The Beneteau Blue II is a pioneering cruising catamaran designed to offer a spacious and stable platform for extended cruising and liveaboard comfort. Introduced in the early 1980s, the Blue II served as the predecessor to the Blue 41, and it helped establish Beneteau’s reputation in the multihull market. It is aimed at sailors looking for the comfort and roominess of a catamaran, combined with reliable sailing performance.
Design and Construction
The Blue II is a fiberglass (FG) constructed catamaran featuring twin hulls with twin keels, designed for stability and shallow draft access. It has a generous beam that provides excellent deck space and interior volume. The hull shape balances the needs of cruising comfort with efficient passage-making ability. The design emphasizes strength and durability for offshore and coastal cruising, with twin rudders for good maneuverability and control.
Performance
Equipped with a fractional sloop rig, the Blue II offers moderate sail area suitable for cruising sailors. Its displacement and sail plan allow for steady and safe handling in a range of conditions. Although it is not designed for high-speed racing, its sail area to displacement ratio reflects a boat capable of good speed relative to its size and displacement. The wide beam and twin hulls minimize heel, enhancing comfort underway.
Comfort and Accommodations
The Blue II offers spacious accommodations with multiple cabins located in the hulls, and a large saloon area in the central platform. Its wide beam allows for roomy cabins and excellent living space, ideal for extended cruising or liveaboard use. Natural light and ventilation are well incorporated through ample hatches and portlights. The layout typically includes well-equipped galleys and comfortable seating areas, making life aboard practical and pleasant.
Safety and Practicality
The catamaran design inherently provides excellent stability, reducing the risk of capsizing and offering a safer ride in rough seas. The shallow draft of the twin keels allows for exploration of shallower waters and coastal anchorages inaccessible to deeper monohulls. The deck layout prioritizes safe movement, and the twin engines (when equipped) offer maneuverability in tight marinas. Safety gear and navigation equipment are typically well accommodated.
Conclusion
The Beneteau Blue II remains a respected cruising catamaran that combines spaciousness, safety, and competent sailing performance. While somewhat dated compared to newer models, its design and construction make it a solid option for sailors interested in multihull cruising with comfortable accommodations and reliable offshore capability.
Specifications
| Hull Type | Catamaran Twin Keel |
|---|---|
| Rigging Type | Fractional Sloop |
| LOA | 34.12 ft / 10.40 m |
| LWL | 29.20 ft / 8.90 m |
| S.A. (reported) | 699.00 ft² / 64.94 m² |
| Beam | 19.65 ft / 5.99 m |
| Displacement | 7,275.00 lb / 3,300 kg |
| Max Draft | 2.95 ft / 0.90 m |
| Construction | FG |
| First Built | 1985 |
| Builder | Beneteau (FRA) |
| Designer | Phillippe Briand |
Auxiliary Power/Tanks (orig. equip.) | |
| Type | Diesel x 2 |
| HP | 24 |
| Fuel | 14 gals / 53 L |
Accommodations | |
| Water | 30 gals / 114 L |
Sailboat Calculations | |
| S.A. / Displ. | 29.88 |
| Disp: / Len: | 130.45 |
| KSP | 0.84 |
Disclaimer
The considerations and analyses presented regarding the Beneteau Blue II sailboat are of a general nature and are based on the available information and technical data on this model, interpreted to the best of our knowledge and understanding. It is important to note that the specific characteristics of any particular sailboat may vary due to custom modifications, maintenance performed, and conditions of use over time, among other factors. Therefore, the details and performance of the boat you are considering may not exactly match the information provided here.
We strongly recommend that, before making any purchasing or usage decisions, you conduct a detailed inspection of the boat in question, consult with nautical professionals and other sailors, and consider your personal needs, expectations, and capabilities. Each sailboat may have unique particularities that affect its performance and suitability for different types of sailing and sailors.
The information contained in this analysis should be used as a general guide and not as a definitive reference. Professional evaluation and personal inspection are essential to ensure that the boat meets your specific requirements and expectations.