SVN solovelanet

75 The forward cabin is huge and the dinette, thanks to the significant increase of volume in the lower portion of the hull, features the couches in a lower position, providing the sensation of an even larger space. The beam reaches its maximum just before the mast and decreases a few percentage points at the stern. As a consequence the side decks, besides being completely clear thanks to the chainplates of the high shrouds falling down on the outside of the hull and the low ones on the deckhouse, are wide up to the far end of the boat, enabling you to walk quickly up to the aft cleats. The deck The deck of the Oceanis 51.1 boasts an attractive de- sign, with several mouldings that lighten her silhouet- te. In the large and completely clear forward triangle, a big hatch gives access to the sail locker, which may also be converted into a crew cabin. A lovely crew cabin with its own toilet. The forward triangle can ac- commodate a long cushion with backrest, available as an option and perfect for relaxing in the forward area. The deck is devoid of gear. The running rigging runs down from the mast directly under the cow- ling and emerges in the cockpit and, in the version equipped with a self-tacking jib, there are not even the tracks and travellers of the genoa sheet. All the halyards and the reefing lines come out of the cow- ling in front of an array of stoppers which service two Harken winches placed in front of the steering wheels and slightly laterally, so as to enable the owner to sail the boat solo with the help of the autopilot and of the electric halyard winch. On the two big wheelhouse consoles, equipped with handrails, it is possible to install navigation instruments.The single lever engi- ne control is fitted laterally low down, under the side helmsman's seat: a typical position, but not the best choice on a cruise boat like the Oceanis 51.1.If Bene- teau had installed the single lever on the side of the binnacle or console, as they had done on the Ocea- nis 45 of the previous generation of models, harbour manoeuvres would have been much more comforta- ble (in Beneteau's partial defence it must be said that those oblique binnacles are very nice to see, though not quite suitable to support the single lever). On deck we find several relaxation areas, where it is possible to fit sun cushions. T o test this boat we went to one of the two Beneteau trials bases managed by NSS Charter. The trials base where we performed our test is located in Marina Cala dei Sardi. The other one is located in Marina Cala dei Medici, in Tuscany. In both marinas there are almost all Benete- au models. Trials bases offer a uni- que opportunity to test boats before buying them, and attract customers from all over Europe. To book a test, you can directly contact the sales manager of NSS Charter, Ms. Sere- na Scarinci, by calling +39 32998786669 or emailing the address serena@northsardiniasail.it Beneteau trials base Aside, the boat as seen from aft and following, the boat as seen laterally in a roadstead. The edge and the roll-bar are clearly visible

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