OWNER’S COMMENTS

All the lines are now threaded back to the stern, the winches are electric, the mainsail is on an in-mast furler, the jib is self-tacking, the helm has an autopilot, and there is a bow and stern thruster to help with docking. This list doesn’t even include all the advances in electronics and navigation. You can literally stand in the stern with one hand on the wheel and raise the sails with a simple push of a button on the electric winch. Once I discovered all this, a sailboat became a very feasible, and preferred, option.  

Back when we originally were discussing powerboats, the brief included room to sleep at least 6 comfortably, 2 heads (bathrooms) with showers, decent size galley (kitchen) area, chart table, air-conditioning, and a good size dining table. This interior brief was then applied to the sailboat. At the Newport Boat Show last year, we had decided that if we were going to get a boat, it would be a Beneteau as we really liked the design and build quality. The two Beneteau sailboats that delivered against the brief were the Oceanis 46.1 and the Oceanis 51.1, both of which just happened to be available at a nearby boatyard. At the end of the day after climbing all over both several times, we opted for the larger boat as it has significantly more room in all the cabins and common area along with more headroom so it’s less claustrophobic in the rear cabins.  

I was really amazed at how easy the Oceanis 51.1 is to sail, how well it handles, and how smoothly it rides through the waves. In a good wind, VITAE MAGNA will do 10 knots and it moves quite well even in a light breeze. One person really could sail the boat, but it does help to have a second person on board to work the lines on the other side, so you don’t have to run back and forth.  

Life on board Vitae Magna is quite comfortable. While it does have a stove, we normally grill off the back deck at night. So far, we have yet to use the air-conditioner as there has always been a nice breeze on the water. The boat does have Wi-Fi so it is millennial friendly, and we can work remotely from it when we need to. I did draw the line when it came to installing a TV, so Vitae Magna is one of the few TV free zones left on the planet. In the evening we can normally be found on the back deck, reading with a glass of wine within reach.  

Do I regret not getting the Porsche Carrera GT this year? Given the circumstances, no because I know that is still an option for the future. Getting the sailboat has been great experience and I had forgotten just how much I enjoy being on the water. There is something deeply satisfying and rewarding to going out for a sail on a perfect summer or fall day. In many ways the peace and tranquility of being out on the water has been the perfect antidote to the trauma of 2020. For the summer of 2021, I can see us doing a great mix of weekend road and boat trips. 

ACCOMODATIONS

FORWARD CABIN 

Starting forward is the full beam owner’s cabin with 1.6m wide centerline berth- unheard of in a cruiser of this size.  This is a gorgeous space with plenty of light and natural ventilation, plenty of wiggle room and plenty of storage.  Settee bench seats on either side of the berth are a nice touch as are convenient shelves with fiddles to keep phones, etc secure with charging outlets port and starboard. 

• Oversized hull ports 
• Dual overhead hatches with built-in screens and privacy shades  
• Air Conditioning 
• Wall-hung reading lights with shades 
• Upholstered headboard 
• Lift-up berth with access to storage beneath 
• Large under-berth drawer storage and dual hanging lockers 
• Vanity on aft bulkhead with pull out storage locker and mirror above 

SEPARATE SHOWER ROOM 

Aft to starboard is the separate shower stall which is a HUGE space with large built-in seat, shelf with fiddle for shampoo, etc. and plenty of locker storage space outboard.  There is a vent in the shower for AC/reverse cycle heat and an overhead hatch. 

FORWARD HEAD 

Aft to port is the head with vanity; also with AC vent, plenty of storage and overhead hatch for light and ventilation. Electric push button quiet flush toilet with fresh/saltwater valve. 

WORK/COMMS/NAV DESK 

The Nav station ‘nook’ is next aft and to port with a forward-facing seat to work at the desk that has an extension to become an L settee which doubles as an inboard facing lounge as well as a settee for use with the expandable salon table.  This is a nifty and well executed design concept and space within the main salon, and a unique aspect of this modern generation of Oceanis 51.1’s.  Features include:  VHF radio, stereo controls, Nav/reading light; recessed storage outboard; lift top desk with storage beneath. 

GALLEY 

Next aft to port is the large U-shaped galley with counter space forward and aft and sink and stove outboard.  Galley highlights include: an under counter reefer with door; separate under counter freezer; gimballed stainless 2 burner stove with oven, stainless sink with countertop cover and cutting board; Danby Microwave oven in overhead locker; opening port; under counter trash bin; under counter pot locker; Foot operated pump in the galley. 

• U-shaped galley  
• Counter-top in Clay compact with Corian fiddles  
• 1 rectangular stainless steel sink with faucet with hot/cold water  
•  Stainless steel protection handrail  
• 85 L ice box, top opening (without refrigeration unit)  
• 130 Liter refrigerator (12 V), front opening  
• Fitted cupboards and closed cubbyholes  
• Bin with access on the counter-top  
• Lower unit: 3 Drawers  
• Opening portlight with curtains in the coach roof side window  
• Hull portlight 

PANTRY 

Just aft and outboard of the galley is a large locker with a built-in Splendide washer/dryer. 

• Large storage area (1 Hanging locker, Cupboard units)  
• Opening portlight with curtains in the coachroof side window 

SALON WITH DINING TABLE AND SETTEE 

Across the salon to starboard is the large U-shaped settee with expandable table that takes full advantage of this beamy design with plenty of storage and shelving outboard with sizable hull ports to flood the salon with light and water views both while sailing and at anchor. Extended salon table (compatible with sleeping option in the salon). 

• Bottle storage locker aft of U-Settee. 
• Wide companionway steps with gentle slope 
• Overhead drop-down lockers outboard of table with additional storage behind and under salon settee 
• Air conditioning - 40 000 BTU (+ Shore socket extension cord 15 m / 49’3’’) 

GUEST HEAD 

Next aft to starboard is the roomy guest head with ensuite (separate) stall shower; also with opening port for natural ventilation and vent for AC/Heat.  Quiet flush electric toilet. 

AFT CABINS 

Aft of the salon are the port and starboard quarter cabins with oversized double berths with split mattresses so that lee cloths or semi-permanent dividers may be used to create private berths or additional storage offshore. Features include:  hull ports, opening ports, hanging lockers, and built-in storage. These are both great cabin spaces. 

COCKPIT

The cockpit on the Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 is superb with opposing L settees flanking a large double leaf (teak) table with built-in refrigeration, cupholders, lighting. Twin helms and an electric fold down transom mean access to and from the water can’t be better and make getting into the cockpit a breeze. All sail handling lines are led aft to the cockpit and are intelligently laid out to make shorthanded sailing a reality from the twin helms. The oversized dodger provides ample protection from the elements, but with a large center opening section also allows plenty of airflow. An innovative feature is found in the sole at each helm with a hinged lifting section that allows for a comfortable standing steering position when the boat is healed over. Bravo! 

• Electric fold down transom  
• Cockpit grill  
• Cockpit bench extensions + 2 halyard bags below  
• Electric winches for the Genoa port and starboard 
• Wood decking in the cockpit. 
• Fold away companionway doors; smoked Lexan 
• Settee storage lockers 

ELECTRONICS

• Electronic pack offshore  

Starboard steering console: 

• Multifunction touchscreen Zeus3 7" wide wireless (GPS, Chart plotter, Chart reader - Cartography Navionics Silver included), on the starboard console  
• Windex Windvane  
• Wind Sensor (Windvane, Anemometer)  
• Sensor (Log, Speedometer, Temperature)  
• NAC3 Autopilot + Starboard helm console control  
• Fixed V100 VHF, AIS receiver function 
• Port and starboard helm stations: 1 Triton 2 display on deck 

Port Steering Console: 

• Multifunction touchscreen Zeus3 7" wide wireless (GPS, Chart plotter, Chart reader - Cartography Navionics Silver included) 
• Triton² display 
• WR10 Wireless autopilot remote control  
• PC interface 
• Hifi: Fusion + Interior speakers & Waterproof exterior speakers 

MECHANICAL

• Yanmar Diesel Engine; 110 HP Common Rail 
• Bow and Stern thrusters 
• Three-blade folding prop 
• Bow and Stern Thruster 

ELECTRICAL

• Fischer Panda 9 KVA 230 V / 50 Hz Generator w remote control panel 
• 12/230 V, 2 kVA inverter  
• (3) Additional 140 ampères service batteries  
• Additional 60 ampères battery charger  
• AGM Batteries instead of standard  
• Battery charge display (Navicolor screen) 
• Salon & Galley: LED indirect lighting  
• Water heater  

RIG AND SAILS AND SAILHANDLING

• Aluminum spar w double swept-back spreaders.  In mast furling with electric main halyard winch and electric primary winches. 
• Harken 50 2-speed winch 
• Harken 60; 2-speed winch 
• Self-tacking genoa 

CANVAS

• Protective cover (Cadet Grey): Steering wheel & console 
• Dodger and bimini 

SAFETY

• Siren Marine remote monitoring 
• Manual bilge pump port helm 
• 12v electric bilge pumps 
• Lifesling mounted on stern pulpit 
• Horeshoe throw buoy on stern pulpit 
• Mast mounted radar 
• Grab bar on dodger 
• Stainless handrail salon overhead 
• Anchor Roller on sprit w electric windlass 

DECK AND MISC. DECK EQUIPMENT

• Foc’sle all the way forward with ladder, built-in storage cubbies, shelf. 
• Tender Package: 
• Retractable davits (Max. tender length:10’2’’, Maximum load: 180 kg / 397 Ibs)  
• Electric inflator / deflator  
• Outboard engine bracket  
• Mosquito screens   
• Mosquito screens on portholes 
• Stainless boarding/swim ladder w teak treads 

TENDER

AB inflatable with 8hp Yamaha