Beneteau Oceanis 58

Powering all the gear is a newly designed 140hp VW engine, a five-cylinder turbocharged unit with two meaty 12v and 24v alternators attached. The VW offers a better power-to-weight ratio than some traditional marine brands and on the test sail it was one of the quietest engines I’ve used and had little vibration felt throughout the hull.

For the skipper there are twin helms with Raymarine ST70 instruments angled upwards for easy viewing on compact binnacles with power controls, including thruster buttons, on starboard side. Beside the helms are the large Harken H70.2 primary winches, nearby the forward mainsheet winch, so both can be controlled by the steerer.

Between the helms, the swivelling Raymarine C140W chartplotter sits on a sturdy elongated teak table with strong stainless grab rails all around and deep locker space within, plus fold-out wings. A roomy stern locker makes up for the lack of dinghy garage and sitting nearby is the slot on the cockpit sole  for the emergency steering fitting, a tiller,  which is accessible in the adjoining locker.

Galley features include a flexihose tap and dishwasher slot as well as soft-touch closing cupboards. Refrigeration space is good with a full-size 110-litre front-opening unit, freezer and 100-litre ice box; all on 24v power. Cooker facilities could be better, with a three-burner cooktop offered but 10 crew merits a four-burner I think.

Beneteau correctly describe the navigation table as a ‘desk’ due its large size and surrounding it is plenty of bulkhead space, which housed the Raymarine C120 plotter on the review boat and a comprehensive brushed-stainless control panel which could be a busy unit if some of the nice-to-have options are fitted such as watermaker, generator and air-conditioner.

Layout options are for three or four cabins, with the triple setup giving a luxurious owner’s suite up forward and two double cabins aft, including two singles. The island bed in the owner’s suite cleverly hinges up on gas struts to reveal lots of storage space, and nearby the vanity table opens to reveal a large mirror with plenty of room for personal items. Both stern cabins have water views thanks to tinted transom windows that open up onto the sugar scoop and headroom is good, as is overhead locker space.

The dark wood Mahogany Alpi trim throughout the Oceanis 58 is smoothly finished and push-button chromed latches on the myriad of lockers should ensure gear remains stowed away. Ablutions should be easy as well, with up to five toilets offered with electric options. This includes a toilet in the optional crew bow quarters, accessed via a large deck hatch, which is also an ideal hideaway for teenagers who may want private space. It can have a two-bunk setup, hanging-locker space and sink.

Other factory options include an electric pop-up flat screen TV and even electric blinds, to complement the powered washboards on the wide companionway. The use of LED lighting throughout requires less power but dimmer switches would have been nice.

The new arch also acts as a roof strut for the bimini tent which closes off the entire cockpit area. Hull construction is monolithic polyester with a balsa cored deck. Its wide beam is carried well back to generate more lift and allow for the spacious sugar-scoop stern. This is an accessible and very usable space -- shower platform, fishing spot and quiet cocktail sundowner area -- with three options for dinghy handling including a sliding track setup as part of the swim ladder. Below the water, a cast-iron keel, with shallow draft option, is fitted.

Not wanting to waste the breeze, we hoisted the large mainsail quickly and with ease, thanks to wrapping the halyard on the big electric Harken cockpit winch, and with the 120 per cent genoa running out, we bore away up Sydney Harbour. With 58ft of waterline, tracking was understandably good as I acquainted myself with the standing steering position and sought a foothold on the cockpit sole but my deckshoes slipped over the inadequate teak fitting. However the cruising sailor would probably spend little time at the helm with the Raymarine autopilot doing the work instead.

But back in race mode, something the Oceanis 58 shouldn’t be shabby at, and thanks to a reasonable sail area to displacement ratio, we wound all the gear in and pointed high, managing 8.5 knots at 30 degrees to the 18kt wind -- changing the fixed three-blade propeller for the optional Flexifold would improve these figures. Viewing the headsail telltales and even the mainsail  was tricky due to another cruising essential, the large bimini, which can seal off the entire cockpit when its zipped sides are attached, but the downside is an impaired the view of the sails. Hinging it shut would solve that problem. For the cruising couple sail handling should be fine, with primaries right beside the steerer and at a stretch the double-ended mainsheet winch buttons can be prodded as well. The latter was duly done as we prepared for a gybe and the big hull flicked round quickly. Not much more effort was needed for tacking as the tall rig stood up well in the strong breeze, though electric primaries may be another good option.

The steering felt positive, with enough sensation to give the helmsman some feedback yet the boat felt neutral with no weather or lee helm apparent. During tacks moving between helms was easy with no obstructions. With the afternoon coming to a close I hove-to as we dropped the mainsail into its lazy jacks and wound in the headsail. Crewman Tom climbed onto the boom to stow the mainsail in its bag but he looked miniscule as he perched on the spar, such was the size of the rig.

Despite being a boat designed for the far horizons the big Oceanis seemed quite at home both in the confined waters of Sydney Harbour and importantly the marina. Overall the 58 really does showcase the philosophy of Beneteau’s Oceanis range, rewarding owners with a very user-friendly boat to escape the madding crowd while having enough panache to do it with an easy style.

Fuel: 1080L
Water: 1020L
Engine:  Volkswagen 140hp
Design: Berret Racoupeau

Vicsail, d'Albora Marina, Rushcutters Bay NSW 2027.
Tel 02 9327 2088. Web: www.vicsail.com