BENETEAU 473
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 46.92 ft |
| LWL | 43.83 ft |
| Beam | 14.16 ft |
| Draft | 5.58 ft |
| Displacement | 24,277 lb |
| Ballast | 8,157.1 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 8.9 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 55.43 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 18.21 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 48.03 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 17.06 ft |
| FLforestay | 18.2 ft |
| Mainsail | 947.2 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 504.7 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 858 sq ft |
About the BENETEAU 473
Draft(deep keel):6.92’/2.11m Ballast:(deep keel):7,275 lbs/3300 kgs Also called, or similar to, OCEANIS 473. A number were purchased for the charter trade.
The Beneteau 473 is a performance-oriented cruising sloop designed by Groupe Finot and built by Beneteau from 2000–2005. With a displacement of 24277.0 lb and a D/L ratio of 128.72, it offers a balance of speed and comfort, though owners frequently report significant structural and mechanical maintenance challenges.
- Best for:
- This boat suits active coastal cruisers and those seeking a fast, responsive vessel who are prepared to invest in rigorous maintenance and potential structural repairs. It is less ideal for owners seeking a low-maintenance, turn-key experience due to the prevalence of reported hull and rudder issues.
- Bluewater capability:
- While the 473 has a low capsize ratio of 1.96 and a comfortable ratio of 24.58 suggesting offshore potential, critical reports of keel smiles, sump cracking, and rudder shaft failures require thorough verification of structural integrity before considering extended bluewater passages.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Beneteau 461 and 472, which share similar Finot design DNA and production eras, as well as the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44.2 for similar beam and interior volume. These comparisons highlight the 473's position as a wide-beamed, performance-focused cruiser from the early 2000s.
Direct variant of the BENETEAU 473
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
ORC Performance Data(1 certificate)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 5.2 | 6.2 | 7.0 | 7.6 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| 60° | 5.5 | 6.6 | 7.4 | 7.9 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| 75° | 5.9 | 6.9 | 7.7 | 8.2 | 8.4 | 8.6 | 8.7 |
| 90° | 5.8 | 6.9 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 8.5 | 8.8 | 9.1 |
| 110° | 5.8 | 7.1 | 8.0 | 8.5 | 8.8 | 9.1 | 9.5 |
| 120° | 5.6 | 6.9 | 7.9 | 8.4 | 8.8 | 9.2 | 10.0 |
| 135° | 5.0 | 6.3 | 7.4 | 8.2 | 8.6 | 9.0 | 10.0 |
| 150° | 4.1 | 5.3 | 6.5 | 7.4 | 8.1 | 8.5 | 9.3 |
| Beat VMG | 3.3 | 4.1 | 4.7 | 5.0 | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Run VMG | 3.6 | 4.6 | 5.6 | 6.4 | 7.1 | 7.7 | 8.6 |
Estimated Value
High ConfidenceAsking price by model year
79 listings · boat years 2000–2006 · median $147,500
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 46.92ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Featured YouTube Videos
Articles & Reviews
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
25 reported issues across 10 systems for the BENETEAU 473, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a BENETEAU 473? 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 25 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
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Which engine powers your BENETEAU 473?
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Brands sometimes mentioned for this model: Yanmar, Westerbeke — is it one of these?
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Used sails that fit the BENETEAU 473
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