Launched at the 2010 Sydney International Boat Show, the Beneteau Oceanis 58 arrived as the flagship of the French builder's cruising range. Penned by Berret Racoupeau with interiors from Nauta Design, the brief was clear: deliver volume, comfort, and the genuine ability to sail offshore. More than a decade on, Laissez Faire, a 2012 example of the type, shows how well that brief was met.
She is a large yacht without feeling like one. The deck arrangement makes sense from the moment you step aboard, the cockpit is purposeful, and the systems list reads like a yacht equipped for distance rather than day trips. For anyone planning extended time afloat, those practical fundamentals will matter most. But the interior styling also rewards a closer look, and it is clear it received proper attention from the outset.
The cockpit on Laissez Faire is organised around a mainsheet arch, which shifts the traveller away from the seating area entirely. Under sail that keeps control lines tidy; at anchor it frees up the whole space for living. Twin helm stations carry Simrad electronics, offering clear visibility and easy access to instruments. Electric winches, in-boom furling, and a self-tacking staysail together mean two people can handle her without drama, whatever the conditions.
A bow thruster takes the anxiety out of tight marina entries and crosswind berths, which tends to matter more than almost anything else on passage days that end in an unfamiliar port. Side decks are clear and secure underfoot. She is a yacht designed to be taken places, not saved for special occasions.
One of the Oceanis 58's most distinctive features is the wide sugar scoop stern, and it earns its place in everyday use. Boarding from a tender becomes simple. Swimmers have easy water access. Dive gear and fishing lines have a natural home. At anchor, the stern evolves into the social heart of the yacht, somewhere to sit with a drink, watch children in the water, or sort a tender before heading ashore. For New Zealand cruising, where anchoring is as much a part of the experience as sailing, this design decision pays dividends.
Below decks, the saloon opens up immediately. Warm mahogany joinery, LED lighting throughout, and electric blinds for managing light and privacy give the space a settled, considered feel. The dining table seats a full group comfortably, and the lounge seating is generous enough that people actually relax in it rather than sit upright and formal.
A pop-up television and drinks cabinet are fitted without dominating the room. Opposite, the navigation station is properly proportioned for genuine passage planning and system monitoring, not an afterthought squeezed into a corner.
The galley reflects the same serious intent. A 24V refrigeration system, freezer, icebox, and separate drinks fridge make provisioning for longer passages straightforward. A washing machine is fitted, which makes all the difference on extended cruising where the alternative is hunting down a laundromat in every port.
Laissez Faire carries a three-cabin layout. Forward, the master suite features an island berth and storage that goes well beyond what you might expect, feeling private and practical rather than just large on a specification sheet. The two aft cabins benefit from water-view windows, which lift both light and ventilation noticeably. Each has access to bathroom facilities with a separate shower. Forward again, a separate bow cabin with its own head suits crew, teenagers, or visiting friends. The overall arrangement works equally well for a family, a couple with guests, or two couples cruising together.
The systems aboard go well beyond creature comfort. A watermaker, generator, solar panels, air conditioning, heating, comprehensive refrigeration, and safety equipment are all already in place. Tankage and stowage are generous. The 140HP Volkswagen TDI engine is supported by twin alternators, and the electrical capacity matches the demands of the equipment fitted. For owners with Pacific cruising or extended coastal passages in mind, this level of preparation means fewer immediate outlays and more time actually cruising.
Laissez Faire was never intended to trouble the front of the fleet in events like the PIC Coastal Classic. Her purpose is relaxed, capable passage-making, the kind of platform that suits an extended Pacific Islands circuit rather than a sprint race. Electric winches reduce load in demanding conditions. The self-tacking staysail adds flexibility when the wind shifts. The mainsheet arch keeps the cockpit uncluttered. Settled on a course with the right trim, she finds a steady rhythm and holds it. Visibility from either helm station is good, controls are within reach, and there is enough engagement to keep sailing enjoyable without the workload becoming a chore.
Throughout, Laissez Faire shows the signs of consistent care and recent upgrades. In a yacht of this scale and complexity, condition and stewardship matter, and this one reflects both. She presents as a vessel that has been looked after with genuine attention rather than managed to a minimum standard.
For buyers who want more than a weekend platform, this 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 58 brings real offshore capability together with generous living space and a systems fit-out that supports life aboard over long periods. Ron Mossman at South Pacific Boat Sales holds full specifications and can arrange viewings. He can be reached on +64 27 296 0065 or at ron@spboatsales.co.nz.
