# Beneteau

Beneteau or Bénéteau (French pronunciation:) is a French sail and motorboat manufacturer, with production facilities in France and in the United States. The company is a large and recognized boat builder, with its holding company (Groupe Beneteau) now also holding other prestigious brands, such as Jeanneau and its multihull subsidiary Lagoon in 1995.

## History

Shipwright Benjamin Bénéteau [fr] founded the company in 1884, at Croix-de-Vie, France to build sailing trawlers. In the mid sixties, Benjamin's grandchildren Annette Bénéteau Roux and her brother André Bénéteau introduced a line of fiberglass boats.

## Production

The main production facility is in France, with five factories in the Vendée area. However, they have one US plant in Marion, South Carolina, which produces boats for the American market and opened in 1986. Since then, the factory has nearly doubled in size to about 250,000 square feet (23,000 m$^2$). By May 2017, the Marion plant had built more than 8,700 boats. The Marion plant was closed in September 2020 and production was moved to the existing facilities in France.

## Beneteau sailing models

Below is a list of Beneteau yacht models.

### Early models

| Name | Designer | Years | Notes |
| Guppy | - | 1964 | Dinghy |
| Fletan | - | 1966 | |
| Galion | - | 1967 | |
| Baroudeur | André Bénéteau | 1970 | |
| Piranha | - | 1972 | |
| Kerlouan | André Bénéteau | 1972 | |
| Capelan | André Bénéteau | 1972 | |
| Baroudeur MkII | André Bénéteau | 1973 | |
| Cabochard | André Bénéteau | 1973 | |
| Escapade | André Bénéteau | 1976 | |
| Chenapan | André Bénéteau | 1976 | |
| Canot 3.90 | - | 1977 | Junk Rig |
| Wizz | Jean-Marie Finot | 1981 | Two Person Dinghy |
| California 5.20 | André Bénéteau | 1982 | |
| California 4.70 | André Bénéteau | 1983 | |
| California 6.60 | André Bénéteau | 1983 | |
| California 5.50 | André Bénéteau | 1986 | |
| Beneteau Idylle 880 | André Bénéteau | 1982 | |
| Beneteau Idylle 1050 | André Bénéteau | 1985 | |
| Beneteau Idylle 1150 | Jean Berret | 1983 | |
| Beneteau Idylle 1350 | Germán Frers | 1984 | |
| Beneteau Idylle 1550 | Germán Frers | 1985 | (also known as the Mooring 51) |

### One design racing

Sortable table :
| Name | Designer | Years | Notes |
| Mumm 36 | Bruce Farr | 1992 | European Builder |
| Beneteau 25 / Platu 25 | Bruce Farr | 1996 | European Builder |
| First Class 7 | Jean-Marie Finot; Jacques Fauroux | 1984 | Racer/Cruiser |
| First Class 7.5 | Jean-Marie Finot | 2003 | Racer |
| First Class 8 | Jean-Marie Finot; Jacques Fauroux | 1982 | |
| First Class 10 | Jean-Marie Finot; Jacques Fauroux | 1983 | |
| First Class 12 | Jean-Marie Finot | 1986 | |
| First Class Europe | Jean-Marie Finot | 1989 | |
| First Class Challenge | Jean-Marie Finot; Jean Berret | 1992 | |
| Beneteau Figaro | Jean-Marie Finot; Jean Berret | 1994 | |
| Beneteau Figaro 2 | Marc Lombard | 2002 | |
| Beneteau Figaro 3 | Van Peteghem – Lauriot Prévost | 2017–Present | |

### Racer/cruiser - first series

These are racer/cruiser sailboats, with a higher emphasis on the racing aspects, yet are substantially equipped for comfortable cruising. They are equipped with tall fractional rigs, high performance keels and upgraded deck hardware. Introduced in 1976 with the First 30 model designed by Andre Mauric. The current First models being offered include:
| Name | Designer | Years | Notes |
| GENERATION 1 |||||
| First 18 | Groupe Finot | 1979 | |
| First 22 | Groupe Finot | 1978 | |
| First 24 | Jean-Marie Finot | 1983 | |
| First 25 | Jean-Marie Finot | 1980 | |
| First 26 | Jean-Marie Finot | 1984 | |
| First 27 | André Mauric | 1978 | |
| First 28 | Jean-Marie Finot | 1981 | |
| First 29 | Groupe Finot | 1984 | |
| First 30 & 30E | André Mauric | 1977 | |
| First 32 | Jean Berret | 1981 | |
| First 38 | Jean Berret | 1982 | |
| First 42 | Germán Frers | 1981 | |
| GENERATION 2 |||||
| First 235 | Jean-Marie Finot | 1986 | |
| First 265 | Jean-Marie Finot | 1991 | |
| First 285 | Jean-Marie Finot | 1987 | |
| First 305 | Jean Berret | 1985 | |
| First 310 | Groupe Finot | 1990 | |
| First 325 | Jean Berret | 1984 | |
| First 345 | Jean Berret | 1984 | |
| First 375 | Jean Berret | 1985 | |
| First 405 | Jean Berret | 1986 | |
| First 435 | Germán Frers | 1985 | |
| First 456 | Germán Frers | 1983 | |
| First 51 | Germán Frers | 1987 | |
| GENERATION 3 |||||
| First 32S5 | Jean Berret | 1988 | Philippe Starck |
| First 35S5 | Jean Berret | 1988 | Philippe Starck |
| First 35.7 | Jean Berret | 1992 | Philippe Starck |
| First 36S7 | Jean Berret | 1995 | Philippe Starck |
| First 38S5 | Jean Berret | 1989 | Philippe Starck |
| First 41S5 | Jean Berret | 1989 | Philippe Starck |
| First 42S7 | Bruce Farr | 1994 | Philippe Starck |
| First 45F5 | Bruce Farr | 1990 | Sergio PININFARINA |
| First 53F5 | Bruce Farr | 1990 | Sergio PININFARINA |
| GENERATION 4 |||||
| First 210 Spirit | Jean-Marie Finot | 1992 | |
| First 211 | Groupe Finot | 1998 | |
| First 260 Spirit | Groupe Finot | 1995 | |
| First 300 Spirit | Groupe Finot | 1994 | |
| First 31.7 | Finot Conq et Associés | 1998 | |
| First 33.7 | Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design | 1996 | |
| First 36.7 | Farr Yacht Design | 2001 | |
| First 40.7 | Farr Yacht Design | 1997 | |
| First 44.7 | Farr Yacht Design | 2003 | |
| First 47.7 | Farr Yacht Design | 1999 | |
| GENERATION 5 |||||
| First 21.7 | Groupe Finot | 2004 | |
| First 21.7S | Finot Conq et Associés | 2007 | |
| First 25.7 | Jean-Marie Finot | 2004 | |
| First 27.7s | Groupe Finot | 2002 | |
| First 34.7 (10R) | Farr Yacht Design | 2005 | |
| GENERATION 6 |||||
| First 20 | Finot-Conq Architects | | |
| First 25 | Finot-Conq Architects | | |
| First 30 | Juan Yacht Design | 2010 | Nauta Design |
| First 35 | Farr Yacht Design | 2008 | Nauta Design |
| First 40 | Farr Yacht Design | 2007 | Nauta Design |
| First 45 | P. Briand Yacht Design | 2007 | |
| First 50 | P. Briand Yacht Design | 2006 | Veerle Battiau |
| GENERATION 7 |||||
| First 53 | Biscontini Yacht Design | 2019–Present | Styling: Lorenzo Argento |

### Sense series

Introduced in 2010, the Sense range is a modern interpretation of a cruising yacht, incorporating several industry firsts, while the company continued to produce the more conventional Oceanis cruising range. It introduced innovations to the deck, superstructure, and interior design.
* Sense 50 (First built in 2010)
* Sense 43 (First built in 2011)
* Sense 55 (First built in 2012)
* Sense 46 (First built in 2013)
* Sense 57 (First built in 2016)

### Oceanis Series

| Name | Designer | Years | Notes |
| GENERATION 1 (Launched 1986-1991) |||||
| Oceanis 320 | Philippe Briand | 1987 | |
| Oceanis 350 | Philippe Briand | 1985 | |
| Oceanis 370 | Philippe Briand | 1989 | |
| Oceanis 390 | | 1987 | |
| Oceanis 430 | Philippe Briand | 1985 | |
| Oceanis 500 | Philippe Briand | 1987 | |
| GENERATION 2 (Launched 1991-1995) |||||
| Oceanis 281 | Jean-Marie Finot | 1994 | |
| Oceanis 300 | Jean-Marie Finot | 1991 | |
| Oceanis 321 | Jean-Marie Finot | 1994 | |
| Oceanis 351 / 352 | Jean Berret; Olivier Racoupeau | 1993 | Armel Briand |
| Oceanis 400 | Jean-Marie Finot | 1992 | |
| Oceanis 440 | Bruce Farr | 1991 | |
| Oceanis 461 | Bruce Farr | 1995 | Armel Briand |
| Oceanis 50 | Bruce Farr | 1995 | Armel Briand |
| Oceanis 510 | Philippe Briand | 1992 | |
| GENERATION 3 (Launched 1993-2003) |||||
| Oceanis 36CC | Jean Berret; Olivier Racoupeau | 1996 | Armel Briand |
| Oceanis 40CC | Jean-Marie Finot | 1994 | Armel Briand |
| Oceanis 42CC | Jean-Marie Finot | 2001 | |
| Oceanis 44CC | Bruce Farr | 1994 | Armel Briand |
| Oceanis 57 | Bruce Farr | 2002 | Franck Darnet Design |
| GENERATION 4 (Launched 1995-2008) |||||
| Oceanis Clipper 311 | | | |
| Oceanis Clipper 323 | | | |
| Oceanis Clipper 331 | | | |
| Oceanis Clipper 343 | | | |
| Oceanis Clipper 361 | | | |
| Oceanis Clipper 373 | | | |
| Oceanis Clipper 381 | | | |
| Oceanis Clipper 393 | | | |
| Oceanis Clipper 411 | | | |
| Oceanis Clipper 423 | | | |
| Oceanis Clipper 473 | | | |
| Oceanis Clipper 523 | Jean-Marie Finot | 2004 | |
| GENERATION 5 |||||
| Oceanis 34 | Jean-Marie Finot | 2008 | Nauta Design |
| Oceanis 37 | Jean-Marie Finot; Pascal Conq | 2007 | Nauta Design |
| Oceanis 40 | Jean Berret; Olivier Racoupeau | 2006 | Nauta Design |
| Oceanis 41 | Finot - Conq & Associés | 2011 | Nauta Design |
| Oceanis 43 | Jean Berret; Olivier Racoupeau | 2006 | Nauta Design |
| Oceanis 46 | Jean Berret; Olivier Racoupeau | 2007 | Nauta Design |
| Oceanis 50 | Jean Berret; Olivier Racoupeau | 2005 | Nauta Design |
| Oceanis 50 mk2 | Jean Berret; Olivier Racoupeau | 2009 | Nauta Design |
| Oceanis 54 | Jean Berret; Olivier Racoupeau | 2008 | Nauta Design |
| Oceanis 58 | Jean Berret; Olivier Racoupeau | 2009 | Nauta Design |
| GENERATION 6 |||||
| Oceanis 31 | Finot - Conq | | Nauta Design |
| Oceanis 35 | Finot - Conq | | Nauta Design |
| Oceanis 38 | Finot - Conq | | Nauta Design |
| Oceanis 45 | Finot - Conq | | Nauta Design |
| Oceanis 48 | Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design | | Nauta Design |
| Oceanis 55 | Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design | | Nauta Design |
| Oceanis 60 | Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design | | Nauta Design |
| GENERATION 7 |||||
| Oceanis 30.1 | Finot - Conq | | Nauta Design |
| Oceanis 35.1 | Finot - Conq | | Nauta Design |
| Oceanis 38.1 | Finot - Conq | | Nauta Design |
| Oceanis 41.1 | Finot - Conq | | Nauta Design |
| Oceanis 46.1 | Finot - Conq | | Nauta Design |
| Oceanis 51.1 | Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design | | Nauta Design |
| Oceanis 55.1 | Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design | | Nauta Design |
| Oceanis Yacht 62 | Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design | | Andreani Design |

### Seascape

In 2018 Beneteau purchased Seascape and rebrand it products under the Beneteau First brand.

## Beneteau Powerboats models
### Swift Trawler series

These are trawler yacht powerboats. The Swift Trawler 42 was the company's first trawler yacht and the first Beneteau powerboat to reach the U.S. Market.

### Outboard motorboats

These are outboard powered motorboats in three different models: Antares cabin cruisers, Barracuda seafishing boats and Flyer console boats.

## Notable boats or models

* Beneteau 31
* Beneteau 361
* Beneteau First 235
* Beneteau First 285
* Beneteau Oceanis 321
* Mumm 36
* Platu 25