Two nominations cover distinct owner priorities
The Oceanis 52 and First 60 approach the 12- to 24-metre market from different directions. BENETEAU positions the Oceanis 52 as a comfortable cruising yacht, while the First 60 is the largest First model the company has built and places greater emphasis on sailing performance, deck efficiency and precise handling.
That contrast makes the nominations useful for buyers because the two yachts demonstrate how far production sailing yachts have diversified within a similar ownership band. One prioritises relaxed long-distance cruising and generous living space, while the other is intended for owners who want a more active sailing experience without giving up the comfort expected from an 18-metre yacht.
Oceanis 52 begins the eighth Oceanis generation
The 16.28-metre Oceanis 52 launches the eighth generation of BENETEAU's long-running Oceanis range. The builder says its redesigned cockpit provides 30 per cent more space than the previous model, while Biscontini Yacht Design and Nauta Design have worked on the hull, deck and interior package.
For owners, the significance is not simply extra deck area. A larger cockpit can improve circulation, dining and time at anchor, while the yacht's self-tacking jib and furling-mast options are intended to keep sail handling manageable for a reduced crew. That balance between volume and ease of operation is central to the modern cruising-yacht market.
First 60 brings a performance-led 18.95m platform
At 18.95 metres overall, the First 60 is the largest yacht yet in BENETEAU's First range. The design combines Biscontini Yacht Design with styling and interior work by Lorenzo Argento, while a centralised Winch Island is intended to organise sail controls and make the working deck more efficient underway.
The yacht's scale allows BENETEAU to combine a performance brief with three-cabin accommodation and the space expected from a larger cruising yacht. For experienced sailors moving up in size, that is an important proposition because it aims to preserve feedback and control at the helm rather than allowing additional volume to dominate the design.
Awards attention arrives during the autumn show season
BENETEAU announced the British Yachting Awards nominations on 5 October and is continuing to place both models in front of buyers during the autumn boat-show season. The Oceanis 52 measures 16.28 metres overall, while the First 60 measures 18.95 metres, keeping both comfortably within LYG's 12- to 24-metre remit.
Awards do not replace sea trials or detailed specification work, but they can draw attention to models that are influencing their categories. For prospective owners, the more useful comparison remains how each yacht's sailing character, accommodation, deck layout and handling philosophy fit the way the boat will actually be used.
Official sources: www.beneteau.com; www.beneteau.com; www.beneteau.com.
