Design and Construction
The hull is a solid polyester laminate with an internal sub-frame hull liner bonded in place to stiffen and support the floor and internal structure. Above, the balsa-cored deck is both bonded and mechanically fastened to the hull, with the joint capped by a teak toerail running the length of the deck. The keel is cast-iron with a molded bulb and was offered in both shoal and deep drafts, while the rudder is a large single, high-aspect blade. The aft end of the boat is defined by an attractive reverse transom and an aft deck enclosing a tender garage with an electric fold-down transom and swim platform; a pair of hatches in that aft deck give access to the tender and make a handy stowage spot for fenders and docklines.
Rig and Handling
A Seldén aluminum three-spreader mast is supported by discontinuous rod shrouds and stays, carrying a 9/10ths fractional rig on the test boat with Incidences laminate sails on an in-mast furler and a Facnor drum furler on the bow. The trademark Beneteau cockpit arch anchors the mainsheet and supports the aft end of the dodger, with handholds to aid crew moving forward. Genoa tracks and chainplates sit inboard close alongside the cabintrunk, and a stainless steel “dolphin nose” bowsprit includes a tack eye for a Code 0 or asymmetric spinnaker. Sail handling is centralized: primary electric Harken 70ST winches have controls immediately outboard of the helm seats, lines lead through the cockpit coaming to clutches and on to Harken 46ST secondaries, and the mainsheet comes down to the starboard secondary winch. Despite the shallow keel and in-mast main on the test boat, she clicked off a sprightly 6 knots with 12 to 14 knots apparent wind around 35 degrees off the bow, and when eased to 50 to 60 degrees apparent her boatspeed quickly popped up to 8.6 knots. The large high-aspect rudder confidently steered her through the eye of the wind on each tack.
Accommodations
Below, the test boat boasted the optional high-gloss Alpi interior, with large steps and leather-bound handrails easing the way into the saloon. The J-shaped galley to port carries twin stainless sinks and ample counter space; a gas stove comes standard, while an all-electric galley with a Force 10 electric stove, Sharp microwave, and Electrolux dishwasher is available. A large quarter cabin aft of the galley has an ensuite head and shower, and the starboard quarter cabin adds a “scissor” berth convertible between double and two singles plus a combination desk and dressing table. To starboard of the companionway sits a 4ft 6in chart table, forward of which the dinette’s question-mark bench and island seat multiply place settings, the table itself rotatable by a chained pull. Opposite, a deceptively squishy settee pairs with an electric retractable liquor cabinet. Forward, the master stateroom places head and shower to starboard and a desk-dressing table to port around a 5ft 9in island berth with padded head panels and good wardrobe with shoe cabinet. All three head compartments have separate shower stalls, and an optional forepeak crew cabin is reached through a foredeck hatch.
Cockpit and Deck Equipment
The single-level extended cockpit lends a feeling of grandeur, with L-shaped helm seats and a step forward of each wheel to the side decks; beneath those steps sit sizable rope bins for halyards and reefing lines. A pair of stainless wheels link to the rudder via a Goiot system, instrument pods above housing a standard B&G Zeus 7in chartplotter with wind, speed, and depth, and the starboard pod and helm console carry engine and bow-thruster controls. A neat electric aluminum shutter replaces washboards at the companionway, and a combination anchor roller/bowsprit keeps the hook clear of the stem. Teak cockpit sole comes standard, with teak on deck and cabintrunk optional.
Power and Performance Under Engine
The test boat’s 140hp Volkswagen diesel with shaft drive and a three-bladed feathering Max Prop pushed her at 6.4 knots at 1,500 rpm and 7.8 knots at 2,000 rpm in flat harbor confines. A Volvo Penta D3 of 150hp is listed among the modeled engine data, reflecting the range’s diesel installation; either way, the direct-drive installation and substantial horsepower suit a yacht of this displacement for docking and motoring in calm.
The Verdict
The Oceanis 60 is a thoroughly modern flagship cruiser: a development of the 58 that wraps a solid-laminate hull and balsa-cored deck around a remarkably open three-cabin layout with separate showers, an all-electric galley option, and clever companionway and tender-garage engineering. Her inboard rig and centralized electric winches make her manageable, and the recorded light-air and powered performance justify the flagship label.
Pros
- Solid polyester hull with bonded internal sub-frame for stiffness
- Tender garage with electric fold-down transom and swim platform
- Inboard chainplates and cockpit-arch mainsheet for manageable shorthanded sailing
- Three cabins each with ensuite separate-shower heads; flexible scissor berth
- Strong light-air and moderate-angle speed under the fractional rig
Cons
- Deep or shoal cast-iron bulb keel limits shallow gunkholing versus centerboard rivals
- All-electric galley and high-gloss interior are options, not standard
- Cockpit arch and dodger dependency shape the forward-movement ergonomics
