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Beneteau First 36, Sailing World 2023 Boat of the Year

• By Dave Reed
• December 16, 2022

Sailing World Magazine’s  annual Boat of the Year tests are conducted in Annapolis, Maryland, following the US Sailboat Show. With independent judges exhaustively inspecting the boats on land and putting them through their paces on the water, this year’s fleet of new performance-sailing boats spanned from small dinghies to high-tech bluewater catamarans. Here’s the best of the best from our  2023 Boat of the Year nominees »

The Total Package

• Beneteau First 36 2023 Boat of the Year
• Stated purpose: Shorthanded racing, club racing, coastal cruising
• Crew: Solo to six
• Praise for: Build quality, deck layout, versatility
• Est. price as sailed: $345,000

Like a runaway, the Beneteau First 36 careens across a westerly-whipped Chesapeake Bay. The boat’s big-shouldered spinnaker and mainsail are silhouetted in the early October morning light. It’s making trees on the Eastern Shore as we peg the throttle down to keep chase in a 19-foot RIB. The four crewmembers on board are having a casual conversation—like no big deal—when a cold and meaty gust fills the spinnaker. The leech flickers, and the boat surges forward onto plane. Twin rudders zipper the slick streaming out from the transom as the helmsman, hands at 10 and 2 on the carbon steering wheel, effortlessly weaves the boat across waves tops. The boat is, as the saying goes, on rails.

“Wicked,” is how senior Boat of the Year judge Chuck Allen summarizes his experience when he steps off. “That boat is going to be hard to beat.”

Three days and 10 boats later, nothing comes close to usurping the Beneteau First 36 as the obvious and unanimous Boat of the Year, a boat that has been a long time coming and overdue. It’s a boat that will serve many masters.

Beneteau initiated its First 36 project in 2019 by surveying a broad focus group of First “Point 7” owners and dealers about what they wanted in the marketplace, and the takeaways were: 1) Not another ­displacement boat—it had to plane. 2) They wanted a lounge, not a dining room. 3) They wanted their nav station back, and 4) for that, they were OK with having a smaller head.

Given the boat was to meet all three of its club racing, shorthanded and cruising demands, the brain trust assembled inside and outside of Beneteau focused on No. 1—keeping it light and fast. Naval architect Samuel Manuard, the new hot talent of the IMOCA 60 and Class 40 scenes, did the hull, keel and rig. Pure Structural Engineering took care of the structure, and the weight-obsessed glass slingers at Seascape’s factory in Slovenia ensured the boat came in at not a pound more than 10,580. At that weight, of course it’s going to plane.

The entire boat is ­vacuum-infused with CoreCell (hull) and PVC (bulkheads) from the deck down, inside and out, and everything, except the fridge, is somehow a piece of the structure puzzle.

“We are saving big weight there, as furniture is also part of the structure, and all of it glued together makes the boat extremely stiff and very light,” says Beneteau’s Tit Plevnik. “What is special is how calculated it is. In mass-production building, you can’t rely on precision, but we do. The boat is built to the same standard as a pure ­racing boat.”

“The moment I saw it, I knew it would be good. It’s a great-looking boat at the dock and even better with the sails up.” —Greg Stewart

Built like a race boat, the judges all agree it sure sails like one. “It’s a big 36-footer,” says veteran BOTY judge and naval architect Greg Stewart. “It’s a full-ended boat that has a hint of a scow-type bow with a lot of buoyancy forward. Looking at the numbers, what they achieved with the weight and its placement is impressive—10,000 pounds for a 36-foot waterline length is a very good number. I could tell the minute we put the spinnaker up it was a slippery boat.”

Stewart set the day’s top speed at a tick over 18 knots and says: “I remember feeling the puff hit and load the rig, and the boat just scooted off with really nice steering. It felt like a Laser when you get it in that groove and it just levitates. With the dual rudders, which are pretty long, the boat has more of a power-steering feel upwind, so it lets you do a lot of things. There’s so much control, which is a good thing because you can drive out of situations, but at the same time, it’s easy to oversteer.”

Multiple cockpit mock-ups done at ­different heel angles produced a workspace that the judges could find no flaw with. “It’s all legit, easy and clean in the pit,” Allen says. “With the four of us in the ­cockpit, we had plenty of space to move around and were never into each other.

“I was doing a lot of trimming downwind,” Allen adds. “You can feel the boat take off. It was really stable and easy to handle. The thing is light and fast, and we did push it to try and wipe it out, but it was hard to do.”

All the judges praised the clever location of the primary winches on sloped coamings, which were easier to trim from than a traditional winch-on-the-coaming setup. “They’re at the perfect height,” says judge Dave Powlison, “and with them angled like that, you don’t have to crane your neck to see the sail, and the lead is virtually override-proof.”

Also noteworthy is the generous space between the high carbon wheels and the cockpit walls that allow the helmsman to slide forward without having to step up and around the wheel. The jib trimmer has easy access to the three-dimensional clue adjustment systems, and for the pit, there’s plenty of clutches, redirects and cleats to keep everything sorted and tidy.

The standard spar, and that on the demo boat, is a deck-stepped Z Spars aluminum section with Dyform wire rigging that carries 860 square feet of upwind sail area, which Stewart says is considerable for the displacement of the boat. The mast is well aft, which really stretches out the J dimension and opens the foredeck for a quiver of headsails—for this, you’ll find two tack points on the foredeck. There are four halyards total: one for a masthead gennaker, a 2-to-1 for a code sail, a fractional gennaker, and a 2-to-1 staysail. Allen, a semi-retired sailmaker, put an estimate for a complete race inventory at $60,000, which would put the boat on the racecourse for roughly $400,000. (Base boat is priced at $345,000.)

When the race is done, however, how about that interior?

Step down the wide companionway steps into a space of design simplicity and efficiency, some of which makes you say, “Duh, of course.”

For example, there’s no ­traditional L-shaped galley to port or starboard. There is, however, a tall and slender fridge smack in the middle of the boat (that you connect to the galley with a removable cutting board to complete the L). Walk on either side of it to get forward, past the proper nav station, the fold-down dinette table in the middle with roomy 6-foot berths on both sides, a jetliner-size head with a stowaway sink to starboard, and then a gigantic V-berth that benefits from all that volume in the bow. Back aft, under the cockpit, are large quarter berths as well that easily cruise-convert into storage space for water toys, like kites, wings and foils, all of which takes us back to survey result No. 2. This is where the post-race party begins and ends.

With the usual supply-chain delays, compounded with the build and design team’s obsessive and calculated approach to getting the Beneteau First 36 perfect at Hull No. 1, its debut got off to a later start than hoped. But with early boats landing at eager dealers worldwide, Plevnik says the goal is 32 boats per year for the next two years. The BOTY judges assure us it’ll be worth the wait and give you plenty of time to start planning what you can and will do with it.

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1977-2022: The Story of the Firsts

It is first and foremost a story that starts with a  visionary . In 1976,  François Chalain , who had just joined the  Beneteau group , suggested to the company’s young president Annette Roux that they buy the moulds of  Impensable, winner of the 1973 Half Ton Cup . The Vendée boatyard switched from wood to polyester in the 1970s, but it only produced recreational fishing boats. Annette Roux readily admits:  “Nobody was really waiting for us to go there.”

François Chalain won her over, and, with the designer  André Mauri c, he modified the keel of Impensable, lengthened the coachroof and gave it  a more comfortable fit out.  They had just found the right balance between racing and cruising . 

“François had the vision and, above all, saw the need to bring all the elements of a boat together. He paved the way” , recalls  Yann Masselot , current director of the Beneteau brand, when talking about the designer who sadly died in 2007.

Called First, the 30 footer was  shown in 1977  at the Paris Boat Show. It remained the yard’s catalogue for five years and 824 boats were sold . 

Since then, it has been followed by  70 different First models , from 14 to 53 feet, the latest being  the First 36 , a new design by Samuel Manuard launched this year. Also in the wings is  the First 44  which will be  world premiered  at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September.

Through  the popular Class 8  from 1982 and then  three generations of Figaro  (1990, 2003, 2019), the brand has a strong one-design offering. But in saying that it is worth remembering that the yard has always been skilful at making the most of the current rules. The most successful period was undoubtedly that of the  IOR rule in the 1980s , a line which brought prototypes – the First Evolution – and production boats together.

In the 2000s, the emergence of the IMS and especially  the IRC  gave rise to some particularly successful production boats that could compete with the best prototypes. This is how First National ,  a First 40.7, won the Sydney Hobart , all classes combined, in 2003 and  Gery Trentesaux won the Fastnet Race  (in IRC 0) at the helm of his First 44.7 Courrier du Coeur in 2007. Even though Beneteau, the world leader in leisure craft, has made the most of its substantial international network, the history of the Firsts shows what an important role the relationship between industry and craftsmanship plays .

Now that the sales of performance cruisers have decreased, the yard has chosen carefully measured production lines. 

“In 2015, Madame Roux wanted to relaunch the First range,”  says Yann Masselot.  “So, we joined  Seascape in 2018  for their range of sportboats which was an accelerator. And there in Slovenia we produced the First 36. And for the First 44, we have returned to a dedicated workshop in Poiré-sur-Vie (Vendée).This is the right method, and  the experience of the First 36 shows that the market is out there .”

The Golden Age of IOR Racing 

Following the success of the First 30, launched in 1977, within three years Beneteau had built a line of six First sailing yachts, ranging from 18 to 35 feet . The yard was running at full capacity, producing over 1,000 boats in 1980, and it rose to become the leader of a fast-expanding recreational sailing industry. In 1982,  Bertrand d’Enquin joined Beneteau to look after their American clients, and noticed that Annette Roux, the group’s president and François Chalain, the father of the First line, “continued their efforts. They understood that Beneteau needed to win well-known races and expand their reach beyond France’s borders, to sustain this industrial success story.”

The boatyard called on the Argentinian architect of the Swan boats German Frers to build the subsequent large models, who designed the iconic First 42 and 456. In 1979, they turned to  Jean Berret for the racing approach. He had just designed the excellent First 35, for a small production run of half tonners. The First earned itself a great reputation in regatta racing with prototypes wordplay in their names ( Alonzo Bistro ,  Crac Boum Ut , etc.), built at Hervé’s yard in La Rochelle and then at his brother’s yard, Technicoque.  13 First 30 Evolution sailing yachts  were produced to race in the IOR Championships (International Offshore Rule), the old rating created towards the end of the 1960s.

They were built in a workshop fitted out by Beneteau in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, beside the joinery. “We were already using vacuum construction methods at the time. We worked with a small team of ten of the best, as a rule.  The boats were built upside down , on a model or a male mould,”  Jean-Michel Crochet recalls, the First preparateur at the time.

The Legendary Rubis

Working alongside François Chalain was Eric Ingouf , a familiar face on the Ton Cup scene. He did a considerable amount of work on the deck plans and also on compliance with the distorted IOR shapes. The rating rule increased the number of measurement points along the hull. So, using the perfect casing, the architect created bumps to maximise the rating measurement points .

“This is also why we used a special team of painters, from the East, who were experts in cambering hulls, so as not to alter the shape and the measurements”, said Jean-Michel Crochet.

It was a success, since  First Lady , named after Annette Roux, came second in the Half Ton Cup in 1980.

The following year was a good one with the legendary Danish skipper Paul Elvstrøm, four times winner of the Olympic Games, winning the trophy on King One, another First Evolution. With these wins, the boatyard gained legitimacy and launched the First 30 E  (on another hull), with 420 boats produced in three years!

Three years later the same thing happened with the one tonners. For the first time, Beneteau brought the best of French architecture together . The small production of First 40 Evolution sailing yachts was designed by Berret-Fauroux-Finot. The prototypes were called  Phoenix  (Harold Cudmore),  Fair Lady  (Eric Duchemin) and  Coyote  (Bruno Troublé) and monopolised the podiums in the English Channel and across the Atlantic. They gave rise to  the great First 405 class , with over 200 boats built, for what was considered a big boat at the time.

The high point of the IOR decade was the building of   Rubis  in 1989 . The two tonner owned by the watchmaker Corum was the result of the teamwork of Philippe Briand, Philippe Pallu de la Barrière and Luc Gellusseau, who had already worked on  French Kiss  in the America’s Cup 1987. The sailing yacht boasted a distillation of new features , with an innovative deck plan, two side coachroofs acting as spinnaker snuffers, a set of rope clutches midships, and crew members strapped to the hiking bench for offshore races. It won the 1991 Admiral’s Cup, alongside  Corum Saphir  and  Corum Diamant, at the time the world championship of offshore racing.

A Wave of First Class 8 Yachts 

How do you make a boat that is at once  beautiful, comfortable, wins regattas and produced at the right price?  This is the challenging task that the brains at Beneteau, president Annette Roux, managing director François Chalain, and his right-hand man Eric Ingouf, were confronted with continuously.

 “You must appreciate that there was no Oceanis at the time. The market was not segmented.  So, a First was a boat that had to do everything, ” explains Yann Masselot, now the Beneteau brand director.

The IOR prototypes were highly-regarded, but their sophistication became ever more expensive and Annette Roux repeated over and over to her staff that “a Beneteau must always be good value for money.” “ The First Class was a brilliant way of emerging from a compromise that was increasingly hard to keep ” Out went the wood inside, the linings and the other heavy and expensive claddings. Out went the IOR and its bumpy hulls. It was time to make way for simplicity and surfing.

Two Architects

So,  who would design this new one-design?  As for the First Class 8, and a few years later the Figaro 1, two brains were better than one and the one design produced in 1982 had two designers:  Jean-Marie Finot and Jacques Fauroux . The former earned a name for himself with the one tonner  Révolution  for his taste for large sterns. The latter was the quarter tonner world champion.

They created a one design that was low on the water, had a very smooth hull , ran well at all speeds, and had a fractional rig and a good sail area. The boat also made use of the lifting keel system again, invented by Finot and Beneteau on the First 22 in 1978. The Class 8 weighed 1.3 metric tonnes but proved to be much easier to trail by road than a Surprise , the big competitor at the time. With a beam of 2.5 metres, its size was suitable for road transport, unlike the international J24 one design, which never really took off in France. And so what if the toerail cut into the thighs of generations of crews, and if the unbalanced rudder, articulated on an aluminium beam, made the tiller heavy, The Class 8 quickly became a social sensation.

”Clubs were needed, but also the strength of the Beneteau network, already well established internationally,” recalls Bertrand d’Enquin, in charge of American customers.  “All our agents worldwide bought two or three, and sometimes small fleets .” The result was that within two years, over 300 boats were produced, “more than the number of quarter tonner prototypes ever built,” said Jean-Marie Finot.

The Regatta Racing Elite

Very soon a class association was established , a partner found with CG Mer the financing body, and a championship circuit planned. “We transported the fleets by truck to the regatta sites, 30 boats at a time, recalls Jean-Michel Crochet the preparateur. Frequently, I had to put up with doing the preparation alone, but it was really simple, and the boats were raceable within a day.”

The deck hardware was a little scanty when the Class 8 was launched, so the crew had to do some tweaking. The boatyard introduced the idea of a set of rope clutches midships just above the companionway on its new productions, allowing the crew to manage lines without switching their position when leaning out. Since its simplicity was refreshingly new when it was launched, the Class 8 lasted a good ten years and appealed to the regatta racing elite. The efforts of budding racers were often in vain, leaving the podiums to Bertand Pacé, Pierre Mas, Franck Cammas, Bernard Mallaret, Philippe Presti, Bruno Jourdren and Vincent Riou.

“I saw championships in which 80 boats lined up for the start.  This happened all over Europe and the level was very high ,” recalls Bertrand d’Enquin. The peak was in 1992 at Cap d’Agde with over 100 Class 8 sailing yachts! It mattered little that the one design did not become an international class (it would have had to have been built under licence abroad).  Production of the First Class 8 ceased in 1993 . 965 boats were built. The first Beneteau one-design gave rise to a small family with the Class 7, Class 10, Class 12 and Class Europe, admittedly with a small distribution, and prepared the boatyard for the boats to come.

The Legendary S5 and .7 

In the mid-1980s, Beneteau realised that they had to segment their offer. François Chalain, launched the first  Océanis 350  with the architect Philippe Briand, in 1986, a distinctive cruiser of a new kind. 

This gave free rein to the First sailing yachts, but they had to be repositioned and made more radical.

Beneteau started to look for an interior designer. François Chalain asked  Philippe Starck’s brother, who was a journalist at France 3 (TV channel) and who he met by chance during a report he was filming at the boatyard. “I don’t suppose that your brother has time to consider our boat ideas, does he?” “Think again,  Philippe is mad about sailing  and much more open than you would think”

35s5: the Triumph of Design

A meeting with the star of international design, was soon planned and it gave birth to one of the most disruptive boats in the history of sailing: the  First 35s5 . Jean Berret, who designed the hull, remembers “ Beneteau took a big risk , since the Starck design cost a lot more and challenged the boatyard’s routines. He brought his style and his ideas, and I had to be resourceful to make it all happen.”

Carbon tiller, portholes extending over the coachroof angle, with an integrated handrail, shiny mahogany interior, white upholstery, forged brushed aluminium table stand, etc. Suffice it to say that  the First 35s5 did not pass unnoticed  and disrupted customers used to a classic look. “It was the talk of the Boat Show in 1987, when it was launched.  Everyone thought they were mad!”  recalls Yann Masselot, the current director of the Beneteau brand. “It was the first time that a designer from outside of the boating industry contributed to the design of a boat.”

Despite only being marketed for a fairly brief period of four years, the sales figures were satisfactory. The look was applied to the whole line which ranged from 32 to 53 feet ; a sign that leisure sailing was changing and moving upmarket.

The Versatility of the 31.7

Ten years later, the s5, followed by the s7 were replaced by  a new class . For the new line’s smallest boat, Beneteau continued to place its trust in Jean-Marie Finot and Pascal Conq, who designed the  First 31.7  – “ perhaps the best of all of them” , according to the Jean-Michel Crochet, the preparateur for all the Firsts at the time. “The 31.7 was versatile, had the Figaro 1 hull, and a well-designed interior. “An amazingly easy boat that everyone could sail. Some customers never wanted to change!”

It was of little importance that the 31.7 was not highly optimised for IRC and never won the Spi Ouest-France “even when there were 30 boats competing in IRC4 against the legendary half tonner  Brittany Drizzle ”, stresses Christophe Cantin, currently the owner association’s president. About 1,200 of these faultless boats left the production lines, making it the 30-foot performance cruiser with the highest distribution ever!

The 31.7 continues to race regattas everywhere – 16 of them raced among the one-designs in the last Spi Ouest-France – and still appeal to demanding owners, such as Jean-Yves Le Déroff and Philippe Delhumeau.

The 40.7 Won Over the Chinese

At the same time as the “little” 31.7 was launched, so was the  40.7 , which also had a very fine career, with nearly 700 boats sold . This plan was a timeless classic designed by Bruce Farr and it won everything from the day it was launched (Commodore’s Cup and Copa del Rey in 1997) and rose to the top of the overall ranking  of the Sydney Hobart in 2003 .

When the Shenzhen province created the  China Cup , in 2007, to rival with Qindgao, which had been awarded the Olympic Games of 2008, Beneteau produced a fleet of 10 boats, and then, following the concept’s success, 20 more the following year.  The 40.7 became China’s one design . As new to offshore racing as they were ambitious, “the Chinese wanted to create an event that would outdo the America’s Cup!” explains Yves Mandin, who manages the event for Beneteau. And to continue: “we told them that it would still take quite a long time! But the fact remains that all the China Cups competed in since 2007 have all been very good events showing great sportsmanship and won by highly regarded skippers.”

One Figaro Can Conceal Another 

Towards the end of the 1980s, the Solitaire du Figaro was still raced on half tonners, which had become marvels of technology, but whose steep cost prevented equal opportunity among contenders. The race manager  Michel Malinovsky , who had raced in the Course de l’Aurore (the old name for the Solitaire) on a First 30, and  Jean-Michel Barrault , cofounder of the race in 1970, approached Beneteau to design a one design that did not require a rating.

The Finot-Berret duo then launched the First Class Figaro Solo and Laurent Cordelle won the first Solitaire (single-handed race) on board, in 1990, followed by Yves Parlier, and then  Michel Desjoyeaux  in 1992, who tells us that “In 1989, I won the Elf Skipper selections and I acquired the last half tonner, which was a real McLaren. Three months later, the race shifted to one designs and I gave back the half!  I was better off because I had a boat that could race offshore , was more seaworthy with a rather dangerous first 7/8 rig with runners that I liked a lot.”

The boat was well-designed, but the fairly weak mast was replaced by a 9/10 profile with no runners in 1993, which solved the problem. The boatyard kept up their efforts and every summer, between 1990 and 1996, the First 53 F5 was sailed by Eric Ingouf and Jean-Michel Crochet, taking care of race assistance and after-sales service at the same time. “ Incredible stories of incredible times . The saloon was often packed and we were at the heart of the race,” recalls Jean-Michel.

A hull Moulded  More Than 2,000 Times!

The boat now referred to as the Figaro Solo won over a very captive market with  61 boats produced . But the career of this well-designed hull did not end here. With versions used on the Figaro Challenge (no ballast), on which the Défi des Ports de pêche was raced, on the First 310, on several Oceanis cruisers and especially the First 31.7 , it was moulded  more than 2,000 times in the Beneteau workshops , without the owners necessarily being aware that they were taking a little bit of the Figaro with them!

In the early 2000s, the Finot-Berret plan had aged quite a bit, so the boatyard began to think of a new design. Finot remained a firm favourite, but the class selection committee led by Gildas Morvan chose the Lombard studio, which had proved that it could be counted on in the Imoca class. And that is how the  second Figaro Beneteau , emerged in 2003, with an extra metre in length. Pascal Bidégorry played a role in the development of this elegant one design, which took a big technical step forward: infused sandwich hull, electric filling of ballasts, carbon mast.

Most importantly, the Figaro Beneteau 2 proved to be much better at staying its course than its predecessor . The skippers could sleep under the spinnaker, the boat’s nose rarely ever dug in.

“The Figaro 2 capitalised on the strengths of the one design features of the Figaro 1. Everything was professionalized to create  a solution that still makes sense now” , recalls Michel Desjoyeaux, a member of the very select club of triple Solitaire winners.

The Figaro 3 “Opening Up the Playing Field”

With the Figaro 2, the level of the circuit improved. Training centres trained cohorts of skippers, who made the Figaro their profession, investing in their boat, written off within four or five years. With 250 days of sailing per season, a Figaro’s log clocked up 12,000 to 14,000 nautical miles every year. When the Figaro 3 stepped into play in 2019,  some of the Figaro 2s had sailed the equivalent of seven round the worlds!  Needless to say, they are still being snapped up today on the secondhand boat market.

In 2017, VPLP won the competition to take up the torch launched by the Figaro class and the boatyard. The  Figaro Beneteau 3   was built in a dedicated workshop in Nantes, in the old Jeanneau Techniques Avancées premises. Foils were introduced, which cause a few development problems the first year.  80 boats were built in scarcely two years.

Shorter, much more competitive, and modern, particularly with regard to the sail plan, the Figaro 3 “opened up the playing field”, making options that were formerly random potentially payable and restoring the importance of strategy. It will enable 34 women and men to set sail again from Nantes this year, on Sunday 21 August in an attempt to win the Holy Grail of single-handed racing on equal terms – the  Solitaire du Figaro .

Since 2020, the trophy awarded by Beneteau to the first rookie in the race, has been named after Eric Ingouf , the man at Beneteau who developed three generations of Figaro Beneteau.

the Revival of a Line Ranging from 14 to 53 Feet

In the mid-2010s the Firsts lost some of their appeal. The market focused on cruisers and catamarans with the yard’s revenue from the Firsts dropping by 10%. “ The boat market experienced the same shift as the car market, ” explains Yann Masselot,  director of the Beneteau brand. “In the 1980s everyone wanted GTIs. Then came station wagons, 4x4s and SUVs.”

After the boom of the 2000s,  the 2008 crisis reshuffled the cards.  The performance cruiser market saw the arrival of a small production of very specialized sailing yachts based on the IRC rule, against which it is difficult to fight.  François Chalain, the real soul of the First brand, died in 2007  and the failure of the First 30 based on a Kouyoumdjian design that was launched in 2010, nearly ended one of the greatest chapters in the history of yachting. But Annette Roux  was highly explicit “ I want to see a  First line again! ”  she said to  Gianguido Girotti , the new product manager whom she appointed in 2015.

Back to Basics

“To relaunch a complete line, the market was actually not big enough for our industrial capacity”,  explains Yann Masselot.   And so,  the best option was to buy Seascape  in 2017 and make it part of Beneteau’s offering.”  The small Slovenian manufacturer made a name for itself in a few years with its 14-to-27-foot sport boats designed by Samuel Manuard.  The boats were rebadged First  and benefitted from the size and strength of the network, which revived the line and bought time to develop a real product strategy for the larger sizes.

In 2019, the  First Yacht 53  was released, designed by Italian architects Roberto Biscontini and Lorenzo Argento, a real break from the regatta boats on the market.

“The First 53 has the “wow factor , ” a boat that makes you dream” , stresses Yves Mandin, product manager at Beneteau for 30 years.   “These are boats that meet the expectations of demanding customers. Of the 35 delivered, about ten race quite actively, mainly in the Mediterranean, the others are more in the yachting spirit.”

First 36: The Bridge

But they were  missing a connection , a bridging model between the small First and the 53-foot flagship. So, in 2019, studies for a 36-footer with  Sam Manuard were launched. Modern lines, relatively light and planing, allowing you to sleep onboard  but with a minimalist layout, the  First 36  revived the best dual purpose boat line in the history of the yard.

Developed jointly with Seascape in Slovenia, where it is built, it uses technical solutions that would not be possible on a large production line: sandwich bulkheads, infusion, grafting of the structure with re-lamination,  the 36-footer is built like a racing sailboat  in its own right, but its versatility makes it a very appealing. And the market has responded favourably, because six months after the launch  a full two years’ worth of orders has already been placed!

For the  First 44 , which will have its world premiere in September at the  Cannes Yachting Festival  (September 6-11), the same reasoning has  prevailed, designed by the same architectural duo as the 53-footer,  it will be built in a dedicated factory  in Poiré-sur-Vie, in Vendée, by a small team of around twenty people. It is a fast-cruising boat more than a regatta racer. It is available in  several deck plan versions , with rigging tailored to a range of programmes. As an option owners can choose ballasts that eliminate the need for crew rialto lean out.  “ We are aiming for around thirty boats a year.  45 feet is the premium size in a market which we have neglected for too long and the expectation is high” , concludes Yann Masselot.

45 years on, the story of the First continues…

Published on 02.11.2022

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Beneteau First 27 review: sportsboat given the Beneteau treatment

• Rupert Holmes
• June 20, 2022

Has Beneteau managed to turn a niche sportsboat into a fun cruiser? Rupert Holmes sails the Beneteau First 27 to find out

Product Overview

Price as reviewed:.

The original version of the Sam Manuard-designed Seascape 27 (now branded as the Beneteau First 27 SE) has long been one of my favourite small yachts. In 2014 I sailed the prototype in Slovenia on a gusty winter’s day with the wind varying from 12-22 knots. Downwind with a big kite it was absolutely exhilarating, with speed hovering at 13-15 knots and occasionally hitting 17.5 in the stronger puffs.

Yet this was not an edge-of-control ride – the boat handled as though it was on rails, with heaps of reserve in the rudders, even when pressed hard. Given more time we could have enjoyed wonderful downwind sailing for 200 miles or more to Split or Dubrovnik, then put the boat on a road trailer for the upwind return leg.

So why change a winning formula? Quite simply, not everyone wants a boat that’s as optimised for speed: creature comforts and simplicity are also important factors. Hence Beneteau’s adaptation to create what’s now called the First 27 (without the SE designation).

Key changes include a shorter aluminium mast with pinhead mainsail, a fixed fin keel with torpedo bulb and 30cm less draught, plus an inboard diesel engine.

The cockpit benches in the forward part of the cockpit are also new and create a more comfortable cruising style, especially with the optional cockpit cushions. They also provide easily accessible on-deck stowage, in addition to the big lazarette.

The interior is brighter, more spacious and more civilised, thanks in part to the lack of a box for the lifting keel, although you still have to step over the frames in the bottom of the boat and there’s no standing headroom.

The Beneteau First 27 has berths for four, plus cooking and heads facilities, but there’s no standing headroom

There are berths for four, including two comfortable settee/quarter berths in the saloon, plus a double in the forepeak and enough space to stow kitbags. The central folding table can also be used in the cockpit.

Between the saloon and forepeak there’s a small galley to port and toilet to starboard. This is neatly arranged, with the latter closed off, except while in use, when the galley units are then similarly concealed.

Sail area is also reduced compared to the original, by a little under 20% upwind and 13% downwind. At the same time, the inboard engine and other changes add to displacement, which is 300kg higher – a significant 21% increase.

Sailing the Beneteau First 27

On paper this looks like a potential disaster, but the reality is different. I sailed the new Beneteau First 27 in Barcelona a few months ago in very light airs, with only 3.5-6.5 knots of true wind and three of us on board. These were perfect conditions to discover whether the boat lacks power.

Close-hauled in 4 knots of true wind we only managed 2.8 knots of boat speed, but the boat came alive in just 5 knots of breeze when it accelerated to four knots, rising further to 4.5 of boat speed in 6 knots true. When fully powered up, maintaining 6 knots upwind shouldn’t be a problem – this is therefore a model that should out-sail many much larger cruising yachts on all points of sail.

Beneteau’s First 27 is fast, predictable and great fun to sail

Bearing away onto a beam reach, we set the nylon furling gennaker, initially in 3.5 knots of breeze which gradually built to 6 knots. Boat speed throughout matched the wind speed. Bearing away further to a true wind angle of 120° on our return to harbour we maintained 5.5 knots of speed in 6.5 knots of true wind.

The helm was super light throughout, with the boat beautifully responsive both to accurate sail trim and to distribution of crew weight. In the very light airs at the start of our test, sitting to leeward and shuffling forward had a noticeable effect on both the feel in the helm and speed.

A boat that’s so responsive adds significantly to both the fun factor and the sense of satisfaction you get from sailing, which was a welcome change for me at the end of a week testing 45-60ft yachts. However, the Beneteau First 27 has more than enough inherent stability that it’s not dependent on crew weight for this, so you can sit wherever is most comfortable or convenient.

The Beneteau First 27 is light on the helm and easily driven

Historically one of the downsides of small boats like this has often been when conditions get tough. However, this boat can be pushed far harder than most owners would contemplate, so the boat will remain safe in this respect, even if caught out in more challenging conditions than expected.

One drawback though, is the relatively short stanchions and pushpits. While they meet all the regulations for a boat of this size, a full height rail would give a better feeling of security.

The inboard engine is a 15hp with shaft drive. It’s a powerful unit for such an easily driven hull, but was chosen as it’s the smallest model that satisfies the emissions requirements of the USA’s Environmental Protection Agency.

Seven knots at cruising revs is easily attained and at full throttle we left the stern wave behind and accelerated to 10 knots! This makes it a very interesting option for a weekender, or even a quick summer evening sail, where the ability to return quickly to base is an imperative.

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This is an appealing fast cruiser that stands out for a number of reasons. Its sailing qualities promise far more satisfaction for daysailing and weekend jaunts than most cruisers can offer. Although compact, the interior is welcoming and provides for all basic needs. And it’s a boat that will be very easy to look after. It’s therefore an interesting option for someone who usually sails in the sun, whether on their own boat or with others, but wants a capable and fun yacht to keep near home for daysails, weekends and occasional longer trips. Indeed it’s clearly cross-Channel capable in decent weather and in experienced hands, with the potential for a fast passage in the right weather. Compared to the SE version, this offers the benefits of simplicity, comfort and the convenience, without sacrificing the key ethos of a boat that’s enormously enjoyable and satisfying to sail.

What is Beneteau and why should you by one

Dive into our extensive guide on Beneteau sailboats. Discover insightful perspectives, arguments and competitors - everything you need to set sail on a Beneteau

October 20, 2023

Date Posted:

June 28, 2023

Beneteau is a renowned French company that manufactures a wide variety of boats, including sailboats. The company was established in 1884 by Benjamin Beneteau and has grown over the decades to become one of the leading boat manufacturers worldwide.

The Beneteau brand is synonymous with innovation, quality, and seaworthiness. They produce different sailboats designed for various uses, from cruising to racing. The company’s sailboat range includes small boats for casual sailing, larger yachts for extended cruising, and even high-performance boats for competitive sailing.

Beneteau’s most popular sailboat lines included the Oceanis, First, and Sense series.

• The Oceanis line is designed for comfort and ease of use, making it ideal for cruising and liveaboard sailors. These boats are known for their spacious interiors, excellent build quality, and efficient sailing characteristics.
• The First series is targeted towards racing and performance-oriented sailing. These boats have sleek, streamlined designs and are built for speed while still offering some cruising comforts.
• The Sense series offers a unique blend of sailing performance and liveaboard comfort, with features designed for long-distance blue water cruising. They are known for their innovative layouts that provide an easy and seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces.

3 reasons to buy a Beneteau sailboat

Versatility and variety.

Beneteau offers a diverse range of boats to suit various needs and preferences. Whether you are looking for a performance-oriented sailboat for racing, a comfortable yacht for leisurely cruising, or a motorboat for fishing and day trips, Beneteau has options that cater to a wide spectrum of boating enthusiasts. The extensive range allows you to find a boat that aligns closely with your intended usage and style preferences.

Innovation and Modern Features

Beneteau is known for staying at the forefront of technological innovations and incorporating modern features in its boats. The company’s boats often come equipped with cutting-edge navigational systems, efficient hull designs, and luxurious amenities that enhance comfort and performance. A Beneteau boat can be an appealing choice for someone who values modernity and state-of-the-art features.

Global Support and Resale Value

Owning a Beneteau comes with the assurance of a broad global support network, thanks to the brand’s international presence. This makes it relatively easy to access service and maintenance, even if you are cruising in different parts of the world. Additionally, Beneteau’s reputation as a reliable and well-regarded brand often translates to strong resale values. For those who may wish to upgrade or sell their boat in the future, this can be an important financial consideration.

Beneteau is one of the largest boat manufacturers in the world and has an extensive history that spans over a century. Beneteau was founded in 1884 by Benjamin Beneteau, a shipbuilder who began by building fishing boats in the Vendée region of France. Over the years, the company expanded its operations to include both sailboats and motorboats, and it is now a multinational company with a presence in multiple countries worldwide.

Innovation and Design : Beneteau is known for its innovative designs and use of modern technology. The company has introduced numerous design features that have influenced the boating industry. For example, they were among the first boat builders to use GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) to construct their boats, which is now standard in the industry.

Global Presence : The company operates internationally, with dealerships and manufacturing facilities in multiple countries, including the United States and Poland. Beneteau’s boats are sold all over the world.

Environmental Responsibility : Beneteau is committed to environmental responsibility. The company strives to minimize the environmental impact of its manufacturing processes and has implemented numerous sustainability initiatives over the years.

Heritage and Reputation : With over a century of experience, Beneteau has a strong heritage and reputation in the boating industry. The brand is synonymous with reliability, and owning a Beneteau can be seen as an endorsement of quality.

Innovation and Technology : Beneteau is known for incorporating cutting-edge technology and innovative designs in their boats. They have been pioneers in many aspects, including hull design and manufacturing techniques. This means that with a Beneteau, you’re likely getting some of the latest features and innovations.

Wide Range of Options : Beneteau offers a diverse range of sailboats, from small, performance-oriented models to large, luxurious cruising yachts. This diversity makes it easier for buyers to find a boat that fits their specific needs and preferences.

Resale Value : Beneteau sailboats generally have good resale values due to the brand’s reputation and demand in the used boat market. This can be an important consideration for buyers looking at the total cost of ownership over time.

Global Support and Dealership Network : As an international brand, Beneteau has an extensive dealership and service network across the globe. This makes it easier to find service and support for your boat, no matter where you are.

Comfort and Liveability : Many Beneteau models, especially in the Oceanis range, are designed with a focus on comfort and liveability. They often feature spacious interiors, efficient layouts, and amenities that make them suitable for extended cruising and living aboard.

Performance : Particularly in their First series, Beneteau has models that are performance-oriented and well-regarded in the racing community. This is ideal for sailors who are looking to participate in regattas or who simply enjoy a more sporty sailing experience.

Community : Owning a Beneteau can also provide you with access to a community of fellow owners. There are clubs and associations for Beneteau owners, and being part of this community can be both socially rewarding and practical, as experienced owners can be a good source of advice and support.

Motorboats : In addition to sailboats, Beneteau also manufactures a wide range of motorboats. These include small outboard motorboats, larger inboard cruisers, and luxury motor yachts. They also have ranges of powerboats for different uses, from day-boating to cruising and luxury yachting.

Beneteau competitors

Beneteau has several competitors in the sailboat and motorboat markets. The boating industry is quite diverse, and the major competitors can vary depending on the type and size of the boat. Here are some of the notable competitors in the sailboat market:

• Jeanneau : Like Beneteau, Jeanneau is a French brand often considered one of Beneteau’s closest competitors. They offer a similar range of sailboats known for quality and performance. Interestingly, Beneteau and Jeanneau are part of the same parent group, Groupe Beneteau.
• Bavaria Yachtbau : A German brand, Bavaria is known for producing well-built sailboats and motorboats. Their Cruiser and Vision series of sailboats are particularly popular among cruising enthusiasts.
• HanseYachts AG : Another German manufacturer, Hanse produces a range of modern and innovative sailboats. They are known for their easy handling, performance, and customizable designs.
• Dufour Yachts : Also based in France, Dufour manufactures cruising sailboats known for their performance, quality, and comfort. They have a range of models suitable for both coastal and blue-water cruising.
• Catalina Yachts : An American brand, Catalina Yachts produces a range of sailboats known for their durability and value. They have a loyal following, particularly in the United States.
• Hunter Marine : This is another American brand well-known for producing cruising sailboats. They offer boats with a good balance of comfort, ease of use, and performance.
• Elan Yachts : Based in Slovenia, Elan builds performance-oriented cruising sailboats. They are known for incorporating innovative features and designs in their boats.

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2022 Boat of the Year: Best Pocket Cruiser/Daysailer

• By Cruising World Editors
• December 15, 2021

During and in the four days immediately following the US Sailboat show in Annapolis, Maryland, the  Cruising World  judges inspected and sailed on 27 boats vying for recognition. Learn more about the boats in our  2022 Boat of the Year  »

From the very beginning, nearly 50 years ago, Cruising World has kept an open mind as to exactly what constitutes cruising. For some, it might mean circling the globe under sail alone. For others, lowering the mast and motoring through America’s rivers, lakes and canals to complete a Great Loop fits the bill. Some seek long bluewater passages, others are content to gunkhole along a lakeshore in a shallow-draft vessel, sleeping under the stars on a cockpit bench or tucked under a boom tent should it rain.

And likewise, since the inception of our Boat of the Year contest a quarter century ago, we’ve asked our independent team of judges to evaluate a wide range of boats and measure them against their stated design brief. It’s not every year that our experts have the opportunity to inspect a category of nifty, smooth-sailing vessels under 30 feet, but for 2022, there was a trio of modestly sized smart, cool boats to put through their paces. The only problem? Each model was designed and built with a vastly different purpose (and sailor) in mind. 

The Tartan 245 was originally conceived as a training boat for sailing schools. J/Boat’s J/9 is an unabashed daysailer, meant to provide exciting spins around the harbor, even under mainsail alone. And, the Beneteau First 27 is fine-tuned to deliver performance, and definitely lives at the racier end of the spectrum. 

The judge’s task? Decide which nominee came closest to fulfilling its stated purpose.

Let’s begin with the J/9 . It’s simple. It’s fun. It’s a totally enjoyable, stress-free sailing experience that can be easily handled by any sailor looking to enjoy a breezy afternoon. And that’s just what the crew at J/Boats was striving for with their new 28-foot daysailer. 

In promotional materials, the company asks, “Is this the most comfortable cockpit ever?” And the answer, after sailing the boat on a blue-sky Annapolis day, would have to be yes. There is plenty of room for a couple of couples to sit comfortably. But the tiller and its extension also allow a singlehander to sit forward and easily reach the jib sheets, led to winches on the low-profile cabin top. Aft, there is even a small swim platform and ladder for when the time comes to douse sails and enjoy a dip on a hot afternoon.

Described from the get-go as a “daysailor,” a small cabin has room for an open V-berth, a couple of settees, a head, and space for a small portable cookstove and cooler. 

Underway in 10 knots or so of breeze, the boat was quite well mannered, even with the jib furled. Judge Tim Murphy notes, “The design writ started off with it being a mainsail-only boat, and then it ended up having a headsail too. But it’s really mainsail-driven. And the big drawing point is the huge cockpit. We sailed the boat under main alone, and sure enough, you could go out for an afternoon with just the main and have a time for yourself. The cockpit is perfect. It really is the strongest part of the boat.”

With the Tartan 245 , longtime Tartan naval architect Tim Jackett, who’s now practically synonymous with the brand, was originally asked to design an easily handled, simply laid-out 24-footer that would be ideal for sailing lessons. 

What he came up with is a delightful little boat that does all that and more. Longtime aficionados of the Carl Alberg-designed Ensign will recognize several features from that classic daysailer (the sailor who commissioned the 245 had a soft spot for Ensigns). The long and spacious cockpit, the tiller steering and the handy cuddy cabin are all perfect. What separates the designs is the Tartan’s lifting keel, which makes it versatile and trailerable. 

If the J/9’s focus is on simple sailing, the Tartan’s aim is to give students the ability to tweak sails and rig to their hearts’ content in order to learn big-boat handling and racing skills. Numerous control lines are led into the cockpit from the base of the mast, and aft, there is a beefy backstay adjuster.

The boat that the judges sailed in Annapolis was a demo boat for a local sailing school, and was stripped out inside, except for a cushion for the V-berth. But the owner’s plans included towing the boat back to his home in Florida, where he’s contemplating loading aboard a port-a-potty, cooler and stove, and possibly sailing it across to the Bahamas. Outfitted as such, it would be a sporty little vessel for exploring shallow-water venues between the cays.

With two boats that so closely hit the bullseyes described in their design briefs, there was one boat left to assess, and in the end, the Beneteau First 27 turned in a performance that insured it would sail away with the pocket-cruiser hardware.

Built in Slovenia and, before undergoing a branding and systems revamping by Beneteau, this sharp, tidy “sport cruiser” was known as the Seascape 27. By any name, it delivers thrilling performance in a compact, well-reasoned package. 

While the Seascape 27 was originally conceived as a major player in the ever-expanding world of doublehanded offshore racing— CW ’s sister publication, Sailing World , tested and rewarded that boat—the cruisier version was reintroduced this year with several tweaks and the new moniker: First 27. And as a racer/cruiser, it boasts all the amenities necessary for weekend and coastal voyaging: a serviceable head, galley and berths, and a Yanmar diesel. In other words, a couple could easily liveaboard, rather than camp, for short periods of time, but they could also expect to be serious podium contenders should those outings involve a regatta.

In the end, it was the little things that swayed the judges. “The fit-and-finish for the price point is at a different level,” judge Gerry Douglas said. “The equipment level was higher.”

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From 1884 to nowaday

Launch of Seanapps : the mobile app to sail off with a free mind

Strategic plan 2020-25 : Let’s Go Beyond!

Jérôme de Metz is appointed Chairman and CEO of Groupe Beneteau.

Launch of Band of Boats , a new community services platform for everyone with a passion for the sea.

Acquisition of Delphia Yachts , Digital Nautic , et Seascape .

Group’s three-year global transformation plan adopted.

Jeanneau and CNB celebrate their 60th and 30th anniversaries respectively.

Groupe Beneteau Racing Division created , focused on performance sailing projects. At the former JTA site in Nantes-Cheviré, work was carried out to develop the Figaro Beneteau 3, the first single-design offshore racing unit with foils.

Residential housing business shut down and Chaize le Vicomte plant converted to produce leisure homes.

Motorboat production stopped in Brazil.

North America: the Four Winns, Glastron, Wellcraft and Scarab brands joined the Group, further strengthening its motorboat range. This acquisition includes a specialist motorboat production unit in Cadillac (Michigan).

Lagoon celebrated its 30th anniversary.

HOUSING / INNOVATION

Coco Sweet created: a new functional and cozy concept for a new camping holiday experience.

Beneteau brand opened its new headquarters in Givrand (Vendée)  in a smart building aligned with BBC energy efficiency standards.

Presence established in South America: Beneteau inaugurated a plant in Brazil , building models from the Gran Turismo range.

Beneteau launched its Barracuda sport fishing range.

First BH houses delivered in Les Herbiers (Vendée)  as part of the Val de la Pellinière program, with seven four-room houses and seven three-room houses, all BBC energy-efficiency certified.

Entry into the luxury motor yacht segment with the creation, in Monfalcone (Italy), of Monte Carlo Yachts , which today offers a range from 65 to 105 feet (19.82m to 32.26m).

Prestige became a separate brand, cementing its position on the motor yacht segment with the success of the Prestige 500 , launched in 2010.

BH plant (residential housing) built in Chaize le Vicomte. This modern plant, with its integrated high-quality environmental approach, had an annual production capacity of 600 houses.

Inheriting JTA’s performance culture, the Sun Fast yachts are an integral part of the ocean racing landscape.

Microcar and Wauquiez were sold.

BH subsidiary developed on the new market for timber-frame residential housing in line with sustainable development standards.

Idéale Résidence Mobile (IRM) joined Groupe Beneteau , further strengthening its Leisure Homes business.

CNB launched the Bordeaux 60 , marking its transition to a range of semicustom super yachts.

Commercial representative and procurement office opened for Asia-Pacific in Shanghai (China) . In 2016, it transferred to Hong Kong.

Beneteau Foundation created.

Company management structure changed with the adoption of a Management Board and Supervisory Board.

Beneteau celebrated its 120th anniversary in Saint Gilles Croix de Vie.

Lagoon became the world leader for cruising catamarans.

The Figaro Beneteau 2 was launched for this event, confirming the yard’s reputation for reliability by covering the equivalent of eight Vendée Globes or 180,000 miles.

Group’s new headquarters built in Saint Gilles Croix de Vie, the Bénéteau family’s historical birthplace.

Service subsidiaries set up: EYB (European Yacht Brokerage) and SGB Finance.

Jeanneau unveiled the Prestige 36 flybridge , setting out the fundamentals for its new motor yacht range.

Limited edition activities transferred to CNB: Beneteau Fishing and Lagoon catamarans. Wauquiez (building semi-custom sailing yachts, founded in 1965 by Henri Wauquiez) joined the Group, with D. Gust taking the helm.

Chantiers Jeanneau joined Groupe Beneteau, with its subsidiaries Microcar (license-exempt vehicles) and Lagoon (catamarans).

Leisure homes: O’Hara’s first homes quickly set the standard for the camping holidays market.

CNB (large recreational boats and commercial boats) in Bordeaux and Chantiers Gendron (professional fishing) in L’Herbaudière (Noirmoutier) joined Groupe Beneteau.

Jeanneau took the top three places in the Route du Rhum race, with the legendary victory by Florence Arthaud ( Groupe Pierre 1er ), followed by Fleury Michon and RMO, all built by JTA.

Beneteau was selected to build the first single-design model with the Figaro Beneteau 1 for solo offshore racing . From 1990 to 2002, this boat sailed the equivalent of seven Vendée Globes or 156,000 miles.

Designed for family cruises, Jeanneau’s Sun Odyssey range is up to its 8th generation in 2017.

Jeanneau broke new ground by presenting the first Prestige 41 Open and moving into motor yachts.

Performance and design for the First 35.5 , created through a blend of two talents, the designer Philippe Starck and the architect Jean Berret.

High seas and coastal cruising on board the Beneteau Oceanis designed by Philippe Briand, the range that has become the global benchmark for cruising is now up to its 4th generation in 2017.

Construction Navale Bordeaux (CNB) boatyard created by Dieter Gust and Olivier Lafourcade.

Lagoon launched its first boat, the Lagoon 55 , a rapid cruising catamaran, with high volumes produced to satisfy demand.

Jeanneau launched its sport fishing range Merry Fisher , with two lines available today: fishing and cruising.

First steps taken in America , with the production unit inaugurated in Marion, South Carolina (USA).

Beneteau brand celebrated its centenary and the Group floated on the Paris stock exchange’s “second market”.

Jeanneau Techniques Avancées (JTA) was created , a high-tech yard that developed around 50 prototypes for offshore racing.

Beneteau became the world’s leading sailboat builder thanks to the success of its First models and especially the legendary First 30 .

One of the most competitive and stable sailboats of its time, the First 42 was designed by the Argentinian architect German Frers.

Jeanneau’s Sun Fizz , designed by Philippe Briand, introduced a range of new ideas and went on to enjoy international success.

Known as the 4×4 for the seas , Jeanneau launched the Cap Camarat , now a timeless classic. On this same segment, Beneteau launched the Flyer .

Beneteau reinvented traditional concepts to offer the Swift Trawler , a safe, very seaworthy and extremely comfortable day-boat , which leads its segment today.

Beneteau’s legendary First   series launched , with the unveiling of the First 30 designed by André Mauric.

The last in a long line of pinnaces produced by Beneteau since the end of the 19th century, L’Astrobale  was one of the most beautiful boats created by André Bénéteau senior.

Beneteau introduced a revolution with the planing hull on the Antarès , the range that is available today with inboard and outboard motor options .

The yard moved into a new era with Beneteau’s first twin-mast boat, the Evasion 32 , designed by André Bénéteau. More luxurious, more spacious, simply more like a yacht.

An innovative and attractive seaworthy yacht, Jeanneau’s Sangria went on to sell over 3,000 units.

New fishing cruiser concept introduced , with the cabin on Beneteau’s Baroudeur designed for on-board living. Throughout the 1970s, Beneteau developed fishing cruisers to serve diverse customers.

Pleasure of sport-fishing opened up more widely thanks to the commercial success of two new models, the Forban and Galion , which went on to sell high volumes.

New “sport fishing” boat concept introduced by Beneteau , marking the yard’s first participation in the Paris Boat Show.

First hoisting sail launched on the Jeanneau Alizé , a four-berth sailing yacht, opening up opportunities for recreational boating.

Beneteau opened up to recreational boats and introduced polyester for boat building , led by the third generation, Annette Bénéteau-Roux and André Bénéteau.

Hall Nautique de l’Ouest created by Henri Jeanneau (37 years old) in Les Herbiers (Vendée), changing its name to Jeanneau in 1960.

To take on board the region’s new fishing methods, L’Antigone  was the first boat created for tuna fishing with live bait.

Just after the war, the entire fishing feet needed to be rebuilt and André Bénéteau was determined to introduce some changes. He created bridges fitted with a helm wheel.

Symbolizing the speed that he wanted to give his boats, André Bénéteau built the Jeannot , followed by La Poursuivante in 1930.

Yard taken over by André Bénéteau (21 years old), Benjamin Bénéteau’s son.

First motorized sardine fishing boat launched , the Vainqueur des jaloux initially generated fear among local communities, who accused the “oil boat” of scaring the fish away, before winning over the sector.

Beneteau boatyard created by Benjamin Bénéteau, a naval architect, in Croix-de-Vie (Vendée), to build sailing trawlers for fishermen.