OCEA Commuter 40

OCEA Commuter 40 : a legendary tale

With an unparalleled profile and a fascinating story, the OCEA Commuter 40 is heir to a legendary tale rewritten by Michel Joubert, alongside Pierre Frutschi.

The boats were born in New York at the start of the twentieth century. With fortunes amassed in industry and finance, young billionaires settled on Long Island in luxury mansions overlooking the sea. It was plain to see that boats were their most practical solution to getting to work in Manhattan in the morning. And that was how a new genre of yachts known as ‘commuters’ emerged: a remarkable boat specially designed to cross the East River, ideally faster than your rival’s. With their streamlined shape and plumb bow, ‘commuters’ reflected an era: that of Gatsby, the protagonist of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s famous novel.

Renaissance

In the 1990s, Michel Joubert brought this legendary tale back to life. For a friend, the architect designed the Andreyale, which fast became a well-liked range of small yachts. Around a decade later, for OCEA, Michel Joubert applied the ‘commuter’ concept to a large yacht for the high seas. With its tall, plumb bow—novel at the time—, its front end designed to defy any obstacle and its Portuguese bridge in front of the wheelhouse, Okeanis heralded the OCEA Commuter saga. ‘These are special boats with a totally different style,’ explains the architect Pierre Frutschi.

OCEA Commuter 50

‘They represent the opposite of Mediterranean yachts but are a token of the essence and spirit of life at sea: ships that are classic in their design and highly elegant. They also speak for themselves: you immediately see they’re designed for sailing on the high seas.’

Pierre Frutschi, architect

Finishing touches

In 2013, OCEA Yachts asked Michel Joubert to update his design. ‘He changed the style but not the philosophy, by keeping the initial character with the plumb bow and large catwalks. Everything is about comfort,’ underlines Pierre Frutschi. While the neoclassical look remains, more generous glazing and flush lines have modernised the profile. For over twenty years, Pierre Frutschi has produced 3D depictions and views of Michel Joubert’s designs. OCEA Yachts therefore naturally turned to him for those of the Commuter 40. ‘This helped us put the finishing touches to the exterior style,’ says the architect.

OCEA Commuter 40

Timeless elegance

With its master suite at the front of the main deck, the Commuter 40 is doubtless one of the most sophisticated boats in its range. This splendid full-width suite bathed in light flooding in through large picture windows includes an office, a bathroom and a dressing room. With no catwalk, it offers the highest level of privacy. The highly classic configuration of the OCEA Commuter 40 welcomes ten guests aboard. Emphasising the profile’s streamlined elegance, Michel Joubert thought of placing a tender in the lazarette. Pierre Frutschi explored the idea of positioning one at the front, even housing it behind the upper deck, allowing for several bigger tenders on board. The timeless form of the Commuter 40 easily incorporates all these options, taking the legendary tale to the ends of the earth.

OCEA Commuter 40

Specifications

  • Naval architect:  Joubert / Nivelt
  • Design:  TBD
  • Length overall:  40.00 m
  • Beam:  8.20 m
  • Maximum draft:  2.00 m
  • Maximum speed:  18.0 kts
  • Cruising speed:  16.0 kts
  • Range:  4,000 NM @ 10 kts
  • Guests:  10
  • Crew:  8