Oceanis 37.1: Moderate line care at Beneteau. The first photos from the exclusive test
Michael Good
· 13.07.2023
The predecessor model Oceanis 38.1 had an impressive market presence of nine years and was built over 700 times - a bestseller for Beneteau. The new Oceanis 37.1 should now be able to build on this success. With a hull length of 10.99 metres, it is slightly longer than its predecessor, but also somewhat slimmer. The voluminous foredeck with the clear upturn in the foredeck area and the wide stern nevertheless create significantly more volume below deck for even more living comfort.
The extra space makes it possible to integrate the galley into the side of the saloon as a long row with large work surfaces, which is rare in the length class. Beneteau offers a wide range of configuration options for the aft extension with one or two spacious double cabins. If only an aft cabin is required, the space on the starboard side is used as a large forecastle, which can be accessed both from the outside of the cockpit and from the inside through a door. In this case, the shipyard can make the aft wet room more spacious with a separate shower room on request. The standard layout in the foredeck is symmetrical with a large double berth. Alternatively, a second toilet room is possible in the foredeck, as on the test boat. In this layout, however, the berth is installed at an angle, but still has a large enough berth for two adults.
Oceanis 37.1: no targa bar above the cockpit
The Oceanis 37.1 is equipped as standard with a simple, backstayless rig and a self-tacking jib. However, the sail area of 60 square metres and a sail carrying capacity of 4.1 is rather modest. For more power, the boat can also be equipped with a performance mainsail with square top as well as an overlapping genoa and hoisting points on deck. This increases the sail area by around twelve square metres and the sail carrying capacity to a much sportier 4.5. A furling mast is also available as an option.
Unlike the previous model, the tare bracket above the cockpit is no longer offered as an option. The simple mainsheet guide via a sheet triangle above the companionway remains. If you wish, you can route the mainsheet as a semi-cupper system on both sides over the coaming aft to the helm stations. The genoa sheets are also led directly there. Beneteau equips the Oceanis 34.1 with either a 40 hp built-in diesel engine from Yanmar and shaft drive or an electric pod motor from Torqeedo with an output of 12 kW.
Unfortunately, Beneteau is not yet able to announce specific prices. Only this much was communicated during the test in France: The new Oceanis 37.1 is to be offered at a slightly lower price than its direct competitor, the Sun Odyssey 380 (YACHT 2/2021 test) from sister company Jeanneau. This boat, also designed by Marc Lombard, currently costs 225,500 euros (basic price ex shipyard, incl. 19% VAT, incl. sails).
The detailed test report of the Oceanis 37.1 is planned for YACHT, issue 17/2023. The magazine will be published on 9 August.
Technical data Oceanis 37.1
- Designer: Marc Lombard
- Design: Nauta Design
- Hull length: 10.99 m
- Overall length with bowsprit: 11.93 m
- Waterline length: 10.83 m
- Width: 3.92 m
- Weight: 6.86 tonnes
- Draught standard keel: 2.10 m
- Draft short keel: 1.63 m
- Ballast/proportion (hours): 1.8 t / 26%
- Mainsail: 37.0 m²
- Performance mainsail with square top: 42.50 m²
- Mainsail for furling mast: 31.0 m²
- Standard self-tacking jib: 23.0 m²
- Genoa 110 % (optional): 30 m²
- Code Zero 53.0 m²
- Gennaker: 95,0 m²
- Motorisation: Yanmar 40 hp built-in diesel with shaft drive
- Alternative: Torqeedo 12 kW electric motor
