BENETEAU 461
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 46.59 ft |
| LWL | 39.37 ft |
| Beam | 13.95 ft |
| Draft | 5.74 ft |
| Displacement | 20,944 lb |
| Ballast | 7,495.9 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 8.4 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 54.5 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 15.92 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 46.92 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 17.08 ft |
| FLforestay | 15.9 ft |
| Mainsail | 863.4 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 434.6 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 738.8 sq ft |
About the BENETEAU 461
Also called OCEANIS 461. Similar to MOORINGS 463, 464 & 465.
Designed by Bruce Farr & Armel Briand and built by Beneteau from 1996–2001, the Beneteau 461 is a performance-oriented cruising sloop that balances speed with livability. With a displacement of 20944.0 lb and a D/L ratio of 153.22, it offers a responsive ride, though owners frequently report structural concerns regarding the keel and deck integrity that require careful vetting.
- Best for:
- This boat suits active coastal cruisers and short-handed sailors who prioritize performance and modern interior layouts, provided they are diligent about maintenance. It is less ideal for those seeking a low-maintenance, heavy-displacement bluewater trawler due to its lighter displacement and reported structural vulnerabilities.
- Bluewater capability:
- While the 461 has a low capsize ratio of 2.03 and a fin keel that aids performance, its moderate displacement of 20944.0 lb and reported issues with keel smiles and hull-deck joints make it suitable for protected coastal and nearshore passages rather than extreme offshore expeditions without significant structural reinforcement.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Beneteau 423 and 44, which share similar design philosophies and era, as well as the Jeanneau 43.9 and O'Day 42, which offer similar beam and interior volume for coastal cruising. These models are comparable because they represent the late-90s shift toward wider beams and performance cruising, though the 461's Farr/Briand design offers distinct handling characteristics.
Direct variants of the BENETEAU 461
Near-identical models — same hull, builder and designer, re-badged or lightly changed. Specs and owner-reported issues are typically shared across the group, so a sister model's page may carry detail this one doesn't.
Performance
Estimated Value
Medium ConfidenceAsking price by model year
27 listings · boat years 1996–2021 · median $119,997
Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 46.59ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Featured YouTube Videos
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
13 reported issues across 9 systems for the BENETEAU 461, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a BENETEAU 461? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 13 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
Similar Sailboats
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Used sails that fit the BENETEAU 461
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