The yacht building French giant Groupe Beneteau keeps cranking out models at a blistering pace, and the Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 is one of their newer builds that just debuted in the Pacific Northwest. What does the 51.1, the evolution and replacement of the Oceanis 48, have to offer?
In true Beneteau Oceanis fashion, the 51.1 has an emphasis on customization. While the base model is a modern Euro-styled cruiser/racer, three different interior and rigging packages are offered to tailor a 51.1 to its owner’s needs: First (for racers), Comfort (for cruisers), and Easy (for daysailors).
The Easy arrangement features a self-tacking jib, in-mast mainsail furling, and fewer winches while the Comfort package has an additional two Harken winches, a composite arch that the mainsheet runs upon, an internal lower shroud, sunlounges flanking the companionway, and an outdoor grill. The First packs upgraded winches and hardware, a hydraulic backstay, composite wheels, an additional 35 percent of sail area (carbon fiber or aluminum spar options), and a 9’ 5” keel with bulb. Basically, the 51.1 is three different boats built off the same base layer.
The base layer is also very much in-line with the “have it all” Beneteau ethos with a massive well-lit interior, wide-open deck, and sleek look with plumb bow. The staggering array of options translates to four different interior layouts, three keel plans, and five rigging setups, so it really is difficult for this modest writer to succinctly pin down everything that’s going on with this build here. Whatever options are chosen, the 51.1’s core is about spacious living and the enjoyment of sailing, making it a natural crowd pleaser.
If interested in the Oceanis 51.1, the first one to ply our Cascadian waters is currently at the docks of local dealer Signature Yacht Sales. Base price for the build starts at $439,700 and you can contact them for more information and pricing details about this particular one.
