beneteau oceanis yacht 54 review

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Tested: Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54

Beneteau has taken the hull of its sporty First 53 and repackaged it to create the luxurious Oceanis Yacht 54. Sam Jefferson evaluates whether the metamorphosis has been a success

There is a reason that Beneteau have been the biggest manufacturer of yachts over the past three decades and more, and that, make no mistake, has been because they are shrewd enough to look at the bottom line and understand exactly what is required to turn a profit in the notoriously choppy waters of the boatbuilding trade. This is perhaps why I raised an eyebrow when they launched the somewhat flamboyant Beneteau First 53 last year; a boat that was all style, flair and panache. In all honesty it was a boat that seemed designed more as a glorious ‘screw you’ to Solaris Yachts and other manufacturers in that niche than a serious money maker. Yet, I might have known that Beneteau had a further trick up its sleeve and this was confirmed when it launched the Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54. Another new yacht? I thought. Well, not exactly. True, the deck is entirely new, but the hull looked strangely familiar and that is because it comes directly from the Beneteau First 53. Yes, this is the more grown up version of the boat. The new deck mould means it is at least halfway to being a new boat and there are other refinements, demonstrating that this is a yacht with pretensions of being much more of a serious cruising yacht.

More on that as we go along, but let’s start with what is the same – the hull: the lines have been penned by Italian designer Roberto Biscontini, who devoted many years of his career to working on America’s Cup yachts such as Il Moro di Venezia. He won a design competition and the First 53 was born, and that in turn has provided the hull for the Oceanis Yacht 54. Doubtless this was part of Biscontini’s design brief in the first place. The lines are, in their own way, fairly conservative. This is a yacht that boasts prodigious beam (16’5”) carried almost all the way aft; there is no chine and this slippery aft section is combined with moderately fine bow sections and modest freeboard.

She comes with an iron tipped T-shaped keel with a draft of 2.5m as standard, with a shallow (1.95m) version available. The boat weighs in at 16,600kg, which makes her 1,100kg lighter than the First 53. The mast stepped rig is big but has been significantly reduced compared to her sportier sister. Perhaps the need to convert the hull of the 53 into a slightly more conservative 54 explains why the styling is not as aggressive as some of her direct competitors; there is a plumb bow rather than the dreadnought bow favoured by some manufacturers in this category.

As previously mentioned, it is the deck and coachroof on this yacht that are totally new and that is reflected in the profile of the boat. The new coachroof is a touch higher and more angular than on the 53, while the addition of an arch over the cockpit – which is the fixing point for the mainsheet – gives the boat a distinct air of being a fast cruiser as opposed to having serious pretensions of being sporty.

Nevertheless, it’s a stylish yacht which looks good on the water.

Step aboard and you are definitely in a more enclosed space than on the 53. The layout is markedly different and, although there is a lot of room, there is also a feeling of security.

The helming stations are set slightly further inboard compared to the 53 and there are seats for the helmsman with lockers underneath. The yacht I tested had a fixed bimini and sprayhood which made the boat feel very safe and enclosed without making the boat look terrible, which I thought was a fine achievement.

The cockpit is laid out so that aft by the wheels is the ‘working’ area of the boat, with all sail controls led through channels in the coamings to two pairs of beefy Harken winches – electric, of course. Meanwhile, further forward is the lounging zone featuring a comfortable seating area and twin cockpit tables. This lounging area is further extended thanks to two large cushions set into the coachroof – very comfortable they are too.

There is a lot of space aft of the wheels and, in addition to providing a pleasant space to pad about and possibly sunbathe, beneath lies the dinghy garage; an important feature – there’s also decent access to the rudder quadrants.

There are acres of teak on show, although if you want the foredeck and side decks teak, this is an added option that you’ll probably take to be honest. The side decks are wide and everything is flush. There’s not much to say because it’s extremely minimalist. Up forward there is the now obligatory fixed bowsprit with integrated roller, and there is also a capacious lazarette which can be converted into pretty reasonably proportioned crew quarters.

Perhaps the most interesting feature is the three-level deck which features a series of three steps ascending upwards as you move toward the bow. The result is a boat that has an added feeling of security aft when you tread out onto the side decks, with the bulwarks getting progressively shorter as you get to the bow. It’s not a feature I’ve seen before but it seems to work pretty well, and is a marked contrast from the flush decks of the First 53.

If the deck is radically different from the 53, the interior is not nearly such a departure. The big difference is that there is a bit more light in here thanks to the larger portlights in the saloon. Aside from that, the seating area to starboard has been altered to accommodate a U-shaped dining area – the 53 has a slightly more ‘lounge’ style area here, with the dining area to port instead. The space saved on the port side has been used to create a chart table/office space, which works very well. Other than that, there are differences in trim but all in all, things are very similar – no bad thing, believeme. Given the yacht’s very broad hindquarters, there is a lot of space down here – and this despite the fact that a lot is lost to the dinghy garage. But this is only a minor issue as the premise of this boat is not to cram in many people at all. The result is a yacht with two modest double berths aft and a big stateroom forward. You have the option of three ensuites, or a shared bathroom for the doubles aft combined with an ensuite for the stateroom.

The galley is to port and is U-shaped with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a luxury yacht.

Up forward, the main stateroom is a sumptuous affair with an ensuite that features the heads set to port and a separate shower room to starboard, which I always find a more satisfactory set up compared to showering in close vicinity to the toilet. The aft cabins were perforce more modest and unremarkable but they were perfectly pleasant places to be. Engine access was also good, and the steps down to the saloon were thoughtfully angled with the amount of handholds had been well thought out. In addition, the quality of the finish was good, in line with expectation of Beneteaus these days. One added thing to note here was the almost complete absence of creaks and groans down here, even when the boat was pressed hard – or when I was tramping on the floorboards.

Given that I tested the First 53 in the autumn and have done precious little sailing since, I was a bit worried that this would just be a slightly less thrilling sail than the previous one. Thankfully the south of France dished up a surprisingly nasty day given it was late June, with strong breezes and a short chop. This negated to some extent the extra weight and slightly reduced sail plan of the 54 and meant instead we just had a rollicking sail. This is a moderate displacement yacht with twin rudders and a relatively deep T-keel married to a decently proportioned rig with spanking new sails. How did she perform?

Well, ask a silly question.. she performed superbly – as any modern yacht would in those circumstances with those appendages in 15-17kn of breeze. The steering was a joy; light and responsive with tons of grip and masses of control – even with once we’d hoisted the gennaker. The speed never dropped below 7.5kn and we were well into double digits off the breeze with the gennaker. The sail controls were also eminently sensible, and it’s easy to see how you could handle this boat single-handed without any great shakes. As an added bonus, Harken’s Assisted Sail Trim system was also available, which will actually trim the sails and even tack for you. I’ve used it before and while it’s incredibly clever, I prefer to do things by hand myself.

Under power, the boat was impressively silent down below but perhaps the most fascinating feature was the optional extra Dock and Go system. This greatly eases engine-powered manoeuvring in tight spaces by combining a 360 degree rotating pod with a retractable bowthruster. I was cynical about the use of this as I observed the chap from Beneteau twiddling with a little joystick to park the boat, silently musing that I would be happier Med mooring by eye.

On trying it though, I must admit I was deeply impressed. This genuinely takes all of the stress out of parking to an absurd degree. Even in blustery conditions you have pinpoint control, and Med mooring a boat like this with such a broad derrière, this really is a bonus. It’s an optional extra which costs £XX – quite pricey, but somewhat offset on a big boat like this where the bow thruster is standard anyway. Plus if you are at all nervous about parking, it’s superb.

If the First 53 was a cruising boat with racing potential, the Oceanis Yacht 54 is a fast cruiser pure and simple. Nothing wrong with that either. I guess the biggest and most important thing was that there was a clear demarcation between the 53 and the 54. This, to my mind, has definitely been achieved. This is a very refined yacht that is genuinely very easy to manage. It could demolish an ocean passage with ease but I still feel its natural home is the Med, where its mixture of style, speed and ease of handling make for a very pleasing mix.

Length overall: 17,16m (56’4”)

Hull length: 15,98m (52’5”)

Beam: 4,99m (16’5”)

Light displacement: 16 600 Kg (34 170 lbs)

Standard draft: 2.50m (8’2”)

Shallow draft: 1.95m

Mainsail: 63sq/m (678sq/ft)

Genoa: 65sq/m (700sq/ft)

Engine: 80hp (110hp optional)

Price: (base) €418,000

Contact: Beneteau.com

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• Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54: Honorable Mention
• By Herb McCormick
• Updated: December 8, 2020

Each year in our Boat of the Year deliberations, we reserve the right to cite and reward nominees that may not have been a category winner, but which boasted a feature or innovation above and beyond our usual expectations. This year, we’re handing out Honorable Mentions to a pair of yachts that could hardly be more different. First up, is the Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54.

It’s downright startling that this unique and interesting platform morphed from the very same hull of a distinctive but altogether different Beneteau, last year’s First Yacht 53, a powerful performance cruising boat that was very much a departure from the company’s usual cruising offerings, and which is enjoying a healthy production run of its own. The Oceanis Yacht 54 is a return to the sort of solid values we’ve come to expect from the French builder: It’s an honest-to-goodness cruising boat but with some very pleasing attributes. Honestly, it’s hard to believe the former and the latter come from the same builder, never mind the same hull.

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The centerpiece of the deck layout is what the marketing folks call “the terrace by the sea,” which is kind of poetic, but it’s also a rather apt description. The aft deck layout—or floor plan, if you will—puts an emphasis on free-flowing spaces throughout the cockpit that lead you to a back porch and swim platform that’s extremely pleasant and extraordinarily inviting. Who wouldn’t want to hang in a terrace…by the sea?

Pillsbury certainly would. He remembers a sporty test sail in fall 2020 aboard the First Yacht 53 that he described as “fun and exhilarating”. But, he found the new iteration not only a bit more civilized, but also more aesthetically pleasing…which is certainly the point. “I like this new version quite a lot,” he said. “I like the raised cabin top. The cockpit treatment is excellent. It’s a comfortable boat. It’s a real cruiser. I found it more of a Cruising World boat, honestly.”

His fellow judges conferred. Here’s a toast to the Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54.

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Everything You Need To Know About The New Beneteau Oceanis 54

The oc 54 is a recent addition to the oceanis yacht range available for sale in florida..

Groupe Beneteau made waves in 2020. The French shipyard added two new sailboats available for sale in the United States — the Oceanis 40.1 and the Oceanis 54 . We were impressed by the key features of the OC 40.1 because it optimizes comfort, ease of maneuvering, and versatility. But then Beneteau gave us another gift — the Oceanis 54, a 56-foot luxury cruiser with a performance hull. This sailboat compliments the Beneteau Oceanis Yacht range and will essentially replace the OC 55.1.

People will look at the OC 54 and see many different purposes. Some may look at her and think it’s the perfect sunset cruiser, others could see it as their ticket to sail across the Pacific Ocean. That’s the beauty of this boat — she’s versatile. After watching Cruising World’s interview with Beneteau sailboat sales manager, Eric Levine, we’re highlighting the key features and what you need to know about the Oceanis Yacht 54. If you have bluewater ambitions, this may be the perfect boat for you.

Starting with the exterior features, the Oceanis 54 is equipped with a huge swim platform — nicknamed “Terrace on the Sea” — that adds usable space to the cockpit. From here, it’s easy to access the longitudinal dingy garage at the transom of the boat, which can hold an 8-foot inflatable tender.

Beneteau upgraded the traditional center-cockpit design by creating a free-flowing and unimpeded layout with distinct areas for lounging and sailing. This makes the cockpit practical and safe. Retractable tables can expand for a nice lunch on the water or retract to add a layer of cushions. Walking through the cockpit, along the side decks, and to the foredeck, you’ll notice a feeling of safety as this sailboat offers plenty of handrails and high side rails. The foredeck of the OC 54 is a spacious, fully flush area that has a superyacht flare with a stylish teak deck and large sun pads.

Twin helms aft offer unobstructed views of the deck and up to the sails. You can drive this sailboat easily without being in the way of guests (or vice versa), yet everything you need to navigate (winches, throttle, bow thruster) is within arm’s length from the helm. Beneteau intuitively used ideas that worked in the past and re-applied them to create a modern sailing machine. The Oceanis Yacht 54 is available with three different drafts: shoal, deep, and performance, which measure 6.4, 8.2, and 9.9 feet respectively.

The interior space on the Beneteau OC 54 offers a real wow-factor that you won’t see on other boats in her range. Attention to detail highlights a blend of colors, a gentle sloping companionway, and thoughtful lighting. The Oceanis 54 has a standard 3 cabin, 2 head layout, but it can be adjusted to 3 cabins and 3 heads, and both can be built using light oak or walnut.

The objective in the design of the OC 54 interior was to create a warm and modern atmosphere with as much natural light and ventilation as possible. There is plenty of headroom throughout the interior and versatile cabin arrangements provide unrivaled levels of comfort and abundant storage space.

A C-shaped galley is practical for bluewater sailing, equipped with a gas stove, rectangular stainless steel sink, fitted cabinets, and full-size refrigerator. A cozy navigation station and owner’s lounge area is parallel to a C-shaped dinette that can comfortably accommodate 6 to 8 guests. It’s obvious that the interior space has a home-away-from-home feel that adds a level of comfort no matter where you are in the world.

This nimble 56-footer paves the way for a new generation of cruisers. An optimized cockpit and easy sailing navigational aids create a luxurious sailboat that can take you across oceans in style, comfort, and speed. The Oceanis Yacht 54 represents the pinnacle of the modern monohull cruising design thanks to an emphasis on build quality, high-end materials, and the innovative Beneteau vision.

Check out Cruising World’s interview below for a Q&A about this sailboat’s key features or contact Denison yacht broker, Matthew Morrison , to schedule a showing. The Oceanis 54 is for sale in Florida with Denison Yachting.

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Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54

From eur 436,000.

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Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54: Honorable Mention

On test: Oceanis Yacht 54 - Yachting World

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Beneteau Oceanis 54 – The Alternative Investment! (Review)

Oceanis 54 Yacht Review

The new Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 shares a lot of DNA with the company’s First Yacht 53 , introduced last year. The Oceanis Yacht 54, however, is both more luxurious and carries a slightly different rig for sailors who lean more toward cruising and entertaining than racing.

DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION

The hull and deck of the Oceanis Yacht 54 are both infused with a balsa core and an inner liner vacuum-infused to the hull in conventional Beneteau fashion. Less typically for Beneteau, a pair of aluminum beams runs the length of the boat beneath the cabin sole, adding support and rigidity.

The keel and its bulb are cast iron. The boat carries twin rudders on a pair of stainless steel stocks, and the cockpit is equipped with dual helm stations. Standard power is an 80hp saildrive, but our test boat came with the optional 110hp shaft drive and dripless coupling instead. Another option is Beneteau’s “Dock and Go” 360 saildrive and bow thruster system, to facilitate moving in and out of the tightest slips and marinas.

As always with Beneteau, the plumbing and distributed electrical system are neatly installed, and the boat meets all necessary CE and ISO 12215 standards. A Beneteau “Ship Control System” allows owners to monitor a wide range of onboard functions via a cell phone app, including lights, air conditioning, generator, and battery and water levels. Two different keels, standard and shoal, the latter drawing 6ft 7in, are available.

The deck is a long, wide, open space with plenty of lounging room for sunbathers. A low bulwark enclosing the side decks helps compensate for a shortage of grab points on the cabintop. Beneteau has brought back the cockpit arch (not part of the package aboard the First Yacht 53 with its greater emphasis on success on the racecourse) as a convenient mounting spot for the mainsheet, bimini and windshield. The mainsheet attaches at a single point without a traveler, but a double-ended German rig is available for more performance-minded skippers. There’s also the option of a boom-furling mainsail for those who want a more efficient sailplan than is possible with in-mast furling.

The transom opens electrically to expose a boarding platform and dinghy garage large enough for an 8ft inflatable, an elegant, straightforward solution for storing and launching the tender.

ACCOMMODATIONS

The interior is finished like a modern urban apartment, with flush-mounted cabinet doors, neutral colors and an expansive feel. It’s attractive in the European style and will be a fine place for entertaining guests. The joinery is of Alpi laminate wood with a choice of either a mahogany finish, like on our test boat, or a lighter oak color.

We sailed the three-cabin, two-head version. However, a three-head version is also available, as is a charter model with a small cabin in the forepeak for a hired captain. Tall fiddles on all countertops and strong grab rails alongside the companionway and overhead serve as good handholds. The headroom in the saloon is well over 6ft.

The C-shaped galley amidships has an apartment-size fridge plus a freezer. A dishwasher is available as an option. The forward-facing nav table just aft of the owner’s cabin in the bow employs the end of the port-side settee as a seat. It’s an unusual layout that seems better suited to relaxation than work, but makes sense in this era of electronic navigation. As is typically the case with Beneteau, the Oceanis Yacht 54 is available with a long list of options that includes everything from a genset and air conditioning to stereo systems and upholstery choices.

With a perfect 12-18 knot breeze in Annapolis, close-reaching under standard sails produced a satisfying 9 knots of boatspeed in fairly smooth water. Unrolling a Code 0 affixed to the boat’s fixed bowsprit added a knot. While it may not technically be a racer, the Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 does move right along. A comparably sized cruising catamaran couldn’t have done any better.

Tacking through slightly less than 90 degrees was uneventful and effortless with the help of our test boat’s big electric winches. There was a slight amount of weather helm, just enough to provide the necessary feedback when sailing hard on the wind, and the big boat responded instantly to the wheel. Beneteau has incorporated a nice set of foot braces in the cockpit and at both helm stations, a welcome touch when the boat is on its ear. There’s nothing like twin rudders for maintaining a firm grip on the water in heavier conditions.

The nearly flush deck made for excellent sight lines in all directions, and the overall motion was an easy, comforting one in a seaway. This is the kind of boat that will be well suited for everything from long-distance cruising to daysailing with children. Sail controls were also exemplary throughout. The in-mast furling main and roller-furling jibs worked perfectly, making shorthanded sailing a simple matter.

UNDER POWER

Motoring on the Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 is a non-event, as it should be on any modern sailing vessel. Full throttle drives the boat at nearly 10 knots, while a comfortable cruise setting of 2,400 rpm produced a quiet 9 knots. Stopping and backing are normal. The turning circle is tight, about one boatlength, and helm control is positive and simple. That said, a bow thruster is inevitably a good idea aboard any boat this size given the crowded nature of today’s harbor facilities.

The Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 is a superbly capable cruiser that will check a lot of boxes for a lot of sailors. Think summers in New England, spring and fall on the Chesapeake and an offshore passage to the Caribbean for a winter in the islands—that or trips from Southern California to Mexico and back. Whatever the locale, the Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54 will serve as an outstanding modern sailing home where owners can entertain friends, family or clients in style. 

SPECIFICATION

For any further details, offer, quote or questions, please feel free to contact us. We expect the first Oceanis 54 Yacht in Croatia in Spring 2022!

Hanse 548 vs. Beneteau Oceanis 54

Sailing yacht cruiser comparison, in this article, we compare two 52ft cruisers from renowned series production shipyards of hanse yachts and beneteau yachts., grand comfort and style: two modern cruisers for the sailing enthusiast that crave comfort and cruising in style.

Interior Volume – Sleek Exterior Lines – Easy Sailing – Best in Class Cockpit

The similarities between the Hanse 548 and the Beneteau Oceanis 54

So why compare the Hanse 548 with the Beneteau Oceanis 54 you might ask? They are both designed by two distinctly different naval architects with varying design languages. Still, their representation is the same: Comfort at sea and ease of handling without losing the thrill every sailing enthusiast crave – the responsiveness at helm and excitement of single-handedly controlling a large yacht with tremendous load and power. 

So what is it that makes the Hanse 548 and Beneteau Oceanis 54 so similar despite their differences in naval design and style concept? The H548 and the BOC54 boost large interior volume flooded with natural light from the many deck hatches and port windows coupled with modern layout features and mesmerizing stowage and lounging capacity to almost go mistaken for a modern luxury apartment.

The exterior similarities between the Hanse 548 and the Beneteau Oceanis 54 start with the cockpit. Both have revolutionized the traditional cockpit design into a flush layout with distinct areas dedicated to lounging and sailing, creating unobtrusive ease of movement from the companionway directly to the helm and stern and to the huge bathing platform and around the sidewalks.

Both yachts have a similar design concept with two large double helm stations with all lines and sheets directed right back and operated at the helm station. The guests are seperated from the skipper. Both yachts offer a “push-button” system for effortlessly handling the sails and manoeuvres, separating the guest from the skipper. 

Finally, the optional hardtop practically doubles the living space, effectively protecting the external cockpit. Both bimini and sprayhood are integral to the design and provide a lot of protection without looking overly ungraceful

Comfort at Sea

There is probably no more subjective issue than comfort. As for performance, if it can be measured and compared, isn’t it also relative? There is no intention to impose a single view on such a personal subject. Instead, we aim to help you ask yourself the right questions when choosing a sailing yacht that you will need once you have established your cruising lifestyle. 

What is comfort at sea? There is a clear distinction between going out for a weekend coastal cruise or a couple of weeks of charter, compared to staying onboard permanently – the proximity induced by the space constraints can quickly become a challenge. Then comfort for us means having space for everyone – and everything.

Comfort also means freeing oneself from chores. With all the new advancements in technology, we can more easily adapt to living onboard with less space and being mindful of energy consumption without losing the comfort we are getting used to from our lifestyles ashore. 

And finally, comfort for us also means safety and having the time to do what we want to do privately. No one wants to spend all their time maintaining and dealing with complex systems or setting sail and having to employ a whole crew to do so.

Beneteau Group:

Groupe Beneteau is a worldwide market leader for boats and a European frontrunner for leisure homes. With its global production capacities and global sales networks, the Group employs 7,600 people in France, the US, Poland, Italy, Portugal and China. Since 1884, the Beneteau family boatyard has successfully evolved through the decades, from fishing to recreational boating and diversified itself. Today, Groupe Beneteau, through its brands and services, has developed unique skill sets and technical know-how in boating and leisure homes.

In 2021, the Beneteau Groupe was bought up (59%) by investment group PPF and is part of a drive towards creating an even more dominating presence in the yacht charter market with the acquisition of both Dream Yacht Charter and Navigare Yachting. 

The 54 is the second yacht in the Oceanis Yacht range, after the 62 launched in 2016. She offers a modern and elegant design for ease of use with her furling mast as standard. This new 54-footer is the design collaboration between a pair of Italians: architect Roberto Biscontini, a veteran of several high-profile America’s Cup campaigns who created the hull, and Lorenzo Argento, the stylist behind many high-end Wally Yachts, who designed the interior layout and accoutrements. The Oceanis Yacht 54 borrows the primary hull platform from the earlier introduced First Yacht 53, but make no mistake about it: This is an entirely new and fresh vessel.

Hanse Yachts Group:

A funny thing has happened in the world of production boatbuilding since the German company Hanse Yachts launched its first model, the relatively modest Hanse 291, in 1993. To put it mildly, Hanse has exploded and is now a certifiable behemoth, trailing only Group Beneteau in the world’s largest sailboat builders (the firm’s holdings include the Moody, Dehler, Fjord, Ryck, Sealine brands, and Privilège Catamarans as well).

The Hanse 548 was launched in early 2019 and unveiled three new models in late 2018. The largest of which was the Hanse 548 (all three boats were part of the company’s 8-Series, an ongoing upgrade of almost the entire line). 

Technical specifications​

Key differences, in the table below, you can see the key specifications..

Beneteau Oceanis 54   Specifications

Hull lenght.

15,98 m / 52’5’’

5,00 m / 16’5’’

DISPLACEMENT

- Sail drive (standard) 80 HP - Sail drive (Dock&Go) 80 HP - Propeller shaft (Option) 110 HP

Standard draft (T-keel) 2,50m

Naval Architect

Biscontini Yacht Design

Hanse 548   Specifications

15.75 m / 51' 8"

5.05 m / 16' 7"

Propeller shaft 110 HP fixed or foldable propellor

Standard draft (L-keel) 2,55m

Judel / Vrolijk & co

Beneteau Oceans 54   SA/D 19,9

Mast and rig (two versions)

Aluminum mast with in-mast furling deck-stepped, 2 Aft swept spreaders.

Performance classical aluminum mast deck-stepped (+1,80m / 5’11’’) 3 Aft swept spreaders

The Beneteau Oceanis 54 has a split backstay with an optional (extra) Hydraulic backstay. Single-strand rigging with an anodized aluminum boom, harken blocks at mast foot, a rigid boom vang with tackle, 2 Stand-up blocks for mainsail sheet on mainsail cradle, and 1 Self-tacking jib track with the traveler. All lines brought back to the helm stations (except boom uphaul and Genoa halyard)

Complete running rigging: Mainsail halyard; Genoa halyard with on-mast tensioner; Boom topping lift with cleat on the mast; Mainsheet, and a Self-tacking jib sheet.

65 / 70 m² S-T Jib: 51 / 56 m²

Code 0 / Ass. Spinnaker

150m² / 210m² & 166m² / 260m²

Sailing Ratio (kg's per m2 upwind sail area)

Std: 130 / Prf: 108

Hanse 548   SA/D 19,29

Mast and rig

Mast in annodized aluminium, keel stepped, with kicker, standing and running rigging and 2 reefs-Manual jib furler. Optional furling mast.

Hanse signature self-tacking jib

Twin forestay option.

Hanse easy trim backstay.

All lines are led back to the helm stations (German sheet system).

71 m² (furling) / 79 m² (standard)

Gennaker/ Spinnaker

193 m²/ 100 m²

Std: 153 / Prf: 144

Some noticable differences in the exteror layout between the Benetau Oceanis 54 and the Hanse 548

Benteau Oceanis 54   Exterior

The objective view:

The Oceanis 54 is built using a balsa sandwich infusion hull and a vacuum-infused structural inner liner (Fabrics – resin) that is bonded to the hull. Less typically for Beneteau, a pair of aluminum beams runs the length of the boat beneath the cabin sole, adding support and rigidity.

With a straight stem allowing for new interior volumes in the bow area, and a maximum beam (5 m) carried further aft. Movement on deck was given special attention, particularly around the cockpit, which modernizes the traditional center-cockpit design into a flush layout with distinct areas dedicated to lounging and sailing.

Aptly drawn coamings and high bulwarks provide increased safety while transiting to the foredeck, and access to the sea is provided by the spacious swim platform, which, when deployed, reveals the space below the cockpit to store an eight-foot inflatable tender. The Oceanis Yacht 54 is available with two different drafts: 2,50 m (standard), 1,95 m (option). 

The keel and its bulb are cast iron. The boat carries twin rudders on a pair of stainless steel stocks, and the cockpit is equipped with dual helm stations

There is plenty of storage and seating and space for lounging in the cockpit with its twin cockpit tables, which can lower to form sunbeds, making it easy to pass through the cockpit while providing some bracing support. Together with the sun pads to each side on the flat coachroof beneath the sprayhood, as well as the long benches, there is a significant amount of lounging space, all of which is kept clear of any sailing systems.

The max beam is taken right aft, which means there is still room for deep quarter lockers. For practical deck stowage, there are shallow lockers below the cockpit benches or helm seats, plus a large, deep liferaft locker in the cockpit sole. Large items such as fenders and toys can be stowed in the garage/dinghy via a deck hatch or in the cavernous sail locker (which is well fitted out in crew cabin guise).

Yacht-Match Comments:

As with most of the Oceanis and modern cruising yachts above 50ft, the hull of the Oceanis Yacht 54 is not particularly broad but its maximum beam continues all the way to the stern, which is good for hydrodynamics, safety and stability, as well as increasing the space available inside the boat and in the cockpit area.

The OC 54 share the same hull shape and design as the First 53 and is a detuned version of the more racer-cruiser version of the First 53. I particularly like the flow and ease of movement from the companionway through the center of the cockpit.

The rig is positioned relatively aft making the headsails more efficient and, along with the position of the appendages, should result in a balanced boat which alongside the ease of access to all the sheets and winches makes it a comfortable big boat feeling. The Oc54 comes with a twin rudder setup, which is quite common on the wider designed cruising yachts nowadays and is meant to give more control in a wider range of sailing conditions.

I find the Oc54 a play on a modern concept of a large cruising yacht with a hint of the style that steel makes it retain a classic feel. The Oceanis range is renowned for its wide stern and bathing platform, huge volumes inside, and most famously its mainsail arch as a convenient mounting spot for the mainsheet, bimini and windshield. Foremost all of the design features cater for comfort and safety.

Walking forward to the bow of the yacht is made safer with the new sidewalk made possible by the high bulwark. In comparison to other yachts in this class, you realize you don’t have to clamber awkwardly or potentially dangerously over the coamings, but can walk safely around the aft quarters, clear of the bimini. To achieve this new sidewalk the designer had to lower the deck, which also increased interior light but made the aft cabin a bit smaller than on its predecessor the Oceanis 55.1 and the First 53.

The bimini top is designed as a hardtop, which practically doubles the living space, protecting the external cockpit in a very effective way. Both bimini and sprayhood are integral to the design and provide a lot of protection without looking overly ungraceful. And they create the ability to enclose all that space. With the addition of side panels, it’s the equivalent of a modern covered home extension with bifold doors.

Hanse 548   Exterior

The Hanse 548 is built with a GRP hull with an isophthalic gelcoat (white), using a layer of vinyl ester resin and balsa sandwich laminate.

At first glance, the Hanse 548 boost all the characteristic features one expects from the Hanse series: With its maxed-out waterline, low-rider coach roof, extremely tall topsides and double headsails (the inner is a self-tacking jib), and a half-dozen hull windows to each side, the Hanse 548 cuts a thoroughly contemporary figure. More or less, this is the basic template that defines the modern sailboat aesthetic as interpreted by a whole host of European naval architects, including Judel/Vrolijk & Company, who were responsible for this design.

The cockpit is large and similar to the Beneteau Oceanis 54, continuing the overall theme. Two cockpit tables are split to each side, leaving a nice walk-through space in between. There’s a windscreen forward of the companionway, with integral slats that disappear into a recess when not required.

The yacht is designed with all hard angles with a plumb bow, vertical transom and no sheer and no chines in the hull commonly found in almost every modern designed yacht nowadays. The Hanse 548 is operated on a single rudder – jefa steering system, that the shipyard has used for all its models. 

The mainsheet is anchored forward of the companionway (attached to two strong points, not a traveller), and the tails are led aft, German-style, to the primary winches by the wheels. With the sheets and furling systems for the headsail(s), plus halyards and other lines also being led aft, the main cockpit area is completely rope-free.

Yacht-Match comments:

There’s nothing particularly fancy about the sandwich construction. It’s a “wet” layup of glass, vinyl ester and gelcoat surrounding an end-grain balsa core above the waterline, with carbon reinforcement in the chain-plate areas. A grid of solid fiberglass glued to the hull anchors the keel-stepped mast and the keel itself. There are three options: a deep T-shaped foil that draws better than 9 feet, and a pair of slightly shallower L-shaped foils in the 7- and 8-foot range, respectively. 

The mainsheet is a German double-ended affair that leads aft to the helms. The smaller of the two headsails is a self-tacking jib on its own track, making tacking as simple as turning the wheel. The larger genoa, on the forward stay, is available for off-wind angles. The versatile solent arrangement is a sound solution for a cruising boat with the primary attribute of making miles in whatever the conditions. It’s an easy boat to steer, with a balanced helm, and tracks beautifully. That low coach roof provides excellent visibility forward.

The yacht’s appeal for gentle cruising with lots of outdoor living is apparent. For what sailors of a more traditional bent might call serious cruising, things are less clear-cut. For a start, those wide-open spaces that are so welcome at anchor might be rather less welcome in heavy weather. That’s an inevitable compromise. 

For personal reasons, I am not concerned about the high freeboards and vertical stern, but it raises a concern for many when it comes to safety and boarding the larger Hanse models. Its a trade-off, since most modern designed yachts have a large cockpit and flushed designed superstructure and deck design, guests are either struggling to keep seated at heel or when sailing in swell or at higher speeds (since the right moment on these larger yachts is substantial), and also the skipper might feel exposed at the back.

The optional carbon T-top bimini is a neat feature and encloses and completes the design concept around the cockpit. The yachts flushed deck and low-rider profile is of course compromised with the option to mount T-top, but for the creature of comfort, this is a must-have. 

There is plenty of free passages and ease of movement on deck and in and around the cockpit. Stowage can be found underneath the benches. However, there are not any internal design solutions to store small items in the cockpit. Moving forward to the bow is easy as access from the helm is without the hassle of moving over the cockpit benches and underneath a bimini top. Moving along the side decks are helped with handrails reaching midship and a substantial bulwark and toe rails reaching the massive foredeck of the yacht. A large sail locker and well-designed anchor windlass for easy access complete the minimalistic exterior design of the Hanse 548

Key difference in the interor design and layout between the Benteau Oceanis 54 vs the Hanse 548

Benteau Oceanis 54   Interior

Lorenzo Argento’s interior objective was to create a warm, modern atmosphere with as much natural light and ventilation as possible. The Oceanis Yacht 54’s layouts reflect a desire to meet modern-day owners’ needs through well-engineered, versatile cabin arrangements that provide unrivaled comfort levels and capacious storage space. Tables and seating areas have been reimagined to offer both conviviality and practicality. Access to all major systems and components hides in plain sight.

There are two versions available, a 3-cabin 2-head or a 3-cabin 3-head, and both can be built using light oak or walnut. 

The C-shaped galley amidships has an apartment-size fridge plus a freezer. A dishwasher is available as an option. The forward-facing nav table just aft of the owner’s cabin in the bow employs the end of the port-side settee as a seat.  

In the saloon, there is a fixed table that can seat four or six with the addition of directors’ chairs, and a dedicated chart table to port. 

A particularly shallow companionway descent leads you into an expanse of space and natural light and an appealing, open and modern design. The interior is finished like a modern urban apartment, with flush-mounted cabinet doors, neutral colors, and an expansive feel. It’s attractive in the European style and will be a fine place for entertaining guests.

As with any modern series production +50ft yacht the saloon has plenty of storage solutions. We particularly like the usable bilge compartments in the saloon and galley all have sole boards which lift on struts. These panels sit on rubber dampeners and are varnished on the undersides. The rest of the lockers and drawers all have soft-closing mechanisms and magnetic door latches.

Although the saloon boost large volume and expanse, the fiddles, combined with plenty of handrails, are also practical – despite the large spaces to negotiate at heel, there are plenty of points to grab hold of for support. The chaise longue abaft the navstation is a marvel, thanks to a section which can raise beneath your knees for serious reclined comfort. The forward facing navstation at the end of the port side seating area is more part of the relaxation arrangement than suitable for laying large charter and navigational tables but makes sense in this era of electronic navigation.

The joinery is made of Alpi laminate wood with either a mahogany finish, like on our test boat or light oak color. Finishing feels high-end, and I particularly enjoy the curved angles of the furniture and fittings. 

The headroom in the saloon is well is 2,00m / 6’7″. The high bulwarks provide some privacy to those below decks.

Due to the beamy design feature of the OC54 both the after cabins and more so, in particular, the front owner’s cabin feels inviting and is filled with natural light with the latter being flooded with light from two substantial hull windows and deck hatches. 

Hanse 548   Interior

Choose from five layout variants for the space that best suits your wishes and needs. The Hanse 548 offers eight to nine cosy bunks, a master cabin with double island berth, storage space, a head with a separate shower stall, and up to four showers and a separate crew cabin.

The saloon is equipped with a fully functional island galley and dining area on stb and lounge area with chart table on port. One of the layout options includes a cabin with a double bunk bed on port with storage space. As a standard. the aft port cabin with VIP cabin incl. “Queen size” bed and guest cabin on stb with double berth, storage space, and separate head.

The galley comes with a 3-burner gas stove with oven, ventilation hood, waste bin, 12 V ridge approx. 140 l, double stainless steel sink with mixing tab. The interior furniture in high-quality marine plywood, Satin Varnish

The Saloon table can double up as a bed, by choosing the optional retractable table and lowering it to make a large lounge in the saloon. 

Going down below on the Hanse 548 from the cockpit, it’s more like walking downstairs, the entrance is wide and stairs are not at all steep. Full-height stainless steel pillar handholds each side are thoughtfully provided but moving forward from there when the 548 is heeling is more of a challenge. Handholds overhead, 7ft above the sole, are of limited use and would be out of reach for many. It’s a wide-open cabin sole to slide across.

The first thing that will strike you entering any large Hanse yacht is the amount of volume and light thanks to the hull’s high freeboards and full-length beam. There’s a lot of natural light thanks to all the hatches, long windows in the coachroof, and large ports in the topsides that let you see out when sitting down. There is also neat indirect lighting all around the cupboards and the recess underneath the furniture for those cozy evenings inside. 

The living and kitchen space is at the heart of life and communication onboard – here is where you are part of the happenings at all times. The fixed island feature of the galley next to the steps down offers a rather innovative feature that set its part from its competitors (Beneteau Oceanis 54, Dufour 56, Solaris 55, Jeanneau 54) and adds extra working space and storage.  The galley is to starboard and is nicely laid out with the sink situated on its own island that makes for a nice bracing point if you were cooking  in anything of a  swell.

The dining area at starboard is complemented by an L-shaped lounge on the other side. Actually, the Hanse 548 comes with a variety of layout options and style design options. It’s one of the biggest selling points of the larger Hanse yachts compared to its competitors. 

You would think that storage would be an issue on the Hanse 458 because of the huge volume inside and vertical lines and shapes of the yacht,  that doesn’t mean under-bunk space is available for storage; however: much of it is occupied by systems of one sort or another. You can’t stow anything behind the backrests in the saloon because it would drop straight down under the bunks: it’s all one space.

A big step up in intelligent and valuable design improvements, from the Hanse 575 and Hanse 545, is the better access to the inside of the hull, the systems and the seacocks. You can also reach the structural elements more easily and see that bulkheads are bonded directly to the hull and deck. Given the scope and complexity of a boat’s electrical and mechanical systems like this, the more readily you can get at them, the better.

Key highlights

Key highlights between the fountaine pajot elba 45 and the lagoon 46, benteau oceanis 54   key highlights.

• Possibly the largest, most comfortable and usable cockpit in its class.
• Mainsheet arch: support a large sprayhood which protects the cockpit.
• Four sunbathing areas
• Easy Sailing Software: AST by Harken, SEANAPPS (Ship Control) and Dock & Go by Beneteau
• Easy and safe access to the sidewalks

Hanse 548   Key highlights

• Silent Master Cabin - cabin noise insulation
• Soundown insulation in the flooring and cabins - a quiet boat
• VIP port aft cabin
• Large interior volume
• Innovative and versatile T-Top
• Loft style interior design

Benteau Oceanis 54   Pros- & Cons

• High degree of home-from-home comfort
• Safe and well protected cockpit
• Ease of movement in and around the cockpit, to the sidewalks and down to the companionway
• Large helm seats: feeling of security to the open transom design.
• Mainsail trimming: Blind Spots
• Minimum winch setup, close together - needs to keep lines tidy
• Little helm feedback: be careful not to over-canvas
• Small hatch in the heads: not enough ventilation

Hanse 548   Pros- & Cons

• Investment aspect: Competitive price
• Direct steering and control with the Jefa system and with single rudder
• Large variation of layouts and interior design options
• Optional outdoor kitchen unit installed on central island at the stern
• Large single rudder gives feedback
• High freeboard - be careful when stepping aboard
• Slightly exposed at the helm in big following seas
• Too wide open spaces in the saloon

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Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Bénéteau Oceanis 55 review: Space versus pace – from the archive

• Toby Hodges
• March 3, 2021

Does the Bénéteau Oceanis 55 represent a move to a more comfortable-cruising oriented boat in the Oceanis range? Toby Hodges gets behind the wheel to find out.

Product Overview

Manufacturer:, price as reviewed:.

Since they launched the radically different Sense range three years ago, French builders Bénéteau have marketed their other cruising brand, Oceanis, as more of a traditional sailor’s boat, but does this remain the case for the new Bénéteau Oceanis 55?

The marketing plan has obviously worked well as Oceanis continues to be the breadwinner for the company, accounting for 65-70 per cent of sales.

Sense, with which customers have a love/hate relationship, makes up 25-30 per cent and the performance First range a mere five per cent.

However, when testing the Bénéteau Oceanis 41, 45 and 48 last year, we noticed that the divisions between the two cruising boat ranges were beginning to merge.

Now as I approached the new Bénéteau Oceanis 55, with its pronounced chine, its mainsheet arch, those huge hull windows, even the gun metal colour, I did wonder if I was actually stepping aboard the Sense 55 I had tested the year before – indeed if he found them parked side by side, an owner of the Sense or Oceanis 55 could be forgiven for stepping aboard the wrong boat.

“The difference is it’s still a more secure/sailor oriented interior,” said Bénéteau’s Yves Mandin, “but customers now want the vision from inside.”

The Sense 55 chases the very similar-looking Oceanis 55. Photo: Lester McCarthy

That explains the hull windows. It was going to take a couple of test sails in Palma Bay to decide for myself if this Bénéteau Oceanis 55 still carried the true Oceanis bloodline.

What is the Bénéteau Oceanis 55 like to sail?

The 55 is the first Oceanis to sport twin rudders (another Sense trait). “People with not so much experience now have more control,” says designer Olivier Racoupeau, who joined us for our test sail. I questioned this philosophy, however, as to me that means those same sailors might lack the telltale signs to reef in time.

Indeed, the Bénéteau Oceanis 55 had apparently sailed in 30 knots true with just one reef the daybefore – proving her stiffness, but arguably not prudent. Like multihulls, beamy cruising boats with twin rudders generally need to be treated with caution and depowered early.

We tested in Palma, Mallorca in 7-14 knots. Photo Lester McCarthy

We did not have such stirring conditions, however, for our test – the wind generally averaged a Force 3-4. We were carrying upgraded Hydronet Incidences sails, including a fully battened main and 105 per cent genoa, but the Bénéteau Oceanis 55 felt sluggish in the lighter airs, as if it were too much effort to try to drag all that wetted surface along – the figures showed 4.5 knots in 7 knots on a close reach.

In fact, with the wind under 10 knots she felt rather lifeless in any seaway, like a grumpy child being dragged unwillingly uphill, and a fixed three-bladed prop didn’t help. But a bit more horsepower in the shape of a Code 0 made an astonishing difference; as soon as the Bénéteau Oceanis 55 was persuaded onto her hard chine, power and performance instantly improved.

In 12-14 knots true we consistently clocked 7.5 knots upwind and 9 plus close reaching at 60°A and, with the Code 0 unfurled, reaching numbers were more like 6.5 in 8.5 and 8 in 10 knots, once again the code sail proving a transformational option. She obviously feels light on the helm with twin rudders, but with breeze and heel comes an appreciation of her beamy power.

Sail handling is kept to the area abaft the cockpit table and benches, leaving the forward area free for relaxation. The helmsman has a comfortable private space behind the wheels, with a raised sitting-out seat each side, and slight angles in the sole for grip.

Reefing lines and running rigging are split between the two winches in front of the wheels, but the main sheets only to the port one. Unfortunately, there’s no option for sheeting the main to both winches, which I would favour for ease of dumping.

Having a second screen to the pedestal each side, as we had aboard the test boat, was plain annoying as it prevents easy access to the winches from the helms. Does anyone really need four plotter screens?

Inboard primaries are easy to work. Photo: Lester McCarthy

Mounting the primary winches inboard is an ideal solution both for preventing crew from grinding dangerously on the leeward rail and for ease of handling for cruising couples – the helmsman can easily tack the boat single-handedly. But the working area does quickly become a tangled mess of lines, especially when changing over foresails. There are dedicated bins for rope tails each side, but with halyards hoisted as well these soon start to overflow. A separate tail bag for genoa sheets might help.

Bénéteau wanted to create a larger cockpit and more exterior space than the Bénéteau Oceanis 54, which this boat replaces, could muster. “The cockpit has become more and more like a living area,” says Racoupeau.

So the arch and companionway were moved forward to allow room for L-shaped cockpit benches and a companionway at a gentle 45°. Coamings are low, however, so protection from the big sprayhood forward of the arch is vital, but the cockpit is extraordinarily comfortable, with easily enough space to seat eight around the table.

What is the Bénéteau Oceanis 55 like below?

A boat designed to compete with models from Hanse and Bavaria needs volume and versatility, and the Bénéteau Oceanis 55 has plenty, offering three, four or five-cabin versions – the latter has a Pullman instead of a second aft heads – two, three or four heads and even a crew cabin in the bows.

The galley This is not large for a 55ft boat, and if the second aft heads option is chosen, it would be positively small. Photo: Lester McCarthy

The test boat’s three-cabin/two-heads layout felt capacious. A shallow companionway is a real pleasure, but perhaps it felt extra luxurious on the 55 because of a perplexing waste of space on descent. The empty area here between the saloon, navstation and galley is large enough to conduct tango classes.

The modern Bénéteau, from either of their cruising ranges, is very much geared around the idea of a week or two’s pleasure and relaxation. As with their people-carriers, the French like to make things convertible to suit families and/or guests. So for sailing or at anchor, the 55’s saloon and cockpit are geared towards relaxation.

A roomy and light first-class master cabin, this can also be split in half to form two en-suite doubles – that gives you an idea of her beam. Photo Lester McCarthy

At least there is a dedicated chart table, an item the smaller Oceanis models dispensed with, and traditional sailors will still find the general layout more acceptable than a Sense.

Clients must learn to appreciate the veneer as there is only one choice only – alpi mahogany – the individual touch comes in the choice of seven types of upholstery. Furniture is well-fiddled and there’s good engine access below the companionway, although I found it a noisy interior, especially under engine.

All sorts of electronic bells and whistles are available as options – the test boat had €180,000 of extras – but long-distance cruisers will appreciate the ability to add extra optional extra tankage, increasing water and fuel to 1,000lt and 600lt respectively.

This review first appeared in the July 2013 edition of Yachting World.

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The Oceanis 55 is a good-looking boat with a powerful shape. The test boat felt luxurious, but there was a host of optional extras to help create that. While she sails commendably once the wind gets up, this is a big boat and needs the extra grunt of a flying sail to get any feel or performance in lighter airs. If you’re making a choice between the Oceanis and the Sense, it’s worth pointing out that the latter costs 10-15 per cent more, but the test boat had twin rudders and large hull windows as extras, putting them much closer on price. The galley and navstation work better on the Sense, but if you’re sailing further with more people, the larger saloon and cockpit of the Oceanis would be preferable. The Oceanis 55 also compares in price to the Hanse 575. The latter is a foot longer, a foot wider and nearly three tonnes heavier and feels bigger below. The question is: how much space do you really need aboard?

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Oceanis 40.1 and Oceanis Yacht 54: The New Wave of Oceanis Cruising Yachts by BENETEAU

The joy of sailing, the pleasure of living on the water, the satisfaction of putting to sea on a beautifully crafted yacht – all brought to you by the two new Oceanis cruisers, which have made a considerable impression at the beginning of 2020 ! The Oceanis 40.1 distinguishes itself with a surprising amount of space on deck and volume below, while the Oceanis Yacht 54 reinvents movement in the cockpit and sets a new standard in terms of build quality, ergonomics, and trim options. Both yachts display the signature Oceanis features that continue to redefine the pleasures of the cruising life.

OCEANIS YACHT 54: EXCLUSIVE TRIMS AND EASY MOVEMENT ABOARD

The Oceanis Yacht 54, younger sister of the Oceanis 62, embodies the innovation that has always been a hallmark of the Beneteau brand, while continuing to remain loyal to the Yacht range ethos: elegance, luxurious accomodations, and unrivaled performance. Capitalizing on experience gained with the enormously popular Oceanis range, as well as the trend-setting new First Yacht 53, her architects, Roberto Biscontini and Lorenzo Argento, have created a masterpiece that seamlessly blends form and function into a yacht that is exhilarating under sail, easy to shorthand, and comfortable both at sea and in port.

The Oceanis Yacht 54 paves the way for a new generation of cruisers by completely reinventing the traditional central cockpit into a space that allows for free flowing movement, ample seating areas, and safety throughout. The yacht features cutting-edge technology such as Ship Control (a simple interface that accesses all the boat’s systems); Dock&Go (joystick harbor-side maneuvering); and Harken’s AST (automatic sail trimming), all of which firmly set BENETEAU at the vanguard of the industry and meets passionate sailors’ high levels of expectations.

AN INNOVATIVE COCKPIT LAYOUT MAKING MOVEMENT EASY AND SAFE

By incorporating a standard feature of the Oceanis range – the mainsail arch – the OY54’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. Cruising really comes into its own on the Oceanis Yacht 54, with all sheets and halyards run aft of the cockpit seats, leaving a clean area for rest and relaxation. The sunpad on the foredeck is likely to be the most popular spot on the boat!

EASY MANOEUVRES WITH “EASY SAILING”

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 well-proven 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 amazing 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. The Oceanis Yacht 54, destined for the cruising life, is available with two different draughts (2.5 m as standard, 1.95 m on option) and two types of masts (standard or in-furling). In both cases, Easy Sailing will make all manoeuvres much easier, so that the crew can focus on the real pleasure of sailing.

LIGHT OAK OR WALNUT INTERIOR WITH THREE CABINS

Lorenzo Argento’s watchword in designing this yacht was to create a warm modern atmosphere with as much natural light and ventilation as possible. The Oceanis Yacht 54’s interior layout offers a chart desk and large saloon table which easily accommodates six adults. The interior can be built in two different wood tones, light oak or the more traditional walnut. In terms of 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, illustrating that every detail of Oceanis Yacht 54 has been meticulously thought out to ensure that the crew is one with the craft and the sea. 

OCEANIS 40.1: 12 METERS AND SO MUCH SPACE!

The Oceanis 40.1 follows in the wake of her elder sister the Oceanis 51.1, which, upon its launch in 2017, marked a new era of cruisers by BENETEAU. The volumes and space on deck and inside are unprecedented, but with the new Marc Lombard hull design, no concessions have been made to performance. Additionally, the Oceanis 40.1 is available in different layouts, draughts and rigs, to meet the requirements of the most demanding sailors, in terms of comfort and sailing pleasure. For families, couples, friends, young people and old salts, this versatile new 12-meter cruiser is perfectly adaptable to fit your cruising needs!

How can you blend comfort and performance? In other words, how can you be as happy at anchor as you are under sail? With the innovative flared hull design of the Oceanis 40.1, and steps extending over a third of the bow, BENETEAU has made no sacrifices. The result is stiff hull with great speed potential yet a poised and comfortable ride in any conditions. Above the waterline, the deck plan and ultra-spacious interior by Nauta Design is simply unheard of on a boat this size. The result is the unmistakable feeling you are aboard a much larger yacht. 

AN OCEANIS 40.1 WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

As there is no one way to sail, and because everyone cruises at their own pace, this recent addition to the Oceanis line 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.

EASY TO SAIL AND SPACIOUS ON DECK

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. She has angled coamings, a low coachroof, and clear side decks making it easy to walk from the bow to the transom. If you want to go swimming, the transom converts to an electrically (optional) or manually operated swim platform. Whoever is steering under sail will love the twin rudders with textile linkage to the wheels, which provide unparalleled comfort and precision in all conditions. The stemhead guarantees maximum efficiency for the downwind sails and for handling the anchor and chain. 

INTERIOR VOLUME AND NATURAL LIGHT

The Oceanis 40.1 comes in 4 different versions with two, three, and four cabins to fit everyone’s idea of life on board. Couples and large families will feel like they are at home! The owner version has a master cabin with an ensuite shower. The four-cabin version keeps a cabin with a double bed, and an additional cabin with bunk beds. With a walnut or oak base, the styling of the interior by Italian designers Nauta, in Milan, excels in its remarkable brightness and clever arrangement of living spaces. A C-shaped galley on the starboard provides lots of storage and a spacious countertop. On the port side, there is a large salon together with table and removable bench, and the table at the foot of the companionway provides ample working space and lots of storage. You cannot help but notice the feeling of space, yet nothing is set in stone, so that everyone can live the way they want and enjoy sailing wherever the wind takes them. The many hull and coachroof portholes, two of which look towards the cockpit, and the hatches fill the boat with natural light and ventilation, making her exceptionally bright.  

True to form, the focus of the new Oceanis range is comfort and easy manoeuvring. Following the new generation of Oceanis 51.1, 46.1 and 30.1 cruisers, the 40.1 drives the concept home and clearly demonstrates BENETEAU’s resolve to be the leader and the gold standard of the cruising yacht market. Through constantly searching to simplify manoeuvres and make movement on deck easier, BENETEAU has reached a new milestone and achieved a much higher trim level. The new Oceanis wave has begun!!

Published on 18.02.2020

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Oceanis Yacht 54

GET TO KNOW HER

The two architects behind this free-flowing, wonderfully nimble 54-footer are Roberto Biscontini and Lorzenzo Argento, whose creation paves the way for a  new generation of high-end cruisers  that optimize cockpit and interior layouts without any sacrifices to performance, practicality, or comfort. The yacht carries the  unmistakable DNA of the Oceanis range , a delicate balance of form and function that make her as pretty as she is capable, and as focused as she is versatile, equally ready for a fast ocean passage or a leisurely double-handed sunset cruise. With an emphasis on build quality, high-end materials, and the innovative vision that has always been a staple of the BENETEAU brand, the Oceanis Yacht 54 truly represents the pinnacle of the modern monohull cruising design.

EQUIPPED WITH SEANAPPS

The easiest way to keep your boat safe and ready to cruise anytime

The new  SEANAPPS  app is the ultimate solution to help you indulge your passion for boating. With the touch of your finger, you can easily connect, monitor and order services for your boat – from routine maintenance, to requesting a wash or fuel or having us complete a repair.

NAVAL ARCHITECT : Biscontini Yacht Design

INTERIOR AND DECK DESIGN : Lorenzo Argento

EXTERIOR DESIGN

With a straight stem allowing for new interior volumes in the bow area, and a maximum beam (16.3 feet) carried further aft, the Oceanis Yacht 54 offers a state-of-the-art, perfectly-balanced hull that maximizes thrills in all conditions. Movement on deck was given special attention, particularly around the cockpit, which modernizes the traditional center cockpit design into a flush layout with distinct areas dedicated to lounging and sailing. Aptly drawn coamings and high bulwarks provide increased safety while transitioning to the foredeck. The spacious swim platform provides access to the sea; when deployed, it reveals that the space below the cockpit stores an eight-foot inflatable tender. The Oceanis Yacht 54 is available with three different drafts: shoal, deep, and performance, which measure 6.4, 8.2 and 9.9 feet respectively.

INTERIOR DESIGN

Lorenzo Argento’s objective in designing the interior was to create a warm, modern atmosphere with as much natural light and ventilation as possible. The Oceanis Yacht 54’s layouts reflect a desire to meet the needs of modern-day owners, through well-engineered, versatile cabin arrangements that provide unrivaled levels of comfort and capacious storage space. Tables and seating areas have been reimagined to offer both conviviality and practicality, and access to all major systems and components hides in plain sight. There are two versions available, a 3-cabin 2-head or a 3-cabin 3-head, and both can be built using light oak or walnut.

EXCEPTIONALLY DETAILED CRAFTSMANSHIP

Every detail of the Oceanis Yacht 54 has been meticulously examined to become one with the crew and the sea.

She is, at a glance, unmistakably Oceanis – the mainsail arch, the modern sheerline, the elegant proportions, those distinctive coamings and portholes – and honors her pedigree by continuing to offer the features that have made the range a standard-bearer in the industry. A vast array of options, trim levels, rigging and keel setups, and mechanical components ensure there will be a tailored yacht to fit the needs of every sailor, and her stylish looks will turn heads in every harbor on every ocean.