Beneteau 343 – Model Review (2005-2009)

Model Data & Specifications

Production Years: 2005–2009 (Introduced late 2004 for model year 2005).

Production Volume: Approximately 800+ units produced worldwide.

Production Facilities: 

• Marion, South Carolina, USA (North American market)
• Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, France.

Design Team: Berret-Racoupeau Design (Jean Berret & Olivier Racoupeau).

Optional Layout Configurations:

• 2-Cabin / 1-Head (Owner’s Version): Features a large aft transverse berth, forward V-berth, starboard head with separate stall shower, and deep starboard cockpit lazarette.
• 3-Cabin / 1-Head: Features twin symmetric aft cabins, forward V-berth, and a combined head/shower arrangement.

Optional Keels & Draft:

• Deep Draft (Fin Keel with Bulb): 6 ft 3 in (1.90 m)
• Shoal Draft (Bulb Keel): 4 ft 11 in (1.50 m)
• Centerboard / Lifting Keel Variant: 4 ft 1 in (1.25 m) board up / 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) board down

Optional Masts & Height:

• Classic Mast (Slab/Slab Furling Fractional 9/10 Rig): Mast height above waterline (air draft) ~49 ft 8 in (15.15 m).
• In-Mast Roller Furling Main Rig: Air draft ~49 ft 8 in (15.15 m).

Optional Engines:

• Yanmar 3YM30 (29 HP / 21.3 kW): Standard package in North America.
• Yanmar 3YM20 (21 HP): Standard in select European domestic markets.

Engine Drive Systems: Direct stainless steel shaft drive through GRP skeg with P-bracket and 2- or 3-blade fixed/folding propeller.

Optional Major Equipment Offered: 

• Pivoting/swiveling Lewmar steering pedestal wheel
• Reverse-cycle AC/heating (12,000–16,000 BTU)
• Electric anchor windlass (Lofrans)
• “Clipper” package (upgraded electronics, teak cockpit seating, hot water heater), and optional Steel Blue gelcoat hull color.

Model Evolution: Direct replacement for the Oceanis 331. Succeeded in late 2008 by the Berret-Racoupeau designed Beneteau Oceanis 34 and Oceanis 37.

Market Value Factors & Common Issues

Common Known Issues:

• Leaking Saloon Skylight / Panoramic Deck Windows: Factory sealant on the overhead cabin top glass panel degrades over time, causing water ingress into the main salon.
• Pivoting Wheel Mechanism Play: The Lewmar swivel helm system requires periodic adjustment and lubrication; can develop mechanical slop or pin locking stiffness.
• Weather Helm in Heavy Winds: High-aspect 9/10 fractional rig and sail plan generate noticeable weather helm in winds exceeding 15–18 knots if mainsail is not reefed early.
• Cast Iron Keel Oxidation: Factory iron keels require routine epoxy barrier coat re-application to prevent surface rust bleeding.
• Deck Hardware Bedding: Unsealed stanchion bases and deck fittings may lead to localized deck coring moisture.

Competitive Model Comparison Table

Specification	Beneteau Oceanis 343	Catalina 350	Hunter 36	Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35
Production Years	2005–2009	2003–2008	2004–2010	2003–2008
LOA	35 ft 6 in (10.82 m)	35 ft 3 in (10.74 m)	35 ft 6 in (10.82 m)	35 ft 3 in (10.75 m)
LWL	30 ft 10 in (9.40 m)	31 ft 3 in (9.53 m)	31 ft 5 in (9.58 m)	31 ft 1 in (9.47 m)
Beam	11 ft 5 in (3.48 m)	13 ft 0 in (3.96 m)	12 ft 0 in (3.66 m)	11 ft 5 in (3.48 m)
Standard Draft	4 ft 11 in / 6 ft 3 in	4 ft 6 in / 6 ft 8 in	4 ft 11 in / 6 ft 5 in	4 ft 9 in / 6 ft 2 in
Displacement	11,861 lbs (5,380 kg)	12,937 lbs (5,868 kg)	13,900 lbs (6,305 kg)	11,905 lbs (5,400 kg)
Standard Engine	Yanmar 29 HP	Universal 35 HP	Yanmar 29 HP	Yanmar 29 HP
Fuel Capacity	20 gal (75 L)	39 gal (148 L)	38 gal (144 L)	34 gal (130 L)
Water Capacity	67 gal (255 L)	88 gal (333 L)	75 gal (284 L)	82 gal (310 L)

Sailing Magazine

A boat that’s easy on the eye and so easy to sail you’ll go every day
The Beneteau 343 is the latest model from one of the industry’s most prolific builder. Conceived as a lively cruiser, the 343 includes design and construction features that we’ve come to take for granted from Beneteau. The 343 is comfortable on deck and below, it is easy to handle and maintain, and it performs well through a wide range of conditions. When you throw in a base price that hovers just over $100,000 you can add excellent value to the mix of features.
https://www.sailingmagazine.net/boat-test/417-beneteau-343
 

2005 Boat of the Year Winners Announced

The Beneteau 343 follows a popular trend that increases interior space with a raised coachroof and incorporates panoramic deck lights for more ambient light down below. She looks and feels large for her size and offers unrestricted visibility and movement without dodger or bimini. The test boat had a full-batten main, a folding prop, and a six-foot-one-inch deep-draft keel–in other words, none of Bill’s three go-slow factors. Consequently, she delivered six and a half knots of boat speed on a beam reach in 10 knots true. The 343 also turned heads with a steering column that swivels 90 degrees to clear the passage through the cockpit.
 

Practical Sailor Review

July 1, 2005 Issue
Beneteau’s New 343
A revamp of the 331, this midsize cruiser has a plain-Jane mien coupled with adequate comfort and surprising performance.
A revamp of the 331, this midsize Beneteau’s New 343 cruiser has a plain-Jane mien coupled with adequate comfort and surprising performance.
 

Beneteau Oceanis 343 Yacht / Sailboat

Launched in 2005, the Beneteau Oceanis 343 blends impressive performance with exceptional comfort and spacious accommodation. Her stylish lines and innovative design have won her a string of accolades including winning the under 40 foot category of the Croatian Boat of The Year 2005, being a finalist in the Australian Marine Industries Awards 2006 and being shortlisted for Cruising World’s 2005 Boat of The Year.
https://www.go-sail.co.uk/beneteauoceanis343.asp

Why do some models use Oceanis and Clipper?  Beneteau stopped using Oceanis in their marketing from the early ‘90s to 2012.  In the US the 343 was marketed as a Beneteau 343 and the rest of the world it was called the Beneteau Oceanis 343.  Clipper was used in the rest of the world to describe the standard Beneteau in the US.