Beneteau Oceanis 45 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The Oceanis 45’s defining structural feature is a distinctive hard chine: a subtle, angled crease almost halfway up the freeboard that runs the full length of the hull. The chine increases interior space and promotes stability; in theory, it also aids stability when sailing on the breeze.

The solid-fiberglass hull is set in polyester and incorporates an internal grid bonded and tabbed to the main structure. This grid provides the framework for the attached keel, mast step, chain plates, and engine. A monolithic inner structural molding further stiffens the hull, while the resin-infused deck has a balsa core.

The hull-to-deck joint is bonded with adhesive and secured with screws. Stainless steel fasteners and backing plates hold the cast-iron ballast keel in place. The single spade rudder turns on a fiberglass stock.

Rig, Sailing Performance, and Handling

The 9/10ths fractional rig has an aluminum mast, double spreaders, and discontinuous stainless steel standing rigging. Moving the spars farther aft produces a better-balanced rig with easily managed 108-percent overlapping headsails.

A central mainsail arch slopes aft over the companionway and carries the mainsheet, eliminating the need for a traveler. The rigid boom vang now serves that purpose while maintaining sheeting angles toward the end of the boom. All working lines lead aft. Jibsheets run to self-tailing winches on the cockpit coamings, while other controls lead to a pair of coachroof winches.

Test sailors found the Oceanis 45’s handling superb on Chesapeake Bay days with steady winds in the mid-teens. In puffs in the low 20s, she made nearly 8 knots upwind while slightly overpowered, with the main and jib rolled to about 90 percent. On a screaming beam reach under full sail, she reached 9.3 knots.

The boat does have limits when pressed. During testing, the single rudder lost its grip in one moderate gust while sailing close-hauled. The tester suspected that the very wide stern would benefit from twin rudders. In stronger winds, early reefing is needed to keep the rudder working properly.

Under power, the 54-hp Yanmar diesel with saildrive tracked excellently in reverse and in tight quarters with a conventional bow thruster. Beneteau also offered the optional Dock & Go system, which combines a rotating saildrive, joystick control, and bow thruster for docking.

Cockpit and Deck Gear

The enormous cockpit is divided by a large fixed table with folding leaves. It contains two insulated compartments, with a refrigerated icebox available as an option, and carries a multifunction navigation display at its aft end.

Twin helm stations leave room for long bench seats abaft the wheels, providing additional social seating. The electrically controlled, full-width transom folds down to form a teak-covered swim platform nearly flush with the water. A removable stainless steel swim ladder completes the arrangement.

Deck equipment includes a B&G electronic pack, flush deck hatches, and a tactile screen with outdoor lighting.

Interior and Accommodations

A comfortable, gently sloping 45-degree companionway connects the sizable cockpit with a bright interior designed to maximize storage. Light oak and mahogany finishes were offered. Because the mainsheet arch eliminates the traveler, the companionway can use 45-degree steps rather than a ladder.

Four layouts were available: two moderate plans and two charter configurations. The moderate versions offer either two or three cabins, each with two heads. The charter editions comprise either a four-bedroom, two-head boat or a three-bedroom, three-head arrangement.

In the two-stateroom plan, the port aft cabin gives way to a commodious pantry and an enormous storage room abaft the galley, accessible from the cockpit. The forward stateroom occupies a full third of the interior and includes an island double berth and ensuite head. The aft staterooms have proper double berths that aren’t cut into by the engine space.

In the saloon, a sliding navigation table runs along the port settee, opposite a wraparound settee to starboard. However, the tested layouts had no real navigation station below.

Verdict

The Oceanis 45 is a thoughtfully engineered cruiser. Its chined hull, arch-mounted mainsheet, flexible interior plans, and strong performance across the wind range suit both family and charter use. Its main weakness is the single rudder, which can lose grip when the broad-sterned hull is pressed close-hauled in gusty conditions.

Pros