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Beneteau 343
Designer: Berret - Racoupeau  ·  Builder: Beneteau  ·  First built: 2005
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About the Beneteau 343

Designed by the renowned French firm Berret-Racoupeau, this 35-foot cruiser represents Beneteau's commitment to balancing performance with comfort during the mid-2000s production era. Built from 2005 to 2008, the 343 features a modern fin keel with bulb and spade rudder configuration that delivers responsive handling while maintaining stability for coastal and offshore cruising. The boat's fractional sloop rig and generous sail area of 649 square feet provide spirited sailing performance, with a sail-to-displacement ratio of 18.43 indicating good light-air capabilities. At 13,448 pounds displacement with 3,402 pounds of ballast, the 343 strikes a practical balance between seaworthiness and manageable size for couples or small families. Her fiberglass construction follows Beneteau's proven building standards, while the hull's design achieves a theoretical hull speed of 7.44 knots. The comfort ratio of 25.16 suggests a boat that prioritizes sailing performance over heavy-weather comfort, making her well-suited for coastal cruising and weekend adventures rather than extended offshore passages. With her 29-horsepower auxiliary engine and beam of just over 11 feet, the 343 offers reasonable accommodation space while remaining trailerable in some jurisdictions, appealing to sailors seeking versatility in their cruising plans.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 35.50 ft / 10.82 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 30.83 ft / 9.40 m
Beam 11.42 ft / 3.48 m
Max Draft 6.23 ft / 1.90 m
Displacement 13,448.00 lb / 6,100 kg
Ballast 3,402.00 lb / 1,543 kg
Ballast Type Cast iron
Sail Area (Reported) 649.00 ft² / 60.29 m²
Headroom 6.60 ft / 2.01 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional (9/10) Sloop
Construction GRP
Designer Berret - Racoupeau
Builder Beneteau
First Built 2005
Last Built 2008
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
150
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
18.43
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
25.3
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
204.88
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
25.16
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
1.92
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.44 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
2.46
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1,258.02 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 15.44
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 43.44 ft / 13.24 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.80 ft / 3.90 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 39.14 ft / 11.93 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.58 ft / 4.14 m
SA Fore 278.02 ft² / 25.83 m²
SA Main 265.76 ft² / 24.69 m²
SA Total (100%) 543.78 ft² / 50.52 m²
Est. Forestay Length 45.29 ft / 13.80 m
Mast Height (DWL) 49.40 ft / 15.06 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 29
Fuel Capacity 20 gals / 75 L
Water Capacity 67 gals / 255 L
LOD 34.05 ft / 10.38 m
How It Compares

vs. Catalina 350, First 35S5 Beneteau, Hunter 356, Jod 35 Jeanneau, Oceanis 34.1 Beneteau

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Beneteau 343 ★
35.5 ft
Catalina 350
35.5 ft
First 35S5 Beneteau
35.4 ft
Hunter 356
35.6 ft
Jod 35 Jeanneau
35.4 ft
Oceanis 34.1 Beneteau
35.4 ft
LWL
Beneteau 343 ★
30.8 ft
Catalina 350
30.5 ft
First 35S5 Beneteau
29.4 ft
Hunter 356
30.3 ft
Jod 35 Jeanneau
30.5 ft
Oceanis 34.1 Beneteau
30.5 ft
Beam
Beneteau 343 ★
11.4 ft
Catalina 350
12.5 ft
First 35S5 Beneteau
11.8 ft
Hunter 356
12.0 ft
Jod 35 Jeanneau
11.8 ft
Oceanis 34.1 Beneteau
12.5 ft
Displacement
Beneteau 343 ★
13 lbs
Catalina 350
13 lbs
First 35S5 Beneteau
11 lbs
Hunter 356
13 lbs
Jod 35 Jeanneau
11 lbs
Oceanis 34.1 Beneteau
13 lbs
Ballast
Beneteau 343 ★
3 lbs
Catalina 350
5 lbs
First 35S5 Beneteau
4 lbs
Hunter 356
5 lbs
Jod 35 Jeanneau
4 lbs
Oceanis 34.1 Beneteau
4 lbs
Sail Area
Beneteau 343 ★
649 sq ft
Catalina 350
566 sq ft
First 35S5 Beneteau
556 sq ft
Hunter 356
600 sq ft
Jod 35 Jeanneau
602 sq ft
Oceanis 34.1 Beneteau
624 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Beneteau 343 ★
150 s/nm
Catalina 350
147 s/nm
First 35S5 Beneteau
Hunter 356
138 s/nm
Jod 35 Jeanneau
Oceanis 34.1 Beneteau
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Beneteau 343 ★
18.4
Catalina 350
16.2
First 35S5 Beneteau
17.6
Hunter 356
16.9
Jod 35 Jeanneau
18.7
Oceanis 34.1 Beneteau
18.0
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Beneteau 343 ★
25.3 %
Catalina 350
40.9 %
First 35S5 Beneteau
36.6 %
Hunter 356
40.0 %
Jod 35 Jeanneau
35.9 %
Oceanis 34.1 Beneteau
33.9 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Beneteau 343 ★
25.2
Catalina 350
21.9
First 35S5 Beneteau
21.2
Hunter 356
Jod 35 Jeanneau
20.9
Oceanis 34.1 Beneteau
21.7
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Beneteau 343 ★
1.92
Catalina 350
2.12
First 35S5 Beneteau
2.10
Hunter 356
Jod 35 Jeanneau
2.09
Oceanis 34.1 Beneteau
2.12
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Beneteau 343 ★
204
Catalina 350
207
First 35S5 Beneteau
202
Hunter 356
217
Jod 35 Jeanneau
183
Oceanis 34.1 Beneteau
204
Hull Speed
Beneteau 343 ★
7.4 kts
Catalina 350
7.4 kts
First 35S5 Beneteau
7.3 kts
Hunter 356
Jod 35 Jeanneau
7.4 kts
Oceanis 34.1 Beneteau
7.4 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Beneteau 343 ★
2.5
Catalina 350
First 35S5 Beneteau
2.7
Hunter 356
Jod 35 Jeanneau
Oceanis 34.1 Beneteau
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