Beneteau Yachts History & Heritage

Since its inception in 1884, Beneteau has maintained majority ownership within the Beneteau family, with the current custodian being Annette Roux, the granddaughter of the founder, Benjamin Beneteau. The rich history of Beneteau encompasses the construction of sailing fishing boats, evolving into a dynamic force in the boating market.

Throughout the years, Beneteau has been at the forefront of innovation, bringing about revolutionary changes in the industry. The company has enlisted the talents of iconic designers such as Philippe Starck and Sergio Pininfarina to infuse style and interest into its brands. Beneteau is known for its commitment to doing things a little differently, continuously pushing the boundaries of conventional boat design and manufacturing.

Beneteau, originally founded in 1884 by naval architect Benjamin Bénéteau, began as a shipyard constructing sail-powered wooden fishing trawlers in St-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, a small town on France's Atlantic coast. This location remains the nerve center and corporate headquarters of the group. The company's evolution included a transition to engine-powered fishing smacks in 1910, a move that drew dismay from local fishermen who accused them of scaring away fish.

Control of the shipyard shifted to Benjamin's son, André, in 1928. Post-war, André Bénéteau played a key role in rebuilding the town's entire fishing fleet and specialized in building tuna fishing vessels. The mid-1960s witnessed the involvement of the third generation – Annette Bénéteau Roux and André Bénéteau – who introduced fiberglass construction and refocused the company on recreational boats. Sport fishers were introduced in 1965, followed by fast-planing motor cruisers in 1974. The last fishing boats were launched in 1975, marking a definitive shift toward exclusively producing recreational boats. Trawler yachts, such as the Swift Trawler range, were introduced in 1980.

In 1984, the group went public on the Paris Stock Exchange, with the Bénéteau family retaining a controlling interest. Further expansions included the opening of a boatbuilding factory in South Carolina in 1986 and the addition of Jeanneau to the group in 1995. The establishment of Monte Carlo Yachts in 2009 and the spin-off of Prestige as a separate brand in 2010 were significant milestones.

The Barracuda range of sport fishers debuted in 2011, and a factory for building Gran Turismo boats was opened in Brazil in 2012. Beneteau's motorboating portfolio was reinforced in 2014 through the acquisition of four American marques – Four Winns, Glastron, Scarab, and Wellcraft – along with a substantial production facility in Michigan.

Facing economic challenges in 2016, the group closed its residential house-building company and shifted focus to holiday homes. The motorboat factory in Brazil was also shuttered. Despite these adjustments, Beneteau maintained its leadership in the marine leisure industry, reporting modest growth even in challenging economic climates. In 2018, the acquisitions of Delphia and Seascape further solidified the group's position.

Beneteau Yachts At A Glance

A brief summary of statistics, facts, and figures for Princess Yachts.

Shipyard History

  • Shipyard Founder Benjamin Bénéteau
  • Year Founded 1884
  • Headquarters Town Croix-de-Vie
  • Headquarters Country France

Model Timeline

Research all the in production and discontinued Beneteau Yacht models and immerse yourself in their history. Learn about each models features, generations, redesigns, notable features, specification, layouts, photo galleries and video from each individual model year*.

Key: 19 In-Production 41 Discontinued

1988
1988
1998
2008
2018
2024
1988
1988
1998
2008
2018
2024

Gran Turismo 49

15m

Gran Turismo 49

15m

Current Beneteau Model Range

Learn about each in production yacht models features, generations, redesigns, notable features, specification, layouts, photo galleries and video from each individual model year*.

Swift Trawler Range  

Swift Trawler 54

17.3m

Production: 2024 - to date

Generations: 1

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Antares Range  

Antares 12 (Mk2)

12.97m

Production: 2024 - to date

Generations: 2

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Grand Trawler Range  

Grand Trawler 62

18.95m

Production: 2022 - to date

Generations: 1

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Swift Trawler Range  

Swift Trawler 48

14.74m

Production: 2022 - to date

Generations: 1

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Antares Range  

Antares 9

9.12m

Production: 2022 - to date

Generations: 1

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Antares Range  

Antares 8 Fishing

8.06m

Production: 2022 - to date

Generations: 1

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Gran Turismo Range  

Gran Turismo 45

14.78m

Production: 2021 - to date

Generations: 1

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Gran Turismo Range  

Gran Turismo 41

12.55m

Production: 2021 - to date

Generations: 1

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Antares Range  

Antares 8

8.06m

Production: 2021 - to date

Generations: 1

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Gran Turismo Range  

Gran Turismo 36

12.42m

Production: 2020 - to date

Generations: 1

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Antares Range  

Antares 11 Fly (Mk2)

11.08m

Production: 2020 - to date

Generations: 1

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Swift Trawler Range  

Swift Trawler 41 Fly

13.43m

Production: 2019 - to date

Generations: 1

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Swift Trawler Range  

Swift Trawler 41 Sedan

13.43m

Production: 2019 - to date

Generations: 1

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Gran Turismo Range  

Gran Turismo 32

9.95m

Production: 2019 - to date

Generations: 1

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Antares Range  

Antares 11

9.9m

Production: 2019 - to date

Generations: 1

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Swift Trawler Range  

Swift Trawler 35

11.29m

Production: 2017 - to date

Generations: 1

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Antares Range  

Antares 7

7.48m

Production: 2017 - to date

Generations: 1

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Antares Range  

Antares 7 Fishing

7.48m

Production: 2017 - to date

Generations: 1

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Antares Range  

Antares 6

5.52m

Production: 2017 - to date

Generations: 1

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Discontinued Beneteau Models

Monte Carlo Range  

Monte Carlo 52

16.33m

Production: 2019 - 2022

Generations: 1

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Monte Carlo Range  

Monte Carlo 6

18.35m

Production: 2013 - 2021

Generations: 1

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Gran Turismo Range  

Gran Turismo 50

15.78m

Production: 2017 - 2021

Generations: 1

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Gran Turismo Range  

Gran Turismo 50 Sportfly

15.78m

Production: 2017 - 2021

Generations: 1

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Swift Trawler Range  

Swift Trawler 50

14.99m

Production: 2012 - 2021

Generations: 1

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Gran Turismo Range  

Gran Turismo 46

14.78m

Production: 2016 - 2021

Generations: 1

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Swift Trawler Range  

Swift Trawler 47

14.74m

Production: 2018 - 2021

Generations: 1

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Gran Turismo Range  

Gran Turismo 40

12.67m

Production: 2015 - 2021

Generations: 1

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Swift Trawler Range  

Swift Trawler 44

13.88m

Production: 2011 - 2020

Generations: 1

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Swift Trawler Range  

Swift Trawler 30

9.99m

Production: 2016 - 2020

Generations: 1

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Monte Carlo Range  

Monte Carlo 6S

18.35m

Production: 2013 - 2019

Generations: 1

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Monte Carlo Range  

Monte Carlo 5S

15.1m

Production: 2015 - 2019

Generations: 1

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Monte Carlo Range  

Monte Carlo 5

15.1m

Production: 2013 - 2019

Generations: 1

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Antares Range  

Antares 36

11.37m

Production: 2009 - 2019

Generations: 1

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Monte Carlo Range  

Monte Carlo 4

13.9m

Production: 2014 - 2018

Generations: 1

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Monte Carlo Range  

Monte Carlo 4S

13.9m

Production: 2016 - 2018

Generations: 1

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Antares Range  

Antares 30

10.22m

Production: 2010 - 2018

Generations: 1

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Antares Range  

Antares 30S

10.22m

Production: 2010 - 2018

Generations: 1

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Gran Turismo Range  

Gran Turismo 49 Fly

15.73m

Production: 2011 - 2017

Generations: 1

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Gran Turismo Range  

Gran Turismo 49

15.73m

Production: 2011 - 2017

Generations: 1

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Antares Range  

Antares 42

13.5m

Production: 2010 - 2017

Generations: 1

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Gran Turismo Range  

Gran Turismo 44

13.45m

Production: 2011 - 2017

Generations: 1

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Swift Trawler Range  

Swift Trawler 34

10.98m

Production: 2009 - 2017

Generations: 1

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Gran Turismo Range  

Gran Turismo 35

12.23m

Production: 2014 - 2016

Generations: 1

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Gran Turismo Range  

Gran Turismo 34

10m

Production: 2011 - 2016

Generations: 1

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Gran Turismo Range  

Gran Turismo 38

11.76m

Production: 2011 - 2015

Generations: 1

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Swift Trawler Range  

Swift Trawler 34S

10.98m

Production: 2009 - 2015

Generations: 1

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Antares Range  

Antares 32

10.22m

Production: 2011 - 2015

Generations: 1

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Swift Trawler Range  

Swift Trawler 52

17m

Production: 2007 - 2013

Generations: 1

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Monte Carlo Range  

Monte Carlo 42

13.7m

Production: 2010 - 2013

Generations: 1

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Monte Carlo Range  

Monte Carlo 47 Fly

14.8m

Production: 2008 - 2011

Generations: 1

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Monte Carlo Range  

Monte Carlo 47

14.8m

Production: 2008 - 2011

Generations: 1

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Monte Carlo Range  

Monte Carlo 37

12.12m

Production: 2006 - 2011

Generations: 1

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Monte Carlo Range  

Monte Carlo 32

10.05m

Production: 2006 - 2011

Generations: 1

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Swift Trawler Range  

Swift Trawler 42

13.6m

Production: 2004 - 2010

Generations: 1

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Antares Range  

Antares 13.8

13.95m

Production: 2001 - 2009

Generations: 1

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Antares Range  

Antares 12 (Mk1)

12.62m

Production: 2004 - 2009

Generations: 2

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Flyer Range  

Flyer 12

12.62m

Production: 2004 - 2009

Generations: 1

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Antares Range  

Antares 10.8

10.8m

Production: 1998 - 2008

Generations: 1

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Antares Range  

Antares 9.8

9.95m

Production: 2002 - 2008

Generations: 1

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Antares Range  

Antares 11.20

11.2m

Production: 1988 - 1990

Generations: 1

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