Everything You Need to Know - Beneteau - Episode 107 - Lady K Sailing 

Nice job, Tim. I would say your characterization of where Beneteau falls in the price/quality spectrum is spot on. Too many arm-chair sailors make overly broad statements about a particular manufacturer, especially in the age of social media. Within a brand of boat there can be quality variances between model lines, vintage and certainly between sizes in a model range based on the price point the boat was designed to, as you point out. Our 1985 Beneteau First 325 was a fast and comfortable boat and handled everything we threw at her. Our 1990 Jeanneau Voyage 12.50 (41 foot) was well built, had first rate hardware, a well thought out interior and was fun to sail. Our current 2005 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS is considered by many to the be the best production boat made of all time in its size range. She's fast (we've hit 11 knots), she's incredibly comfortable, she's got first rate systems and hardware, and she is a show-stopper when it comes to looks. In her history she has done the ARC Caribbean 1500 from Norfolk to the BVI's 13 times and has done two trips to Bermuda. Those that stick up their noses at production boats need to be more open-minded.

I owned a 1994 Beneteau Oceanis 400 which occupied a berth at TRYC until 2003 when I moved to Victoria BC. I bought it new and while I had some minor cosmetic problems, I was quite satisfied. Courtship sailed on all of the great lakes except Superior. On the West Coast, she has done Desolation Sound and the environs many times. As you know, TRYC is a self-help club. I've hauled and launched more times than I can remember, raised and removed my mast on the same gin pole you use, and done all the maintenance you are demonstrating to your audience. So I knew this boat pretty well. I moved on to a power boat in 2009 and sold Courtship to a young couple from Vancouver. I spoke with them a few years ago and as far as I know, they continue to love her. My summary...great balance between price, quality, features, and reliability. I've given up boating now, but if I was looking to take the plunge again, I'd seriously consider a 40 footish Beneteau. To my eye, they've only become prettier as the years have passed. Enjoy seeing TRYC and so many boats I've known, including Lady K and my own Courtship in your videos. Keep up the good work.

I have a B 423 bought new 13 years ago. Had just about every option but Gen set installed. Had zero problems and found the quality very high. Toured the plant in Marion during the build and it was VERY impressive including the indoor lake with 3 Beneteaus floating and being sprayed from above to check for leaks. They have a guy sitting inside just watching for leaks. I could go on and on about the quality. My friend did the Jimmy Cornel round the world rally in his First 45. Again no problems. I also sailed 1200 kn/ms from the Abacos to BIV in 6 1/2 days....averaged 184 knot miles per day or 7.69 knots average. We would triple reef at nights to slow her down. ( shipping containers are hard to see at night) One on the advantages of a “ production boat” is that they can in-fact refine the build to insure high quality with repetition. Unfortunately Beneteau have closed their plan in SC or I would suggest a tour. Not sure you got this review exactly correct. After sailing/racing ( including Antigua Race week ) for almost 50 years I would add a water maker to mine and sail her around the world except my first mate is getting to old. LOL

This is better and more informative than the presidential debate

"Expedition Evans" just won a auction for a salvaged 2008 Beneteau 49 and the structural grid delaminated from the hull. they are in the process a major rebuild.

From 1997 production, Beneteau designed by Finot Conq, had added a new formula to their fiberglass and structurally, which was not just innovative but more durable for osmosis btw. Do not forget, all models are baked in autoclave, which rare other boats can afford. The same thing with the rudder, - it is made all from fiberglass, which is elastic and adds more features than any other production yacht, implementing as well in racing range boats. Roomy to the last millimeter, this can be found only on older models from 1998 to 2008. Beneteau is pushing in mast furling as many others. The reason is easy single handed mainsail raising. As this is the folks yacht, many will fit in losing a bit of performance in regards to easy handling. For those ones who are seeing other facts, such as simplicity especially in heavy weathers, there is always option to be quickly switched to the fully batten main sail. It should be a standard option from the beginning, - to have at least one winch on power. As it has been already mentioned, in case something happen to a single handed sailor, to be able to winch on a press of a button. Modification can be done sooner or later. In an era of commercialization, today's "modern" design is a bit of a miss out, plastic and ugly, cheap furniture, foam mattresses, everything @ 90 degrees. One of the best features that brought the best among other things WAS the fore room with the toilet at the bow. This was unique to Beneteau, saves space and brings more privacy. Double bed queen size was positioned aside, so great access from the door inside and comfortably to seat on the bed or lay down. Both aft rooms have more space in height which for long time cruisers is a really big deal. Have we forgotten that this is a cruising yacht? We need to spend most of the time, cruising and living in that space, which means sleeping comfort does matter. Unfortunately newer models are "newer" design. I cannot see how these models fit in cruising category. Offer gives us three different rigs and three different kills. Big windows, - this is not a house!. Anyone felt how much heat that can bring in on sunny days? Shallow and with double rudder... Is anyone experienced how comfortably that fits in a stormy weather for couple of days? Sugar scoop was greatly designed and spacey. Whoever had to climb from a dinghy or kayak was able to do it easily. An excellent quick shower platform after hours of sailing, easy to bring a fish in. That was made when others were shy to make any changes, now become a fashion on strings. How much these strings will be secure after a decade? I am encouraging you to extend these features in addition to another video clip about "our affordable folk boats Beneteau for mortals". History is repeating, selling steam on big sailing windows! Regards from Melbourne, AU.

Had a Catalina and had a lot of fun with it. I now have Oceanus 321 and like it much better but it is much larger witch for me made the difference. I believe you are very correct when trying to add more to it such as batteries and other things. There are no convenient spot as there were on my Catalina. Good idea giving back ground of these boats. Keep them coming.

I own a Beneteau First 32. From 1982. And i love it, very strong boat.

Yuppers, like the idea of getting to know the different brands of sailboats. Good job!

I appreciate the history told here, you are doing a good job! Thank you for doing this! :) Love from Norway

Another note about Beneteau. They make all the parts available for older boats and usually don't rip you off on the price. They're not built like an Oyster, but you don't have to be a hedge fund manager to own one either. Good video, thanks.

These are really awesome! I love to hear the stories of all these production boats!

Excellent video Tim. Look forward to seeing similar content in the future. You've got a good voice for this kind of stuff. Best wishes.

Great video! A lot of information there and it's all good. Super outline to covering all the finer points related to model families with clarity. Great idea for a series as well.

Great idea, I will be watching these to gain understanding of boats and prepare to maybe own one in the future

Thank you for this video. It actually made me excited to learn more about sailing and start taking courses.

Nice job! Informative, entertaining and well spoken. I'm looking forward to future videos...

Excellent video and very informative. I would like to see more like this.

As always great info Tim. Happy sails ⚓

Only recently found your videos and I’m hooked. Good job, keep up the good work.

Thanks for the recap! As a prospective sailor it answered a lot of questions about one of the bigger brands.

Lady k. I really enjoyed the info and the quality of the video. Great cadence and delivery all around!

This is an enormously helpful idea - to describe what you know about each maker and their models. I learned a lot about the Beneteau, and as I will be looking come spring, your info will be kept in mind. Please do similar presentations on other boats. Thank you!

The keel matrix delamination is exactly what happened to the Beneteau that "Expedition Evans" is refurbishing...and what they are doing is stripping down the matrix and relaminating the matrix to the hull (and I think they're going to drop the keel to check that out as well)

Great video! would love to see a video of you breaking down a list of boats that would be ideal for circumnavigation - maybe Hallberg Rassy, Amel, etc.

Very informative video I learned a few things.

Sounds like an interesting series.

@Lady K Sailing binge watching you're older stuff.

All right. After watching a few eps, I'm now subscribed.

Great set of videos

You’re a brave man taking on this topic. No matter how fair and delicate you are describing these boats, you will hurt some It’s a great topic and many will learn a lot. Bet you catch shit for leaving out a few. I can hear it now. 😂😂😂 Good luck my friend. 👍👍👍

Great summary.

Thank you thank you thank you again !

Very good job!

Thanks Tim good job

I've toured the Beneteau factory in Marion, South Carolina. It closed just a few months ago. The SC facility made 49' and below Beneteau and Jenneau sailboats. Right side by side on the same line with same workers.

You are great. Thanks for the videos.

Hey Now. I would say job well done. Informative and relatively fair, on most points and not too technical....keep your channel innovative..... keep it up sailor.

Love this idea!

Cool video Lady K! Stay safe out there

Nice vlog Capt. Tim......watching from west end of Lake Erie.....

From a fellow Canadian...well done!

I didn't have a keel problem but on my steam powered beneteau if a big wave hit it would put out the fire in the boiler..seriously though your knowledge on sailboats and your boat builder review videos are excellent!

Tim you’re a fountain of knowledge

Great thank you like the video lots of good information

Well, better late than never I say! 'Liked', subscribed & now a simple (non-controversial) comment to keep the channel bubbling up to those of us who LOVE cruising vessels of all sizes! I find Beneteau boats to be of similar quality as Jenneau, but- that's my take. I've had similar experience with free floating bulkheads (stringers really), origami shelving that's in the collapsed position, along with random squeaks, squeals & animal noises in both boats in a variety of lengths. I will say that there were some very advanced designs from all of these French based design/builders and I fell in love with some of the original designs. When discussing transatlantic or bluewater boats- these don't make the top of the list. But, I have seen well sorted modifications that have created capable solutions. There is a younger couple here on YT who've done just that and I respect their investments, efforts & successful creation of a nice long range cruiser. But, your mileage may vary.

Good idea to do boat reviews. One thing I find with modern yachts is the lack of hand-holds inside for rough weather.

Great job Tim as always. A guide to newbies on what to watch out for at auctions would be useful. Keels sounds like expensive repairs and can sink a boat if you don't do it right. I'm new and about to retire soon looking for a reasonable boat. Thanks for your guidance from a fellow Cdn.

Great vid, but you left out a big part of the Beneteau story. In the 80's German Frers designed the First series (42,435, 456, 51, etc.), and the pre-Oceanis "Idylle" cruisers of varying lengths. They were much more heavily built than later Beneteaus, with higher quality interiors. I own an '85 First 435, it looks like a Frers Swan 44 or Swan 46 (no surprised, designed by the same person), only a trained eye can tell the difference. It blows away just about any modern cruising boat of the same length in light air, especially upwind. If I someone is in the market for a blue-water capable cruising boat today, I'd recommend taking a hard look at the Idylle 1350 (43), or 1550, or an First model from the 80's. They're all very well designed and highly underrated boats.

Seen plenty of videos of couples doing transatlantic crossing, adding washing machines, water makers and extra fridges. Seems plenty of room for major upgrades.

I love this series your doing! Think you could do Camper & Nicholson yachts? My 1972 48 C&N center cockpit ketch is such a beauty, I'd love to hear what others think of these boats!

Ty!

Good talk. I have a small 30ft ish pre Benneteau, Jeanneau sundream

Thanks.

_I used to have a Benetau Oceanis 400 39 ft, and love it. I am buying a 1983 Benetau Moorings 38 next._

Good info

Good vlog. Can you give us your thoughts on Catalina Yachts?

I was impressed at the strength of a Beneteau in Expedition Evans when it struck a reef caused massive damage yet was able to keep sailing for a number of years. I suspect a lot of other boats would have sunk. On another subject swept back spreaders do not stop the boom swinging far enough forward it makes it difficult to sail dead downwind - when do you ever sail dead downwind? It's slow and the boat is unstable any yacht sailing downwind cruising or racing will tack downwind and a swept back spreader will be fine.

Very good

Thank you for the information about beneteau. The companys history is vast and i did not know how many other companies it owns. Amazing 👏 The matter of fact of having all that money to own a sailing boat is disheartening. You have to have hundreds of thousands of pounds to get a good cruiser 🤯😳🥺

Good objective job!

Hi there, love your series, very informative and really educational. On the statement, that Beneteau are not really made for ocean crossings, which european boat is suitable of doing so?

Hi, I just stumbled across your posts. Already after 2 episodes I am very impressed. I am planning to go for a world sail after Corona or a bit later. Your statements about weapons on board are really much like I feel. At your quote for the Delos episode I smiled. Right now I am kind of locked in Moscow, Russia. I would like to stay in contact with you. Cheers Florian

Will you be doing one of these on Halberg Rassy? These are great videos 👍

Can you do an episode on are sailboats with lifting keels appropriate for crossing oceans.

Seen without them knowing the keels being attached in Sydney, late 1980's as friend with little boat building knowledge worked there, I would not leave a pond on one after that days viewing.

Good review. Interested in a similar review on Hunter and how it compares to others. Thanks

Benneteaus are decent boats for what they are intended. You could go around the world in one. But for the Caribbean it's ok. I prefer boats with an encapsulated keep and a proper bilge. My pet peeve with the new boats is simply the cheap finishing.looks good when new but I doubt in the longevity of the interiors. Loose floor boards, particle board to name a few. Also no bilge room. If you take on water, you will damage the interior as no room for water to stay below the floor. Hence simple repairs take much more money. As we all know, eventually you will have to do repairs and work. That said, the first line is a great racer cruiser. Bit to deep draft but manageable

When we shopped around we were looking for a First, but for a live a bord we ended up with a 36cc

Good video. We have a Beneteau 41s5 1992... bought from previous one owner who bought a new B in 2015 and very disappointed in quality compared to the early/mid 90s boats. We’re a lot faster than other 40ft boats and having sailed in 40 kts winds and 5m seas (sails only) with an Amel Super Maramu (7.5T v 17+) buddy boat who was running its engine I’d testify as to the rigidity of boats pre 2000 certainly. Albeit on that crossing they were enjoying a chicken casserole and us cheese and crackers. But we got there first... ⛵️⛵️⛵️

Thanks.........

Please do a chapter on the Garcia Exploration 45 and similar boats of lesser value but equal in capability.

This, with a little more work IE: filming some of what you talk about, has the potential to be huge. a resource for everyone looking to buy a boat. As well as brand and types, consider doing some focused on what can be expected buying a boat of a given age, ie, For 5 year old boats, for 40 year old boats etc. Show the critical points of a given boat and how to check it.

Eventually I'd like to see a new Monel hulled boat - with Monel scantlings, of course.

#2 comment here..love ya Tim

People always say that they are not made for crossing the ocean, yet more benetatos have crossed the Ocean than any other sailboat in existence

Very informative and balanced. They are fine boats for what they are, especially for coastal cruising. Are Jeanneau’s essentially same?

Just wanted to say hi and have a good day

Anyone have advice between a new Catalina 445 or a new Beneteau 445 Oceanis (both having all the options and additions) for day sailing on the freshwater Great lakes, US? (for a newbie sailor)

Help what is your opinion of the volvo md30 eng.

Every sailor wants a beneteau

Do one on Catalina boats.

They also sail pretty good ,,.

I'm looking at a first 235, I'd love any tips yall have, what should i look very closely at? i know i need to redo the headliner and that is a big job.

Thanks for reading their website to me :(.

I'm a sailor and former yacht broker with many years of sailing under my keel. I've owned two Beneteau's, including a First Series and now have a 393 while getting ready for a jeanneau 479 and of course I've sailed hundreds of boats over the years. A well prepped Beneteau and crew can sail around the world. Are there better boats for the task? That depends on what you value and the level of your skills. What the video is also ignoring is that an Island Packet 40 will typically outweigh a Beneteau of the same size by 3000 lbs or more. The design goals are quite different and you'll do a LOT more motoring on the IP. The reality is that the lines are blurred between production and semi custom in many respects. I can afford whatever boat I want, but I go with boats like Beneteau because they sail better than many other designs. The foolish thing to do is to run out and buy a heavier blue water design when you plan to do coastal cruising and day sailing. And BTW, most of the higher end boats are also production boats as well. The term has come to mean less and less, just like AMG's engines, which are "hand built" are really no better than those assembled by robots. Production line technology is at a very high level and getting better every year. If you were a broker, you'd know that low production run "higher quality" vessels often have a LOT more problems because they simply lacked the delivery volume to find problems and work everything out. That fits quite a few prestigious brands with solid reputations. But people will often mistake a well finished interior for a "better" boat when it's actually riding on very old (and less efficient) design philosophies. In short: Figure out how you plan to sail and where. There's no one answer to finding the right boat because there are actually a lot of them. ;-)

My problem is finding a coastal/Caribbean sailboat in the 30 ft range that has more than 5' 11" of headroom

Please do Jeauneau

Majority of all known sailboat today are production boats. Some are higher and some are lower production. Hi production boats are not less quality, on the opposite they have more constant quality, whatever is their standard. On the other end, low production or custom boats can have on the same model different quality standard, not necessarily bad but not equal. On production boat if there is a defect it can be pin pointed better and easier as the defect shows on all of the line, and proper recall can be addressed, as per the custom or low production you might have more doubt whether is a design or usage issue. Both are good in my opinion you just need a good survey.

Would you classify the Jeanneau 51 or 54 into this same thought-process as this video. *Its my understanding almost Anything that's Jen. & Ben., over 50 feet, is Not Made in America, but in France. (Correct.?) And is that considered a + ??

Need help choosing a boat. Looking for a 40-50 ft simple sloop that I can single hand or couple, for coastal cruising but option to cross Atlantic, deck saloon , and reliable?

Excellent, Looking forward to more of this series. Can you cove Seawind at some stage please? I know this might be a bit too common now and there are likely lots of other more interesting boats to cover first.

I recently bought a 1981 Beneteau First 35. She's very solid but needs love. I could probably flip her for double what I paid, but I'm in love now.

Thanks Tim, I want to buy a Beneteau first 28-29 from late 80s to early 90s. Just to daily sailing inn fiord. Ist another brand or modell better than the first for about the same money? Thanks so much master.

I think the original LaVagabon was a Beni? Before they got their Catamaran 🤔 they Sailed her like a Cruiser reliably. Just wanted to mention that because with good maintenance and careful use she’s safe for all types of use even Cruise and race. 😏❤️🖖🏼

What do you think of the Beneteau First 285 ?

What do you think about benetea 57.

What boats ARE suitable ocean crossing vessels in your opinion?

What’s your experience with the Swan?

I'm going to look at a Beneteau on Sunday. Was built in the 80's before they got their plastic fantastic charter fleet reputation.