This is a thoroughly modern family cruiser, designed around a full-beam transom and a sociable aft cockpit rather than a racing brief.
Design and Construction
Biscontini’s design is a solid-fiberglass monohull with a bulb keel and spade rudder. On a beam of 15'11", she displaces just under 32,000 pounds.
Beneteau describes a pronounced chine that lends the hull bold, dynamic elegance. However, observations made when the boat was launched noted that its smoothed-out hull form moves away from the hard chines found on recent Oceanis flagships.
The full-beam design continues all the way to the transom, making room for a generously sized cockpit and a large amidships BBQ station. Beneteau chose Iroko rather than teak for the deck on sustainability grounds.
Below, the finish marks a clear step up. Nauta Design has reduced some of the dancehall-like open areas found in earlier models, and the oak veneer lacks the plastic feel of previous efforts. Furniture has 2-millimeter bandings, along with laminated solid-wood trim and even massive wooden scantling on high-wear tabletops. Thick Venetian blinds, mirrors, and upgraded Corian worktops in the galley and heads help create a more yacht-like atmosphere.
Rig, Controls, and Handling
The standard Oceanis 52 has a fractional sloop rig with a furling mast and self-tacking jib. The First Line Pack substitutes a longer mast and adds sail area for stronger performance.
All sail-control lines lead aft, with no winch or jammer forward of the helm area. Compared with the 51.1, the working and genoa-sheet winches are spaced a little farther apart. The genoa winches sit closer to the helm, while the working winches are positioned by the walkaround step. This allows either a crew member or the helmsman to manage hoists and drops. The mainsheet arch remains optional rather than standard.
Power comes from a 110-horsepower Yanmar diesel. The helm console has electric engine control and a 12-inch display that lets the skipper chart a course with precision.
Cockpit and Deck Living
The cockpit is the boat’s social center. Twin C-shaped benches create a diamond-shaped space, while two height-adjustable tables can be lowered and covered with cushions to form a reclining lounge. Writing for no-frills-sailing.com, the reviewer cited 30 percent more lounge area than on the 51.1 as a result of the new layout.
The divided cockpit table leaves a wide central walkway. A step between the aft seat and helm stations gives access to the side decks without disturbing the helmsman.
Amidships, a central seating area incorporates a fridge and plancha grill. Its lid closes to form a seat, and additional folding seats extend from the helm stations to create one continuous seating run across the transom. A gently sloping companionway—a signature of the Oceanis cruising range—leads below.
Interior and Accommodations
Beneteau claims 30 percent more interior space than the Oceanis 51.1. Two layouts are available: a three-cabin, two-head owner’s version and a five-cabin, three-head charter version.
In the owner’s layout, the forward suite has a 160 cm island bed flanked by two small seats. Stowage includes two hanging lockers, large coaming compartments, and a drawer beneath the bed. The wet rooms are split, with the toilet to port and shower to starboard.
Ahead of the suite, a forward bulkhead conceals either a large sail locker or an optional skipper’s cabin. Large hull windows in the bow provide an open seascape at anchor. The owner’s three-cabin layout also includes a desk, bookcase, and bar in the owner’s corner.
The saloon is finished in sanded oak and has a 3-in-1 table that can serve as a dining table, coffee table, sofa, or extra berth. The C-shaped galley includes Corian worktops, a full-height refrigerator, and an optional second fridge.
The charter layout replaces this galley arrangement with a central island. It also provides a 434-liter fridge and carry-on storage space in each of its five cabins.
Equipment and Options
Standard equipment includes high-end, dimmable anti-glare lighting, a 12-inch helm display, and the Seanapps mobile app.
Options include:
- An enclosed aft cockpit with a gas plancha and exterior fridge
- A bimini arch with integrated solar panels
- A rigid T-top Bimini
- A mainsheet arch
Solara panels in the coachroof can provide up to 430 Wpeak of solar capacity, with a further 680 Wpeak available on the rigid T-top.
The Verdict
The Oceanis 52 is a clean-break, eighth-generation cruiser that refines the established Oceanis formula with a larger, better-finished interior and a thoroughly reworked social cockpit. She trades some of the previous generation’s hard-chine character for a smoother hull form, while gaining meaningful living space and better-quality deck furniture.
Short-handed sail handling remains straightforward, thanks to the self-tacking jib and lines led aft. The divided cockpit table and walkaround step show that Beneteau has given real thought to movement through the cockpit, although losing the 51.1’s integrated life-raft table is a small concession.
Pros
- 30 percent more interior space and lounge area than the 51.1
- Nauta-designed interior with notably improved woodwork and Corian finishes
- All sail-control lines led aft, with no forward winches, for easy short-handed handling
- Choice of flexible three-cabin owner’s and five-cabin charter layouts
Cons
- Smoother hull form drops the hard chines favored on recent Oceanis flagships
- Divided cockpit table loses the earlier model’s integrated life-raft storage
- Mainsheet arch remains optional despite strong recommendations from reviewers
