WATCH THIS SPACE
Tested by RUPERT HOLMES
Where: Les Sables d’Olonne, west France
Conditions: flat water, mostly cross-shore wind of 4-18 knots
Model: standard keel with taller aluminium performance rig, slab reefing mainsail and 105% furling genoa, both in panelled laminate construction
A measure of how much yacht design has moved on over the past few years is that Beneteau’s replacement for the successful Oceanis Yacht 62 (2016) is smaller and visually sleeker, with lower freeboard, and a whopping five tonnes less displacement. Yet it offers the same accommodation volume.
As a result the new Oceanis Yacht 60 design has a dramatically different character and is a boat that sails very nicely, while also providing an enviable amount of space. The hull shape is an evolution of the one Roberto Biscontini created for the First 53 and Oceanis Yacht 54. However, as the 60 was developed solely as a cruising boat, there’s more allowance for additional payload and broader forward sections, with flare above the waterline but no chine or knuckle.
This increases the interior volume ahead of the mast and improves form stability. It also helps to confer better hull balance, as
