Beneteau’s fleet of Oceanis cruisers represents a major revamp of the company’s bestselling range. Kevin Green hops aboard the smart, nimble and versatile 48.
Accounting for 70 percent of Beneteau’s production, the Oceanis
range is crucial to the company’s success, so it’s not surprising
the latest craft bristles with new design. The mainsheet arch,
shallow companionways and the enlarged cockpit with separate
steering area are features shared with the company’s newest
cruising range, Sense. Down below, the single-level interior also
generally follows the Sense standard. These commonalities are not
surprising when you consider the Sense models and the Oceanis
48 (although not the smaller 41 and 45) also share a designer,
Berret Racoupeau.
The Racoupeau office works on Beneteau’s 40-58ft range of boats
conceived for coastal cruising as well as offshore passage making.
The fifth generation of the marque continues this heritage, albeit
with around 10 percent better performance and a larger internal
volume gained from the increased beam.
First impressions
Having sailed the two smaller yachts, there was a definite sense
of déjà vu aboard the Oceanis 48. It shares many similarities with
the flagship 58, another Berret Racoupeau design I’d sailed –
namely its relatively large cockpit, the twin wheels and the mast
located farther aft to allow for a more even spread of the jib and
mainsail.
Looking around the 48’s cockpit, the most striking feature is
the new mainsail arch. This GRP structure runs the mainsheet on
blocks and allows the sheeting to be further down the boom for
greater control. The other big plus is it supports a sturdy
sprayhood, able to become a cockpit tent. Sensible design has
always been a characteristic of the Oceanis range, and the fifth
generation is no different thanks to a deep iroko timber-clad
cockpit. The foldup table is strongly built and is a good bracing
position when heeled. It also houses the Simrad plotter.
The twin helm binnacles are integrated into the cockpit aft
bulkheads and include a prominent compass on each, with plenty of
space for crew to pass to the electric fold-down transom/swim
platform. This latter feature won Beneteau an award and I can see
why, as it adds some three feet to the deck space and cleverly
deploys the ladder when down.
Electronics are by Simrad, with a centralised NSS 12 plotter on
the table end and readouts on either helm, while the deck gear is
by Harken, the primary H60.2ST close to the helmsman’s hand.
Halyard controls on our review boat were handled by an electric
H46.2ST on the cabin top and an adjoining manual one. The cockpit
layout felt functional and should work for both cruising and
regattas.
The timber decks give good grip underfoot, the outboard
shrouds clearing the way to the wide foredeck – an ideal sunbathing
area at anchor. The anchoring system itself uses a vertical 1500W
windlass with capstan – the latter an essential addition on a large
cruising boat – while dual bowrollers allow a second set of
rode to be used. Other good features on the deck include midship
cleats, hardwood toerails and a large sail locker.
Spacious saloon
The Oceanis 48 offers a wide range of cabin options. In fact, an
owner can have anywhere between two and five cabins and even a bunk
in place of the fourth toilet. The owner’s suite is forward in all
layouts. Other features borrowed from the Sense range include the
shallow-angled steps leading to a single-level floor-plan below
decks. Not to my liking, however, are the saloon-style doors on the
main hatch, although they undoubtedly make entry easy, both for
crew and saltwater.
Natural light is plentiful in the saloon thanks to large
overhead hatches, with the cockpit-facing windows illuminating the
rear cabins and providing extra light to the portside galley. The
L-shaped galley has a three-burner LPG stove and adequate overhead
locker space, a top-opening 85-litre icebox and front-opening
fridge/freezer. An island bench adjoins the companionway and
provides a home for the twin sinks.
In front of the galley is the lounge and navigation area.
Similar in layout to the 45, it may not suit traditional navigators
as the aft chart area has limited bulkhead space for electronics
and is not ideal on a large bluewater yacht like this. However, on
the plus side the area has plenty of versatility. Opposite, the
dinette is conventionally laid out and, with the additional bench
seat, becomes a useful family space.
The owner’s suite is voluminous with open-plan en suite. The
master cabin is well lit thanks to large rectangular portlights
ensuring it is airy with sea views. The island bed has plenty of
headroom, abundant surrounding shelf space and wardrobes.
In the aft section, the twin cabins are symmetrical and gather
natural light from the cockpit-facing hatches, although the head
space is impinged upon slightly by the deep cockpit. Usefully, both
cabins allow access to the 75hp Yanmar diesel.
The POD 120 Dock & Go gearbox takes up less space than a
traditional transmission. The Yanmar sits high on its GRP engine
mounts and allows all the basic service points to be reached. The
starting battery is an 110amp/h model, while two 140amp/h house
batteries run the services and are charged via the Yanmar’s 80amp/h
alternator. For running air-con and other white goods at sea the
optional 6kVa Onan genset can be installed.
Rig and hull
The Sparcraft rig is noticeably taller than the Z Spars fitted
on the 45, while a simpler single-roller-furling genoa was fitted
on the larger yacht instead of the 45’s staysail setup. The
Sparcraft alloy mast is supported by twin outboard wire shrouds and
double backstays (with screw adjustment). One preproduction niggle
shared with the 45 is the tall boom height – beyond eye level for
most sailors, so difficult to douse the mainsail even with the mast
steps. For production models this has been lowered by 20cm.
The hull is built using solid polyester layup with similar inner
moulding bonded for rigidity, while the deck is injection moulded
GRP/balsa sandwich. I noticed deep bilges – a welcome feature for
dealing with heavy water ingress, plus it keeps the wine at a
reasonable temperature. Outside, a chine maximises the beam as well
as minimising wetted area when heeled, and the beam is continued
aft to ensure enough volume for carrying the sailplan further back.
The keel is a cast iron fin with bulbed foot and a large spade
rudder is connected to the twin helms.
Under sail
A mistral had gone through a day before, leaving an oily swell
with a strong breeze that lessened to moderate during our afternoon
sail – typical conditions for the French Mediterranean coast and a
good test for the large cruiser. Another good test was our crew of
eight, all of whom spread out comfortably in the cockpit leaving
plenty of room for me to roam behind the twin helms.
Hoisting the slab-reefed mainsail was easy thanks to the
optional electric Harken 46 halyard winch, the factory-fitted Code
Zero unfurling similarly without dramas. The slatted-wood gunwales
provide the helmsman with a comfortable perch to see forward
clearly while one hand easily manages the wheel. The binnacle is
well laid out with throttle, pod joystick, Simrad instrumentation
and a compass all to hand. Trimming the primaries wasn’t a stretch
either thanks to the Harken 60s close to both stations.
Beamy hulls don’t often benefit from excessive heel. The nearly
3:1 beam/length ratio is similar to the Open 60 race boats so in
the gusty 17 to 20kts we had one tuck in the mainsail, managing to
push the 13.3-tonne hull along at 7.2kts hard on the wind. Not as
sparkling upwind as the 45, I scribbled in my notepad, but a
smoother ride thanks to the extra LOA. Slightly off the wind
felt more natural for the 48, and most cruising sailors would opt
for this setting. Running with a big cruising chute flying would
also appeal, as this is a boat suited for bluewater and tropical
climes.
The boat proved surprisingly nimble under sail, its short keel
allowing easy tacking. My next urge was to switch on the Simrad
autopilot before retiring forward to the shelter of the deep
cockpit. However, with the 45 nipping at my heels I had to press on
and coax the heavier hull upwind.
Dock & Go
Hoving-to beside the old stone port of La Ciotat, France, I
invited one of our guests to use the Dock & Go joystick. Her
initial reticence turned to glee as she pushed the joystick over,
the big hull obediently following the request. Pulling the joystick
back, the Oceanis 48 tracked astern, and with a twist the speed
increased to its rev limit. Underwater, the pod drives had spun
around 180 degrees, powered by an electric motor linked to ZF’s
SmartCommand system using the NMEA2000 connectivity protocol.
Oblivious to all these smarts, my novice skipper handled this
48-footer with aplomb, which says a lot for the user-friendliness
of this yacht.
Highs
- Versatile below decks
- Easily sailed
- Good value for money
Lows
- High boom
- Main hatch doors
SPECIFICATIONS |
|
Oceanis 48 |
|
MATERIAL: |
GRP |
TYPE: |
Keelboat |
LENGTH: |
14.6m (overall), 13.9m |
BEAM: |
4.74m |
DRAFT: |
2.15m (deep), 1.8m (shallow) |
BALLAST: |
3550kg (deep), 4060kg |
WEIGHT: |
13,300kg |
FUEL: |
400L |
WATER: |
690L |
ENGINE: |
Yanmar diesel |
RATED HP: |
75 |
DRIVE POD: |
120 Dock & Go |
SAILS: |
480 (each) |
AREA: |
56m² (mainsail); 56m² Genoa |
PLAN: |
I 18.75m; J 6.06m; P 17.09m; E |
PRICED FROM: |
$542,000 |
For more information |
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Photography: Supplied