Proudly serving the boating community since 1972
Proudly serving the boating community since 1972
We advertise about the new designs of the Beneteau Oceanis series, but what does that really mean and why are they important to you when considering your next boat? It is one thing to look new and shiny, but the features and their benefits are what really matter. Here are a few that we’d like to point out.
In-Mast Mainsail Furling: This is a no-charge option on most models but it is almost always ordered. It makes life so much easier, getting underway or stowing the sail is a quick process. There is no sail cover to put on or take off, no sail ties, no reef lines, no lazy jacks, no heavy sail to hoist or try to corral when dropping. Simply use the outhaul to pull out as much sail as the conditions warrant, you basically have from zero to 100% sail area to play with, very flexible. If the breeze comes up simply use the inhaul to reduce area. If a squall approaches you can furl the sail in no time without ever leaving the cockpit. In fact all mainsail functions are handled from the safety and security of the cockpit. Coupled with the furling headsail all sail handling is greatly simplified.
Chine Hull: This advance, like so many others in sailing, first came from the offshore racing circuit. The chine adds greatly to the form stability of the hull while keeping waterline beam and drag in check. The beam above the waterline is greater than normal especially in the ends of the boat, which means much more volume in the forward cabin and cockpit areas. Take the Oceanis 38 for example, the hull form allows for an especially wide forward berth that is comfortable sleeping head forward, no more flipping end for end to get in or out of the berth.
Twin Rudders: These combine with the chine hull to provide exceptional tracking and control. The load on each wheel is lighter than you would expect for the size of the boat, and the boat can be spun quickly. They are toed outward so that when the boat is heeled the leeward rudder is closer to vertical for more efficiency. Because they are offset from the centerline they do not starve the prop when you are powering in reverse, and you do not feel prop wash on the rudder in forward. Because they are not in line with the keel one could be damaged by a floating object, but there are two rudders to provide redundancy. Since most cruising boats these days have shallow draft keels, in a single rudder boat the depth of the rudder is almost as deep as the keel, leading to a greater chance of damage during a grounding. The twin rudders are much shorter however, meaning grounding damage would be most unlikely. The one disadvantage we have found is that weeds collect on the rudders more readily because they are not behind the keel, but because they are close to the transom it is easier to clear the weeds off.
Saildrive Engine: One of our favorite features. The diesel is mounted horizontally instead of at an angle which is better for the oil in the engine oil pan. The shaft is also horizontal so the prop is directly aligned with the water flow instead of being dragged through the water at an angle as on a shaft drive. There is no stuffing box to leak or adjust. The sail drive leg is low drag compared to the shaft and strut arrangement. Because the whole engine is flexibly mounted and there is no direct connection between it and the hull (the leg passes through rubber boots) there is less noise and vibration. There is no alignment issue which also means less vibration. Because the prop is almost directly under the engine it is further forward in the boat and therefore in less disturbed water when the boat is going up and down over waves. Performance under power is just plain better with a sail drive and it is especially noticeable in reverse, when you can back the boat up like a car, even better with twin rudders. Smoother, quieter, more efficient, low drag, all together a very useful design feature.
Twin Wheels: At first we thought this was a gimmick but after a very short time we became 100% sold. Modern boats are very wide in the rear end and a single wheel in the center would have to be very large in order to get outboard enough to see forward properly. In addition to that a single wheel impedes fore and aft movement through the cockpit. Twin wheels solve several problems and on a cruising boat they are a terrific advancement. First, you can sit almost at the hull edge on either side for a clear view ahead while sailing or docking. Between the two helm stations you can find a comfortable place to sit or stand in virtually any condition. It is very easy to have someone grab the other wheel while you attend to a sheet or other task. Movement through the cockpit is much easier, especially when you want access to the swim platform. Try it, you will love it.
Larger Cockpit: The newer hull designs offer a much wider aft part of the boat, and this makes for substantially more room in the area of the boat that gets the most use, the cockpit. Longer bench seats on either side for lying down, room for a useful cockpit table on centerline, more helm seating positions, and overall a much better entertaining area. You will find the cockpit area and comfort on a new Oceanis to be equal to or in most cases better than much larger boats of older design.
Longer Waterline: Years ago boats were named for their waterline length, because that was the primary determining factor on actual boat size, sailing length and performance. For example a Luders 16 is actually 26 feet long overall but only 16 feet on the waterline, same as a NY 32 was 50 feet long and only 32 feet on the water. A longer waterline means a greater hull speed. It also means two things of great interest to a cruising sailor: more interior volume and less pitching motion is a seaway. Modern boats have almost no overhangs so the length of the boat when underway is almost the same as the length on deck. Another very useful feature of current designs.
Cockpit Arch: While some consider this visually obtrusive at first, once the inevitable canvas has been added (Dodger and Bimini) you no longer notice it. The arch serves several practical purposes. First, the mainsail sheets to the arch, keeping the mainsheet out of the cockpit which is especially helpful during a jibe. There is no traveler in the cockpit to get in the way, or on deck to interfere with the dodger placement. The mainsheet is sheeted further aft on the boom than in some other solutions for greater mechanical advantage. The arch prevents the boom from dropping into the cockpit which is a safety feature. The arch has stainless steel handholds on it to ease moving in or out of the cockpit to the side deck, a very secure handhold. Given that almost all cruising boats get canvas these days the arch makes a solid attachment point for dodgers and Bimini Connectors and stiffens them considerably versus SS tubing bows.
Fold-Down Transom Swim Platform: These keep getting better and better, larger and larger and easier than ever to use. For example, the transom platforms on the Oceanis 35, 38 and 41 are almost the whole width of the boat and when lowered are close to the water for easy access when swimming or boarding a dinghy. There is a step from the cockpit to the platform. The smaller boats have shocks to make raising or lowering easier and on the 41 on up the platform is electrically powered. Swim ladders extend deeper into the water for ease of use. There is no climbing over a stern rail to get to the platform, the aft end of the cockpit is wide open when the platform is down. Teak on the platform is nice on the feet and less slippery than fiberglass. If someone should accidentally fall into the water it will be much easier to get them out with the low platform. The whole setup is a wonderful play area for kids or grandkids, during this hot summer we probably swam on at least half the daysailing trips we took. It was almost effortless.
Mast Further Aft with Non-Overlapping Headsail: By moving the mast a bit further aft there are several advantages. This distribution of sail area is more equal between mainsail and headsail. The genoa is barely overlapping so it is quick and easy to tack, with less sheet to trim in or out. Visibility forward from the cockpit is better. It is a simple matter to reef both main and genoa from the cockpit and maintain helm balance and proper level of heel. A larger overlapping genoa loses its shape quickly when reefed more than a few turns. With this sail plan you can easily reef both sails a similar amount, less at first and more as the wind really picks up, all the while keeping the boat on its feet and moving.
Higher Freeboard: The height of the deck above the waterline is a major determinant of the space inside the boat. Obviously higher freeboard means more headroom throughout the boat, not only under the coach roof. In the Oceanis 38 for example there is enough headroom for an adult to sit up in bed in the forward cabin with plenty of room over your head...and this is while sleeping head forward. The room in the aft cabins is much greater, as is headroom is areas such as the head. The deck is drier because it is higher above water level, and the crew feels more secure for the same reason. The one downside we noticed is that it is a long way down from the deck if you dock is low, necessitating a step box on the dock.
Hull Ports: These windows in the hull sides, made practical by the higher freeboard, let in plenty of natural light for a brighter interior. They also allow one to look outside so you don't have the feeling of being down inside a cave. It is nice to be able to see what is going on outside without going on deck. Kids love them. All the big custom boats have them today. Curtains provide privacy at night or when desired.
Bow Thruster: Almost a necessity on boats 45 feet and up today, we find a thruster to be really useful even on boats like the 38. The higher freeboard of the modern boats makes them more susceptible to be pushed sideways when docking in a strong crosswind and the thruster solves that problem. The thruster also allows you to maneuver in tight spots in crowded marinas. When entering or exiting a dock it is easy to correct your direction before you scrape your gelcoat or your neighbor's or worse. A little electric motor that can push the bow to the port or starboard by the push of a finger at the helm. We now bring in all of our stock cruising sailboats 38 and up with thrusters, and of course all of our new powerboats have them.
45 Degree Stairs: No more climbing up and down steep steps that are almost ladder-like. The companionway steps on current Oceanis models are at a much shallower angle for easier and safer entrance to and egress from the salon. Sturdy SS handholds on either side increase the safety factor.
Aft Cabins: Gone are the coffin quarter berths of days gone by, or the quarter cabins that followed. Early aft cabins had low headroom and you often had to be a contortionist to get in and out of bed. The aft cabins on new Oceanis models are much more inviting, due to the higher hull freeboard, hull chine and wide aft beam. There is light and air, storage, a substantially wider berth and enough headroom to stand to dress. These are actually comfortable and genuinely usable spaces.
Tags: Beneteau