Beneteau Oceanis 37.1 boat test

The art of compromise is an all-too familiar wrestle for most designers, not least for naval architects tasked with the challenge of crafting concepts for a cruiser-racer or racer-cruiser, as the distinction can often be hard to pin.

How refreshing, then, to review the Beneteau Oceanis 37.1, whose famed designer, the late Marc Lombard, sidestepped the thorny hybrid and plumped unambiguously for a cruising yacht that could very well surprise the competition if the owner chooses to take it racing.

As the successor to the hugely popular Oceanis 38.1, the 37.1 packs in a lot of boat for its size, while being simple to sail and deceptively spacious below.

In barely five knots of breeze for our test, it was going to be hard to test the twin rudder steering that’s been praised for its remarkably neutral feel, even under high load – but that characteristic was on display later when the breeze lifted momentarily and the boat heeled gently in response. 

The long swept-back spreaders on the Z Spars aluminium mast obviate the need for a backstay. This also frees up space around the two helm positions and allows uncluttered movement to the swimplatform that can be lowered when at anchor.

In the tested option, the boat was set up with a conventional slab-reefed mainsail with lazy jacks, self-tacking furling jib and the standard long keel. Furthermore, it allows owners to up-spec with a larger 105 per cent furling genoa, a Code 0 and an asymmetric spinnaker if they choose to go racing. 

There’s also a square-top mainsail option for those looking for a little more speed on and off the breeze.

I’m told the boat will happily track upwind at 32 to 35 degrees apparent wind angle, holding six to seven knots of boat speed in a 10-knot breeze, and 8 knots in 15 knots of wind.

The deck layout is clean and simple, with hardwood (African iroko) composite Iro-Deck laid on the cockpit and swimplatform. The foredeck feels wide and safe, although with a self-tacking jib and remote-control anchor there would be little reason to venture forward when underway.

The test boat’s mainsail and jib sheet were run to the winches at the companionway, and for shorthanded sailing both can be brought back to the winches forward of the two helm positions.

The 40hp Yanmar engine offers plenty of power for a yacht of this size, but once more it’s about giving the owner confidence. 

Stepping belowdecks reveals a bright and well-appointed saloon with 1.95m ceiling height. There’s a C-shaped settee to port and a bench-style galley to starboard, and the generous sense of space is greatly enhanced by the light oak Alpi laminate panelling and beige seat fabric.

A modest chart table to port with an instrument panel above sits at the bottom of the companionway steps and uses the end of the settee as an aft-facing seat, with a small bookshelf to hand – all minimal and practical for day sailing or the occasional overnight sail.

The majority of time working in the bench-style galley will probably be spent while at an anchorage or marina (the absence of a fiddle on the saloon table would seem to suggest so). All the basics are well covered though.

Perhaps surprisingly for a boat that feels so reassuringly safe and user friendly, the handholds in the main cabin seem to be on the sparse side, and there’s only one on the companionway steps. 

The test boat featured the three-cabin layout, with a remarkably spacious and airy master cabin forward.

The two-cabin option allows for a huge, separated shower room aft of the head compartment and forward of a deep storage locker, in lieu of the starboard aft berth. The three-cabin, two-head option is impressive for a yacht of this size and likely to prove popular with charter markets.

Price correct as of July 2025

• Price as tested: $550,000
  

• LOA: 11.93m
• LWL: 10.83m
• Beam: 3.92m
• Draft (deep/shallow): 2.1m/1.63m
• Displacement: 6864kg
• Engine: 40hp Yanmar 
• Water capacity: 335lt
• Fuel capacity: 130lt

• A FULL REVIEW OF THE BENETEAU OCEANIS 37.1 RAN IN THE JUNE-JULY (VOLUME 40.3) ISSUE OF CLUB MARINE MAGAZINE. 
  
  
• VISIT FLAGSTAFF MARINE FOR MORE INFORMATION.