YACHT-Test: In a double pack: Test Oceanis 46.1 and 51.1 with standard rig
Both are so popular that Beneteau builds hulls and decks in several moulds to keep delivery times moderate. Both were nominated for the European Yacht of the Year award. The Oceanis 46.1 also won the title in January with a convincing performance. That, one might think, says it all.
It is not! Until now, the shipyard has only offered its successful models with the high-quality and performance-optimised "First Line" equipment - an upgrade that costs between 25,000 and up to 70,000 euros extra, depending on whether the owner chooses an aluminium or carbon performance rig. As a result, both boats were convincing in terms of sailing - the 46.1 designed by Finot/Conq even more so than the 51.1.
In the double test of the basic versions, we wanted to find out: Do the good to very good characteristics remain the same - or do the top models in the Oceanis range suffer noticeably from the shorter furling mast, simpler cloth and significantly less sail area? If there is a loss of performance: Which configuration is recommended to compensate for this?
The direct comparison also revealed impressively which extension variants make the most sense for which boat. Both are available with three, four or five compartments, and the 51.1 can even be fitted with an additional cabin for the bosun in the forward sail load on request. Can the yachts tolerate full occupancy in the four and five-cabin versions, which are primarily designed for charter use - and is the hull volume still utilised sensibly in the owner's version with three compartments?
