Beneteau wins String of International Awards

The awards and nominations are rolling in for Beneteau from all corners of the world. The new generation Oceanis range is turning heads with both the NEW Oceanis 46.1 and NEW Oceanis 51.1 receiving nominations and awards. The First 14, the smallest in the Beneteau’s brand new First range, is also gaining praise for its versatility.

Without a doubt, it’s Beneteau’s, Figaro 3 that’s been stealing the limelight. The world’s first production foiling keelboat is impressing sailors across the globe, having now racked up awards in Europe, Asia, and the USA.

Sail Magazine Awards 2019

Sail Magazine has announced their awards for the best boats of 2019 and Beneteau was the winner in two categories.

The new First 14 was awarded Best Daysailer, with Sail Magazine calling the smallest of Beneteau’s new First range, “truly thrilling to sail.”

Here are more comments from the editors:

“The Beneteau First 14, a micro speedster with not one but two daggerboard slots to accommodate multiple crews and rigs … an extremely versatile boat that can lead novice sailors through a full spectrum of sailplans as they gain experience and confidence.”

Learn more about Beneteau’s First range.

Beneteau’s Figaro 3, the world’s first production foiling keelboat, took out the award for Best Performance Boat over 30ft. The editors call the Figaro 3, “the perfect boat for skippers in search of a solo or double-handed adventure, not to mention a serious adrenaline rush.”

Here’s more comments from the editors:
“The ‘Figaro’ in the boat’s name refers to the fact it is now the official one-design for France’s annual solo offshore La Solitaire Figaro, long a proving ground for such sailing legends as Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier.

Suffice to say, these are sailors who demand nothing but the best. As for SAIL’s Best Boat judges, the boat struck them as one of the most exciting designs they’ve come across in years, promising a truly exciting new kind of sailing.”

Learn more about Figaro 3.

China Sailing Awards

Beneteau was the biggest winner on the night at the recent China Sailing Awards in Shenzen coinciding with the 12th China Cup International Regatta.

The NEW Oceanis 51.1 was awarded ‘Cruiser of the Year’ and the Figaro 3 was awarded ‘Performance Keelboat of the Year’.

This year, among a total of 108 competing boats, 40 Beneteaus competed across various divisions, battling it out on the waves in Daya Bay.

European Yacht of the Year 2019 Nominations

Beneteau’s NEW Oceanis 46.1 has been nominated in the Family Cruiser category for the European Yacht of the Year Awards. Beneteau is no stranger to the EYOTY awards, in fact, the Figaro 3 took out the Special Yacht category in 2018.

The judges commented:

“Follow-up to the best-selling and award-winning Oceanis 45, the new 46.1 is one if not the cornerstone in Beneteau’s cruising range.

With distinctively new hull lines and vast amounts of space in the cockpit as well as down below, she marks a big step forward in the market. Designed by Finot-Conq, the 46.1 found early praise in independent sea trials for her nicely balanced twin rudder system, easy handling and agile performance.”

Winners will be announced at the upcoming Düsseldorf Boat Show in January 2019.

Read more about the NEW Oceanis 46.1.
See the NEW Oceanis 46.1 FIRST Line model sailing in Sydney Harbour here.

Oceanis 51.1 - People's choice

Beneteau NEW Oceanis 51.1 has just been voted best sailboat in the category ‘cruising yachts’ at the 2018 British Yachting Awards.

The award was voted on by readers of magazines @sailingtoday and @yachtsandyachting.

Here’s what the editors had to say,

“French giant Beneteau turned quite a few heads when they rather broke the mould with their new 51.1. She is the first of the new range of Oceanis cruising yachts and designers Berret Racoupeau turned to the racing yacht Rambler 88 for inspiration.”