The large series shipyards like to refer to their smallest cruising models as the entry-level class. This means that cruisers under ten metres in length represent one of the most important market segments. The new Oceanis 30.1 belongs to this segment and replaced its successful predecessor after ten years, which is a remarkably long product cycle. The new launch of the industry leader was therefore eagerly awaited. The new design language from Finot/Conq was to be expected; it corresponds to the 0.1 series, which already consists of six larger sister ships. The shipyard is thus closing the last gap in this modernisation process.
What is surprising, however, is the concept. In order to be successful, the shipyard from Vendée wants to appeal to a broader target group than the competition with the 30.1 model. In addition to sea and coastal sailors, this should explicitly include inland sailors, which is why the Oceanis 30.1 is lighter and, at less than three metres, also significantly narrower than most of its competitors. With this dimension, it fits between narrow stern piles, in narrow lock chambers and through narrow bridge passages. The shipyard has also announced that it will offer a folding mast. The boat's dimensions also make it easy to transport by road.
The competition
Another part of the attack concept is its great versatility. The Oceanis 30.1 is offered with three different keel versions, has a draught of 1.88 metres as standard, and a significantly shallower keel of 1.30 metres is available for an additional charge. Finally, the ship is available as a keel centreboard with ballast centreboard and, thanks to the double rudder system, can easily fall dry in this version.
In addition to the price, such outstanding character features are sensitive points of differentiation from the competition - cruising boats of a size in which the designers have little room for manoeuvre due to the ratio of customer requirements to dimensions and which are therefore conceptually very comparable and in many respects also fully developed.
Oceanis 30.1 has a grown-up appearance
With the optional two steering wheels instead of the standard tiller steering - they first appeared in this boat size five years ago on the Dufour 310 Grand Large - the shipyard is now also serving a general trend, in addition to the aforementioned sharpening of the profile of the new model, which has actually made the yachts around nine metres in length more mature in combination with an open stern and bathing platform.
That's the first impression. The prototype lies rigged in Les Sables d'Olonne on the Beneteau jetty. The boat has a striking grey outer skin, which emphasises the main design features. These are a chine in the hull and a bevelled edge from the bow to the shrouds. The large-format hull windows, the fixed nose and the even wider stern compared to its predecessor are also dominant. Wood is no longer a style-defining element, as handrails and foot rails were on the Oceanis 31. However, the cockpit thwarts are covered with teak rods as standard, as is the cockpit floor for an extra charge.
The build number 0 is characterised by remarkably careful construction, which is not always the case with prototypes. Almost all of the extras on board have been installed and stowed in the forecastle boxes - from the larger engine to the cockpit shower. The standard fin hangs below the ship with the deeper of the two cast-iron keel variants.
Solid and functional cruising boat suitable for use in wide areas
The cloths come as standard from the Breton sailmaker Technique Voile. On board is the mainsail, which is unfurled in the top. One that can be furled into the mast instead is available separately. The headsail wardrobe consists of either a self-tacking jib or the overlapping 105 per cent genoa. The light wind sails, a code zero and a gennaker, can be purchased with the corresponding equipment as an upwind pack and as a downwind pack. If you order both, you save considerably.
The design of the prototype should not hide the fact that the developers of the Oceanis 30.1 were more interested in a solid and functional cruising boat suitable for a wide range of users than in experimentation. What has already been tried and tested on the predecessor model or the larger sister ships in the series can be found on board. Nevertheless, some of the detailed solutions on deck immediately catch the eye, such as the ingenious gas locker or the side-mounted rescue ladder with a solid handle. But there are also counter-examples. For example, there is no longer a separate storage space for a life raft. And although the anchor locker houses a solidly installed winch, it can no longer be sealed watertight.
The joy of sailing on the Oceanis 30.1
On the day of the test, the wind was blowing at ten to twelve knots from the north-west. The Oceanis 30.1 is confidently pushed out of the harbour basin by the 21 hp Yanmar with conventional shaft installation and three-bladed folding propeller, the larger of the two models; the smaller Yanmar with 15 hp is standard. The boat is very easy to manoeuvre forwards and backwards under engine power. 6 knots are achieved at 80 per cent of the maximum speed, a good value considering the theoretical hull speed of around 7 knots.
Once the sails are up, the prototype immediately shows that it has potential. Thanks to the calm sea and the still completely empty boat, the moderate wind is enough to get it moving quickly. The measured values are very satisfactory on all courses, and the turning angle of 85 degrees is fine. Above all, however, the boat is characterised by its very good controllability. It sits comfortably on the twin rudders, can be steered directly with one and a half turns from hard to hard and is extremely stable on course.
When it freshens up towards the end of the day, the little Beneteau shows that, thanks to the wide stern under gennaker, more than hull speed is possible. On the other hand, however, the wind in the upcoming short wave also reveals that the voluminous bow sets limits on the wind; height very quickly costs a lot of speed. However, the boat's movements in the waves are pleasant, the sea behaviour is calm and unagitated and the stability is very good.
The Oceanis 30.1 is designed with the crew in mind
The cockpit offers enough space for the crew of four, even under sail. They sit comfortably on the dents, the coamings are ergonomically shaped and the solid stainless steel bracket, which serves as a table base in the harbour, is a good way to support yourself. The helmsman sits protected in the pushpit with a clear view forwards on the coaming. However, the helmsman must support himself when the boat is in position to avoid slipping off the narrow surface. Footrests are fitted for this purpose, but they may not be perfectly positioned for everyone.
The solution with two optional steering wheels has been convincingly implemented. A push rod connects the two quadrants, while the wheels are redirected via Dyneema cables. At 75 centimetres in diameter, the wheels are small and enable direct steering. The passage is well dimensioned. An emergency tiller is mounted in the forecastle box and can be fitted on both sides in no time at all; however, the respective steering wheel must be removed in order to use it. A longer emergency tiller axle would avoid this.
Oceanis 30.1 manages without backstay and backstays
A working winch on the superstructure is standard. The two genoa winches, all from Harken, are positioned far aft and are easily accessible for the helmsman. The mainsheet, on the other hand, is a different matter: although its simple and functional guidance via a cockpit is very convincing, it cannot be reached from the wheel.
The mast from the French manufacturer Z-Spars is 9/10-rigged and has strongly swept spreaders, so that it does not require a backstay or backstays. On the one hand, this makes it easy to use the flared mainsail and the helmsman's position is not cramped; on the other hand, however, the lower shroud gets in the way on the way forwards and an important trimming tool is missing.
Halyards and outhauls are redirected to the cockpit, and the genoa track's hull points on the test ship are line-adjustable. The Facnor furling system is solid and sufficiently dimensioned.
Divided according to a proven concept
Below deck, the Oceanis 30.1 is light and extremely spacious, and the narrower width compared to its competitors is simply not noticeable. However, it is only available in one version; there is also no choice of veneers. Only in terms of equipment can extras such as non-standard upholstery, electronic devices, heating and the like be ordered.
The layout follows the tried-and-tested concept with a wet room to starboard as well as a galley and access to the stern opposite: two sufficiently sized sofa berths in the saloon and a central folding table as well as, as an extra, a navigation corner at the aft end of the starboard saloon berth. In the foredeck there are two wide berths two metres long, two lockers and sufficient space to change clothes when the bulkhead is closed.
Simple interior fittings
Six people can sit comfortably on the cushions in the saloon, and there is room for four at the table without it getting cramped. The really large hull windows are a real eye-catcher, providing a fascinating view at sea and at anchor. All surfaces are kept in light colours and are made of oak-look laminate. The sides are clad in artificial leather. Light comes in through a large hatch in the saloon, the window moulding in the superstructure and the two hull windows. The designers have made good use of the available space and the dimensions and positioning of the fittings are correct. Unfortunately, there are no handrails, which would make it much easier to go forward at sea. The storage space in the saloon is also extremely limited. There are no lockers, only flat swallow's nests above the back cushions. The headroom is high at 1.90 metres in the aft section, but rather low at 1.76 metres in front of the passageway to the foredeck.
The navigation table is only available as an extra and even then is a special case. This miniature can be used as a writing desk for the logbook, but the surface is not even large enough for sports boat charts. Instead, the small secretary can be folded against the wall and the recess for the legs can be closed with a cushion. This converts the navigation corner into a saloon corner.
The galley has a large refrigerator compartment and a two-burner gas hob with oven, which unfortunately does not swing out sufficiently on the port bow. A solid stainless steel bar in front of the cooker provides support. The sink is almost in line with the centreline and can therefore be used even when the boat is at an angle. It is no longer designed as a double sink, as was the case with the previous model. What is also missing are crockery compartments and a sufficiently large cupboard for cooking pots. In contrast, the dimensions, layout, storage space and ventilation of the toilet and aft cabin are extremely successful.
Good prospects
The design of the prototype is very promising. Clean bonding, small gaps, carefully topcoated bilge compartments and meticulous installations are striking, as are the strong dimensions of the fittings and the solid design of the handrails and fittings. The keel bolts are visible and easily accessible, and large outlets are moulded into the floor assembly.
If the series lives up to the promise of the prototype, the Oceanis 30.1 will be a tough competitor.
The measured values for the test of the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1
The Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 in detail
Technical data of the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1
- Design engineer: Finot/Conq
- CE design category: B
- Torso length: 8,99 m
- Width: 2,99 m
- Low/old: 1,88/1,30, 2,33-0,95 m
- Weight: 4,0 t
- Ballast/proportion: 0,97 t/24 %
- Mainsail: 23,8 m2
- Self-tacking jib: 15,7 m2
- machine (Yanmar): 15 kW/21 hp
Hull and deck construction
- Hull: Polyester full laminate with structure-reinforcing inner mould
- Deck: GRP sandwich with foam core
Price and shipyard
- Base price ex shipyard: € 120,071 gross incl. 19% VAT.
- Warranty/against osmosis 3/7 years
As of 011/2023, how the prices shown are defined can be found here!
Shipyard
Chantiers Beneteau; Saint Hilaire de Riez/France; www.beneteau.com
Distribution
Dealer network
YACHT review of the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1
Favourable entry-level model from Beneteau. Versatile thanks to keel variants and dimensions. With solid construction, ample space and solid sailing characteristics, well suited as a cruising boat
Design and concept
- + Versatile cruising boat
- + Large chamber in the foredeck
- - No expansion options
Sailing performance and trim
- + Good sailing characteristics
- + Simple handling
- - Sea behaviour in the wave on the wind
Living and finishing quality
- + Large, well-utilised space
- + Robust construction
- - Hardly any special requests can be realised
Equipment and technology
- + Cleanly installed on-board technology
- - Emergency tiller only possible without wheel
Video of the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1
This article first appeared in YACHT 09/2019 and has been updated for this online version.
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