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The Beneteau 361 Is 36 feet of family cruiser enough? With the trend toward ever-bigger
boats (40 feet is the average length of auxiliary sailboats introduced
last year), there has been a resurgence in mid-30-footers as well. The
Beneteau 361 is a leading example of what a 36-footer can deliver under
way and at anchor. The boat has a big interior that will easily suit a
sailing family with a double berth forward for the kids, and a huge aft
master cabin for the parents. The 361 easily has the largest head (&
shower) of any boat in it's class, and a moderate size sail plan and a
wide beam beam carried well aft, so she is a "well behaved"
cruiser that won't add to Mom and Dad's stress level on the weekend.
The Lewmar 44 self-tailing genoa winches are within reach of the person at the helm, and the mainsheet clutches are located on the cabin top. Sail controls have been kept basic for casual cruising, and the anchoring setup (the windlass is optional) functions well. The 361's side decks are wide & easily negotiated, however, the addition of cabin top hand-holds forward of the mast would be an improvement.
The forward- facing nav table effectively adds another seat to the already
large saloon area, making the main cabin a pleasure for entertaining.
Natural light, well thought out cabin lighting and ventilation are superior
in the saloon, though the prudent owner would benefit from the strategic
positioning of fans placed in the bow area, the master cabin, as well
as the saloon, just to make sure that air doesn't stagnate at either end
of the cabin. Beneteau has invested a great amount of the boat's interior space in the head enclosure (with a dedicated shower) and they've invested even more space in the boat's showpiece-a galley that is safe, secure, and offers abundant stowage (dry and refrigerated) and counter space. There's very little downsizing needed, in either the cook's ambitions or his or her collection of favorite food-prep hardware, to make the culinary transition from house to this boat. The 361's wiring, hoses, and through-hulls are clearly labeled and accessible, and the swing-up companionway steps make getting to the engine easy. Engine soundproofing could use upgrading, and the 20 gallon diesel-fuel tank and factory stock 275-amp hour battery bank are on the small side, so here again a prudent owner would do well to invest in more battery power, following the purchase. If you're itching to move up from the 25- or 30-footer your family loves
but has outgrown, the Beneteau 361 will deliver a world of cruising in
36 feet. Construction: Hull is a solid-glass laminate with vinylester-resin barrier layer; unidirectional roving reinforces the structural inner grid. Deck is balsa sandwich with full interior liner bonded 360 degrees to hull and deck. Cherry-stained interior.
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