From the 1970s onwards, his collaboration with our group produced 61 of the brand’s most iconic models. From the First Class 8 to the First 210, via the Figaro Bénéteau 1, the unrivalled success of the First 31.7, and an impressive range of Oceanis yachts, he has been instrumental in BENETEAU’s development.
Madame Annette Roux, director at that time and a Groupe Beneteau administrator remembers:
“Jean-Marie worked closely with my brother André and François Chalain. His ongoing quest for excellence led to him being missioned to design the First range of sailing yachts, especially the smaller models which are the most challenging to design, including the remarkable First 210!”
But Jean-Marie Finot did far more than just design sailing yachts: by introducing CAD techniques and applications he literally revolutionised the design process, boldly modernizing established boat design practices.
“He was the first to show us computer-generated drawings – at a time when the drawings for each boat designed by André, father or son, were prepared on the drawing board using plumb lines and rulers.”
“Imagine André Bénéteau senior’s amazement when he first saw this young architect roll up, bare feet in sandals in the middle of winter, and his astonishment at seeing lines drawn not by hand, but by computer … Through his pioneering and visionary approach, Jean-Marie was a driving force behind the Bénéteau boatyard’s development at this time.”
Today, there are thousands of Finot-designed BENETEAU yachts sailing the seas the world over.