The Beneteau company formed over 100 years ago on the quays of Croix-de-Vie, Vendée. For 120 years, innovation as been at the heart of Beneteau's craftmanship. And it is ground-breaking force of Benjamin Beneteau which drives the 2,500 employees. To this day, over 42,000 Beneteau yachts have been created.



The Beneteau Story - 1884: Benjamin Beneteau, produced his first sailing trawler.

1964: Beneteau introduces polyester into boat building.

1973: The Evasion 32 is created, designed by André Beneteau.

1977: Creation of the most famous Beneteau yachts - the First 30, designed by André Mauric. The First 30 was voted boat of the year at the Paris Boat Show in 1978 and marked the entry of Beneteau in the world of yacht racing.

1986: 10 years after the First 30, Beneteau launches a new generation of yachts, at the Paris Boat Show - the Oceanis cruising yachts.

2006: Beneteau launched a new generation of Oceanis co-designed by Berret Racoupeau and Nauta. Four models from 40 to 50 foot were launched in a year.

2006-2007: Beneteau wins the "Yard of the Year" from the European Press during the Dusseldorf boat show. Beneteau is commended for its creativity and its capacity to innovate.

Design - Innovation and creativity have steered Beneteau for 120 years and the design department compromises of twenty experts. Devoting a large amount of their time to keeping up with technological innovations and being highly involved in projects for new boats, the R & D office provides technical solutions responding to more and more extensive design, quality and cost control requirements.

The main aim of the laboratory is to search for imaginative solutions in order to reduce production time. The R & D department is particularly committed to the yard's environmental approach.

Moving forward - In the last fifty years, Beneteau has doubled the speed of its yachts. Safety, comfort and simplicity of use have progressed remarkably, making the pleasure of sailing much more intense. Each new project is a challenge to which the architects within the Beneteau design offices, are committed to.

The latest developments from the yard are 5 new yachts in the space of 12 months. The design office now has an overall digital model solution, which speeds up the design phase. The modelling of surfaces, optimisation of complex parts and space management, are all treated concurrently. From conception, all in-house departments and exterior designers and suppliers, share and view the same information.

In a few years, Beneteau have made considerable headway in terms of innovation, reactiveness, quality and cost control.

The range - Oceanis Yachts designed for cruising, showcasing the elegance and performance of Beneteau. The beauty of its woodwork, performance and hull profile, as well as intelligent fittings, makes the Oceanis in a class of its own.

Created over thirty years ago, the First range still shows incredible vitality. Designed to cruise, the First makes no concessions to safety on board. The choice of materials and manufacturing processes using the latest technology make it possible to combine durability, lightness and ergonomics. The year 2008 creates a perfect blend of safety, elegance and performance.

Cyclades - A range of cruising yachts designed for easy sailing. The Cyclades range offers twin helm wheels for more comfort underway and more room to move, a cockpit designed for easy boat handling and instrument mounting points on the cockpit table and helm consoles.

Beneteau 57 - With a dream-like silhouette, by Farr Yacht Design, and unforgettable comfort, this top of the line Beneteau will satisfy the most demanding yacht owner.