Beneteau Sense 57
The model line, which was called revolutionary at the first presentations, has already entered its 7th year. Excellent press coverage and consistent sales success confirm that Sense is a dream yacht for the entire travel community. However, other shipyards have been slow to create an alternative, leaving Beneteau to enjoy the monopoly. Nonsense? Not at all.
Let me remind you that the French yacht builder did not invent the niche in which Sense “reigns”. It was discovered through extensive surveys of owners over the years. It turned out that most of them enjoy leisurely cruises in the Mediterranean, with long stops in secluded bays and quiet towns.
And in such use, “claims have accumulated” to the yachts of the classic layout: their cockpit is not spacious enough; there is not enough daylight in the cabins; food is not very suitable for “beach” functions; a long and steep ladder at the entrance to the salon is traumatic and takes a lot of time / effort; the silence of the night is disturbed by humming mechanisms; on the move under the engine, aft cabins become “music boxes”; and I would like to minimize the “battle roll” – inexperienced guests are afraid of it.
In an attempt to eliminate all of these concerns, the Sense concept was born. The hull was made very wide (straight dinghy) to maximize volume and reduce roll. Accordingly, the cockpit has expanded sharply – the most habitable place in good weather. The transom is completely open for good access to the sea. The boom sheets were removed to a developed arch – it’s safer this way.
They reduced the height of the side, but increased the wheelhouse, maximally “glazing” the latter – the rooms became lighter and the view from there was maximum. They refused from the aft cabins – in private use a lot of rooms are not needed, but the cockpit is lowered (the ladder to the salon is only three steps). All mechanisms retracted under the cockpit are faintly audible from the cabins. And storage volumes (so necessary for travel) in the stern – to the envy of many.
The “bonus” from the wide, stable hull is the ability to “load” the sails. And this is not only speed, but also safety (there are more chances to “escape” from the storm to the nearest port). To minimize the risk of broaching, 2 rudders were used.
I have already tested 4 Sense – the boats are really light, well-planned, light on the move and comfortable at the stop. Very good for short transitions between beautiful anchorages. But here’s the caveat: the concept is clearly “owner”, but its effectiveness in a charter is very doubtful – there are few cabins. And charter is 80% of the total sales market. That is why the rest of the shipyards do not risk competing with Beneteau in such a narrow marketing “niche” – Sense are unique.
So, I’m on board a fresh Sense 57 (this is the second generation flagship, a replacement for the 55th model). The most beautiful in the range: long, squat body; light sheer side; straight, close to vertical, stem; developed, wedge-shaped cutting. The exterior is effectively complemented by the “wings” of the stern soft-top, adding personality to the silhouette.
In plan, the yacht resembles a bullet – towards the stern the hull hardly narrows. For maximum completeness, the cheekbone is molded almost from the midsection to the transom. The transom itself is folding: it adds safety on the go, and in the parking lot serves as a bathing platform. Moreover, in the stern of the hull – the platform is also molded, together with the platform, a gorgeous beach is obtained (even though you can lay out the sun loungers).
Unlike the Sense 55, the newcomer has stationary steering seats. And under them is the aft “galley”: a grill and a sink, with capacious lockers for utensils and / or a refrigerator. Very practical: barbecues can be done by occasionally dipping, and the splashed fat is immediately washed overboard.
The second most noticeable difference of the new flagship is the already mentioned soft-top. It’s no secret that folding and unfolding bimini (the arcs of which usually “conflict” with the boom) are often lazy, and you want to see the sky over your head.
The solution is borrowed from motor yachts: the usual Sense arch is supplemented with a plastic-stainless “frame”, on the longitudinal rails of which the tarpaulin runners slide – putting / removing such a bimini takes seconds. For yachting in cold seas, clip-on sidewalls are provided to form an enclosed cockpit.
The cockpit is asymmetrical and chic in size. Its right side is a dining group for six (plus two more at the folding table on the left). By pressing the power button, we lower the table to the level of the seats, put a pillow on it – we get a bed of 217×130 cm.
During the day – a solarium, on a hot summer night – a double bed under the stars. One more bed (single, 217×60) – on the port side. On the go, the central seat is removed, and the dining table folds in half – we have a wide aisle and it is convenient to work on winches.
Lockers: under the sofas on the right (in the same place, for example, a desalination plant is mounted), under the floorboard in the aisle, between the steering posts (for the life raft). And under the seat on the left is a full-fledged pantry, so deep that an entrance ladder is provided. If necessary, this storage room serves as a skipper’s cabin.
Winches are installed on the cockpit coamings, you can work both from the latter, and (if you do not want to interfere with those sitting) from the deck depressions. For the ends of the halyards and braces, lockers in the coamings are provided.
For genoa sheets, bags were made under the steering consoles, but, as for me, on the go under sail, it is more convenient to throw the long ends into a niche behind the closed transom, where they do not get confused. The sheet winches can be operated directly from the helm station – the arms are long enough.
The deck and roof of the wheelhouse are spacious and flat (even flush hatches), they can be covered with mattresses and a solarium or playground for children. On the stem there is a bowsprit with an integrated anchor roller and a “code 0” fittings. In the bow there is a voluminous sailing locker.
A symbolic sill and only three steps – I’m in the cabin. The room is wide and very bright thanks to the panoramic glazing of the wheelhouse. On the left is a dining group with approximately the same table and sofas as in the cockpit. Moreover, and in terms of functionality: the table unfolds and rises / falls, “working” either in the dining room, in the coffee shop, or in the part of the double bed.
The curbstone in the center of the cabin is the base of the folding bench, the “storage” of the TV panel (raised by pressing a button) and just a useful area. And if the bench is folded, we have a free passage to the bow.
The aft sofa of the dining group is also the navigator’s seat. The table is of full size, with capacious lockers for cards and tools, alongside shelves for all kinds of mobile phones. The navigator has a full-size table (many people save on it now), one more chartplotter, shelves and cabinets in sufficient (according to experience) quantity.
The seat adjusts to the roll, however, only on one side. The surfaces of the chart table, like many others, are glued with leather – and it looks noble, and everything that lies does not roll even at 20 degrees of roll.
The galley is spacious and well “stuffed” – besides the usual stove with oven, double sinks and two large refrigerators, there are bottle holders, a minibar, several cargoes and a place for a dishwasher. And a long Corian tabletop with a standard lid above the stove (opens into a special sprung niche). At home.
Owner’s apartment – in the bow: large (210×160 cm) bed on the podium (up to the ceiling – 110 cm), a table (for a laptop or makeup) with a stool, bookshelves, capacious wardrobes. The bathroom is divided into two rooms: a shower room on the left, a toilet on the right. The side cabins are for guests. Both are double (210 cm long by 16-110 cm wide), with their own bathrooms.
Common to all cabins is a sea of light from the windows and the ability to look around. There is no “hold” feeling, which is common on most yachts. Even in gloomy weather (which we had on tests).
In “standard” the yacht is bunked with 415 liters of fuel and 640 liters of water. But optionally, the supply of the diesel engine can be doubled (!), And the volume of fresh water tanks can be increased to 970 liters. If there is also a desalination plant, then the ship will not be able to enter the marina for months.
Engine – 80 to 110 HP, optional. Even under “low power” (which we had) the yacht goes 6 knots at an economical 1800 rpm and 8 knots at maximum (2500). As for me, you don’t need it anymore. But what I didn’t like was access to the engine: low hatches under the entrance ladder and from the skipper’s storerooms. Some operations will have to be done lying down.
The power-to-weight ratio is enviable (4.69) – about halfway between fast cruisers (4.5, like the Oceanis 45) and “performance” (about 5, like the First). In the combination “mainsail + code 0” – generally 5.15! And the relative elongation (the ratio of the length by design waterline to the cubic root of the displacement, characterizes the wave “deceleration” of the hull) at the level of regatta yachts (6.05).
I remember that on the Sense 55 (with practically the same sailing potential), we reveled in speed and dynamics. But the new Sense 57 could not be compared with its predecessor – the wind let down. The maximum that was squeezed out of the yacht (mainsail + code 0) is almost 6 knots at 120 degrees of true 7-knot wind.
By the way, about the additional sail. Yves Mandin, head of the shipyard’s press department, says: “The clientele is pathologically afraid of additional sails. We invite you to the tests and show how “code 0” is effective and at the same time easy to operate. Having tasted it in person, customers usually order it too. “
The yacht is responsive, obedient in forward and reverse.
The review from both (upwind and leeward) steering posts also satisfied me. The only thing: if you sit on the regular aft seats, then the plastic “wings” of the soft-top on the tack cover the indicators on the genoa. It is worth transferring on board (in racing style) – the problem is settled.
conclusions
In general, they are the same as for the Sense 55 (I ran it 4.5 years ago), so I will quote myself: “An amazingly spacious yacht with an almost catamaran-sized cockpit. When parked and under the engine, the comfort is unparalleled for a sailboat. The volumes and illumination of the saloon and cabins are more typical for luxury motor yachts.
While sailing with non-extreme tourists on board, you should avoid noticeable rolls and take reefs earlier than “classmates” – this is both more comfortable and safer. And vice versa, for a team of young, active and thrill-seeking, this yacht in a strong wind will delight the “sailing dinghy” dynamics, adrenaline rolls and extraordinary speed ”.
I’ll add: the new flagship is even more comfortable due to the soft top, redesigned stern and grill galley under the steering seats. I don’t know how in long sea crossings (I definitely want to try it on occasion), but for wandering “short dashes” across the Mediterranean the sailing yacht Sense 57 is really close to ideal.
Author: Bogdan Parfenyuk
Chief Editor
closeperfectreallyreviewsense
What do you think?