Following last month’s Dusseldorf Boat Show, French boatbuilder Beneteau has been announced two new projects: the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 and the Oceanis Yacht 54.
Oceanis 40.1… so much versions
The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1, that replaces the Oceanis 41.1, comes in several versions. Sailors keen on performance can choose the First Line version, with a longer mast and a greater draught. The in-mast furling system and self-tacking jib will make shorthanded manoeuvring easier. A standard mast for a semi full battened mainsail is also available.
In terms of accommodations, the Oceanis 40.1 comes in 4 different versions, with a choice of two basic types of woodwork as standard: walnut or floated oak. The many alternatives and options to customize your boat ensure there is an Oceanis 40.1 for each and every sailor.
Are you looking for easy sailing?
The flared hull increases the area on the fore deck. This makes for a better flow of movement and makes anchoring or mooring easier. The cockpit is quite large, much bigger than on its predecessor, the Oceanis 41.1, and on competitors’ boats of the same size. It is ingeniously laid out to allow for a clear demarcation between active and relaxation spaces.
These are the strengths of this new 40 foot cruiser. Lines and halyards lead aft to the two helm stations now further to the rear, leaving space for a large cockpit table for 6 guests, under which is a dedicated space for the life raft. The two long L-shaped benches on either side are unobstructed, as the halyard winches and mainsail sheets are on the coachroof.
Oceanis Yacht 54, Italian soul
Capitalizing on experience gained with the enormously popular Oceanis range, as well as the trend-setting First Yacht 53, her Italian architects, Roberto Biscontini and Lorenzo Argento, have created the new Oceanis Yacht 54.
By incorporating a standard feature of the Oceanis range – the mainsail arch – the Oceanis Yacht 54’s cockpit is completely open, allowing for intuitive movement, comfort, and space; indeed, the flush cockpit occupies more than a third of the full deck area.
Passage from the companionway down the centerline to the side-decks is absolutely unimpeded, and transit to the foredeck is made safe by the boat’s high bulwarks and lifelines, as well as the generous width of the catwalks. Access to the sea is provided by the expansive swim platform, which, once deployed, reveals the space below the cockpit to stow away a 2.4 m inflatable tender.
How to simplify manoeuvres
To simplify manoeuvres both at the harbor and underway, Beneteau has equipped the Oceanis Yacht 54 with the invaluable Easy Sailing navigational aids. Ship Control is standard on the yacht and provides user-friendly intuitive control of all the boat data and components (batteries, tanks, engines, lighting, etc.).
The Dock & Go system is also available to facilitate engine-powered manoeuvres in a limited space, using a straightforward joystick control which operates a bow drive and a 360° rotating saildrive pod. You can use the Harken AST (assisted sail trim) to trim the sails automatically in line with the apparent wind and trim the jib when you need to change tack. The AST system is controlled from a display in the cockpit.
In terms of interior layout, two versions are available: three cabins and two heads, or three cabins and three heads with an extra-large forward master cabin, in which it is easy to walk around the double bed (1.6 m wide).
The trim show great attention to detail, such as the top quality upholstery, wood linings, riddles and lighting, making this 17 m sailing yacht ideal for cruising. Lastly, the numerous storage areas have been optimized: tanks and service areas are easily accessible and their location has been studied to improve weight distribution.