Beneteau's Speeding Beauty

Designed by Lorenzo Argento and Roberto Biscontini, the Italians behind Beneteau’s First Yacht 53, the new Oceanis Yacht 54 combines racing yacht pedigree with exceptional comfort on deck and down below.

- Zuzana Prochazka

When Beneteau saw an opportunity to add a little thrill to cruising adventures, it repurposed the First Yacht 53 racer it introduced in 2019 and, with a few fashionable changes, reworked her into the new Oceanis Yacht 54. The result is a performance cruiser that sails like a racer, looks like a grande dame and joins the 62 in the French builder’s flagship collection of sailing boats.

Beneteau entrusted Milan-based Roberto Biscontini as naval architect with fellow Italian Lorenzo Argento handling the exterior and interior design, the pair reuniting after working on the First Yacht 53, which has received multiple orders in Asia through Simpson Marine.

Biscontini’s two decades of America’s Cup experience influenced a balanced hull with a carefully positioned centre of buoyancy. The hull is modern and minimalist with a plumb bow, a vertical and open transom, a low coachroof, and a beam that’s carried all the way aft.

The construction combines fibreglass stringers fixed to an aluminium substructure. The hull is cored with balsa to the keel and the infused construction makes the 54 a tonne heavier than her racing predecessor but still light for a cruiser of this size.

ON DECK

The aluminium, deck-stepped Sparcraft rig has two versions: standard air draft at 78ft 9in or the performance mast that adds almost 6ft and 33 per cent more sail area. Sail combinations include a self-tacking jib or 105 per cent genoa – as used on our test boat – and a furling mainsail, although a classic, full-batten main is an option. The sheeting angles are tight and with the composite sprit, you can add a Code 0 or a full spinnaker.