Beneteau has created a new generation of Oceanis sailing yachts to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the range. Incredibly comfortable, and much faster than any of her forerunners, the Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 promises to be a trendsetter.

Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 provides features for new generation of sailors to tackle the high seas

The first cruiser to be developed under the supervision of Beneteau’s General Manager, Gianguido Girotti, this yacht epitomises the energy of a new generation of sailors! Beneteau’s reputation for sea-keeping and comfort are still at the heart of the design, but it is the yacht’s racing performance that Girotti believes that will set her apart. “We capitalised on our experiences with the First and the Figaro, which are boats that are more focused on racing. We brought their values into the heart of a cruising yacht”. From bow to stem, indoors and on deck, at anchor and at sail, Girotti believes the Oceanis 51.1 is elegant, smart and comfortable – and performs majestically. Yacht Style looks forward to seeing how the yacht performs on the race course but whatever her handicap this yacht performs well on the style front! The architectural choice, by Olivier Racoupeau, of a stepped hull, extending over a third of the hull, is a major element in the development of the range. In addition to the interesting aesthetics of this flared shape, the new hull creates additional interior space without changing the shape of the hull, which is essential for a good performance under sail. This allows for exciting new layouts on a boat this size.

Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 marries style and safety

With the clean lines characteristic of Nauta Design, the Oceanis 51.1 marries style and safety. The variety of colours available for the hull is the first of the many attractive customisable features. The mast furling, self-tailing jib and all the halyards and sheets on the standard model are all brought back to a single winch at each of the helm stations, making her simple and easy to sail. As for harbour manoeuvring, Dock & Go technology simplifies everything.

The Oceanis 51.1 is an ingenious sailing yacht, with no less than four different interior layouts, five rigging plans, three different keel types, and a choice of 150 available options out of a 700 possible combinations – promising an individually unique Oceanis 51.1 to any future buyer.

Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 has an amazing deck

COMFORT AND ATMOSPHERE
One of the most impressive features of the Oceanis 51.1 is the incredible amount of space inside the yacht. The owner’s cabin has an en-suite shower room and toilet, and a 1.6-metre wide island bed worthy of a 55-foot sailing yacht, and the aft shower cabins rotate to protect the room from water spray. The remarkably well-fitted, U-shaped galley is as pleasant to use under sail as it is at anchor. The large hull portholes bathe the boat in light and elegantly emphasise the interior design by Nauta Design, creating a wonderful atmosphere. And to top it off, the owner has a choice of brushed oak or mahogany woodwork. The outdoor fittings are as generous and practical as those indoors, with areas for relaxation and plenty of Sun lounging. The large modular cockpit table, top quality covers and bimini, plancha grill built in to the aft bench, and spacious open swim platform are all features that go towards making the Oceanis 51.1 an outstanding cruising yacht.

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
The three iterations share the same hull but come with different interiors and rigging. The “Easy” day-sailer comes with a selftacking jib, in-mast furling for the mainsail and a minimum of winches to manage lines. The “Comfort” cruiser adds an internal D1 lower shroud, two more Harken winches, an arch for the mainsheet attachment point, sun beds on either side of the companionway, and an outdoor grill. Finally, the “First” racing version packs an additional 35 per cent of sail area, set on either a carbon fibre or aluminum spar, and a 9-foot-2-inch keel with a bulb. With this performance package, winches and deck hardware are also upgraded, and a hydraulic backstay and composite wheels are added. All three versions share a hull that includes a chine over a third of its length. Standard draft is 7-foot-7-inch, with a shoal-draft keel available, drawing 6-foot-1-inch, in addition to the aforementioned.

SPECIFICATIONS

Length overall – 15.94 m
Hull length – 14.98 m
LWL Hull  – 14.52 m
Beam – 4.80 m
Deep Draught (Cast Iron) -2.30 m
Deep Ballast – 3,396 kg
Shallow Draught (Cast Iron) – 1.85 m
Shallow Ballast – 3,604 kg
Draft Performance (Cast Iron/Lead) – 2.80
Balance Weight Performance – 3,198 kg
Fuel Capacity (Standard) – 200 l
Freshwater capacity (standard) – 440 l
Engine power (Standard)

More information: www.beneteau-group.com/en