What the fleet has seen
The Beneteau 523, as the fleet has seen it
Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.
The Beneteau 523, also known as the Oceanis 523, is a 16.2-meter fractional sloop designed by Groupe Finot and built by Beneteau from 2001. It features a fin keel with a bulb and a spade rudder, displacing 13,999 kg with a 2.4-meter draft, though a shallow draft version was also offered. The design emphasizes a comfortable cruising experience, with a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 21.9 and a comfort ratio of 23.9. Aboard *Taimot*, a 52-foot Beneteau 523, a crew abandoned the vessel 150 miles off Cape Hatteras in December despite the boat remaining seaworthy in 6- to 10-foot seas and 17–23 mph winds, highlighting the difference between a vessel's capabilities and crew endurance.6:59 Stefan Heiberg, a charter captain in Malta and Sicily, operates a 52-foot Beneteau for Mediterranean charters, where frequent anchoring in busy bays like the Blue Lagoon requires careful monitoring.3:50 The Beneteau 523 was offered with multiple interior layouts.
