Everything you need to know about the Bénéteau Group: history, ranges and models

When was Bénéteau, the world leader in boating, founded?

The history of the boatbuilder Bénéteau begins in 1884 in Croix-de-Vie (Vendée), France. It all started with Benjamin Bénéteau’s idea to build sailing trawlers for fishermen. A few years later, he built the first motorized sardine boat.

In 1910, his son André Bénéteau took over the shipyard. After the Second World War, he was tasked with rebuilding the entire fishing fleet, then introduced a major innovation: a boat designed for tuna fishing.

The following years were marked by numerous successes in the fishing-cruising boat market, with the Jeanneau Sangria sailboats and the launch of the first Bénéteau two-masted sailboat: the Évasion 32. The Bénéteau Antares range was born in 1974 with the innovation of a planing hull. Two years later, the Bénéteau First range was introduced with the launch of the first First 30.

The development of the Bénéteau shipyard and the birth of its leading ranges

The Bénéteau First range established itself with stable and competitive sailboats, notably the First 30, the First 42 and the First 35.5. In 1982, Bénéteau was recognized as the world leader in sailboat construction.

Among the flagship models of the First range:

• The First 18, produced in 1,000 units
• The First 22, launched in 1978, produced in 750 units
• The First 25, produced in 1,115 units
• The First 29, produced in 520 units (1983–1989)
• The First 38, produced in 250 units
• The First 305, produced in 640 units
• The First 32s5, produced in 280 units
• The First 32, produced in 500 units
• The First 35, produced in 400 units

The development of the shipyard during the 1990s

First 14 SE

First 18

First 18 SE

First 22

First 24 SE

First 25

First 27 SE

First 29

First 305

First 32

First 32s5

First 35

First 38

First 14 SE

First 18

First 18 SE

First 22

First 24 SE

First 25

First 27 SE

First 29

First 305

First 32

First 32s5

First 35

First 38

he Bénéteau Oceanis range was born with the first cruising sailboats Oceanis 430 and 350, followed by the Oceanis 320 and 390. From 1990 to 2002, the one-design Figaro Bénéteau 1 completed the equivalent of 7 Vendée Globe races, or 156,000 nautical miles.

Oceanis 30.1

Oceanis 34.1

Oceanis 38.1

Oceanis 40.1

Oceanis 46.1

Oceanis 51.1

Oceanis Yacht 54

Oceanis Yacht 60

Oceanis 30.1

Oceanis 34.1

Oceanis 38.1

Oceanis 40.1

Oceanis 46.1

Oceanis 51.1

Oceanis Yacht 54

Oceanis Yacht 60

During this decade, Bénéteau acquired several shipyards: Jeanneau, Lagoon, CNB, Gendron and Wauquiez. Production focused on sailboats over 10 meters, with notably 1,400 units of the Oceanis 411 built. A new Spirit range was also introduced with the First 300, First 120 and First 260.

The new ranges of the Bénéteau Group since 2011

In 2011, Bénéteau launched the Barracuda range, aimed at sport fishermen. In 2016, the shipyard created its Racing Division focused on performance, then launched the EXCESS brand dedicated to cruising catamarans. The Figaro Bénéteau 3, the first offshore one-design equipped with foils, joined the circuit in the same period.

The international presence of the Bénéteau Group

Thanks to its significant production volumes, Bénéteau now has several shipyards in France, Europe and the United States: one site in Italy, two in Poland, two in Portugal, one in the United States, and nine in France.

Today: 10 brands and 190 boat models

The Bénéteau Group now brings together 10 brands representing 190 boat models:

• Jeanneau
• Lagoon
• Prestige
• Excess
• Delphia
• Four Winns
• Wellcraft
• Scarab
• Glastron
• Monte-Carlo Yachts

Bénéteau motor ranges

Bénéteau offers 5 motorboat ranges: Flyer (5 to 10 m), Antares (5 to 11 m), Grand Turismo (9 to 14 m), Swift Trawler (11 to 14 m) and Grand Trawler (18 m). The Antares range is available with inboard and outboard engines.

Antares 6

Antares 7

Antares 8

Antares 9

Antares 11

Antares 11 Fly

Swift Trawler 35

Swift Trawler 41

Swift Trawler 41 Fly

Swift Trawler 48

Gran Turismo 32

Gran Turismo 36

Gran Turismo 41

Gran Turismo 45

Flyer 6 SUNDECK

Flyer 6 SPACEDECK

Flyer 7 SUNDECK

Flyer 8 SPACEDECK

Flyer 8 SUNDECK

Flyer 9 SUNDECK

Flyer 9 SPACEDECK

Flyer 10

Antares 6

Antares 7

Antares 8

Antares 9

Antares 11

Antares 11 Fly

Swift Trawler 35

Swift Trawler 41

Swift Trawler 41 Fly

Swift Trawler 48

Gran Turismo 32

Gran Turismo 36

Gran Turismo 41

Gran Turismo 45

Flyer 6 SUNDECK

Flyer 6 SPACEDECK

Flyer 7 SUNDECK

Flyer 8 SPACEDECK

Flyer 8 SUNDECK

Flyer 9 SUNDECK

Flyer 9 SPACEDECK

Flyer 10

Bénéteau sailing ranges

Bénéteau offers 5 sailing ranges: First (up to 17 m), First SE, Oceanis (9 to 15 m), Oceanis Yacht, and the Figaro Bénéteau 3 (17 to 18 m). The latter, the third generation of the legendary foiling monohull, won the “European Yacht of the Year” title in 2018.

Bénéteau: exceptional build quality

Over the years, Bénéteau boats have undergone constant and remarkable evolution. Since 1884, Bénéteau has innovated to create faster, safer and more comfortable boats. Renowned for their elegant design, superior performance and exceptional build quality, Bénéteau boats are now present on all the world’s oceans.

Looking to acquire a pre-owned Bénéteau boat? Browse the listings selected by Elissa Yachting and contact our brokers for a personalized valuation.

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