Beneteau Boats

I speak for myself only, but I have always thought Beneteau to be middle of the road. I think they make very good value mid range boats with a solid and workmanlike feel and appearance.

The flyer 12 I think was a step in amore upmarket direction, and certainly had the feel of the more traditional sports boat builders, but FWIW I think they have the price wrong as it is too much money and there are too many other options from builders with a better reputation for that type of boat.

The Beneteau that really impresses me is the Swiftrawler 42, as it is really very different from anything else on the market, looks very impressive and has the feel of a very classic boat.

A 37foot boat for under £150k is certainly going to make some people sit up and take notice, but the finish has to be better than some of their yachts I have been on recently. In this size, plasticy just wont do.
 
We've been very pleased with ours (9.80). We know it's built down to a price in terms of the finish and cabinetry etc, but it still looks good after 2 seasons. More importantly, it all worked out of the box. No returns to dealer for things to be put right, everything fitted well and worked properly and still does bar one thruster control and a trim tab seal. We've been through some fairly lumpy stuff in it, and generally given it a good work out and so it seems pretty good compared to some reports I've read, including of much more expensive boats, it compares very well. Also, not too many on the second hand market, and they sell a lot, so peeps must keep them for a while which is a good sign. Seem to hold value reasonably well too. The 12 is a great boat but probs seems a tad more expensive as mostly they sell IPS. There are some deals to be had however. The 13.80 is a georgeous boat, beautiful lines and good accommodation, but still looks like a proper boat, and VERY easy and SAFE to move about on - I want one. The trawler is indeed very interesting, and a good boat to boot, but not sure the interior is yet fully tuned to UK tastes.
FYI, they are relaunching the F12 flybridge at LIBS in January, with a revised interior and a new flybridge design. This is good because the original 12 was a let down compared to the 9.80 and Trawler which have superb FB's and the 13.80 which is merely excellent. No commercial interest by the way, just a happy owner, also there's always loads on the pontoon at Brighton, so plenty of owners to chat to and boats to look round. Pretty much every Benny owner I've spoken to has been very pleased (although it's mostly been in the 9 series and up sizes). The new sports cruiser sounds great. Much needed though, as the old Ombrine range were a bit past it in terms of looks.
 
The 9.80 was the benny I was thinking of when I said good mid sized boats. Was very smitten with one a couple of years ago but ouldn't make the numbers work unfortunately /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
Thanks for posting the link. I like the look of the Monte 37, very Fairline Targa-ish. eh?

I always find it confusing between Beneteau and Jeanneau as they used to be one and the same family but they are promoted as two diff companies. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I agree with your concerns about reputation but the boat will be out and visible soon and you can make up your own mind then. There seems to be many happy Bene owners, so they can't be all bad.

BTW, I also like the trawler 42, looks a mean distance cruiser and the MBM team that tested the anchors with it certainly liked it too. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
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Beneteau to be middle of the road

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So does that mean they won't quite come up to Cayman or Fairline? Or .... ?

Kelly
 
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We've been very pleased with ours (9.80). We know it's built down to a price in terms of the finish and cabinetry

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Don't agree with the received wisdom of this observation. The MBM report of this boat in 2003 also made some comment along these lines. We looked around a lot of boats between 2005/2006 and it bears up most well against many boats which have a more "sexy" reputation. That aside, we bought a 3 year old 9.80 a few months ago with 2xnanni 200 hp diesels. The boat handles upleasant seas far better than some "top brand" names and has exceptionaly good slow speed manoeverability in close harbour situations. It won't suit the likes of GC1 because it won't do 40 knots, but it is a quality boat that exudes confidence, class and individuality and has the respect of the local people (Maltese) who either spend most of their lives on the sea or who look after their boats.
 
I think we both fundamentally agree. When I say 'down to a price' I mean that the cabinetry is sometimes laminated instead of solid woods, the wood is sometimes not as thick, there's more GRP inside etc. None of which makes it a bad boat or poor quality.

Like I said - it all worked well 'out of the box', and has looked after us very well in some pretty rough stuff, and still looks good after two seasons. It's just not a 'money no object' type finish that you get on some boats.

We have the Nanni's too and find them excellent engines.
 
Antares range -
workmanlike
functional
solid
sensible
practical
etc

10.80 being my pick of the bunch although the 12.80 seemed the value buy relative to other similar specced boats

7.60 is still a great boat in it's class too

however they don't have (as opposed to lack in my view) style, flare (apart from bows), panache...........

I would be extremely pleased to own a 10.80

can't coment on the latter models as I haven't looked at them closely
 
We have owned a Series 9 for nearly three years now. We have used it a lot and even when the weather is poor as it often is in Brighton we still use it weekends. So far this year we have been on board 30 weekends! We know a number of people with Beneteau boats, smaller and bigger than ours.

In my view they are first of all very sea worthy, sturdy and functional, no question of that. They are great value for money and you get a lot of boat for your money.

They are however built to a price, Again no question about that and anyone who has studied a range of manufacturers has to agree. The fit and finish works fine and it is functional but it is never going to be plush and sexy. We have spent so much time on board we know how it is fitted together.

Any question on this can be cleared by comparing with Jeanneau. In the smaller range the boats are very similar but the fit and finish of the Jeanneau is much better, but then the price is significantly higher.

You pays your money and takes your choice.

We, like most of the people we know, have had some problems from new but looking back nothing too serious. It is a simple fact of life with boats. You are very lucky if you dont have problems from new, they are hand built by humans and there will be mistakes. Its not like a car that is built in huge volumes by robots and all are mostly correct now. If you get a new boat with no problems you are just plain lucky. No doubt your next new one will make up for it so be ready. I think if you buy a boat that is one or two years old you are lucky to have had someone else sort all those problems!!

We went out in a 760 last wednesday to do a bit of fishing about eight miles off and it was rough. Like 8/10 kts rough. Difficult to stand up at anchor type rough but we never felt any problem. They are well built functional and very sea worthy.

In my view and only from my opinion of course, the 13.80 doesnt do it for me. The interior layout is not the best and it is just looking dated, some waould say classic but I feel dated. The 42 trawler rolls. For me the best at the moment is the new flybridge 12 but (Goochie) latest news seems to be that will miss the London show.

Back to the question though, a 37 for less than £150,000!!!! that will certainly stir things up.
 
Back to the question though, a 37 for less than £150,000!!!! that will certainly stir things up.

and the picture indicates IPS unless I am mistaken - an interesting move for a company that normally uses shafts...........
 
They look like outdrives to me. Props facing backwards:

GbnBIXlg.jpg
 
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They look like outdrives to me. Props facing backwards

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And stepped hull?

I think she is a cracking looking boat, very Targa38 ish for less money.
 
Certainly a lot of boat for the money - styling is on the money - performance looks promising (just from the image posted).

Looks like Absolute 39 may have a bit of competition.

I reckon that JamesTT likes to do things a little differently so which will stand out from the crowd - Benny v Absolute?
 
Hi David, good to hear from you. I do agree with most of what you say except of course about the 13.80 where you are just plain wrong /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif Shame about the 12 at Libs if it's true. The next big show after London isn't Paris is it by any chance?

Like you been very pleased with our boat. Love her to bits and it's going to be tricky to find something better we can afford. We'd just like a smidgin more space - hence the interest in the 12.
 
Guy's I am not trying to different, just struggling to get my head around the huge jump in price from 27ft to 35 ish!
Could easily be £150k extra for 7ft at the smaller end of the market!
Trying to look at all the options, but one thing that is proving clear is that the main stream brands Fairline and Sealine seem to hold value very well compared to lesser known brands. I am trying not to make the mistake of buying something odd/ cheaper that I will regret at al later date.
We are looking for fast diesel sports boat with a large roomy cockpit for doing day trips with a crowd, and the ability to sleep 2 or 3 on a longer trips maybe two or three times a year as my wife won't give up the caravan in Wales.
The Beneteau does look like good value but the details are very sketchy at the moment, I will keep you posted.
 
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