1997 Beneteau Oceanis 461

What stands out on this Oceanis 461 is how solid and predictable she feels under sail for a performance cruiser of this vintage. The long waterline and moderate displacement give you an easy, steady motion in a seaway, and she’ll keep her pace without demanding constant trimming. Wide side decks and inboard shrouds make moving forward underway feel secure, even with a bit of heel on. Below, light from the large portlights keeps the interior bright, and the generous tankage means fewer marina stops on longer hops. Owners love the generous storage in every cabin and lazarette, making it realistic to keep cruising gear, toys, and spares aboard without cluttering the living spaces.

In these warm, often breezy cruising grounds, the Oceanis 461 hits a sweet spot between comfort and passagemaking ability. The hull shape is well suited to typical coastal chop, tracking straight and forgiving in gusty afternoon conditions. Airy ventilation through multiple opening hatches and ports keeps the interior livable at anchor, and the generous cockpit shade potential is a real plus on sunny days. Shoal-draft variants are particularly handy for exploring shallower anchorages and sneaking closer to the beaches. With her reliable auxiliary power and easily managed sail plan, this model makes light work of marina maneuvering, channel transits, and weekend hops to the next harbor.