where are beneteau sailboats made

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BENETEAU - Designed to be remarkable

A remarkable anniversary.

Our long history and tradition demonstrate our commitment to continuous innovation and pride in the quality and craftsmanship. They strive to push the boundaries of what is possible in terms of boat design and performance while making sailing and boating accessible to everyone, from experienced sailors to newcomers. 

LET'S CELEBRATE TOGETHER

There’s a whole world to discover out there, and there’s no better way to  discover it than at our BENETEAU events . Come and join our family at our events, boat shows, owners rendezvous, and leave with a lifestyle !

Tampa Bay Boat Show

Next events, jersey shore boat sale & expo, beneteau by invitation by g. winter's sailing, annapolis powerboat show.

We built our first boats  in 1884  and many things have changed since then. We’ve transformed 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. 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 sailing yacht and powerboat.

Exclusive Updates

Did you know that every month BENETEAU sends out a newsletter that gives you exclusive updates and the latest news from around the Americas? Don't miss VIP invitations to events, sneak previews of our new launches, tips from the experts, stories from owners, and more!

Seizing the Moment: Uncover Exceptional Value in BENETEAU Ownership

Current market conditions offer unprecedented opportunities to purchase a BENETEAU at discounted prices, with faster delivery times, and potential long-term financial benefits.

Embark on a remarkable voyage with the new Swift Trawler 54

BENETEAU, the world’s leading marine brand, celebrates 140 years of expertise and innovation with this new addition to the successful Swift Trawler range.

Navigating the Waters: How to select the best boat insurance

Owning a boat brings a sense of adventure and freedom, but it also comes with responsibilities, one of which is securing adequate insurance coverage.

We love sharing the  boating lifestyl e 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. BENETEAU has been building  sailing yachts  and  powerboats  for all types of boating practices since 1884. Would you like to  buy a new boat ? Leisure boating, short trips, cruising, competitive sailing – whatever type of sailing you envision, there is a boat to suit you at your  local BENETEAU dealer .

BENETEAU: A LONG STORY THAT BEGAN IN 1884 

The first BENETEAU boats sailed from the shipyards of Croix-de-Vie over 136 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.

WIDE RANGE OF SAILING YACHTS AND POWERBOATS 

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, FIRST SE, 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.

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.

THE LARGEST WORLDWIDE 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.

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From 1884 to nowaday

140th anniversary of Groupe Beneteau

Establishment in Tunisia: Groupe Beneteau Tunisia

Creation of the Boating Solutions division : boat rentals, boat clubs, charters, marinas, financing solutions and personalized digital experiences.

Acquisition of Wiziboat , specialized in boat clubs, mainly in France and Europe.

The Elium® revolution, recyclable resin : the BENETEAU First 44e and JEANNEAU Sun Fast 30 OD pave the way for a circular economy in the sailing industry.

Launch of our CSR program, B-Sustainable , for sustainable boating

Change of Governance: Bruno Thivoyon appointed Chief Executive Officer of Groupe Beneteau

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.

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Beneteau Sailboats: From Family Shop to Global Hit

Eleanor Beardsley

Fifty years ago, Beneteau was a small, family-owned company that made fishing boats in a French village. Now it's the world's top sailboat maker, with dealers in 50 countries. Reporter Eleanor Beardsley has more on the woman who transformed the company.

A worker puts the finishing touches on a boat at the Beneteau factory on the French Atlantic coast. Eleanor Beardsley for NPR hide caption

A worker puts the finishing touches on a boat at the Beneteau factory on the French Atlantic coast.

Related NPR Stories

High fuel prices keep boats docked, captain fatty lives the high life on the high seas, boating industry slump could signal recession.

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• Sailboat Guide

Benjamin Beneteau, shipwright, founded the Beneteau boatyard at Croix-de-Vie, France to build sailing trawlers. In 1964 Annette Beneteau Roux and her brother, Andre, granddaughter and grandson to Benjamin, diversified the company with the introduction of fiberglass sailing yachts. With the introduction of the FLETAN and the GUPPY, Beneteau took part in the 1965 Paris Boat Show for the first time, establishing its reputation for building seaworthy pleasure craft. The FIRST 30, designed by Andre Mauric and introduced in 1976, was the beginning of Beneteau’s very successful First series. It was chosen Boat of the Year at the Paris Boat Show and also won the first leg of the Figaro Single-Handed Race. In response to its expanding North American market, Beneteau opened a production facility in Marion, South Carolina. Within four years, Beneteau became one of the top three sailboat manufacturers in America. ***(In order to simplify things, all the Beneteau models, for which we have adequate information, have been listed under the ‘Beneteau’ section. Beneteau’s were often given differEnt names depending on which part of the world they were sold (and/or built). This, in addition to boats that were sold directly to charter companies which also used their own names.) Today, (2016) Beneteau is largest builder of sailboats in the world.

Associations

• First 260 Spirit
• One Ton Class
• First 30 Association (FRA)
• TOUR DE FRANCE A LA VOILE
• Moorings Yacht Charter
• First 40.7 (Beneteau) - Chicago Fleet
• Half Ton Class
• Micro Class (IMCCA)
• IOR 3/4 ton
• Farr 30 Class Association
• Figaro II Class (Beneteau)
• First 36.7 Association

Beneteau First 235

• André Bénéteau
• Andre Mauric
• Berret-Racoupeau
• Farr Yacht Design
• German Frers
• Groupe Finot
• Groupe Finot/Jean Beret
• Group Finot
• Jacques Fauroux
• Jean Berret
• Jean Berret/ Philippe Starck
• Jean Berret/Phillippe Starck
• Jean Marie Finot (Groupe Finot)
• Juan Kouyoumdjian
• Marc Lombard
• Philippe Briand
• Philippe Stark
• Phillipe Briand
• Roberto Biscontini
• Samuel Manuard
• Van Peteghem/Lauriot-Prevost

237 sailboats built by Beneteau

Beneteau First 25

Beneteau First 18

Beneteau Oceanis 311

Beneteau First Class 8

First 30 (Beneteau - Mauric)

Beneteau california 550.

Beneteau Oceanis 321

Beneteau First 36.7

Beneteau First 22

Beneteau First 24

Beneteau First 28

Beneteau First 40.7

Beneteau First 265

Beneteau First 29

Beneteau First 260 Spirit

Beneteau First 310

Beneteau First 345

Beneteau First 35

Beneteau First 285

First 30 E (Beneteau - Berret)

Beneteau Oceanis 400

Beneteau First 35S5

Beneteau Oceanis 281

Beneteau Evasion 25

Beneteau Evasion 32

Beneteau Oceanis 300

Beneteau Baroudeur

Beneteau 50

Beneteau california 660.

Beneteau California 470

Beneteau Figaro Solo

Beneteau First Class 7

Beneteau First Class 10

Beneteau Oceanis 331

Beneteau Figaro II

Moorings 38-2

Beneteau moorings 38.

Beneteau First Class 12

Beneteau 1 Ton

Beneteau first ims 40.7.

Beneteau Oceanis 48

Beneteau Cyclades 50.5

Beneteau Oceanis 411

Beneteau Oceanis 31

Beneteau First 33.7

Moorings 402cc.

Beneteau First 325

Beneteau Evasion 22

Beneteau First 235 SK

Beneteau Oceanis 37

Moorings 505.

Beneteau First Class Europe

Beneteau First 51

Beneteau 49

Moorings 51

Beneteau first 32s5 wk.

Beneteau First 40

Beneteau Oceanis 45

Moorings 43.3

Beneteau oceanis 350 wk, moorings 332.

Beneteau Oceanis 430

Beneteau oceanis 35.

Beneteau First 42S7

Beneteau 46

Beneteau sense 55.

Beneteau First 35-2

Beneteau First 27

Beneteau sense 43.

Beneteau First Class 7.5

Moorings 432

Beneteau forban mkii.

Beneteau 423

Beneteau First 305

First 45 (Beneteau - Briand)

Beneteau Oceanis 361

Beneteau piranha 17, beneteau r/c 35.

Beneteau First 211

Beneteau 25 Platu

Beneteau Oceanis 34

Moorings 382.

Beneteau Idylle 8.80

Beneteau 361

Beneteau Oceanis 55

Beneteau Oceanis 323

Beneteau Cyclades 51.5

Beneteau First 38

Beneteau Oceanis 440

Beneteau 373

Beneteau guppy.

Beneteau 43

Beneteau Oceanis 510

Beneteau Oceanis 36 CC

Beneteau First 25S

Beneteau Blue II

Beneteau Oceanis 54

Beneteau Idylle 1550

Beneteau 44 CC

Beneteau oceanis clipper 523.

Beneteau Oceanis 320

Beneteau Oceanis 390

Beneteau 37

Beneteau First 300

Beneteau First 42

Beneteau Escapade

Beneteau Oceanis 41

Beneteau 343, beneteau cabochard.

Beneteau 393

Moorings 463.

Beneteau First 210

Beneteau blue 41.

Beneteau Oceanis 58

Beneteau First 53F5

Beneteau Idylle 1150

Beneteau Capelan

Beneteau First 27.7

Beneteau Oceanis 42 CC

Beneteau First 435

Beneteau Oceanis 461

Beneteau First 26

Beneteau 34

Moorings 39, beneteau 36.7, beneteau 34.7, moorings 50.5, beneteau first 42sf.

Beneteau Evasion 36

Beneteau Oceanis 370

Moorings 500.

Beneteau 31

Beneteau Oceanis 50

Beneteau First 35S7

Beneteau First 31.7

Beneteau sense 57.

Beneteau 523

Beneteau Kerlouan

Beneteau Oceanis 38

Beneteau Oceanis 400 CC

Beneteau First 50

Beneteau First Class Challenge

Beneteau r/c 42.

Beneteau First 375

Beneteau Oceanis 351

Beneteau Sense 46

Beneteau Evasion 29

Beneteau Sense 50

Beneteau Oceanis 40

Beneteau oceanis 311 lktr.

Beneteau Oceanis 35.1

Beneteau First 38S5

Beneteau first 20.

Beneteau 461

Beneteau Oceanis 473

Beneteau 331

Beneteau 411, beneteau oceanis 523.

Beneteau Oceanis 343

Beneteau First 10R

Beneteau Oceanis 381

Beneteau Oceanis 46.1

Beneteau Evasion 37

Moorings 51.5

Beneteau First 41S5

Beneteau 473

Beneteau First 45F5

Beneteau First 36S7

Beneteau 40

Beneteau Oceanis 352

Beneteau First Yacht 53

Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 60

Beneteau oceanis 41.1.

Beneteau First 35-2 Carbon Edition

Beneteau first 18 se.

Beneteau First 44

Beneteau first 36.

Beneteau Oceanis 30.1

Beneteau First 24 SE

Beneteau Figaro 3

Beneteau Oceanis 37.1

Beneteau Oceanis 40.1

Beneteau first 44 performance.

Beneteau First 14

Beneteau First 24-2

Beneteau First 27-2

Beneteau Oceanis 34.1

Beneteau First 27 SE

Beneteau oceanis 38.1.

Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54

Beneteau First 14 SE

Beneteau Oceanis 55.1

Farr 30 (Mumm 30)

Beneteau Oceanis 350

Beneteau First 47.7

Beneteau stardust 311.

Beneteau Evasion 28

Beneteau Oceanis 60

Beneteau First 44.7

Beneteau first 25.7.

Beneteau Cyclades 39.3

Beneteau oceanis 423.

Beneteau Idylle 1050

Beneteau Oceanis 44 CC

Beneteau Evasion 34

First 45 (Beneteau - Farr)

Beneteau Oceanis 46

Beneteau Oceanis 500

Benenteau oceanis 51.1.

Beneteau 57

Beneteau First 32S5

Beneteau oceanis 393, beneteau galion.

Beneteau 62

Beneteau First 25 SK

Beneteau First 32

Beneteau Idylle 1350

Beneteau 323

Beneteau Forban MKI

Beneteau First 405

Beneteau First 456

Beneteau fletan, beneteau first 47.7 race, beneteau stardust 433.

Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 62

Moorings 41.3, moorings 362-3.

Beneteau 311

First 30 (Beneteau - Juan K.)

Beneteau cyclades 43.3, beneteau first 35.7, beneteau sense 51, beneteau first 21.7, first 30 es (beneteau - berret).

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Groupe-Beneteau Announces Reopening of South Carolina Production Facility

• By The Editors
• Updated: May 4, 2020

Groupe-Beneteau is pleased to announce that they have reopened their production facility in Marion, South Carolina, as of Monday, May 4, 2020. The plant had been closed for several weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company has elected to implement a gradual restart to make it easier to comply with the CDC, South Carolina’s State Laws, and corporate policies.

“Groupe-Beneteau has put many protective measures in place, keeping each employee’s safety at the forefront of importance.” says Yannick Madiot, COO.

“We have special stations set up for truck drivers and other suppliers to enter the property and before our doors open on Monday morning, each employee will have been issued their PPE (personal protective equipment) including face mask, and personal bottles of hand sanitizer. In addition, we have constructed specially designed hygiene stations which are located throughout the production floor.”

BGM (Groupe-Beneteau Manufacturing) opened its doors in 1986 for the sole purpose of producing cruising sailboats for the North American market. Today, the facility is building both Beneteau and Jeanneau sailboats from 34 to 46 feet.

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Better Sailing

Beneteau Vs Jeanneau: Which is Better?

I want to start this article by saying that both Beneteau and Jeanneau produce fine boats built to high standards, and you can’t go wrong either way. However, in today’s article, we will take a closer look at both brands to determine each’s pros and cons and hopefully help you make up your mind when purchasing one. 

Beneteau offers a wide range of sailing boats in various sizes, from small boats such as the First 14 to bigger ones like the Oceanis Yacht 62. In their production line, there are power boats as well as sailboats ideal for both leisure boating and sports events. Beneteau is a reputable brand to be reckoned with as far as international boating standards are concerned. Their boats have won famous international races such as Fastnet, Sydney Hobart, and the Middle Sea Race.

The Beneteau group acquired Jeanneau in 1995, so Beneteau and Jeanneau boats are essentially the same brand with some differences in how the two of them do things. Jeanneau produces luxurious and timeless boats by architects with a world-class reputation between 33 feet (like the Sun Odyssey 349) and 64 feet (like the Jeanneau 64 ). Their boats are famous for their comfort, sportiness, and sheer luxury. Jeanneau is famous for making their customers’ comfort a top priority, and personally, I like the timeless design.

Beneteau Vs Jeanneau – Overall Built Quality

According to my personal experience, an interview that I did with a boat surveyor and an online independent boat owners review group, there have been subtle choices of the Jeanneau newer models having a stronger build than the previous Beneteau boats. This is because the Jeanneau’s hull is built using the glassed-in stringers and floors and won’t come unglued. On the other hand, Beneteau has a dropped in moulded pan model. The glassed-in grid system is superior to the glued-in liner system.

Besides that and a few other variations on different architectural approaches, the overall built quality is typically the same, and many of their boats are even produced in the same factories.

Beneteau boats are often made for charter and the family market, with design towards more roomy interiors and bigger, more comfortable cabins and galley. This means more storage in the cabins and roomier bathrooms. Jeanneau boats, however, perform better as cruisers. They point well, do not often creak and slam, and are lovely sailors that ride well with the wind. The keels are robust, and these features culminate to make them better under sail. Still, even though their interior has enough space and provides comfort, they come second to the Beneteau in that aspect.

>>Also Read: Best Sailboats Under 100k

Jeanneau has promised and delivered its customers on an international scale peace of mind concerning their cherished Jeanneau boats. With an extended general warranty which was moved up from 2 years to 3 years, customers can boldly cruise wherever on earth and never need to worry if the part they are sailing in voids their warranty or not. They have a 5-year blister warranty on hull blistering thanks to the new material resin they now use as a barrier coat. The 7-year warranty covers all Jeanneau boats’ structure exclusively, which means that all deck and hull repairs with regards to manufacturing defects as recognized by technical services are covered under this 7-year warranty package. What’s so much more is that this 7-5-3 warranty is transferable upon the boat’s resale to future owners. So, the Jeanneau warranty can still cover a second-hand buyer, which helps with the resale of your boat.

The Beneteau group parts and labor warranty for replacing any defective parts as detected by professional technicians in the department is offered. This will last for 3 years following the delivery of your purchased boat. Then similarly to Jeanneau, they also offer a 7-year structural warranty that will cover the expenses of any fault that is deemed by your dealer’s diagnosis to be the manufacturer’s fault. This period of 7 years starts counting following the purchase of a new boat from any authorized retail outlets.

>>Also Read: Best Sailboats Under 40 Feet

Architects and Designers

Beneteau first did architectural work with an outsider in 1975. This collaboration produced the First 30, and since then, Beneteau crafts have been boats to reckon with at sea. Today Beneteau continues to partner with seasoned architects to make the best naval crafts. These architects go to great lengths to make real innovative stuff. Some of these well-known architects and their companies are Pierangelo Andreani of ANDREANI DESIGN, a designer and an architect; Jean Berret & Olivier Racoupeau of BERRET-RACOUPEAU DESIGN; Robert Biscontini of BISCONTINI YACHT DESIGN, who doubles as a Naval architect and a designer. These renowned companies and men have been and are behind the architectural structure and design of Beneteau crafts.

Jeanneau has worked out something similar to the Beneteau in line with their design department. Their boats are distinguished by their elegance, with constant innovation drawn in by the crème-de-la-crème in the naval architecture niche. Together with the well-tempered execution of the Jeanneau project teams, these designs help to achieve the attractive and easy to handle boats they are well-known for. Some of their architectural designers include Daniel Andrieu of ANDRIEU YACHT DESIGN; Vittorio Garroni, CEO of GARRONI DESIGN; Marc Lombard of MARC LOMBARD DESIGN; and Andrew Winch of WINCH DESIGN.

>>Also Read: Best Sailboats to Live On

Beneteau’s revolutionary Dock & Go System is a kind innovation in the boating world that eliminates the worry of manually maneuvering your watercraft into a dock and providing a solution to the cumbersome task of having to handle your boat in close quarters. The new Beneteau boats come with a joystick that synchronizes a pivoting saildrive base and bow thruster. The Dock & Go system combines the engine’s assistance and bow thruster to give the same thrust both astern and ahead. It is also compatible with feathering/folding propellers, which helps optimize a yacht’s thrust for all-around maneuverability.

Jeanneau partnered with the ZF Marine Industries group to create a similar Dock & Go System, one which allows a joystick to direct the boat to whichever direction within a 360 degrees angle just with the push of a button. They named this system the 360⁰ docking, a name culled from the directions. This system can move the boat at the desired speed for an easy and fulfilled experience. Subsequent models of boats were released after the innovation came fully equipped with it.

>>Also Read: Beneteau vs. Catalina

Building Materials

As for building materials, the Beneteau group uses resin and balsa core to build their hull. Balsa core is a sandwich laminated between the inner and outer fiberglass material. This balsa core permits resin quantity reduction in each hull constituent while still maintaining the desired structural strength. Resin constituent reduction in the hull means lighter weight and better sailing. It can also make the boat go faster. Balsa core is infamous for high resistance, noise reduction, and insulation. Wood for their boats is reportedly purchased from only certified and controlled sources who cut with the good of the ecosystem at heart. Alpi Wood seems to be their favorite choice, and why wouldn’t it be? Alpi Wood perfectly suits timber for marine products and is definitely a renewable resource.

Jeanneau makes their modern monohull using the vacuum resin infusion molding technique, and they also use something similar when they make the deck. This is implemented to control weight and also to create a quality finish. No wonder Jeanneau boat owners always have some scintillating (no matter how subtle or little) to say about their boats finishing. They have also been making use of fiberglass to make their hulls since 1958 and because this material is just as -if not more- reliable as wood which has been the preferred choice of building material.

They use this fiberglass technology known as an infusion to make hulls for bigger boats. Infusion is where they lay up dry fiberglass cloth in the mold and enclose it in a vacuum with a plastic film. Then they pour the resin to seep in and seed the entire cloth. The result is an overall weight reduction and optimization of the resin quantity to increase the strength and resistance of each piece produced.

Beneteau Vs Jeanneau – Final Thoughts

Much, yet not enough, has been said about these two innovative boat brands, and this is because there are so many good things to say about both Beneteau and Jeanneau. Because both brands are basically the same company, many similarities have arisen in the course of our comparison. Not to worry, though, because both brands are constant award winners in races and yearly awards and what is more important is that their owners are the proudest to own them. 

Personally, although I believe that Beneteau boats are nice and comfortable and sail reasonably well, Jeanneau boats are better as they feel and sail like proper sailboats. Jeanneau boats point well, sail better and don’t creek as much or slam as hard. Also, keel fittings feel more robust and feel better-built all around.

Pro Tip:  If you are torn between buying a Jeanneau or a Beneteau sailboat but are unsure which one you should go for, then I strongly suggest that you charter each of the boats for at least a week. That way, you will find out which boat fits your needs better and which one you like better. That way, you can avoid making an expensive mistake.

Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge.

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