Let me continue the yacht types presentation with some famous sailing brands. The first which come in mind is one you find in all the world marinas, and that is Jeanneau. This is a Beneteau Group brand, of whom I'll present more with the time passing. A short presentation of this one I found necessary.
In 1957, Henri Jeanneau, already passionate about airplanes and automobiles, had just discovered a brand new passion for powerboating, one that began as he watched a boat pass by his window. Soon afterward, in Les Herbiers, France, home to a rich heritage of artisan work, he began building a wooden hull with which he participated in the 6-hour Paris race, the largest national race at the time. He was first to cross the line, and this galvanized him. So, a past time became a trade. In 1959, he hired canoe builders as apprentices in his new business, “the Nautical Hall of the West,” which would become, a few years later, the Jeanneau shipyards. France was seeing unprecedented economic growth, and the new company executive quickly understood that the appearance of new electric appliances designed to ease household chores would allow families to devote more time to leisure activities – to the sun, to the sea, and to boating!
From the artisan work of the 1960’s that was the norm in France and elsewhere – each boat was unique, and often customized while still on the production lines – to 2007 and the new technological advances similar to those seen in the aeronautical field, allowing Jeanneau to create boats using 3-dimensional design software and digitally controlled laser-cutting machines. Over the past 50 years of development, the men and women of Jeanneau have evolved in their fields while preserving their passion for the sea and love of work well done. At Jeanneau, the woodworkers have held on to their planes and mechanics have kept their tools for repairs. In the beginning, to test the solidity of the first fibreglass boats, a boat was hitched to a towrope and put in on Lake Tricherie, about 10 km. from the Les Herbiers, France factory and yards. There, at full speed, it was launched over a wooden ramp and into the air, clearing a nearby road, to land in a field. Henri Jeanneau was at the helm, of course. Today, real-life tests are conducted on ocean crossings or circumnavigations.
The smallest of them all is Sun 2000. (around 16,000 Euros for about 6.64 m of fiberglass)
Here is the Sun Odyssey 409, a model of 12.34 m / 40' , and below, you have an interior image.
They come equipped with a 40 HP motor, but are mainly sail drive. The company estimates this model at around 120,000 Euros.
This magnificent, seaworthy sailboat is a Sun Odyssey 45 DS, estimated at around 183,000 Euros for her's 13.75 m / 45' and is equipped with a M/E Yanmar of 54 HP.
These are only samples of sailing boats built by Jeanneau who has some power models as well.
We are meeting again this French firm. The BENETEAU adventure began more than a century ago on the quays of Croix-de-Vie in Vendée. For 120 years, the core of the Boatyard's profession has been innovation. From the first sardine boat to the First 50, from the shipbuilding tradition to more advanced technologies, our expertise has grown. However, it is still the pioneering spirit of Benjamin BENETEAU that is the driving force behind our 2,500 co-workers. To date, more than 42 000 BENETEAU yachts have sailed the seas of the world. At their helm, keen owners with whom we share the same values of performance, modernity, safety and respect.
The Sense 50' is a 14,98 m sailboat blending simplicity with refinement.
The First 50 is another 14,99 m model. I think the nicest and the best models of sailing boats built by Benneteau are the Oceanis. From 31’ to 58’, all nine Oceanis models are tireless cruisers designed to deliver comfort in all its forms, beginning with the comfort of a stable, high-performance hull.
The new Oceanis 58 is 18,24 m LOA and has a luxurious interior design.
There are many brands on the market. Looking through the models, online or at the exhibitions or in walking through a yacht port, generically named "marina", you'll see that the differences aren't so noticeable giving some parameters. They can change a little bit the interior design and it is normal as the LOA become bigger so will be the fantasy of the designers. I'm talking now for both types, the sailing and the power boats. The great majority of sailing boats have main engines, it is normal, as it is easier to enter a port or to throw the anchor by maneuvering the motor, not the sails. I'd like these days to dedicate a few posts to Beneteau Group, because they reunite power and sail alltogether, and the brands they have put together are all at the highest standards. So, my future presentation will be mixed, from now on. I'm sure that when you buy a boat for your own, you know already what you want.
