Beneteau’s new 37-footer is the latest in the seventh generation of the French builder’s Oceanis line, which began in 1986. It updates the popular 38.1, now in its its ninth season, and according to a media release, the brief given naval architect Marc Lombard and Nauta Design, who developed the deck and interior, was better performance and more volume.
In terms of the former, easy sailing is the driver, with a self-tacking jib on the standard version, no backstays, and in-mast furling an option. The First Line version makes things a little more interesting with a square-top mainsail and a genoa adding 12% more sail area. Sailhandling lines are led aft to two primary winches in front of the dual helm stations controlling twin rudders. Two more winches are at the companionway. The mainsail is German-sheeted with no traveler or lines impeding the cockpit area. An integral bowsprit with anchor platform provides a tack point for the Code 0.
The cockpit is more than 9 feet long, with a central table and a drop-down transom platform for swimming. Cockpit sole and deck are in Iroko as an alternative to teak; Beneteau says it has perfected a technique it calls Iro-Deck, in which each piece is part of a laminate to guarantee uniform color and prevent cracking.
Belowdecks, the brief for more volume has resulted in a space the builder says rivals that of a 40-footer. The dining settee is to port with seating for six, with a linear galley to starboard. The spacious forward cabin benefits from hull windows providing the view outside.
The standard boat comes with a 40-hp engine, but in its efforts toward more sustainable sailing, Beneteau is offering this boat in an electric version, with a 12-kW pod running on 10-kW batteries, enabling about two hours of cruising range at 5 knots.
LOA 39’2” LWL 35’6” Beam 12’10” Draft 6’11” (deep) 5’4” (shallow) Displacement (light) 15,125 lbs Sail Area 646 sq ft (standard main and self-tacking jib), 232 sq ft (furling genoa), 570 sq ft (Code 0)
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