Beneteau

André Bénéteau's innovative inspiration still completely permeates the work of the design office. It is expressed by an incomparable know-how in developing new hulls or understanding bows. This is why the design of our motorboats is wholly entrusted to three “Yard Designers”. They use outside skills to carry out the more specialized hydro and aerodynamics studies, but they have full control of the drawings and forms. The tulip-shaped bow, a specific feature of BENETEAU boats, holds no secrets for them. With excellent wave deflection, protection from sea spray, reduction in noise, its strengths no longer need to be proved. As to the hull shapes, the performances now achieved make it possible to combine large acceleration capacity, stability, comfort and energy gains in propulsion. Every new boat should be able to smoothly cut through 15 knots, without nosing up. This has been achieved on the latest boats in each range.

Co-invented by two of the Yard designers and a hydrodynamics engineer partner, Air Step® technology is a BENETEAU patent. The environmental philosophy that prevails at the Yard finds its place here. Through this innovation we can increase the size of the boats, at the same time reducing the engine power aboard. This air cushion supported hull provides great comfort and optimal stability. The boat also gains lift-off rapidity when accelerating.

It is during the composite transformation phase that the technological advance of a yard can be measured. BENETEAU has developed unequalled know-how in this domain, enabling it to attain perfect control of the manufacturing of large laminated parts. It is now the only company in the world to control both open and close mould processes. Wiser for their well-proven know-how on thousands of decks and hulls made by injection or resin infusion, BENETEAU developed a hybrid technology, in 2004, called “Infujection”. Perfectly consistent with the environmental protection approach of the Yard, the technique of the closed mould improves working conditions and reduces the VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions into the air.

This technology consists in impregnating fibres placed in an open mould with resin Part of the ancestral know-how of BENETEAU, this contact moulding is carried out with a spray gun, roller or brush depending on the surface being worked on.

Initially used in the manufacture of structural components (rudder and rudder stock), then found in coverings such as hatches, BENETEAU brought this technology into widespread use in 1998 to manufacture the decks and hulls of most of their boats. A high-precision technique, offering perfect weight regularity of components and structure, the resin is injected into a closed mould under pressure.

For more than 120 years, the succeeding BENETEAU cabinet work generations rivalled each other in know-how. Their single passion has always been to perpetuate the tradition, to offer stylishly elegant boats; always with a quality of finish beyond reproach. Associating industrial performance with traditional talent, the Yard's cabinet work now mobilizes highly varied skills and processes, working towards continuously improving boat fittings. There are 300 cabinet workers in the workshop, based in Vendée, and this supplies all production sites, including the United States. The work of this team of men and women is very demanding as much in the choice of woods as in their transformation and treatment. They all use their talents to adapt the production to design trends and remain loyal to the BENETEAU tradition of lavish cabinet work in moulded wood.

The timber is chosen with care and this is where experience is invaluable. It guarantees meticulous shaping. Entering the workshop in the form of rough sawn planks, the solid wood is cut and machined, then sanded down by hand. It is then transformed into door frames, decorative mouldings and connecting parts. Veneered, the moulded wood is shaped using a process unique in the construction of yachts. With fluid and curving lines, it is used mainly in the making of fiddles and decorative parts. The transformation of panels of marine plywood, for the making of bulkheads and fitments, is more mechanised. For this, digitally controlled machines are used, chosen for the precision and reliability. Adjustments and finishing touches are however made by hand. Finally, the varnishing of components is carried out in a varnishing line (plywood) or with a spray gun (solid and moulded wood). Rigour, precision and experience are required to offer a perfect finish, silky to the touch.