Naval architect Roberto Biscontini developed the hull as an evolution of his work on the First 53 and Oceanis Yacht 54, while Lorenzo Argento handled the styling. Beneteau builds the yacht on a semi-custom basis.
Design and Construction
Biscontini developed the hull solely as a cruising boat. Its broader forward sections flare above the waterline but have no chine or knuckle, creating more interior volume than the prior 54 without compromising the clean silhouette.
Beneteau introduced recyclable Elium resin into the production process for this model. Developed jointly with Arkema, the material had already been tried and tested on the First 44. Its purpose is to minimize the boat’s environmental footprint while guaranteeing outstanding sailing performance; series production with Elium resin began in January 2025.
Deep bulwarks protect the side decks, topped by guardrails higher than the standard 60 centimeters. Wide passages lead around the helm stations and provide obstacle-free access to the foredeck.
The cockpit is huge, contributing to safety and easy movement. It has twin L-shaped settees, with walk-around space aft of the helm seats. Extensive side decks run around the helm stations and provide obstacle-free access to the foredeck.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The standard rig carries 1,636 square feet of sail area. An optional performance version adds roughly five feet to the mast and increases upwind sail area by 20 percent.
The test boat had a black-lacquered aluminium rig that was 1.5 meters taller than the standard furling mast. With a fully battened, slab-reefing mainsail and 105 percent genoa, it carried 30 percent more sail.
Test sailors found the helm finger-light in all conditions, while the twin rudders tracked beautifully regardless of heel. In around 12 knots of true wind, the yacht made an easy 7.5 knots upwind at a true wind angle near 50 degrees. As the breeze rose to 15 knots, it accelerated to 8.3 knots while pinching 5 degrees higher.
Off the wind in 18 knots, the boat held better than 9 knots at 145 degrees true. Hardening up by 20 degrees had it surfing just into double digits.
Electric Harken winches are within easy reach of the twin Carbon Nautica wheels. The D1 shrouds are outboard rather than on the coachroof. A long bowsprit carries Code sails tacked midway and an asymmetric spinner from the end, with integrated anchor stowage.
Cockpit and Deck Equipment
A hardtop bimini, with a sliding fabric section in the center, shelters the cockpit. The substantial sprayhood attaches to the cockpit arch and has opening windows. Side-deck lockers, rope bins, and deep helm seats add stowage.
At the transom, an electrically operated bathing platform lowers to reveal a longitudinal tender garage. Designed for a Williams 280 Jet RIB, it has a roller system and electric winch and can also accept any dinghy up to 9 feet 6 inches.
The liferaft is stowed beneath the forward cockpit, close to the companionway. To reach the transom for deployment, however, it must slide aft through the boat.
A tunnel bow thruster and drop-down SidePower stern thruster assist with close-quarters control. Beneteau’s Ship Control digital switching system and the Seanapps remote-monitoring app complete the systems package.
Accommodations
The saloon seats six around its table and faces a separate sofa area for relaxing. Large hull windows at eye level provide light and a view outside. A curved chart table allows the navigator to remain part of the conversation, while a dedicated navigation station with a bucket seat is positioned to starboard.
The galley is forward, split across the full beam. The sink and stove are to starboard, with plenty of refrigeration to port.
Farther forward, the owner’s suite is comparable in size to cabins once found on yachts well over 70 feet. Its bed is offset to starboard and remains hidden until a person has passed the private ensuite. Four opening hatches ventilate the cabin.
The two aft cabins are mirror images and both are large. The port cabin is fitted as a complete en suite. To starboard, the space is configured with a day head or a wide double berth that separates into two slim singles.
Engine and Tankage
A 150-horsepower Yanmar diesel drives a shaft. On the test boat, it produced 10 knots at 3,600 rpm and a cruising speed of 8.8 knots at 2,500 rpm. A 150-horsepower Yanmar diesel drives a shaft. On the test boat, it produced 10 knots at 3,600 rpm and a cruising speed of 8.8 knots at 2,500 rpm. Standard tankage is relatively modest, with 500 liters of fuel and 800 liters of water.
The Verdict
The Oceanis Yacht 60 is a purpose-built cruiser for private owners. It exchanges the older 62’s bulk for a lighter, sleeker hull, while providing genuine superyacht-style volume forward and lively performance across the wind range.
Its semi-custom build, deep bulwarks, and finger-light helm suit short-handed voyaging. The relatively modest standard tankage and the long distance the liferaft must travel to reach the transom warrant attention.
Pros
- Lighter, lower-freeboard replacement for the 62, with broader forward sections that add volume
- Finger-light helm and twin rudders that continue to track as the boat heels
- Forward owner’s suite comparable to those on much larger yachts
- Full-beam split galley
- Production with recyclable Elium resin developed jointly with Arkema
Cons
- Relatively modest standard fuel and water capacities of 500 and 800 liters
- Liferaft must slide a long way aft to reach the transom for deployment
