The Beneteau Oceanis 311 was designed by Groupe Finot in 1998 and offers an enjoyable combination of lively yet controlled sailing and luxurious accommodation.

Like the earlier Oceanis 300, the Oceanis 311 comes in two versions, the fin-keel and the lift-keel, twin rudder version (the latter proving especially popular in France). She uses the same basic hull design as the Figaro I racing class and the First 31.7, and these impressive racing class credentials give her a level of performance unusual amongst other blue water and coastal cruisers. Handling the Oceanis 311 under sail is easy and her performance remains smooth when tacking and jibing in heavier weather conditions, which she does happily without heeling. The single line reefed mainsail and the 110% furling headsail are also easier to handle than a standard main and a heavy overlapping Genoa. These two features are key to the Oceanis 311's offering, as her smooth handling and well-thought out sail plan mean that she offers safe sailing for light or short-handed crews.

Below decks, the Oceanis 311 offers the superior specification and spacious quarters that aficionados of the Oceanis range have come to expect. She was designed as a family cruiser but she also offers good live-aboard quarters for 3 couples or a family plus crew. The owner's cabin measures a decent 2.05m by 1.9m with a well- placed porthole to the rear and there are hanging lockers in the owner's and aft cabins. There are comfortable double settees in the saloon area, and the generous seating in and around the cockpit means that sailing is a sociable business with this yacht.

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