings 50.5.

The fastest way to identify the 2010 boat is the fixed arch over the forward end of the cockpit. The Beneteau 49 has its mainsheet on the coachroof and no arch, and the Farr Beneteau 50 has an older, more traditional deck and a longer, masthead rig. If the listing shows the arch, long eyebrow hull windows and a near plumb bow, you are looking at the Oceanis 50.

The arch, a longer boom and a bridge-friendly mast

The arch is the boat's defining feature. It carries the mainsheet block and tackle at the end of the boom, with the sheet led aft to the cockpit, and it is a strong frame for a dodger and bimini that shelter the wide companionway. That keeps the mainsheet and traveler out of the cockpit entirely, which is a real improvement for guests and for safety.

Compared with the 49, Beneteau made the standard mast slightly shorter, which Cruising World described as bridge friendly for the Intracoastal Waterway, and lengthened the boom to recover sail area. The magazine lists a mast height of 63 ft 6 in; confirm the true air draft, including antennas and the masthead light, before you rely on clearing the waterway's 65 ft fixed bridges. The Seldén fractional rig has two spreaders and a furling main as standard, with a conventional main optional. Working sail area is about 1,188 sq ft. An optional 67 ft spar paired with the deep keel was intended for owners who wanted faster offshore passages; a boat with the tall spar is a poor choice for regular waterway trips.

Two keels and what to expect under sail

Two keels were offered: a shoal version drawing 5 ft 9 in and a deep keel drawing about 6 ft 11 in, with 9,480 lb of ballast. For the Chesapeake, Florida and the Bahamas the shoal keel is the practical choice; for coastal New England and offshore passages the deep keel with the tall rig makes the most of the hull.

We have not found a published sea trial with speed figures for the 50. The numbers suggest a quick cruiser: a long 43 ft 8 in waterline, a light displacement to length ratio and a sail area to displacement ratio of nearly 23 put it ahead of most production 50 footers of its time on paper. Theoretical hull speed is close to 8.9 knots. A furling main will take some of that edge away, so a boat with a conventional main and lazy jacks is worth a premium if performance matters to you.

Owner aft or owner forward

Inside, the Oceanis 50 uses an Alpi mahogany finish with LED interior lighting, and LED navigation lights outside. There are two layouts, both with two heads. The two cabin version gives the owner a spacious stern stateroom, with a guest cabin forward. The three cabin version moves the owner's suite to the bow and puts two doubles aft.

For a cruising couple the two cabin version is the better boat: the aft stateroom is enormous and the forward cabin works as a guest room or workshop. The three cabin version suits families and has more resale appeal to buyers who might charter or carry crew. Forward of the mast, a large sail locker sits just aft of the vertical windlass, which is useful for fenders, lines and a folding bike or two.

A 76 hp diesel and tanks sized for coasting

Cruising World lists a 76 hp diesel, 62 gallons of fuel, 149 gallons of water and 42 gallons of holding split between two tanks. Those figures are fine for coastal and island cruising but small for a 50 footer that might make long passages under power. Owners heading offshore typically add jerry cans, a watermaker and solar or lithium upgrades.

Because the boat was built in South Carolina for US buyers, many have 110 volt systems and American spec equipment, which simplifies parts and service in the US. Ask for the engine model and hours, saildrive or shaft details, and any generator or air conditioning service history.

The Moorings 50.5 is a different animal

Sailboatdata says the Moorings 50.5 was based on the Oceanis 50, but the charter boat Cruising World reviewed in 2011 was a very different package: 50 ft 7 in overall, a 15 ft 10 in beam, a 110 hp Yanmar, 105 gallons of fuel and 259 gallons of water, four double cabins each with its own head and a crew cabin in the forepeak. It was priced at $429,000 through The Moorings ownership program.

If you see a listing for a 50 foot Beneteau with four en-suite cabins, it is probably a former Moorings 50.5. It can be a good platform for a large family, but it is not the same boat as the private Oceanis 50 and should not be compared on price.

Buying an Oceanis 50 in 2026

Expect US asking prices of about $210,000 to $310,000 for the Beneteau Oceanis 50, depending on keel, rig, layout and equipment. A 2011 Beneteau Oceanis 50 in good private condition with new sails and updated electronics is likely to sit in the upper half of that range. Annual costs for an East Coast boat, including slip, insurance and maintenance, typically run $18,000 to $34,000.

The thin market works both ways: there may be only a handful of boats for sale at any time, but sellers also have fewer comparables to defend high asking prices. A full survey with a rig inspection and an engine oil analysis is essential.

Beneteau Oceanis 50 specifications

Length overall49.5 ft15.1 m
Waterline length43.7 ft13.3 m
Beam14.8 ft4.5 m
Draft6.9 ft2.1 m
Displacement27,454 lbs12,453 kg
Ballast9,48 lbs4,3 kg
Sail area1,188 sq ft110 m²
Fuel capacity62 gal235 L
Fresh water149 gal564 L
Cabins2 (owner aft) or 3 (owner forward, two doubles aft)
Berths4 to 6
Heads2
Standard engines76 hp diesel
Maximum power76 hp
Hull typeModerate displacement fin keel monohull with spade rudder
KeelDeep keel 6 ft 11 in or shoal keel 5 ft 9 in
RigSeldén double spreader fractional sloop, furling main standard, mainsheet on a fixed arch; listed mast height 63 ft 6 in, taller 67 ft spar optional
Hull constructionFiberglass hull and cored deck
BuilderBeneteau USA, Marion, South Carolina, USA
Naval architectBerret-Racoupeau (Jean Berret and Olivier Racoupeau)
Other design creditsNauta Design (interior)
Production2010 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 50 cost?

New, typical sail-awayNo longer built
Used, typical asking$210K to $310K
Yearly running costs$18K to $34K

Cruising World listed the Oceanis 50 at $318,000 in 2011. Few were built compared with Beneteau's mass market models, so the used market is thin and prices move with equipment: the taller rig with the deep keel, a generator, air conditioning and new sails add real value. Make sure a listing describes the private Oceanis 50 and not the charter Moorings 50.5 or the older Farr designed Beneteau 50, which trade at different levels.

Estimated used asking prices by model year, US market, 2026
$200K$250K$300K20102010, $210,000 to $290,00020112011, $220,000 to $310,000

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
Large owner's stateroom aft, guest cabin forward, two heads.
Three cabin version
Owner's suite in the bow and two double cabins aft, two heads.
Standard or tall rig
Shorter standard spar for the ICW, or an optional 67 ft spar for more sail area.
Shoal or deep keel
5 ft 9 in shoal draft or about 6 ft 11 in deep draft.

Beneteau Oceanis 50 timeline

  1. 2007The Beneteau 49, whose hull the 50 reuses, wins Cruising World's Best Full-Size Production Cruiser
  2. 2010Oceanis 50 introduced with a new deck and mainsheet arch; SAIL reviews it in August
  3. 2011Cruising World publishes specifications and a $318,000 price; the Moorings 50.5 joins the charter fleet

Strengths and weaknesses

What owners like

  • Mainsheet arch keeps the cockpit clear
  • Standard rig designed to be ICW bridge friendly
  • Light displacement and long waterline
  • Built in South Carolina with US spec systems
  • Choice of owner aft or owner forward layouts

What to weigh up

  • Small fuel and holding tanks for a 50 footer
  • No published speed trial data
  • Thin used market and confusing names
  • Furling main limits performance

Used Beneteau Oceanis 50 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 50 DS

Deck saloon alternative from the sister brand, with more light inside and a higher profile.

Bavaria 50 Cruiser

The German volume cruiser of the late 2000s, usually cheaper, with a more conventional deck.

Compare side by side

Beneteau 50

The Farr designed 50 of 1995 to 2004, heavier, longer waterline and bigger tanks for long range cruising.

Compare side by side

Hanse 495

A German self-tacking jib cruiser with a more modern open plan interior.

Our verdict on the Beneteau Oceanis 50

The Oceanis 50 is a smart evolution rather than a revolution. Beneteau kept a hull that had already won an award as the 49, wrapped it in a cleaner deck with a mainsheet arch, and shortened the standard mast with the Intracoastal Waterway in mind. The result is a quick, easy-to-handle 50 footer with a genuinely good owner's cabin. Its tanks are small, published performance data is thin and the name is easily confused with two other boats, but for an East Coast couple who want space and simplicity, a well kept Oceanis 50 is a very sensible buy.

Beneteau Oceanis 50 questions answered

Is the 2010 Oceanis 50 the same as the Beneteau 50?

No. The Beneteau 50 of 1995 to 2004 is a Farr design. The 2010 Oceanis 50 is a Berret-Racoupeau design that reuses the hull of the Beneteau 49 under a new deck.

Where was the Beneteau Oceanis 50 built?

Cruising World reported that it was built at Beneteau's South Carolina facility in Marion.

What was the Oceanis 50 price when new?

Cruising World listed it at $318,000 in 2011.

Can the Oceanis 50 pass under ICW bridges?

Cruising World called the standard mast bridge friendly, but always measure the actual air draft. Boats with the optional 67 ft spar are not suited to regular ICW use.

What does a 2011 Beneteau Oceanis 50 sell for?

Expect about $220,000 to $310,000 in the US in 2026, depending on equipment and condition.

What is the Moorings 50.5?

A charter version associated with the Oceanis 50 but with a wider beam, a 110 hp Yanmar and four en-suite double cabins plus a crew cabin.

More cruising sailboats to explore

Other Beneteau models

Buying used? Our step by step used yacht buying guide Financing Work out monthly payments on a Beneteau Oceanis 50 Cruising Sailboats How this type compares and what to look for