The five-legged sheep
L' Oceanis 30.1 revives the tradition of the "all-purpose" boat. Good walker, real cruiser, very seaworthy, able to run aground, easy to use and economical to transport. In short, everything and its opposite. All brands have tried to achieve this maritime Grail with varying degrees of success, but few have managed to come close. Let's see how the world's leading manufacturer is taking up the challenge.
A cruiser with calibrated dimensions 9 x 3 meters
As if that wasn't enough, Bénéteau adds a few constraints to its already audacious equation. Offering all of its qualities plus speed, aesthetics and unsacrificed habitability is a real miracle. First of all, the beam-master has been limited to 3 meters while in this size the width of the models exceeds allègrement the 3,30 m. This format and its weight of less than 4 tons allows to move the boat without recourse to exceptional transport, but also and especially to remain in a lower category for the tariff of the mooring in the port. At first sight, the main losers are the narrower side decks, but the cockpit does not suffer.
Versatile performance
In order to please the multi-users that this cruiser could attract, there are several ballast systems. Short or long keels are offered for different regions and also a ballasted salmon with a lifting daggerboard to ground the boat. The hull planks are straight and the chine, which starts at the bow at the anchor locker, increases towards the stern allowing the hull to be set and the bisectors to be positioned fairly wide apart. Mainsail with horn or furling system, self-tacking solent or 105% genoa, pivoting mast (to dismast quickly and pass under the bridges) or gennaker on bowsprit, tiller or double wheel, the Océanis 30.1 can be as well cut for fast cruising, or even a weekend regatta, as for sailing up the Canal du Midi.
A meticulous design
Playing with all these programs, while offering a stylish modern line, does not hide the need for habitability. The alliance of the Finot-Conq architectural firm for the hull and Nauta Design for the fittings has made it possible to create a boat that is easy to use in all circumstances without conceding the slightest lack of comfort. The design offices have worked on a drawing that allows the exploitation of every useful cm², serving ergonomics, in order to compensate for the XS size of this new cruiser.
