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Boat Reviews
Beneteau Oceanis 41: Cruising World Sailboat Show 2012
This American-built yacht is a solid performer. "Boat Review" from our January 2012 issue. by Herb McCormick
Built in the U.S.A. in Marion, South Carolina, the on-deck centerpiece of Beneteau’s new line of Oceanis yachts—including the nifty, well-proportioned Oceanis 41—is the central, attractive arch just forward of the cockpit, which is not only stylish but functional. It serves as the anchor point for the mainsheet, as the framework for a tight dodger and bimini, and includes a pair of integral handholds that allow safe and easy access to and from the cockpit.
That’s noteworthy, because the expansive cockpit, with twin steering stations and a clever, innovative convertible transom that folds open to become a handy swim ladder and boarding platform (while greatly increasing the “floor plan” and living space at anchor), is a place to which sailors will naturally gravitate.
Under sail, the Oceanis 41 is a solid performer, registering upwind speeds in the mid-6s on a gusty Chesapeake Bay afternoon with the breeze in the low teens and knocking off a solid 8 knots when cracked off on a broad reach. In puffier air, the furling main and jib were quickly and efficiently shortened to balance the sail plan. The Goiot wheels were light and responsive; the boat was a joy to drive. And the Boat of the Year judges? All smiles.
The Oceanis 45's distinctive hard chine promotes stability and increases interior space. From our January 2012 issue. by Herb McCormick
Other than the difference in their respective lengths, there’s no question that the Beneteau Oceanis 45 and the smaller Oceanis 41 are of the same pedigree. Both share the same sleek profile lines, the mainsheet arch, and identical cockpit/helm treatments. But the similarities between the two don’t end there. Both yachts also incorporate a distinctive hard chine that runs well forward in their hulls, which not only promotes sailing stability but also increases overall interior volume. While there are several different accommodation plans from which to choose, the Boat of the Year judges inspected (and were impressed by) the two-cabin layouts on the 41 and the 45. (The latter is also offered in three- and four-cabin versions.) Among the highlights: a generous pantry/workroom aft of the galley, to port, that also provides access to a vast storage locker (which can also be reached via a cockpit seat), and an innovative sliding table incorporated over the port settee, which can be centered as a breakfast table or for entertaining or slid forward or aft as a dedicated navigation station. The solid-fiberglass hull encapsulates a rugged internal grid system, to which it’s tabbed and bonded. The resin-infused deck is sandwiched around a balsa core. It’s all covered by a five-year structural warranty.
It took more than just crowd appeal to win this boat an award, the Beneteau Sense also offered fresh and innovative ideas to make a cohesive package. by Bill Springer
When they debated about the boats in the category of Best Full-Size Cruiser, 50 to 59 Feet, the judges kept coming back to the boat that attracted so much buzz at the show, but for reasons that were much more substantial than merely crowd appeal. In introducing the Sense 50, Beneteau took a bold step away from its First and Oceanis lines to create a sailboat packed with innovative technology and fresh ideas that together form a cohesive whole. The 50 illustrates that good things can happen when designers and builders think outside the box.
It was apparent to the judges as soon as they stepped aboard that no other monohull in this year’s fleet was even remotely similar to this new concept from Beneteau. They liked the wide cockpit that sits low in the hull, enabling the sensation of speed they enjoyed at the wheel while under sail. And the cockpit’s wide open stern—made even more so by helm seats that hinge up and out of the way—would be a great place to hang out at anchor.
The judges found that the smooth transition through the large companionway into the main saloon worked well. They loved the sense of space in the galley and saloon.
As the judges moved forward through the interior, they saw the boat’s two cabins with en suite heads as perfect for a couple and guests, and they quickly warmed to the idea that the boat has an “office” cabin.
Sealing the decision, the judges agreed that Beneteau’s optional Dock & Go system, which features joystick control of the boat’s rotating saildrive and bow thruster, provides pinpoint close-quarters control that could revolutionize maneuvering when the space gets tight.
Winning Details
* The Dock & Go system worked well and provided all the control under power that the builder promised.
* The Sense has nearly the interior space of a catamaran and the sailing performance of a monohull.
* The transition between the cockpit and the interior is excellent.
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