|
We've taken a
look at Beneteau in the United States to find out what makes it different
from other manufacturers. Here's what we uncovered...
 Beneteau
is a relatiely new comer to the US powerboat marketplace. However, they
are not new to powerboats and have been building powerboats in Europe
for almost 100 years. They build high quality, first rate boats.
We believe that their
pricing is currently well below their market value. From what we can see,
they are priced differently than other manufacturers... priced to their
efficent manufactured cost and margin rather than to their market value.
Beneteau is investing heavily in the US market. They are here to stay.
That will ensure an excellent resale market as well.
What does all this mean?
Read it as ... "Beneteau powerboats are the best deal of the decade."
If you like their boats... NOW is the time to buy one.
So
What Makes Beneteau Power Boats Different Besides Price?
|
The answer is
that they truly are Bluewater boats. They feel differently out at
sea. They have modified V entries and a great ride. The ride is
soft, and it can take a seaway well. They are very dry.
They are true,
offshore capable boats.
Secondly, their
mentality is different toward designing a boat. They design with
the whole boat in mind and the use of all areas.
|
x |
|
 They
design for usable decks, usable bow, usable flybridge, a usable cabin,
and a usable cockpit; as opposed to a current trend of some American built
boats that are designed for the cockpit and the inside.
What you gain in terms
of the Beneteau Antares line is visibility, two usable driving stations,
one down below with truly 360 degree visability, and one above in the
flybridge. The wide decks in all of their models make them ... a walk-around.
Easy to get to the foredeck when you need to.
 Even
the Antares 13.8, a 45 foot boat, is a walk-around. That is one example
of something special about her. A wide deck walkway fore to aft so you
can stroll maybe not hand-in-hand with your significant other, but close
to it.
 Free
Case of Dom Perignon Champagne
with all Beneteau Powerboats
A Usable
Layout
At anchor adults usually
wind up on the flybridge with kids yelling and screaming off the back.
A typical scene. The Antares accommodates families quite well because
she has the deck space to be able to do it. She is more traditionally
designed in the flybridge sedan mold, but yet she has neoclassical lines.
Tradition with a flair.
When we looked at their
boats and saw the quality and then looked at the price point, it's hard
to have the awareness that Beneteau is a well made boat in the power boat market
based on their price point. But, if you open your eyes... she is. She's
the bargain of the decade.
 Impressions
count. I would guess that the boat should be around $850K, but at the
time it was $200K to $300K less than that depending on the exchange rate.
Yes, I said $200 grand less.
 By
way of example, when you step on board the 13.8 and see the varnish
work, the touch and the feel, the three cabins below (which is unusual
in this size range)… it’s hard to believe the boat is that price. But
she is. And, the quality level is high.
How
does Beneteau Do It?
Total automation in
production creates cost savings. And I would guess they have a lower margin
goal during the US expansion. They are priced to sell. And, when boaters
become aware of them, sell they will!
 To
us, it looks like Beneteau is feeling their way into the US market. Their
power boats are an incredible value. The power side of the Beneteau brand
is not well established in the US. That is obviously only a temporary
situation.
|
Subscribe to our FREE Boating eNewsletter.