Charter Review
At this year's Biograd Boat Show, we had the opportunity to explore the new Beneteau Oceanis 47 in its five-cabin charter configuration. We wanted to see what had changed compared to its predecessor, how practical the boat would be for everyday life on board, and what kind of crew we would recommend it for.
The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 is a model we already know well from the charter market. Naturally, we were curious to see what its successor, the Oceanis 47, would bring as part of the eighth generation of the Oceanis range.
At the 2026 Biograd Boat Show, we had the opportunity to explore the five-cabin version, designed primarily for larger crews.
The Oceanis 47 retains almost exactly the same dimensions as its predecessor, measuring 14.60 metres in length and 4.50 metres in beam. Rather than being a larger yacht, it is a new interpretation of an existing concept, with changes to the cockpit, interior design and layout of certain areas.
When looking at yachts like this, we're always interested not only in their sailing characteristics but also in how practical they are for everyday life on board. After all, during a week-long charter, the crew will probably spend more time sitting around the cockpit table, swimming or preparing lunch than standing at the helm.
The most noticeable change we found is in the cockpit.
Instead of one central table, the Oceanis 47 has two separate tables with a walkway between them. It may seem like a simple solution, but on a yacht of this size, it can make quite a difference.
Anyone who has sailed with eight or ten people knows how busy a cockpit can get. Someone is setting the table, someone else is heading down to the saloon for a drink, while another crew member has just returned from a swim. With a traditional central table, moving around often means squeezing past seated guests.
On the Oceanis 47, the central walkway remains clear, with seating arranged along both sides.
According to Beneteau, the cockpit is approximately 9% larger than on the previous model. We can't say exactly how noticeable that difference would be in everyday use, but the layout certainly seemed well thought out during our visit.
The twin steering wheels are positioned at the stern, with navigation instruments and winches nearby.
The helm stations appear well organised, although only a proper sea trial would reveal how easy it is to handle the sails with a smaller crew and how good visibility is under different conditions.
On certain versions, the cockpit tables can also be lowered to create sunbathing areas, although this depends on the equipment fitted to the individual yacht.
At the stern, there is a wide swimming platform with direct access to the cockpit.
This is an area worth paying attention to when choosing a charter yacht. During a summer cruise, the platform is regularly used for getting in and out of the water, boarding the dinghy or preparing equipment for water activities.
On the yacht displayed in Biograd, access was straightforward, without unnecessary obstacles between the swimming platform and the cockpit.
For families with children, as well as larger groups of adults, this kind of arrangement can be particularly useful. Of course, the usual safety precautions should always be followed when using the platform and while underway.
Stepping down into the saloon, we were greeted by a combination of light-coloured flooring, wooden surfaces and upholstery in neutral tones.
The new Oceanis looks more contemporary than previous generations, although the basic interior arrangement remains largely familiar.
The galley is positioned along the port side, while the dining area, with its seating and table, occupies the starboard side.
Large hull windows allow plenty of natural light into the interior, which makes the saloon a pleasant place to spend time during the day.
The dining area is spacious enough for everyday use, although ten adults shouldn't expect to sit around the table as comfortably as they would in a large living room at home.
This is a common limitation of five-cabin sailing yachts of this size.
During the summer, most crews will probably prefer eating in the cockpit, using the saloon mainly for breakfast, relaxing or spending time indoors when the weather isn't suitable for sitting outside.
We were pleasantly surprised by the amount of worktop space in the galley.
Alongside the double sink, stove with oven and refrigerated storage, there is enough room for preparing simple meals. The worktop extends along much of the port side, with several cupboards above and below.
This is particularly useful when sailing with a larger crew and needing to store food, dishes and other supplies for several days.
However, as with any sailing yacht, how practical a galley is while underway depends on sea conditions. What works well when the boat is moored may not be quite as convenient when sailing at an angle of heel.
The Oceanis 47 we visited had five cabins and three bathrooms.
Four cabins have double beds, while the fifth is equipped with two bunk beds, providing a total of ten standard berths.
Although the yacht can accommodate ten people, we believe that a crew of six to eight would be ideal for the most comfortable stay.
With eight people on board, everyone can sleep in one of the four double cabins, leaving the fifth cabin free for luggage or some additional personal space.
The Oceanis 47 can also work well for ten people, particularly for two families with children or a group where two crew members are happy to sleep in bunk beds.
For five adult couples, however, the arrangement is less convenient. One couple would need to use the bunk-bed cabin, which is noticeably smaller and laid out differently from the others.
This is something worth considering before making a reservation.
The double cabins look tidy and receive a reasonable amount of natural light through the hull windows or deck hatches. Storage space is available, although, as on most sailing yachts, soft travel bags are a much better choice than large, rigid suitcases.
Three bathrooms represent a reasonable compromise between accommodation capacity and available space.
For four couples who value privacy more than maximum sleeping capacity, the Oceanis 47 in its four-cabin, four-bathroom configuration is certainly worth considering.
The Oceanis 47 belongs to the category of modern cruising yachts, designed to balance sailing performance with comfort on board.
Twin steering wheels, the option of an in-mast furling mainsail and a self-tacking jib suggest a design focused on making everyday handling easier.
This can be particularly useful for crews who don't want every manoeuvre to require everyone's involvement.
Naturally, ease of handling also depends on the sail configuration, the condition of the equipment and the skipper's experience.
Since we explored the yacht while it was moored, we didn't have the opportunity to see how it performs under sail. It would therefore be premature to make claims about its speed, stability or helm feel.
We'll be able to form a better opinion of the Oceanis 47's sailing characteristics once we've had the chance to sail it.
The Oceanis 47 is not significantly larger than its predecessor, nor does it introduce a completely new interior layout.
The biggest difference is in the cockpit, which has been reorganised to allow easier movement around the boat.
The interior features new materials, colours and several functional improvements, while the cabin arrangement in the charter version remains very similar.
If you've already sailed on an Oceanis 46.1, you'll probably feel familiar with the new model quite quickly.
The differences are likely to be most noticeable in everyday cockpit use and the interior details, rather than in the overall size of the yacht.
The Oceanis 47 is already appearing in charter fleets across several Mediterranean destinations.
Macrocruise offers 2026 and 2027 models in three-, four- and five-cabin configurations.
You can check prices and availability through the links below.
In Croatia, the Oceanis 47 is available in several configurations from Trogir and Split:
These bases are well suited for a week-long cruise around Central Dalmatia, with opportunities to visit the islands of Šolta, Brač, Hvar and Vis.
In Greece, the Oceanis 47 is available from several charter bases:
Each of these departure points offers a different sailing experience, from the Saronic Gulf and Cyclades to the Dodecanese islands.
In Italy, the Oceanis 47 is available from:
Available layouts, equipment and charter prices vary depending on the individual yacht and your preferred dates.
After exploring the Oceanis 47 in Biograd, we came away with the impression that Beneteau has chosen to retain what worked well on the previous model while improving several important details.
What we liked most was the new cockpit layout. Two separate tables and an unobstructed central walkway are simple but useful changes for a crew spending an entire week on board.
The interior is sensibly organised, the galley offers plenty of worktop space, and the five-cabin layout provides accommodation for larger groups.
However, with ten adults on board, some compromises should be expected, particularly because of the smaller bunk-bed cabin and the limited communal space in the saloon.
For eight people, the five-cabin Oceanis 47 seems to us a very sensible choice. Ten people can also work well, provided the cabin arrangement suits the group.
The new Oceanis 47 doesn't represent a revolution, but several of the changes we saw appear well thought out. Now we just need to take it out sailing.
If you're considering chartering an Oceanis 47, take a look at the available yachts in Croatia, Greece and Italy.
For more information about cabin layouts, equipment or choosing the right departure base, feel free to contact us. We'll be happy to help you find a yacht that suits your crew.
