The Beneteau Oceanis 473 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Beneteau Oceanis 473, a light displacement sloop, was designed by Groupe Finot and built in France by Beneteau.

A Beneteau Oceanis 473

Published Specification for the Beneteau Oceanis 473

Underwater Configuration: Bulb fin keel with spade rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 46'11" (14.3m)

Waterline Length: 43'10" (13.4m)

Beam: 14'2" (4.3m)

Draft: 5'7" (1.7m)

Rig Type: Masthead sloop

Displacement: 24,277lb (11,012kg)

Designer: Groupe Finot

Builder: Beneteau (France)

Year First Built: 2000

Year Last Built: 2005

Design Ratios

These are the key performance indicators that provide an indication of how the boat is likely to perform under sail in a seaway.

Let's take a look at those that apply to the Beneteau Oceanis 473:

The Sail Area/Displacement Ratio (SA/D) of this sailboat is around 18. This ratio signifies the speed potential of the boat, and a higher number typically relates to a faster boat under optimum winds. Oceanis 473’s SA/D suggests a boat with a good turn of speed, ideal for those who love an exhilarating sailing experience.

For the Ballast/Displacement Ratio (B/D), the Oceanis 473 carries a ratio of approximately 30%. A higher B/D ratio suggests greater stability, and while 30% might be on the lower side for heavy weather sailing, it signifies a balanced, manageable boat for pleasurable cruising.

Turning our attention to the Displacement/Length Ratio (D/L), the Oceanis 473 strikes at about 160. This is a light to moderate displacement boat meaning it should offer a great blend of speed and comfort.

The Comfort Ratio of this Beneteau model is right around 25. A high comfort ratio indicates a smoother ride in choppy conditions. This number shows that the Oceanis 473 provides a comfortable journey but is not built purely for heavy/severe weather passages.

In terms of the Capsize Screening Formula, Oceanis 473 scores less than 2, suggesting it's a relatively safe boat in the event of a capsize, fulfilling sailing safety requirements, and ambitions.

But should you take these design ratios with a pinch of salt?

Pros & Cons

The Beneteau Oceanis 473 sailboat has received positive acclamation from the sailing press for its spacious and comfortable living quarters.

Many reviewers have labelled it as a successful blend of style, comfort and performance. Its spacious cockpit offers great ergonomics, with separate working and relaxing areas.

Its quality finish, spacious berths and plentiful storage space are often applauded.

However, some criticisms have pointed towards the boat's limited B/D ratio, suggesting the boat might feel a bit tender in heavy weather.

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The Secondhand Market

There’s a reasonable amount of Beneteau Oceanis 473 sailboats available on the secondhand market.

The approximate asking prices range from roughly $100,000 to $200,000, depending on the age and condition of the boat. Always ensure a professional survey is undertaken before purchase.

Given the popularity of the model, 'Beneteau Oceanis 473 for sale' calls up numerous listings upon a simple online search.

Similar Sailboats

The Beneteau Oceanis 473 is comparable to other similar sailboats in its class, such as the Bavaria 46 Cruiser, the Catalina 470, the Dufour 460 Grand Large, the Hanse 470, the Hunter 466, and the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 469.

They all have similar lengths, displacements, sail areas, and accommodations. However, they differ in terms of design, performance, comfort, quality, and price. The Beneteau Oceanis 473 is considered to be one of the best choices for a large cruising sailboat that offers a good balance of features and value.

The Beneteau Oceanis 473: A Few FAQs...

What, if any, alternative versions of the Beneteau Oceanis 473 were built and what are the differences between them?

The Beneteau Oceanis 473 was also sold as the Oceanis Clipper 473, which was essentially the same boat with some minor differences in equipment and interior layout. There were also two versions of the Oceanis 473: the Performance version, which had a taller mast, deeper keel, and larger sail area; and the Comfort version, which had a shorter mast, shallower keel, and smaller sail area.

How many people can sleep on board a Beneteau Oceanis 473?

The Beneteau Oceanis 473 can accommodate up to 10 people in three or four cabins, depending on the layout. The standard layout had three cabins: a large owner's cabin forward with an ensuite head and shower, and two aft cabins with a shared head and shower. The optional layout had four cabins: two smaller cabins forward with a shared head and shower, and two aft cabins with a shared head and shower.

What do owners of the Beneteau Oceanis 473 have to say about their boats?

Owners of the Beneteau Oceanis 473 generally have a high level of satisfaction with their boats. They enjoy its roominess, comfort, speed, versatility, and reliability. They also appreciate its low maintenance costs, its good resale value, and its suitability for cruising or chartering. Some of the common complaints are its poor ventilation, its limited tankage, its weak anchor windlass, and its mediocre quality of fittings and finish.

What is the average asking price of a secondhand Beneteau Oceanis 473?

According to YachtWorld, as of September 2023, the average asking price of a secondhand Beneteau Oceanis 473 is £125k ($172k), ranging from £104k ($143k) to £174k ($240k), depending on the year, condition, location, and equipment of the boat.

What other sailboats have been created by the designer of the Beneteau Oceanis 473?

The designer of the Beneteau Oceanis 473 is Groupe Finot, a French naval architecture firm that was founded in 1973 by Jean-Marie Finot and Pascal Conq. The firm has designed many other sailboats for Beneteau, such as the First series, the Figaro series, the Oceanis series, and the Sense series. Some of their other notable designs include the IMOCA 60s, the Class40s, and the Mini Transat 6.50s.

Other sailboats in the Beneteau 'Oceanis' product range:

The Beneteau Oceanis 343

The Beneteau Oceanis 381

A Beneteau Oceanis 42CC sailboat at anchor

The Beneteau Oceanis 42CC

A Beneteau Oceanis 48 sailboat on a mooring ball

The Beneteau Oceanis 48

A Beneteau Oceanis 50 sailboat at anchor

The Beneteau Oceanis 50

A Beneteau Oceanis 500 sailboat at anchor

The Beneteau Oceanis 500

I wrote this article using GPT-4, OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model, as a research assistant to develop source material. I wrote the final draft in its entirety and believe it to be accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Dick McClary, creator and owner of sailboat-cruising.com