All About Beneteau

BENETEAU History

The year was 1884. The cornerstone of the Statue of Liberty was laid on Bedloe’s Island in New York Harbor. In London, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was first published. And in the French port city of Croix-de-Vie, Benjamin Beneteau founded the BENETEAU boatyard and thus began a journey that continues to this very day.

Benjamin built his fishing boats to be rugged enough to handle the capricious waters of the North Atlantic and fast enough to be the first back to port so the fishermen could get the best price for that day’s catch. Even though he was an artisan, Benjamin was always in pursuit of innovations that could make his boats better. In fact, in the early 1900s, he designed the first engine-powered fishing boat in his region.

After Benjamin, the reins passed to his son Andre, and it fell to him to guide the family business through two world wars. One of Andre’s strengths was as a designer and draftsman, and those living near the BENETEAU shipyard would marvel at his beautiful creations. As calamitous as both world wars were to BENETEAU, a greater threat was on the horizon. Global economic change was slowly shrinking the French fishing industry. Less French fishermen meant less French fishing boats. But good luck, good timing, and good genes intervened! Andre and his children, daughter Annette and son Andre Jr. teamed up to steer BENETEAU into a new age.

They would use another radical innovation, polyester, to create a lightweight hull for fishing boat dinghies, which would later become the first fishing boats used for recreation. Annette took one of the small, humble crafts to the 1965 Paris Boat show where it caused a sensation. It took the rest of the ’60s, but by the early ’70s, BENETEAU had successfully transitioned from its commercial fishing roots to one of the most respected pleasure boat builders in all of Europe. Today, with new innovations and an ever-growing global presence, this farseeing family from Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie is now one of the largest in the world.

About BENETEAU

The first BENETEAU boats sailed from the shipyards of Croix-de-Vie over 135 years ago. Since that time, the BENETEAU brand has been synonymous with quality and innovation to all those who have taken to the water – first by the fishermen who made their livelihood from the sea and then by the legions of recreational boaters around the globe.

Over the years, our commitment to innovating and embracing ideas, no matter how unconventional, has been at the forefront of who we are in order to bring you the best boat possible. BENETEAU was one of the first boatbuilders many years ago to use computer-aided design (CAD) as well as lighter, stronger composite building materials. We’ve also been at the cutting edge of using greener materials and processes to do our part in protecting the incredible world which we explore. However, all this innovation doesn’t mean we’ve turned our back on tradition. One thing we’ve discovered in over a century of boatbuilding is that new-world innovations work best with old-school craftsmanship. This combination has resulted in some of the most iconic sailboats and powerboats in the world – supremely seaworthy yachts renowned for their sense of style, luxury, and comfort along with their creative use of space and new technologies.

Philosophy

We’re a lot like you. We love the water in all its forms – the ocean, bays, lakes, and rivers. And we love sharing the boating lifestyle with our family and friends. This love manifests itself in every BENETEAU built in any one of our many manufacturing facilities worldwide. Every BENETEAU sailboat and powerboat on the water reflects the best efforts of the finest architects, designers, and craftsmen along with the highest quality materials and the latest innovations.

When you purchase a BENETEAU, you become a valued member of our BENETEAU family. For this reason, our after-sale service is second to none as evidenced by the multitude of National Marine Manufacturers CSI Awards for Excellence in Customer Service. At the core of this outstanding service is our exceptional dealer network. Every one of our authorized BENETEAU dealers will be there for you – from choosing the right yacht to the handover and beyond. Your dealer will be your able guide when it comes to maintaining your boat properly and will help you maximize the return on your investment when it comes time to step up to another BENETEAU – and it usually does! We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Services Introduction

Buying a BENETEAU doesn’t have to be a daunting task. We have teams of experts to guide you through the entire process – everything from sea trials, financing, and customization to after-sale commissioning, service, and maintenance. We are proud to have one of the largest, most highly regarded dealer networks in the world. We’re ready to provide you with the assistance and expertise you need to launch you and your BENETEAU on a lifetime of happy, rewarding, and memorable voyages together.

After-Sale Service

Whether it’s through one of our highly skilled troubleshooting technicians or our spare parts experts, we are fully committed to helping you keep your boat running smoothly. Our after-sale service staff is over 50 strong, and each member is ready to listen and provide the assistance you need to be back on the water.

Our commitment includes a three-year parts and labor warranty. Acting on your dealer’s diagnosis, BENETEAU will replace all parts deemed defective by our technical department for a period of three years following the delivery of your new boat. The warranty applies to both parts and labor and is valid as long as you take your boat to your dealer for a full and compulsory annual overhaul.

We’ve also established a centralized spare parts service for the most common parts, which means less downtime should you need to have a part replaced. Whatever the problem, BENETEAU will provide your dealer with what your boat needs, subject to available stock.

Another important commitment is a seven-year structural warranty. Acting on your dealer’s diagnosis, BENETEAU will repair any defect to the hull and deck of your boat, agreed upon as being the result of faulty manufacturing by our technical department, for a period of seven years following the delivery of your new boat.

Dealer Network

No matter where you cruise in the world or what port you drop anchor, there is a BENETEAU dealer close by to help if needed. With over 400 dealers on five continents, our network is a dedicated and motivated army of hand-selected, factory-trained individuals standing ready to provide you with expert advice and service.

Our infrastructure honed by years of experience, means each dealer has access to the spare parts and expertise needed to effect repairs and get you back on the water as soon as possible.

To purchase a new or pre-owned BENETEAU sailboat or powerboat, locate an authorized BENETEAU dealer near you. They will be there every step of the way to help you choose the right boat and maintain it properly for years to come.

E-Shop

Are you a proud BENETEAU owner? Show it! The BENETEAU E-shop is the place to get started. You’ll find men’s and women’s outerwear, shirts, and more to show the rest of the world one of your favorite pastimes is cruising on your BENETEAU. From clothing to champagne flutes to even a sailor’s crew shirt for your family pet, these are just a few of the items no self-respecting BENETEAU lover would want to do without.

Financing

We’ve joined forces with Shore Premier Finance to provide financing options tailor-made for those looking to purchase a BENETEAU. It makes sense to use an experienced team that specializes solely in marine financing when you’re ready to take that all-important step of making your boating dream a reality.

Shore Premier Finance understands that owning a boat is about living life on your terms. Their rates are highly competitive, and the process they guide you through has been streamlined to have you on the water when you’re ready. Dream big and Shore Premier Finance will do the rest!

SailTime

Fractional memberships are relatively new to the marine industry, but the concept is already making the joy of boating more accessible to many more people. BENETEAU is proud to be part of this movement by teaming up with SailTime. This service presents a bold new approach to boat access and ownership that makes it easier, quicker, and more economical for aspiring cruisers to take the helm of a beautiful, well-equipped sailboat.

The difference between SailTime and other boat sharing operations is that as a member, you’re guaranteed sailing time on one boat (usually a BENETEAU) all season long – and you share this boat with only a handful of like-minded and enthusiastic sailors.

And if you become an owner member, your BENETEAU can earn handsome revenue thanks to SailTime’s innovative Yacht Management Program. Other SailTime members provide you with a steady stream of income by sailing your boat. You are guaranteed use of your boat each and every month including unlimited last-minute reservations booked online within 36 hours. SailTime even schedules regular maintenance, repairs, and preventive care for you which can easily be viewed through the SailTime Embark app.

Sailboat Range

We built our first sailboats over 135 years ago and many things have changed since then. The oak we once relied on has been replaced with strong but lightweight resin and carbon fiber. Where canvas once caught the wind, now it’s Kevlar and Vectran. We’ve transformed dark, confining saloons and cabins into bright, open living spaces. And the list of innovations in hull design and navigation continues to grow at a rapidly increasing pace.

However, some things haven’t changed and never will. Benjamin BENETEAU’s philosophy of building the strongest, safest, most beautiful boats on the water is alive and well. The BENETEAU family’s pride in craftsmanship and passion for performance can easily be recognized in every FIRST, FIGARO, OCEANIS, and OCEANIS YACHT built today.

Knowing what to keep and what to change – that’s why BENETEAU continues to set the bar in sailing.

Oceanis

Oceanis is our range of long-distance, blue water cruisers and for years has set the standard for sailboat design and construction. With a hull that is a marvel in hydrodynamics, Oceanis delivers superior performance while providing stability and safety under sail. Despite her strong sea legs, she doesn’t sacrifice luxury and comfort. You can choose your layout based on different configurations below deck and also have your choice of interior finishes. Your Oceanis will be a joy to sail and be your home away from home.

Oceanis Yacht

The Oceanis Yacht is the culmination of our Oceanis philosophy where cruising comfort, performance, and customization reigns supreme. Her elegant design and luxurious interiors add a new dimension to life at sea with an enormous saloon, impressive galley, spacious staterooms, and plenty of ambient light from the many large windows and skylights. Despite her lavish details, our Oceanis Yacht maneuvers like a smaller yacht thanks to a perfectly centered sail plan and twin rudders. She is a yacht that represents the art of sailing at its regal best.

First

Our 7th generation of the First range offers you the experience of pure sailing joy while staying true to our standards for safety and stability. She is lightweight with a streamlined design, making her highly adaptable to whatever the wind and water have in store. The First is fast but forgiving, spicy but safe – perfect for the thrill-seeking novice or seasoned competitive sailor alike.

Figaro

A marvel in racing innovation, the Figaro BENETEAU 3 is the first production foiling one-design monohull to ever grace the seas. Designed in collaboration between BENETEAU and Van Peteghem Lauriot-Prévost (the architects of the last two Vendée Globe winners), her greatest and most visible feature is the inverted foiling system created to reduce drift and improve the righting moment without increasing movement. The Figaro BENETEAU 3’s radical design makes her the logical choice when winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.

Powerboat Range

In North America, we might be considered by some to be a late-comer to the powerboat market, but in fact, we’ve always been a major force in it. As with most things, we have our founder, Benjamin BENETEAU, to thank. He was one of the first to put a petrol engine on his fishing trawlers in the early 1900s, thus changing the French commercial fishing fleet forever.

His successors found that power was a perfect fit for the bold, new hull materials they were pioneering in the ’60s. Since then, new technologies in propulsion have always found their way aboard a BENETEAU first, and power has long been part of our equation for success.

Today, there’s a BENETEAU powerboat or motor yacht for whatever you’re looking for – from casual cruising to long-distance adventuring, from fishing and diving to water skiing. They can be found on the open ocean, coastlines, harbors, lakes, and rivers. There’s a whole world to discover out there, and there’s no better way to discover it than at the helm of a BENETEAU powerboat, trawler or motor yacht.

Antares

The Antares is a true memory-maker. This range of powerboats wholly represents our passion for pure water-born freedom and is perfect for those looking for a smaller – but mighty – cruiser to enjoy the weekend and create lifelong memories with family and friends. Her enclosed pilothouse and cozy interior allow for early and late season excursions to extend the fun, and her flared hull and outboard engines give you the safety and performance BENETEAU is known for. So go to all those special, out-of-the-way places, like a favorite secluded cove or waterfront restaurant, because the Antares can take you there!

Barracuda

Rugged, sporty, and fierce, the Barracuda range has been built and tested to handle the roughest of seas all while ensuring your safety and comfort. They feature our latest Airstep® hull technology and two outboard engines that make cutting through the water as comfortable as it is easy to handle. With ample storage, large walkways, and a spacious fishing station, our Barracuda outboards are prepared to be your trusted vessel for all your interests whether it’s diving, fishing or simply cruising. Adventure is calling, and Barracuda is ready for it.

Flyer

Our Flyer range was conceived to be the day-boat of your dreams. Equipped with our AirStep® Hull, these powerboats boast faster acceleration and more responsive maneuvering as well as the ability to lift up and cut through waves – perfect for cruising, water skiing, and wakeboarding. The Flyer also features two different deck plans, our SUNdeck or our SPACEdeck, to maximize either your sunbathing or entertaining needs!

Swift Trawler

The Swift Trawler range is smart without being difficult, balanced without being bland. She has reinvented what a trawler can be and does not compromise on space, with more room and amenities aboard than you would find in a traditional trawler. Designed for traveling long distances, she opts for a nimble yet stable hull that provides both comfort and solid, positive handling in all weather. If boats had souls (and she just might have one), hers would yearn for that destination just over the horizon, and if yours does too, the Swift Trawler is the perfect match.

Gran Turismo

The Gran Turismo is in a class by herself, setting the trend for what an express cruiser could be. Each model is brimming with technology and performance so cruising at speed is one of the great joys she lives for. Her spacious and contemporary design provides a new definition to supremely livable interior and exterior space while her sleek lines and elegant profile are sure to turn heads.

Monte Carlo

The Monte Carlo range of motor yachts embodies timeless elegance and no-compromise craftsmanship. She features only the finest materials and handcrafted finishes. She is powerful yet graceful, luxurious yet practical. Her spacious and bright interior is ideal for entertaining, and her expansive flybridge provides the perfect space for enjoying an evening cruise with sensational panoramic water views.