Bénéteau Oceanis 46.1 Arrives on Philippine Shores

Europa Yachts—the Philippines’ exclusive distributor of luxury watercrafts from the French boatbuilding conglomerate Bénéteau—is pleased to announce the arrival of one of its long-awaited offerings, the Bénéteau Oceanis 46.1.

“The moment is finally here,” says Richard Sarinas, Europa Yachts’ Director of Marketing and Business Development. “The Oceanis 46.1—which has rightfully won many praises upon its international debut in 2018—will soon be ready for acquisition by our Philippine-based customers.

“If you’ve been looking forward to bringing home this vessel to moor in your marina, it won’t be long before you do,” he adds, “because preparations are already underway for an official Philippine launch in Subic.”

Indeed Philippine customers have a lot to anticipate from the Bénéteau Oceanis 46.1 when it comes to design, performance, handling, and amenities, all of which have contributed to her current stellar reputation. In this feature, we’ll fill you in on some of the things you can expect from this boat once it becomes available in the Philippines.

The Oceanis 46.1’s Journey to the Philippines

Even before the Oceanis 46.1 became commercially available, Europa Yachts followed her journey across the world, from her premiere at the Sydney Boat Show in August 2018, to her launch in major American and European boat shows in autumn of the same year.

In the summer of 2018, Europa Yachts first broke the news of the 46.1 being the newest addition to Bénéteau’s Oceanis line, an illustrious product range that has so far spanned more than three decades. She was touted as a successor both to the well-proportioned Oceanis 45, a previous winner of the European Yacht of the Year Award in 2012, and to her so-called “big sister,” the Oceanis 51.1. Indeed, the 46.1 shares a number of characteristics with the 51.1, namely Bénéteau’s acclaimed stepped hull technology, deck and interior designs that emphasize generosity of space, and a bevy of features that enable a truly luxurious liveaboard experience.

The 46.1 came into her own, however, with upgrades to her hull shape, numerous customizable fittings, and highly improved short-handed sailing performance. With these attributes, she made an impressive international debut at the Sydney Boat Show, in a country renowned for its people’s prowess in competitive sailing.

Less than six months later, the Oceanis 46.1 scored a podium finish in a major award, as well as gained critical acclaim from yachting experts. She clinched the top prize in the “Family Cruiser” category of the 2019 European Yacht of the Year Awards, held at the 50^th Düsseldorf International Boat Show (boot Düsseldorf) last January 19, 2019. She now arrives in the Philippines bearing the 33-year legacy of the Oceanis line, as well as the stamp of approval of international boating fans.

Master Tools for the Art of Sailing

Longtime Bénéteau collaborator Pascal CONQ conceptualized the naval architecture on the Oceanis 46.1, which, at 14.6 meters, is shorter than the Oceanis 51.1. However, her reduced length in no way diminishes her performance and serviceability. Pascal CONQ pulled out all the stops to ensure impressive seakeeping and handling on this vessel. Like the Oceanis 51.1 she has a broad hull, which frees up an incredible amount of space inside, in addition to massively improving stability on water.

Yachtsmen who find themselves at the helm of the Oceanis 46.1—even those aided only by a short-handed crew—will find themselves well-equipped to skipper the boat. This sailboat is exceptionally easy to manoeuvre, and it is a breeze to control her furling mast, self-tacking jib, and halyards and sheets as they are all brought back to a single winch at each of her helm stations. Suffice to say, the Oceanis 46.1 is forgiving to one’s learning curve. Perhaps, even after only a few trips,  her skipper and crew will already be able to experience the “incredible sensations” yachting critics commend her for.

True Liveaboard Luxury

The Oceanis 46.1’s deck and interiors were both conceptualized by Nauta Design, another longtime Bénéteau partner in creating outstanding vessels. Her cockpit, which can accommodate as many as 8 passengers, is designed to be the go-to spot for socials and intimate gatherings on board. The reclining sun loungers, complete with their own drink holders, are the perfect platform for sunbathing, and they’ll also yield breathtaking views of Philippine sunsets in all their glory.

Inside, the Oceanis 46.1 is roomy, well-ventilated, and awash in natural light. Her hull portholes bring in enough light so that no corner feels dark, cold, or cramped. She also makes use of economy of space in the alignment of her dining area, bench-style seating, and counters that can be furnished in either brushed oak or mahogany. And when the festivities are done, passengers can retire to the comfort of the boat’s cabins, all of which are supremely appointed for a good night’s sleep.

All Sights Set on Subic for the Oceanis 46.1

“You probably won’t be able to fully appreciate the beauty and superior performance of such an award winning vessel until you get to see her yourself here in the Philippines, board her, and feel her cruising across the see,” Sarinas says about the Oceanis 46.1. “But until then, you can expect that this sailboat will measure up to all expectations.”

For more information on the official launch of the Oceanis 46.1 in the Philippines, contact Europa Yachts today. Don’t hesitate to send an email to info@europayachts.net or to call our customer support team at (+632) 8553-2027.