Does Beneteau’s new entry-level Oceanis redefine what owners should expect from smaller yachts? Graham Snook travelled 
to Les Sables d’Olonne to find out

Beneteau Oceanis 30.1

Beneteau has achieved something great with its 
new 30-footer. For a small production yacht sitting squarely at the entry-level 
end of the market, it has crammed the Oceanis 30.1 full of 
smart ideas.

The features and fittings on board are of a level normally only seen in higher-spec boats, and they’ve created a vessel that sails beautifully to boot.

Her owners will be spoilt into expecting every yacht they own after this one to have cockpit locker lights, accumulator tanks in the fresh water system and bronze skin fittings, but you might expect to pay a hefty premium for these features and excellent build quality.

So to find stacks of lovely details on the smallest Oceanis that Beneteau produce is very pleasing to see indeed.

Two men in the cockpit of the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1
Twin wheels are an option while a tiller is standard. Credit: Graham Snook

Read the review: https://www.yachtingmonthly.com/reviews/yacht-reviews/beneteau-oceanis-30-1