Beneteau Sense 55 Design & Styling Walkthrough Video

The Beneteau Sense 55 is the queen of the Sense line and features a wedge-shaped cabin top, clean deck layout and hard chines.

This modern sailing yacht boasts large living spaces. One cannot help but to notice the roomy cockpit and an expansive salon, which is designed for entertaining.

Join us as Boattest.com takes a look at the design and styling on this luxurious sailboat:

Hi, Elizabeth Soltes for BoatTest.com. Today we’re going to review the design and styling of the Beneteau Sense 55.

Beneteau tells us the design of the Sense 55 interior was developed for a new lifestyle at sea, one that incorporates both open spaces and more comfortable living space. Let’s start our review below by walking through this clever, electronically controlled companionway hatch, which allows the crew below to see what’s going on in the cockpit and vice versa. It also provides a more open feeling in the salon.

The galley takes up the starboard side of the salon, and in my opinion is laid out almost perfectly. Much like a kitchen at a home, this open space makes a great space to hang out in addition to preparing food and cooking. The Alpi fruitwood is varnished with the 20 gloss PU with UV protection. The coloring of the wood provides a warm contrast to the optional lacquered white cabinets and the standard platinum Carrick synthetic resin worktop.

The optional dishwasher is located below the sink, right where you want it. The 3-burner gas stove and oven shows that this boat is ready to be taken out for the long haul, as it is quite sizable. An electric stove is available as an option. Just above is an exhaust fan and additional lighting.

The heavy-duty refrigerator is accessible from both the front and the top, meaning contents will not spill out while underway. And again the amount of usable counter space is everywhere. This galley also came equipped with the microwave, and there’s plenty of storage and clever use of the storage space.

Here’s a great food serving area. I’ve never seen a drawer this large on any boat. There’s additional storage just behind and below and an optional ice maker. The mini island has many purposes. I found myself using it while in the galley. But it also functions as an effective leaning post for cocktail parties and easily converts to additional seating at the dining table.

This piece of furniture is extremely well done. It consists of tan leather and stainless steel endcaps, and the same finally finished wood as seen throughout the boat. The backrest and seat are comprised of a buttery ultraleather.

In addition to the standard color, there are 4 upholstery color options in either ultraleather or natural leather. Continuing with the theme of clever use of space, an optional TV is kept here as well and lifts automatically with a touch of a button.

The salon sole is finished in a light oak colored laminate adding to the overall design. Light is a huge design aspect of this boat. The cabin features more than 10 windows, half of which open to create a luminous, open and airy environment.

Naturally all of the windows have blackout shades or blinds, some of which are offered with an option to be electronically actuated. The U-shaped settee is in a fixed position. The bifold table is a varnished wood top with inlay. It has a 60 gloss PU varnish with UV protection. It can be lowered to create a double berth for additional guests.

To one side is what Beneteau calls “a meridian couch.”  When on port tack, the inboard side of the seats can be raised to keep the navigator from sliding off. When tied up or at anchor, the chart table can be used as a workstation. It not only faces the flat-screen TV but it doubles as an office seat.

Because the Sense 55 is built for long-distance sailing, the chart table can double as a workstation, and it has all the necessary outlets, storage and lighting for making this an office on the water. I see throughout the finishing touches are here as well with the soft leather with white stitch and gooseneck light.

Now let’s move to the staterooms. One step down from the salon is the entrance to the sleeping quarters. The optional ivory carpet adds to the transition to this area. LED lights light the way once the sun goes down.

What I like most about the Sense 55 is that it’s so open yet so private. Every overnight guest has their own door to close. This treatment opens up the space as well as giving privacy.

The staterooms are mirror images. They are closed off from the passageway by sliding doors, which saves space and open up the boat when the cabins are not being used. Light is of the essence in here as well, with a skylight overhead and three additional windows. The port side window is positioned so that when lying in the double berth there is a perfect view.

The fabrics, materials and blinds are all Oceanair, and for the Sense 55, owners have three design packages to choose from. The package on this model is Oyster Interior. Each stateroom has multiple storage spaces, a hanging locker and an ensuite head. The guest staterooms each have good sized wet heads with rectangular sinks and large mirrors. I felt like these staterooms were private living quarters, which will make the journey for everyone more comfortable.

Moving to the master stateroom access is through two attractive stainless steel structural supports that create a more grand entrance to the Alpi wood door. There are two large windows with beige Oceanair blackout blinds and smooth stainless steel sea rails. The white padding upholstery on the wall combined with the warm wood tones makes this space inviting.

The Oceanair package in the Beneteau Sense 55 includes a bedspread, two bed shams, two neck rolls and bedrolls for each of the 3 cabins, in addition to 3 pillows for the salon. The wood is smooth and finely finished and there are even nooks to put reading glasses, books or remotes.

The queen-size island berth somehow felt much larger. There’s 6 feet 4 inches of headroom and I didn’t even come close to hitting my head, even when sitting up on the bed. Fully forward on the port side of the bed are controls for the lights and the optional TV. There’s no need to pack lightly. There’s plenty of storage here, here and here; below the bed and more on either side of the bed.

Sometimes space for getting ready for day or night can be limited, but in this master not so. This is a mini version of the chart table in the salon and is treated in the same way. It includes the convenience of the open cubbies for personal items and clothes. Even the padded stool is well finished with snow white leather, and it’s surprisingly comfortable.

The head is split with the shower to port and the head to starboard. The shower door is clear, there’s a small bench seat and storage space for toiletries and a bathroom. To port is the head with white synthetic resin counters and a good-sized think and more storage.

Overall, I was impressed with the Sense 55 and in Beneteau’s ability to seamlessly transition between sense and sensibility.

So that’s our detailed look at the design and styling of the Beneteau Sense 55. For BoatTest.com, I’m Elizabeth Soltes.

To learn more about the Beneteau Sense 55, contact Matthew Morrison: