French boatbuilder Beneteau has restarted production at three of its sites as it announced half-year earnings that showed a 4.7% rise in consolidated revenues by the end of February.

International Boat Industry reports that this was thanks to sustained business in both its boat and housing divisions — though it represents a period before the impact of coronavirus on the economy worldwide.

In response to the current crisis, Beneteau’s CEO has taken a salary reduction and a new strategic plan will follow in July to reflect significant changes in global markets.

Beneteau’s Irish agents are BJ Marine, who recently delivered a new Beneteau 27 sports cruiser — the first in the UK and Ireland — to an Irish Sea customer in Cardiff.

The first Beneteau 27 in the UK and Ireland was delivered by BJ Marine to a new Irish Sea customer last week. As regular Afloat readers will recall, the deal on the new design was done at January's Boot Dusseldorf boat show by BJ's Cardiff brokerage office. 

The First 27 is a small towable sports cruiser packed with potential. She is certified in the CE B category (Offshore) and ISAF OSR Category 3 and is designed for offshore racing by naval architect Sam Manuard, taking inspiration from his own racing experience.

Featuring a hard chine as far as the stem, vertical sides, a good beam on the waterline and twin rudders, she has all the makings of a robust competitive boat. Her hull shape, carbon rig, and deep draught lead keel combine to make here remarkably stable. With her keel taking up 50% of her weight, she is a powerful little yacht. A manually operated hydraulic jack lifts the keel making the First 27 is easy to tow. 

The First 27 is also pitched as a boat that is ideal for a few days cruising with a crew of four. The fore cabin has a large double berth while two berths sliding below the cockpit double the length of the saloon seats. The style of the interior is simple yet boldly contemporary, featuring many clever details that everyone will love: folding doors held by magnets, shelves that double up as bags to embark/disembark everyone’s personal effects, a large table on keel casing leg, and the companionway steps housing storage with a bottom compartment the perfect size for a fridge.

The third edition of the Drheam Cup, from 18 to 27 July, starting in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and finishing in La Trinité-sur-Mer, has been opened up to more competitors, as the Open De France De Course au Large-labelled race will welcome a Figaro Bénéteau 3 fleet. It is an opportunity for the solo sailing experts to warm up on the Drheam Cup 400 course, one month before the start of the Solitaire du Figaro.

As Afloat reported previously, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many organisers are having to postpone or cancel races, including the Solo Maître CoQ, the Solo Guy Cotten and the Transat AG2R, the last three races in the Figaro Bénéteau class season. This had implications for the first Irish selection trial for three trialists vying for the single berth at this year's mixed offshore world championships. 

When he launched the Drheam Cup in 2016, its founder Jacques Civilise dreamt of an Open race, taking place in the summer, open to all boats, formats and sailors, enabling everyone to enjoy a real high-level competition in a sharing and celebratory atmosphere. This openness, which led to it being awarded the Open De France De Course label, allowed the two first editions to welcome a multi-class fleet, from Ultimes to Classic Yachts, including Imocas, Class40, Multi50, Multi 2000, IRC, Osiris and Mini 6.50 boats.

In the run-up to the third edition, this quest for openness continues, since the Figaro Bénéteau class has accepted the organiser's invitation to include the Drheam Cup in its official 2020 calendar. "When Jacques Civilise told me that he wanted to welcome Figaro skippers, I immediately loved the idea and I submitted it to the board members, who agreed, explains Yvon Breton, Chairman of the Figaro Bénéteau class. First, because it takes place at an ideal time for the Solitaire du Figaro, which starts just over a month later, and because participating in a multi-class race is an opportunity for our class to open up. This challenge can encourage other participating sailors to join us, we always aim to grow. Finally, it is important for our partners, as the Drheam Cup is well-covered by the media, offering them more visibility.”

Cherbourg skipper Alexis Loison has jumped on the chance to be the first Figaro sailor to enter. "I just had to take part in a race that starts in my home town and has the backing of my sponsor, Région Normandie. The timing is perfect as well, five weeks before the start of the Solitaire du Figaro, it isn't too early or too late, and the Drheam Cup 400 course could be a leg of the Figaro. For us it is a good rehearsal, a warm-up that will enable us to make sure everything is working onboard.”

Immediately following last month's Dusseldorf Boat Show, French giant boatbuilder Beneteau has been swift to maket two important launches both particularly relevant for the Irish sailing market writes James Kirwan of Irish agents BJ Marine.

We had a successful outing at the German show with this year’s boat of the year winner in the Family Cruiser category being the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1, one of the stars of last autumn’s Southampton International Boat Show and the Beneteau stand at boot Düsseldorf alike. 

Now, in February, the news of these two Oceanis models is another boost for the brand.

Oceanis 40.1

Oceanis40.1 - taller rig option as well as the usual in-mast furling or traditional mainsail with lazy bag

The Oceanis 40.1 replaces the Oceanis 41.1 which BJ Marine sold in great numbers both at home and overseas. The 40.1 offers 3 excellent cabins, made possible by the max beam carried all the way aft, giving two huge aft cabins and providing a massive cockpit on deck. As ever, the Oceanis 40.1 will offer excellent sailing performance in whichever configuration the client wants, noting we offer a taller rig option as well as the usual in-mast furling or traditional mainsail with lazy bag. With a self-tacking jib too, we can really customise the boat for every client. The boat will also come with a choice of the wood interior which can really personalize your boat.

Oceanis Yacht 54

Oceanis Yacht 54 - redesign of the cockpit will set her apart, offering great comfort and making handling the 54 very manageable

The new Oceanis Yacht 54, is very much the little sister of the multi-award-winning Oceanis Yacht 62. Finished to an incredibly high standard, the 62 and now the 54, offers something completely different to the market. The level of detailing in the interior, with endless options, ensures that the owner will have a boat exactly as they want it. The redesign of the cockpit will set her apart, offering great comfort and making handling the 54 very manageable for all those that step aboard. Again, with the different rig and keel options, Beneteau really are staying true to their values of designing and building an excellent sailing boat first and foremost and then building the interior and luxuries around that principle.

I will be sailing both boats at the end of April, with clients already booked for sea trials at our sea trial base in Port Ginesta near Barcelona, and we will report back in full to Afloat.ie

The full Beneteau press release on the new models is downloadable below

Beneteau and X-Yachts were the big winners in the cruiser categories in this year’s European Yacht of the Year awards presented on the flagship night of boot Düsseldorf, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

This year’s winner in the Family Cruiser category was the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1, one of the stars of last autumn’s Southampton International Boat Show and the Beneteau stand at boot Düsseldorf alike.

BJ Marine are the Irish dealers for this touring yacht, which is built by Beneteau subsidiary Delphia Yachts in Poland and offers a remarkable degree of luxury and comfort despite its compact dimensions, as the jury determined.

X-Yachts‘ new X4⁰ was picked by European Yacht of the Year judges as the best of the Performance Cruisers

In the Performance Cruiser category, meanwhile, the winner was X-Yachts’ new X4⁰ which had its first media appearance at last year’s show. Judges liked the Danish boat’s readily available power alongside tasteful and comfortable furnishings.

European Yacht of the Year 2020 also recognised the ClubSwan 36 with the Winner Innovation Award, the Amel 60 as the best Luxury Cruiser and the Dealer 30 OD as top of the Regatta Yachts.

Greystones Harbour and Irish Sea dealer BJ Marine is showcasing an extensive range of sailing yachts at the 2020 boot Düsseldorf Boat Show (18th – 26th Jan). Potential owners will be able to explore the award-winning Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 (2019 European Yacht of the Year Winner in the “Best Yacht” category) as well as the award-nominated Beneteau Oceanis 30.1 (2020 European Yacht of the Year in “Family Cruiser” category).

Making her show debut the Beneteau First 53 (2020 European Yacht of the Year nominee in the “Performance Cruiser” category) is a must for anyone wanting to experience high-performance cruising.

Beneteau has officially unveiled the Antares 11, the French sail and motor boat builder’s largest ever outboard vessel.

And considering the huge popularity and affordability of outboard boats in recent years, it’s being touted by Irish Beneteau dealer BJ Marine as a very exciting launch.

Seaworthy, luxurious, spacious and versatile are words that the Antares 11 brings to life.

Three cabins, one of which is a true owner’s cabin; two x300hp engines; a foldout cockpit and huge amounts of natural light make it so much more than a weekender.

The Antares outboard range has been BJ Marine’s fastest growing range in Ireland since 2016 with more new models coming to Ireland year on year.

The growth started with the Antares 7 and 8, based primarily on the exceptional value that the outboard configuration offered in comparison to the inboard diesel models, as well as the extra interior space that the outboards allow.

This led to the launch of the Antares 9 last winter, powered by twin Suzuki 200hp engines, which has already proven a strong seller — so much so that a brand new one is now in stock at BJ Marine’s Greystones office.

With the Antares 11, the dealer’s outboard offering can go to a whole new level.

The boat model will be introduced and demonstrated at Nautic Paris this December and will be on display at Boot Dusseldorf in January.

The BJ Marine team will be on site for the full show at Dusseldorf to welcome people on board and discover this exciting new model — but plenty of information is already available to share with those interested.

BJ Marine also has smaller Antares models in stock with trade-ins available — easy boating getting more newcomers afloat every season.

Among the firsts BJ Marine have brought to the Southampton International Boat Show this week is the new Flyer 10.

The flagship of Beneteau’s dayboat range is really a powerboat under the skin, blending style and comfort — across four large living spaces — with thrills courtesy of its large outboard motor.

A distinctive feature of the the Flyer 10 is its ‘smart walkaround’ concept that combines the easy movement and safety advantages of the walkaround, but with just one asymmetric walkway to port, offering greater deck and cabin space.

The foredeck also features a vast three-place sun pad, and there is a fully fitted galley which means real meals while enjoying life on the open water.

Available to order now, the Flyer 10 is expected to be in high demand with limited build slots available during the September boat shows, both last week in Cannes and now in Southampton.

Don’t miss the Beneteau Village at the Southampton International Boat Show, open till this Sunday 22 September

Also at the Beneteau Village SBS is the new Antares 9, which sets the stage for an exciting future of outboard sports cruisers.

The largest and sportiest to date from Beneteau’s Antares range, the 9 is the perfect boat for the couple or family who want a life onboard, says BJ Marine’s David Hoctor.

It’s also an incredibly popular option, sold out since launch in early 2018, but next available orders are coming on January 2020.

Contact BJ Marine for more, and to secure your access to the best deals on new Beneteau models, which include the UK debuts of the Oceanis 30.1 and Monte Carlo 52 cruiser.

With a wide range of boats to see in person — along with Conor Fogarty’s new foiling Figaro 3, Raw, on display — Ireland’s Beneteau distributors are part of what they describe as a “spectacular” at this year’s Southampton International Boat Show, which continues to this Sunday 22 September.

James Kirwan  +353 877712223
Mike Caplan  +44 7979 578238
David Hoctor  +353 85 8873445
John Harkness  +44 7564 366639
George Hill  +44 7815 561554

Following its official launch in recent days at the Cannes Yachting Festival, Beneteau’s new Monte Carlo 52 makes its UK debut at the Southampton International Boat Show this week.

And Irish Beneteau distributors BJ Marine are on hand to show prospective buyers around the elegant, luxurious and contemporary yet spacious and bright design that ushers in Beneteau’s new ‘Smart Luxury’ generation of high-end cruisers.

The 16m Monte Carlo 52 boats a world-class design from Carlo Nuvolari and Dan Lenard (exterior line) and Andréani Design (interior accomodation), with a V-hull designed in partnership with MICAD.

BJ Marine general manager James Kirwan got his first look at the Monte Carlo 52 this past summer, and even beforehand was convinced that “its combination of style and stability makes it ideal for Irish boaters at home or further afield”.

The dealers are part of what they describe as a Beneteau “spectacular” at this year’s Southampton International Boat Show, which continues through to this Sunday 22 September.

Contact BJ Marine now to secure your access to the best deals on new Beneteau models, which include the Antares 9 and the UK debuts of the Flyer 10 and the Oceanis 30.1.

James Kirwan  +353 877712223
Mike Caplan  +44 7979 578238
David Hoctor  +353 85 8873445
John Harkness  +44 7564 366639
George Hill  +44 7815 561554

Irish Beneteau dealers BJ Marine are welcoming their second day at the Southampton International Boat Show having already entertained many serious buyers interested in their latest models — particularly the Oceanis 46.1 and the brand new Oceanis 30.1.

Easy to sail but lively to helm, the Oceanis 30.1 makes a virtue of its small stature — small enough to trail, it opens up a wealth of possibilities for lake and river sailing along with coastal cruises and adventures on the high seas.

It also comes with unbeatable living space for its size, with a near two-metre headspace across its two double cabins, saloon, shower room and galley.

The Oceanis 30.1 is exclusive to BJ Marine and boat show boat is the only available for immediate delivery after the show.

The Oceanis 46.1, meanwhile, boasts all the features one comes to expect of a large cruising yacht — with a rare balance between elegance, usable space and performance.

The stepped hull, retained from the Oceans 51.1, opens up an incredible amount of space inside — with room for eight guests and significant natural light right to the centre of the boat — while maintaining impressive seakeeping performance.

And clever customisable fittings make her easy to sail and comfortable to live in, appealing to a wide range of crews.

BJ Marine are proud to be part of what they describe as a Beneteau “spectacular” at this year’s Southampton International Boat Show, with their team on board throughout the show until next Sunday 22 September.

Contact BJ Marine now to secure your access to the best deals on new Beneteau models, which include the Antares 9 and the UK debuts of the Flyer 10 and ‘smart luxury’ Monte Carlo 52.

James Kirwan  +353 877712223
Mike Caplan  +44 7979 578238
David Hoctor  +353 85 8873445
John Harkness  +44 7564 366639
George Hill  +44 7815 561554