Boats

2002 Beneteau 393 Clipper “LONGTAIL”

ACCOMMODATIONS:

The 393 Clipper features three sleeping cabins. The interior of the 393 has lovely, cherry-trimmed wood finishes. Beneteau’s high level of workmanship, readily apparent in the interior joinery and detail, might surprise those who think of the company as a production builder. With little touches like convenient pullout blinds for overhead hatches, full-length overhead hand rails and a well-placed trash locker in the galley, Beneteau has always found ways to make its boats homey, safe and user-friendly.

The floor plan devotes the forepeak to a private head for the forward cabin. This is a great use of space. While this setup is difficult to use when under way in large seas, there is an aft head that can be used when the going gets rough. The bow shape lends itself to a head configuration, with the toilet forward, while allowing for a more desirable Pullman style berth aft instead of the traditional V-berth, a very civilized arrangement. The head compartment is completely molded and includes a shower and overhead Lewmar hatch. The forward cabin is spacious and features a comfortable dressing seat opposite the berth and a large hanging locker. There are also full-length shelves above the berth to port and good ventilation with two hatches.

The salon includes a large U-Shaped settee to port with a small centerline seat. There is storage in corner lockers and under the settee. The spacious interior makes use of the 13-foot, 1-inch beam, by extending the furniture nearly to the hull at the expense of storage locker depth. The table, which lowers to converts to a double berth, is to port, with an entertainment console and large storage area opposite.

The navigation station is aft. This is an unusual use of space, but quite practical. A number of folded charts and guidebooks can be stashed inside the nav desk, and there is room for radios and repeaters beneath the electrical panel located outboard. The most striking feature of the salon is the skylight-it floods the cabin with welcome natural light.

The main cabin includes the galley to starboard. Double stainless steel sinks face forward with a small two-burner stove and oven. A 12-volt refrigerator in the counter with a freezer compartment.  Galley cabinets have louvered door faces for ventilation and there is plenty of counter space for preparing meals-it is a French boat after all.

The main cabin has a second head to starboard, with a standard manual flush toilet, wash basin and shower. A small cabinet holds toiletries, and there is handrail for when the going gets rough. The aft cabins have identical doubles tucked under the cockpit with fore-and-aft bunks, hanging lockers and shelf storage.

Access to the Volvo marine diesel is excellent from behind the companionway steps and through the aft cabins.