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Beneteaus are as indigenous to Annapolis as are sailors. It is a treat to see these sleek beauties (no matter what size) docked serenely in Back Creek or slicing through whitecaps on the Chesapeake Bay. Beneteau’s Oceanis 55 made its debut in 2013 and, with its new configuration and modern styling, has been watched closely by the sailing world ever since. Could this beamy giant live up to its esteemed predecessors? It is worth noting that, three years into the game, the Oceanis 55 took top honors at the 2015 Vancouver International Boat Show. It won “thanks to its well thought out interior and its innovative modular design,” notes judge Dale Miller. “It was really an impressive boat on the dock. There were other boats that impressed, but it was hard to top this 55-footer.”
The Oceanis 55 is designed by Berret Racoupeau. The hull is sleeker than earlier models and the masts have been moved aft, allowing for a larger headsail and a slightly smaller main. The result is two sails of nearly equal size, which provides a balanced, easy-to-handle sailing experience. There are three keel sizes to choose from. For smoother ocean crossings, the deck is cored with balsa to reduce the boat’s vertical center of gravity and increase sail-carrying capacity. Three years later, the Oceanis 55 continues to gain attention, distinguishing itself among large cruising sailing yachts. There are extra special things to note: In addition to being easy to sail when short handed, it has a huge swim platform. And, it can be purchased locally through Annapolis Yacht Sales in Eastport.
Resources:
Annapolis Yacht Sales, annapolisyachtsales.com.
From Vol. 7, No. 3 2016
Annapolis Home Magazine