Beneteau Flyer 12 2009 boat specs
Beneteau
Beneteau Flyer 12 2009
2009
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VS
Beneteau Oceanis 281 Shoal draft 1994 boat specs
Beneteau
Beneteau Oceanis 281 Shoal draft 1994
1994
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Beneteau Flyer 12 2009 vs Beneteau Oceanis 281 Shoal draft 1994 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Beneteau Flyer 12 2009 vs Beneteau Oceanis 281 Shoal draft 1994 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The Beneteau Oceanis 281 Shoal draft 1994 tops out at 24 hp. Engine specs for the Beneteau Flyer 12 2009 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Beneteau Flyer 12 2009 carries 317 gallons versus 8 gallons in the Beneteau Oceanis 281 Shoal draft 1994. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Beneteau Flyer 12 2009 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Beneteau Oceanis 281 Shoal draft 1994 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau Flyer 12 2009 could be the deciding factor.

The Beneteau Oceanis 281 Shoal draft 1994 has a documented displacement of 6 614 lbs. Displacement data wasn't available for the other boat in this comparison.

Both boats draw a similar depth — 3,0 ft and 3,1 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.

The Beneteau Oceanis 281 Shoal draft 1994 has a documented auxiliary engine of 24 hp.

For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Beneteau Flyer 12 2009 carries 84 gallons versus 50 gallons on the Beneteau Oceanis 281 Shoal draft 1994 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.

Bottom line: The Beneteau Flyer 12 2009 at 41,3 ft offers more living space, greater range, and a more substantial offshore capability. The Beneteau Oceanis 281 Shoal draft 1994 at 28,6 ft is the easier, lower-cost option — simpler to crew and a strong choice for coastal and day sailing.
General Boat Info
MakeBeneteau
Makenot available
ModelFlyer 12
Modelnot available
Model Year2009
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam13 ft. 1 in
Beam9.70 ft
Beam - Meters3.99
Beam - Meters2.96
Beam - Inches157
Beam - Inches116
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 9 in
Draft [max] - Detail3.10 ft
Draft [max] - Meters1.14
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Inches45
Draft [max] - Inches37
Length [at waterline]34 ft. 19 in
Length [at waterline]not available
Length - Feet41.33
Length - Feet28.6
Length overall - Detail41 ft. 4 in
Length overall - Detail28.60 ft
Length overall - Meters12.6
Length overall - Meters8.72
Length overall - Inches496
Length overall - Inches343
Displacementnot available
Displacement6614.00 lbs
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Ruddernot available
Rudder1 spade rudder
Helmnot available
Helm1 tiller
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard(2) 370 hp IPS
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail317 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1199.97
Fuel tank capacity - Liters29.9
Fuel tank capacity - Gal317
Fuel tank capacity - Gal7.9
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeDiesel
Drive typeInboard - Twin
Drive typeinboard
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower24 hp
Operational Info
Water capacity84 gal
Water capacity50.2
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity4
Cabinsnot available
Cabins1
Headnot available
Head1
Riggingnot available
RiggingSloop
Mast Configurationnot available
Mast ConfigurationDeck stepped mast
Boat typenot available
Boat typeSail
Performance
Maximum speednot available
Maximum speed6.59
Maximum speed measurenot available
Maximum speed measureknots

Beneteau Flyer 12 2009 vs Beneteau Oceanis 281 Shoal draft 1994 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Beneteau Flyer 12 2009 or the Beneteau Oceanis 281 Shoal draft 1994?
The Beneteau Flyer 12 2009 is the longer of the two at 41,3 feet overall. The Beneteau Oceanis 281 Shoal draft 1994 comes in at 28,6 feet, making it roughly 12,7 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The Beneteau Oceanis 281 Shoal draft 1994 has a documented max rating of 24 hp. Engine specifications for the Beneteau Flyer 12 2009 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Beneteau Flyer 12 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Beneteau Oceanis 281 Shoal draft 1994 is certified for 8. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat has the deeper draft — the Beneteau Flyer 12 2009 or the Beneteau Oceanis 281 Shoal draft 1994?
The Beneteau Oceanis 281 Shoal draft 1994 has the deeper draft at 3,1 ft, versus 3,0 ft for the Beneteau Flyer 12 2009. A deeper draft generally means better upwind performance and stability, but limits access to shallow anchorages and some marina berths. Always check the controlling depth of your home port and favourite cruising grounds before committing.
Which boat is better equipped for long-distance cruising?
For extended passages, fresh water capacity is a key indicator of cruising readiness. The Beneteau Flyer 12 2009 carries 84 gallons of fresh water compared to 50 gallons on the Beneteau Oceanis 281 Shoal draft 1994 — a meaningful advantage when watermaker installations or port stops aren't guaranteed.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Beneteau Flyer 12 2009 measures 157" wide, compared to 116" for the Beneteau Oceanis 281 Shoal draft 1994. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Beneteau Flyer 12 2009 or the Beneteau Oceanis 281 Shoal draft 1994?
The Beneteau Flyer 12 2009 has the bigger tank at 317 gallons, versus 8 gallons on the Beneteau Oceanis 281 Shoal draft 1994. That 309-gallon difference translates to roughly 927–1545 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Beneteau Flyer 12 2009 and Beneteau Oceanis 281 Shoal draft 1994 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Beneteau Flyer 12 2009 and the Beneteau Oceanis 281 Shoal draft 1994 are built by Beneteau. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.