Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 - 12 metres and so much space

by Julien Ferre 21 Feb 2020 10:47 UTC

The Oceanis 40.1 follows in the wake of her elder sister the Oceanis 51.1, which upon it's launch in 2017, marked a new era of cruisers by Beneteau.

The volumes and space on deck and inside are unprecedented, but with the new Marc Lombard hull design, no concessions have been made to performance.

Additionally, the Oceanis 40.1 is available in different layouts, draughts and rigs, to meet the requirement of the most demanding sailors, in terms of comfort and sailing pressure. For families, couples, friends, young people and old salts, this versatile new 12-meter cruiser is perfectly adaptable to fit your cruising needs.

How can you blend comfort and performance? In other words, how can you be as happy at anchor as you are under sail? With the innovative flared hull design of Oceanis 40.1. and steps extending over a third of the bow, Beneteau has made no sacrifices. The result is stiff hull with great speed potential yet a poised and comfortable ride in any conditions.

Above the waterline, the deck plan and ultra-spacious interior by Nauta Design is simply unheard of on a boat this size. The result is unmistakable feeling you are aboard a much larger yacht.

Oceanis 40.1 - photo © Beneteau

An Oceanis 40.1 with something for everyone

As there is no one way to sail, and because everyone cruises at their own pace, this recent addition to the Oceanis line comes in several versions. Sailors keen on performance can choose the First Line version, with a longer mast and a greater draught. The in-mast furling system and self-tacking jib will make short-handed manoeuvring easier. A standard mast for a semi full battened mainsail is also available.

In terms of accommodations, the Oceanis 40.1 comes in four different versions, with a choice of two basic types of woodwork as standard: walnut or floated oak. The many alternatives and options to customize your boat ensure there is an Oceanis 40.1 for each and every sailor.

Oceanis 40.1 - photo © Beneteau

Easy to sail and spacious on deck

The flared hull increases the area on the fore deck. This makes for a better flow of movement and makes anchoring or mooring easier. The cockpit is quite large, much bigger than on its predecessor, the Oceanis 41.1, and on competitors' boats of the same size. It is ingeniously laid out to allow for a clear demarcation between active and relaxation spaces. These are the strengths of this new 40 foot cruiser.

Lines and halyards lead aft to the two helm stations now further to the rear, leaving space for a large cockpit table for six guests, under which is a dedicated space for the life raft. The two long L-shaped benches on either side are unobstructed, as the halyard winches and mainsail sheets are on the coachroof.

She has angled coamings, a low coachroof, and clear side decks making it easy to walk from the bow to the transom. If you want to go swimming, the transom converts to an electrically (optional) or manually operated swim platform.

Whoever is steering under sail will love the twin rudders with textile linkage to the wheels, which provide unparalleled comfort and precision in all conditions. The stemhead guarantees maximum efficiency for the downwind sails and for handling the anchor and chain.

Interior volume and natural light

The Oceanis 40.1 comes in four different versions with two, three, and four cabins to fit everyone's idea of life on board. Couples and large families will feel like they are at home! The owner version has a master cabin with an ensuite shower. The four-cabin version keeps a cabin with a double bed, and an additional cabin with bunk beds.

With a walnut or oak base, the styling of the interior by Italian designers Nauta, in Milan, excels in its remarkable brightness and clever arrangement of living spaces.

A C-shaped galley on the starboard provides lots of storage and a spacious countertop. On the port side, there is a large salon together with table and removable bench, and the table at the foot of the companionway provides ample working space and lots of storage.

You cannot help but notice the feeling of space, yet nothing is set in stone, so that everyone can live the way they want and enjoy sailing wherever the wind takes them. The many hull and coachroof portholes, two of which look towards the cockpit, and the hatches fill the boat with natural light and ventilation, making her exceptionally bright.

Oceanis 40.1 Specifications