One of the big perks of selling sailboats for a living is that I get chances to travel to really neat events and locations. This October my work "forced" me to attend the Annapolis Sailboat Show. This is the largest "in the water" sailboat show in the World and all of the major (and minor) sailboat manufacturers are there to display their new products. It is an honor to be a Beneteau dealer at these types of shows and meetings because they are the largest sailboat manufacturer in the world, and they show it off at this big show. Beneteau was introducing four new models to North America at this show and had a beautiful display of all of their models. They were highlighting the new Sense 50, The new Flagship 58, and the new sporty First 35 and new First 30.
The Sense 50 is really something new! (Sense 42 coming next) Beneteau worked with Berret/Racoupeau to lower the cockpit floor, remove the aft cabins, design a huge, open cockpit, take the sleeping areas all the way forward and make the living area (formerly saloon) open, airy, bright, spacious and as comfortable as your living room at home. Due to the low cockpit floor, it is just three small steps into the living room. Among the unique design features are the hard chine on the hull which adds form stability and allows the boat to "rest" on this chine while sailing. The boat heels less for more comfort and security. The Sense 50 also features "flip up" helm seats to make a huge deck/beach in the aft part of the cockpit. The companion way door is a cantilevered, polycarbonate door that mechanically stows itself under the cockpit floor. Simply press a button to close up or open your boat.
The Sense 50 is really something new! (Sense 42 coming next) Beneteau worked with Berret/Racoupeau to lower the cockpit floor, remove the aft cabins, design a huge, open cockpit, take the sleeping areas all the way forward and make the living area (formerly saloon) open, airy, bright, spacious and as comfortable as your living room at home. Due to the low cockpit floor, it is just three small steps into the living room. Among the unique design features are the hard chine on the hull which adds form stability and allows the boat to "rest" on this chine while sailing. The boat heels less for more comfort and security. The Sense 50 also features "flip up" helm seats to make a huge deck/beach in the aft part of the cockpit. The companion way door is a cantilevered, polycarbonate door that mechanically stows itself under the cockpit floor. Simply press a button to close up or open your boat.
The Beneteau Flagship 58
This is an unbelievable boat! Perhaps the nicest sailboat I have ever been on and while out of my budget, pretty reasonably priced at $800,000.
I have been selling Beneteaus for over seven years but they continue to surprise me with the value, innovation and quality that they offer. I was drooling over this boat and envisioning how I could buy one and get my family and friends out sailing/cruising. I wasn't the only one, as the line to get on this boat was about a 30 minute wait. Elegant, functional, open and big. The 58 is more traditional than the Sense 50 but quite modern and very well thought out. I loved the big open "beach" on the transom. I loved the transom windows from the aft stateroom. We had nine people in the saloon and there was room to move about. The aft staterooms are large with the starboard one featuring a split bed that could be two twins or a nice double. The mast and deck hardware were top notch!
I have been selling Beneteaus for over seven years but they continue to surprise me with the value, innovation and quality that they offer. I was drooling over this boat and envisioning how I could buy one and get my family and friends out sailing/cruising. I wasn't the only one, as the line to get on this boat was about a 30 minute wait. Elegant, functional, open and big. The 58 is more traditional than the Sense 50 but quite modern and very well thought out. I loved the big open "beach" on the transom. I loved the transom windows from the aft stateroom. We had nine people in the saloon and there was room to move about. The aft staterooms are large with the starboard one featuring a split bed that could be two twins or a nice double. The mast and deck hardware were top notch!
The First 35 designed by Farr Yacht Design and Nauta Interiors
This boat replaces the very successful First 36.7, and it features some outstanding changes, modern touches, and a sleek, pretty profile. The big open cockpit is a sailor's dream with a big wheel, "german" mainsheet system leading to large Harken winches on both sides. Gone are the days of sore shoulders and arms for the mainsheet trimmer. A floor mounted traveler is within easy grasp of the helmsperson or main trimmer. The rigging is upgraded with high tech, no stretch line, PBO backstay, rod rigging, and a carbon spinnaker pole. The keel is a deep 7'2' fin with a big bulb on the bottom. The engine is a 29hp Yanmar Saildrive. Below the boat is beautiful and can be ordered with a teak finish or the blond ash you see in the photos below. The main saloon area is the same size as a First 40, while the two private staterooms offer plenty of room for two couples. I often get asked what boat would I want for my family and Pacific Northwest cruising and racing. This new Beneteau First 35 is at the top of my list!
The Juan K designed Beneteau First 30
I was very excited to see this new boat from Beneteau. It is a new direction for Beneteau going with Juan K Yacht Design and allowing him to work with Michael Desjoyeaux, A French offshore sailing champion. They started with a blank sheet of paper and came out with a highly innovative 30 foot sportster. Some of the things that sets this First 30 apart are the twin rudders, hard chines on the hull, square-top mainsail, no backstays, and the traveler aft of the helmsman on aft beam. It should be a hoot to sail and has a comfy interior as well. Signature Yachts has ordered one of these and will be available for review and purchase by Spring of 2011. Our boat will probably be plain white without the crazy graphics seen here, but either way this boat is a head turner. Juan K, the designer of the boat was in Annapolis to help us learn about the boat, and it was a special experience to be able to spend some time with him and see him talk, touch and feel his latest design. He was clearly pleased.
