Long-range Commuter

Ocea's updated Commuter 33 offers the same world-girdling capability of the original in a refined package.

19 January 2023

Ocea’s attractive and elegant Commuter range may hark back in design to the glory days of early 20th-century magnates and billionaires commuting across the waterways of New York, but the three models – the 50 metre Commuter 50, 40 metre Commuter 40, and 33 metre Commuter 33 – are no mere runabouts. Even the smallest of the range has proven itself time and again, with earlier launches such as the 2004-launched Abely Wheeler and 2008-delivered Paolyre showing potential owners just what these little giants are capable of.

The 32.5-metre Abely Wheeler, for example, has completed a circumnavigation. “These are totally unique yachts,” says Eric Truphème, a yacht broker with Ocean Independence. “They can cruise anywhere, over very long distances, in absolute safety.” The Commuter series is well known to Truphème, who has actually sold Paolyre twice.

With protected side decks, clear visibility from the wheelhouse for safe manoeuvring and a Portuguese bridge designed to cope with heavy seas, these sturdy cruisers exemplify the expertise of the Ocea yard, which also has an impressive shipbuilding division that is a pioneer in aluminium vessels.

Ocea's Commuter 33, the smallest in its Commuter range, offers serious long-range cruising potential in a compact but elegant package. (Supplied: Ocea)

The updated Commuter 33 design retains the key features of the originals, but adds a half-metre of length and a more refined line, not least because there is no enclosed upper deck.

The Commuters borrow from this expertise and are extremely seaworthy, stable underway and capable of handling the roughest weather conditions. Another key appeal is that they are easy to handle, even with a small crew.

Another great feature is their unique design, which draws on styling of those original commuter boats and which departs in many ways from some of today’s oft-copied trends. “Paolyre is quite spacious with its flybridge,” Truphème offers. “The cabins, located on the lower deck, are modelled after those on sailing yachts, so our many customers who have sailing backgrounds feel right at home.

“Above all,” he adds, “the Commuters are for people who want to be out cruising.”

Speed is another argument in favour of the Commuter series, says Truphème. “With their semi-displacement aluminium hulls, which are lighter and ride higher in the water, they can comfortably cruise at 14 knots,” he enthuses.

In addition, the Commuter 33’s small size – the latest iteration comes in at 33 metres, with a maximum draft of 1.9 metres – means access to the more secluded coves and smaller ports. Furthermore, there is an option to specify an ice class hull, which not only opens up higher latitude cruising but also offers peace of mind against ocean debris.

ocea-yachts.com

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