The new Oceanis 37.1 that premiered at the 2023 Cannes Yachting Festival is a versatile cruiser that is easy to sail and use, while also being quite spacious and very comfortable. It has garnered accolades and been nominated for several prestigious awards in the US, Britain, Europe and Asia – including the Yacht Style Awards – and won Best Exterior Design under 50ft at the 2023 China Yacht Awards.
The APAC premiere for the 37.1 was in March 2024, through First Marine at the Japan International Boat Show in Yokohama, and the Australian premiere by Flagstaff Marine took place at the Sydney International Boat Show in August.
This year, Asiamarine became the new Beneteau sailing yacht distributor in Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand. NextWave is the new dealer for Beneteau’s motor yachts. Simpson Marine was the dealer in Asia for almost 40 years and will still help look after the hundreds of Beneteau buyers in the region.
According to Beneteau: “Renewing a model is always a challenge particularly when it is one of the best sellers on the market, which the Oceanis 38.1 was in its nine years on the water. The brief [naval architect] Marc Lombard and Nauta Design were given contained two key features: greater volume and improved performance.”
The new 37-footer capitalises on the innovations of the seventh generation of Oceanis cruisers, which it completes. The eighth model launched since 2017, the Oceanis 37.1 has all the line’s hallmarks plus it offers eco-friendly solutions such as an optional electric motor or sustainable Iroko-wood slatted cockpit floor.
Iroko is an African wood that replaces teak. Made in a new assembly process, called Iro-Deck, perfected by Beneteau, it can be installed for the cockpit decking and provide a uniform colour, excellent sustainability, and rule out the risk of cracks in solid-wood decks.
The deck is open and easily manoeuvrable, especially without the traditional back stays – a layout used successfully on the Oceanis 30.1 and Oceanis 34.1. The double spreaders on the Oceanis 37.1 provide excellent performance.
The sensation of space continues around the central table in the extremely open cockpit that’s more than 3m long. For bathing at anchor, the helm seats can be lifted and the wide walkway opens onto a lowered bathing platform, providing safety for a pleasant swim.
For easy operating when shorthanded, the rigging is brought back to the two aft winches. Only the halyards remain grouped around the coachroof. All the instruments, including a seven-inch plotter, can be found on the starboard helm console.
The hull is flared with a rib, giving it fluid lines below water and allowing it to achieve greater power and stability. This also improves the hull rigidity, controls the weight well, and provides greater volume inside the bow.
The interior volume is remarkable, creating a generous space in the saloon that’s nearly as large as on a 40-footer. Offset to port, the saloon features a sofa for relaxing and a comfortable table for six that faces the lengthwise galley.
The forward cabin has a view of the horizon through two large portholes in the hull. In the two-bathroom version, a spacious double bed is positioned starboard against the hull. The stern has been optimised for comfort – in the standard version, there is a king-size double bed and a huge sail locker that can be accessed from inside or out.
Also in the standard version, a self-tacking jib makes cruising easier. Meanwhile, the First Line version with its square-top mainsail and furling genoa increases the sail area by 22 percent.
The Oceanis 37.1 is available with an electric engine with a 12kW pod drive and 10 kilowatt-hour batteries, enough for a cruising range of two hours at 5 knots between two charges, all emission-free and in eco-friendly silence.
The new Seanapps app helps sailors indulge in their passion for boating. With the touch of a finger, they can easily connect, monitor and order services for their boat – from routine maintenance to requesting a wash or fuel, or even a minor or more urgent repair in some markets.
This article was first seen on YachtStyle.co
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