Please select your home edition
Edition
Selden 2020 - LEADERBOARD

Not radical, but definitely new

by John Curnow on 26 Oct 2017
The new Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 under her Code Zero John Curnow
Unequivocally, it has been a delight to be in Barcelona to test the new Beneteau Oceanis 51.1. This is a vessel that has been quite captivating, from both an aesthetic and technology point of view. To actually see it in the flesh, against its other new siblings, does indeed serve to indicate more than a new direction, even if they are baby steps to begin the journey.

Unlike a racing boat, a cruiser does have to have a certain appeal beyond its function. Unlike charging across the ocean or around the cans, a cruiser is viewed by its owner in marinas and from ashore in the most delightful bays on the planet. Something that is too powerful, too beamy, too stumpy or suffering from other detracting features just simply will not work.

Too that end, the plumb bow, serious chine from knuckle to transom, chamfer of the topsides into the foredeck, sleek profile and elegant coach house definitely fit the bill. Yet this is not just about the new shape as represented by the Beneteau Oceanis 51.1. On the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440/490, the ‘ramps’ taking the deck from behind the wheel up to the sides where you can walk around comfortably and unhindered, and the walk-through shrouds, along with their own interpretation of the more volume inboard question, also make a statement.



So just what is that? Well, in a way it is no different to the paradigm that the earlier incarnations of these sorts of boats presented to the market in the ‘90s. It does mean, aesthetically at least, that these sorts of boats move away further from brands like X-Yachts and Dufour. In turn that separation means greater market choice, and than can never be a bad thing.

Yet to be clear, we are not talking about being hugely radical. These craft are not about going over 15 knots, where everything is too wet, and certainly too uncomfortable. In the case of the Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 at least, it is about the speedy progress from A to B, with ease of use and overall comfort firmly in mind.

Once at the anchorage, it is about maximising the new world of cruising that is far less about heading to windward for days on end, and much more about enjoying the time at anchor. After all, in these fast paced days that is exactly what owners are wishing to do. Maximise the right time. As a part of all of that, you then have the aspect of how the boat rides at anchor, and with all bays being busier than ever, this too becomes crucial, and once again, hull form has a huge part to play.

In all, this new era represents the very essence of the new world, the new market, the new cruiser, and that can never be a bad thing, for the times change, and going back now seems more and more unlikely as the time marches inexorably on.

Are you out there plying the seas and got something to say? We’d love to hear from you so please email us. Also, if you would like to receive our newsletter each week, then please go to the 'Newsletter' button at the top of the Sail-World home page and enter your details. Simple...

RCSR 2026 bottomMaritimo M50Armstrong 728x90 - Wing FG Board Range - BOTTOM

Related Articles

All smiles among first finishers of the AEGEAN 600
The fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion As the fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion and made their way to the harbour at Olympic Marine, there were exhausted smiles all around.
Posted on 10 Jul
British Classic Week day 4
It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for the OneSails inshore race It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for day 4 of British Classic Week with hot temperatures, sunshine and no breeze in the morning before the sea breeze kicked in from the west and it was time to go racing.
Posted on 10 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 5
Finalists locked in for new Medal Series format With the sea breeze stubbornly refusing to make an appearance, Day 5 of the iQFOiL World Championship turned into a long waiting game both ashore and on the water.
Posted on 10 Jul
Jazz Turner Video Interview
How she Faced Everything And Rose during Project FEAR I travelled to Brighton Marina to catch up with Jazz, talking about her own sailing, the challenges she faced during the circumnavigation, how the money raised will be used, and a glimpse of her future projects!
Posted on 10 Jul
America's Cup: Luna Rossa to sail for Naples club.
Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest the next America's Cup as the team of a Naples club. Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest its seventh America's Cup as the team of the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia of Naples, as club that is new to the America's Cup.
Posted on 10 Jul
International Moth Worlds at Lake Garda Day 3
Big breeze in the morning, calm in the afternoon The third day of racing at the 2025 Moth World Championship kicked off early, with the first warning signal for the Blue fleet scheduled for 8:30 AM. Due to strong northerly winds, however, the fleet's departure was postponed to 9:00.
Posted on 10 Jul
Introducing the Micro Gateway from Cyclops Marine
Live load data, simplified - smaller, smarter, even more connected At Cyclops Marine, we're driven by the pursuit of precision, performance, and progress. As the marine industry continues to embrace digital transformation, our technology is evolving rapidly.
Posted on 10 Jul
Everything to know about The Ocean Race Europe
One month to go to the race start in Kiel One month out from the start of the 2025 edition of The Ocean Race Europe seven mixed-gender crews made up of sailors from across 13 nations are in the throes of their final preparations for the Race start in Kiel, Germany.
Posted on 10 Jul
Henri-Lloyd's Sailing Essentials for Women
Highly-technical sailing apparel, which is also well-fitting, stylish and comfortable Finding highly-technical sailing apparel for women, which is also well-fitting, stylish and comfortable is now even easier, thanks to the expanded women's sailing range available from Henri-Lloyd.
Posted on 10 Jul
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez preview
An exceptional fleet of grand classics are preparing An exceptional fleet of grand classics led by the legendary three-masted schooner Atlantic, a strong showing from the Wally yachts among the numerous Maxis, and the arrival of the new Magic Carpet e are all signs...
Posted on 10 Jul