Its defining feature is the deliberate absence of aft sleeping quarters. All accommodation is forward, allowing for a low cockpit sole. The hull carries its extreme beam well aft, terminating in hard chines, twin rudders, and an open transom.
Design and Construction
The Sense 50’s structural layout begins with its beam—nearly 16 feet at the waterline-adjacent maximum—and the decision to place every berth and head forward of the companionway. Lowering the cockpit sole gives the boat low freeboard by the standards of voluminous modern cruisers and keeps the boat’s mass centered.
The aft section contains machinery such as pumps and the genset, reducing noise in the cabins. Batteries and the water and fuel tanks sit in a spacious bilge beneath the raised central saloon sole.
Hard chines and twin rudders define the hull’s run aft. Out of the water, the rudders look deep and closely spaced, which means they remain submerged at all times. Test sailors thought this arrangement could account for some drag and the muted helm feel. The hull also has large plexiglass windows and an open transom, both first trialled on the Oceanis 58. A mainsheet arch keeps the traveler clear of the cockpit.
The interior fittings have an upmarket feel. Details include chunky door handles, powerful magnets, slats beneath the bunks, metal nipples on the sole boards to prevent creaking, and soft-closing drawer latches throughout.
Rig, Sailing, and Maneuvering
A tall rig intended for light airs drives a hull that the builders describe as designed to sail closer to the water, with moderate heel suited to relaxed cruising.
During Cruising World’s test in a wet 14-knot breeze off Annapolis, the Sense 50 was found nimble and logged 5.6 knots upwind. Cracking off a few degrees produced a good reach, confirmed by the speedometer. Pointing isn’t its strength, however: with one reef and three rolls in the genoa, it made more than 7 knots only at 50–55 degrees.
The 105-percent genoa tacked effortlessly. Reviewers judged the boat manageable for two people—or even one with an autopilot.
The headline maneuvering aid is Dock & Go, a joystick-controlled saildrive that rotates through 180 degrees. Developed by Beneteau with Yanmar and ZF Marine, the system uses software to link the saildrive, bow thruster, and autopilot for precise close-quarters control. Half of early buyers specified it.
Accommodations
A gently sloping, three-step companionway leads below. Set at 45 degrees, it has fewer than the usual five steps and makes the transition from cockpit to saloon particularly easy.
The full-beam saloon has a low, apartment-like layout, with wraparound views and windows that fill the space with light. The oversized linear galley includes an island unit concealing a flatscreen and providing extra seating. A long worktop folds over the stove to form a double sink. There’s also deep bilge stowage and a large refrigerator that opens from both the front and top.
Two double en-suite cabins lie forward. The master has an island bed, marine mattress, slatted frame, and separate shower. The guest cabin’s head also serves as the day toilet.
A third cabin comes standard with two bunks. An alternative side layout provides an office or Pullman berth behind a large sliding door. An additional cabin can be reached from the cockpit, while the portside service area may also be converted into a cabin.
The navstation extends into the saloon, with an inboard chaise longue and an aft-facing table. Reviewers noted that saloon stowage was limited, but praised the impressive space beneath the cabin sole; all the boards lift using suckers.
Known Issues
The judging panel’s practical complaints were limited. Cruising World’s only criticism concerned the lack of footholds for bracing when the boat was heeled.
The same review found signs of the boat’s prototype status, including bare plywood mounts and flimsy panels ahead of the blinds. It also criticized the complete lack of access for servicing the generator, although engine access was considered acceptable.
One tester noted that the cream-colored headlinings looked smart but were already marked by grubby handprints. Their attachment could also have been more durable.
The Verdict
The Sense 50 is a design-statement cruiser that trades upwind bite for volume, light, and ease around the dock. Its all-forward accommodation plan and lowered cockpit create a loft-like interior rarely found in a 50-foot monohull, while Dock & Go redefines close-quarters handling.
The boat rewards a crew that sails it flat and favors reaching. It’s better suited to a cruising couple than to sailors looking for a bluewater boat with sharp upwind performance.
Pros
- Full-beam, window-wrapped saloon with catamaran-like openness
- Dock & Go joystick maneuvering with a rotating saildrive and bow thruster
- Easy cockpit-to-saloon transition via three shallow steps
- Quiet aft machinery placement and tidy, premium interior hardware
Cons
- No footholds for bracing when heeled
- Poor generator-service access and prototype-grade trim details
- Reluctant pointing and rudder-induced drag noted by testers
