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Oceanis Clipper 523 Beneteau
Designer: Groupe Finot  ·  First built: 2004
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About the Oceanis Clipper 523 Beneteau

French shipbuilder Beneteau's Oceanis Clipper 523 represents the company's commitment to creating versatile cruising sailboats that balance performance with comfort. This mid-sized cruiser falls within Beneteau's popular Oceanis line, which has earned recognition for delivering reliable sailing characteristics at accessible price points. Built for serious coastal and offshore cruising, the 523 showcases Beneteau's mature approach to yacht design, incorporating lessons learned from decades of boatbuilding experience. The Clipper designation suggests performance-oriented intentions, likely featuring a more sailing-focused layout compared to purely comfort-driven designs. This positioning makes it well-suited for sailors who want to cover distance efficiently while maintaining onboard livability for extended passages. Beneteau's reputation for solid construction and practical interior arrangements carries forward in this model, making it an attractive option for couples or small families planning longer cruises. The French builder's extensive dealer network and parts availability worldwide add practical advantages for cruising sailors. While specific details remain limited, the 523's size and Beneteau pedigree suggest a well-balanced boat capable of handling various sailing conditions with confidence.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 52.82 ft / 16.10 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 45.93 ft / 14.00 m
Beam 16.40 ft / 5.00 m
Max Draft 7.22 ft / 2.20 m
Displacement 38,801 lb / 17,600 kg
Ballast 13,228 lb / 6,000 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 1292 ft² / 120.03 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Groupe Finot
First Built 2004
Last Built 2012
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Performance Ratios
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
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
34.09
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
178.77
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
29.88
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
1.94
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. 9.08 kn
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. 16.14 pounds/inch
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