The Beneteau Oceanis 35 was only released in September 2014. In January it debuted second at the Fes

Beneteau Oceanis 35

Launched in France only last September, the new Beneteau Oceanis 35 sailboat has jumped straight out of the blocks Down Under with a debut second place in its division at Australia’s biggest regatta, the Festival of Sails at Geelong, Victoria in January.

The Beneteau Oceanis 35 is the ninth model in the Beneteau Oceanis cruising range (from 31 to 62 feet). Following the Beneteau Oceanis 38 (the 2014 European Yacht of the Year in the Family Cruiser category), the Beneteau Oceanis 35 is the second model to adopt the latter’s three-in-one interior layout design, available in Daysailer, Week Ender or Cruiser mode, with each designation an upgrade on the previous.

As a Beneteau Oceanis 35 Daysailer, the interior is an open plan design with no forward bulkhead, while upgrading to the Week Ender provides a choice of two or three open or closed cabins, fitted kitchen, extra internal/exterior table and helm seats. The Beneteau Oceanis 35 Cruiser floorplan offers two or three partitioned cabins (the forward partition removable) and a large galley opposite a six-person dinette.

This design flexibility allows the Oceanis 35 to be an ideal club racer as a daysailer, a weekender suiting family/couples for both cruising and overnighting, or as a typical cruising liveaboard yacht.

Jade Cole from Melbourne Beneteau dealership Sundance Marine skippered the Beneteau Oceanis 35 in the 24-boat Cruising Non-spinnaker Division at the Festival of Sails, and shared her impressions on its performance and appeal.

“For the experienced sailor, the boat performed extremely well in both light winds and also when the breeze got above 16kts, and felt completely at home in the stronger gusts,” said Cole. “For less experienced sailors, the spacious cockpit provides class-leading room for crew and guests and the saloon is spacious, with windows offering great views and heaps of natural light.”

She deemed the 35-footer a “well-balanced boat” via twin rudders, beamy hull with hard chine and the mast moved back, making it light on the helm and stable in all conditions. “It actually powers forward and doesn’t try and take you upwind,” said Cole.

Describing the handling of the Beneteau Oceanis 35 as superb, Cole added that manoeuvring in the marina was a breeze. “The control and stability gives you a lot of confidence, if handling it as a couple,” she continued. “Best of all, below decks when underway, you hardly hear a sound and the large windows mean you can see all-around either standing or sitting in the saloon.”

The first Beneteau Oceanis 35 into NSW made its debut in March at the Club Marine Pittwater Sail Expo this weekend. Visit beneteau.com.au for more information.

 

BENETEAU OCEANIS 35 SPECIFICATIONS

MATERIAL Monolithic polyester

TYPE Keelboat sailboat

LENGTH 9.97m hull; 9.7m waterline

BEAM 3.72m

DRAFT 1.45m (shallow); 1.85m (deep)

WEIGHT 5207kg (light ship)

FUEL 130lt

WATER 130lt

REC MAX ENGINE HP 20

SAIL AREA 27.5m² main; 26.72m² genoa (102%)