BJ Marine has confirmed a massive Beneteau display at boot Düsseldorf which takes place 20-28 January 2024.

On the power stand will be a combination of the Swift Trawler, Gran Truismo, Antares and Flyer ranges.

The Grand Trawler 62 will be a star of the whole show, and BJ Marine is particularly excited to have the Antares 12 and Gran Truismo 41 on display.

The Grand Trawler 62 is expected to be the star of boot Düsseldorf 2024

On the sailing stand, interest will be huge in the new Oceanis 37.1 as well as both of the Oceanis yachts, the 54 and 60. Also on display will be the much acclaimed First 36 as well as the First 44.

With daily flights and the show only 15 minutes from the airport, boot Düsseldorf remains the must-see event of the winter boat show season.

The much acclaimed First 36 will also be on display

If you are attending and would like some time aboard the Beneteau range, contact James Kirwan on 087 771 2223 or [email protected] to set up an appointment. Some of the display models are available for sale, with deals available from now, so do not hesitate to get in touch.

BJ Marine is the exclusive Beneteau dealer for Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

BJ Marine are delighted to confirm exciting line-ups of Beneteau sailboats for both the Cannes and Southampton boat shows this autumn.

First up is the Cannes Yachting Festival from 12-17 September where there Beneteau will have six boats on display.

Of particular interest will be the world premiere of the new Oceanis 37.1, while the First 44 will also be on the water after making its world debut ashore at boot Düsseldorf earlier this year.

Others on show in Cannes include the Oceanis 51.1, Oceanis Yacht 54, Oceanis Yacht 60 and First 53.

Cannes is always an incredibly busy show, so it’s best to make appointments to view the boats. James Kirwan will be in attendance for the duration so please contact him on 087 771 2223 or [email protected].

The First 44 will be on the water in Cannes and will also be on show in Southampton next month after making its world debut ashore at boot Düsseldorf earlier this year | Credit: Beneteau

Next up is the Southampton International Boat Show from 15-24 September and again, a stunning line-up awaits those who travel.

The full BJ Marine team will be in attendance from our Greystones, Bangor, Cardiff and Pwllheli offices. Get in touch at [email protected] if you’re paying a visit and we will make it easier for you to get on the boats.

Southampton’s scheduled line-up includes the Oceanis 30.1, 34.1, 40.1 and 46.1 alongside the First 44 and First 36 — which was put through its paces in the Fastnet Race last month.

If you can’t travel to a show but are interested in a new sailboat, please let us know and we will look at other options to get you aboard! We have excellent trade in opportunities for orders this autumn.

We are delighted to finally be in a position to talk about the new Gran Turismo 45 from Beneteau writes Irish agent James Kirwan of BJ Marine 

We have had great success with the Gran Turismo range, in particular with the GT40, and this new 45 is ideally suited for our waters. An incredibly comfortable boat to drive with superb visibility and the option of either Volvo Z-drives or IPS, she lends herself to exploring our stunning coastline and travelling further afield. 

At low speed, the boat can be steered easily using the joystick and the optional bow thruster giving you fingertip control over in-harbour manoeuvres and berthing operations 

The cockpit has been cleverly designed, maximising space and minimising clutter. The Hydraulic Platform option will be very popular as it makes launching a tender effortless. The Glazed Cockpit doors also are ideal for our climate, enabling owners to seal the boat from the elements.

The Gran Turismo 45 hard-top has been completely redesigned to include much larger side windows that provide fabulous views of the open sea 

Essentially this is a boat that has been designed to be used, and as we have more people valuing what being afloat has to offer, we look forward to introducing this boat to all interested parties, whether they have been boating for years or if they are just getting started.

An elegant interior with grey walnut and white lacquered joinery 

Beneteau has launched the seventh generation of its First range small sailing cruisers and dayboats under the strapline: "Big boats bring the glory, but small boats make the sailors".

The First 24 and 27 are exciting sports cruisers, while First 14 is an innovative dinghy that brings fun and exciting sailing to everyone.

"We are delighted with the constant evolution and versatility of the First range", Irish Beneteau agent James Kirwan of BJ Marine told Afloat. "BJ Marine has sold more of the current First line up than any dealer in the UK/Ireland and it is definitely reflected in our passion for these boats", he said. 

In addition, a new product line of First SE – Seascape Edition, consisting of four models: 14SE, 18SE, 24SE and 27SE, was created. First SE is building on the legacy of Seascape boats and has the mission to bring modern one-design racing and adventure sailing in every sailor's hands.

The ability to specify these boats now for cruising or racing, or a healthy mix of both, makes them ideal for Irish waters and Irish owners as we look to maximise our time afloat and the value we get from our boats, Kirwan told Afloat. 

"We see the First 24 and 27 in particular as extremely relevant to domestic racing fleets and we are putting attractive “on the water” packages together for both. We can deliver new boats in time for this season which is fantastic", he said.

Back in the eighties, Beneteau brought the second generation of Firsts to life and with it a wide range of sailing experiences to every kind of sailors. The First range of cruiser-racers answered the needs of those looking to escape to the sea for family holidays or go racing with friends over the weekend. First Class one-design racers offered racing on a level playing field. And on top of that, Wizz, an innovative dinghy designed by studio Finot, opened the door to sailing for everyone.  

Forty years later Beneteau and Seascape's joined forces to reinvent the First for the new sailing era defined by accelerated innovation and progress. Focusing on the sailor and the sailing experience, Beneteau and Seascape created two distinct lines, First and First SE – Seascape Edition, to answer the needs of two distinct kinds of sailors.

FIRST 24: THE PERFECT FAMILY DAYSAILER

The new First 24 from BJ Marine: a fun day-sailor

A smart pocket cruiser, fun day-sailor or an exciting club racer all-in-one, she is keeping the First promise of modern performance sailing. She can easily sleep up to 4 persons but at the same time still delivers fun, planning sailing experience. A completely retractable keel gives you access to cruising spots you missed so far and a possibility to launch and recover your 24 on an ordinary slipway, opening new opportunities.

Light and stable hull together with the aluminium rig, classic backstay and Dacron sails make it an ideal weekender and holiday cruiser. The open-space interior is based on huge sleeping surfaces and offers innovative solutions for the toilette, storage, and living space transformation. Winch operated deep composite/lead retractable keel, and removable rudder blades give you access to as little as 30cm of water while keeping the boat fast and stable while sailing. 

FIRST 27: AN EIGHT-METER CRUISER FOR THE NEW ERA

First 27 - A family day sailor

She is the fastest and safest cruiser of her size. First 27 delivers fun and modern planing sailing thanks to modern design and building technologies. Families and couples will love taking her cruising, she will transform a light or strong wind day into a great sailing experience, and she will win trophies on the club races.

Being true to her pocket Yacht description, the 27 offers inboard Yanmar engine, separated Marine toilet, galley, fridge and up to 6 berths. Coachroof and hull windows together with big deck hatches bring a generous amount of light into the saloon while cockpit benches and removable table make living outdoors comfortable. Aluminium rig with classic backstay and dacron sails simplify life with the 27.  On the other hand, her striking performance is balanced by a number of safety features, including the deep, 1.7-meter lead fixed keel, twin rudders, and "insubmersibility" volumes, as the French manufacturers describe the new vessel's liability to flooding.

Irish Beneteau agents BJ Marine has announced the launch of its Grand Trawler 62.

The Trawler 62 builds on the already established and market-leading range of Swift Trawlers, with boats from 30ft-50ft.

The new Grand Trawler 62 offers incredible interior living space with either 3 or 4 cabin configurations, finished and detailed to a remarkably luxurious standard. She has the ability to do true long-distance cruising, with a range of 900 nautical miles. Ideal for exploring the Irish coast or enjoying the best of what the Mediterranean has to offer.

2020 has again seen the continued popularity Beneteau's Swift Trawler range in Irish waters. BJ Marine handed over the first Swift Trawler 47 sold in the UK/Ireland in August and also had a new Swift Trawler 44 arrive in Greystones.

BJ Marine handed over the first Swift Trawler 47 sold in the UK/Ireland in August and also had a new Swift Trawler 44 arrive in Greystones Marina

This builds on an existing fleet for the ’30s, '34s, '35s, '42s and 44s in Ireland. The Swift Trawlers have always been designed for owners to spend extended periods on board and The Grand Trawler 62 takes that to another level, becoming the flagship of the Beneteau powerboat offering.

Beneteau’s parent group has followed its recent management shakeup with a new strategic plan aimed at scaling back production capacity and cutting costs worldwide.

The brand anticipates a contracting market for sailing and inboard motorboats in the wake of this year’s coronavirus restrictions, on a similar level to that of the 2008 economic crisis.

As a result, it says it “needs to significantly scale back its production capacity over the coming months, while simplifying its organisation and reducing all of its fixed costs”.

Measures being considered for the boat division’s 16 active moulding and assembly sites include the closure, sell-off or temporary shutdown of four locations — one in the US, one in Slovenia, and four in France where it currently operated 10 sites.

Also proposed is the scaling down of operations at three sites, in Italy, France and Poland respectively, while job cuts among production staff globally would also be in the offing — seeing between 300 and 840 people laid off.

Layoffs of up to 460 among indirect production, product development and support services staff worldwide are also being considered.

However, Beneteau says redundancies among staff based in France may be avoided if the affected employees accept proposed redeployments.

Despite the market turbulence, Group Beneteau says its net cash position as of the end of August was better than forecast.

An EGM held on 28 August approved a change of the group’s financial year-end date, which has been put back to 31 December of each year.

Further financial elements will be published on October 27, 2020, including information on the end of the summer season.

Beneteau — whose Irish agents are BJ Marine — said it can already confirm that business for the period from 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2020 “came in slightly better than the forecast” announced in July, particularly in the last quarter.

It will come as no surprise that Beneteau are leading the way in terms of new models for 2021 — and the new Gran Turismo 36, the latest and hugely exciting addition to the Gran Turismo range, is no exception.

With powerful looks and bold lines, the GT36 is the first in her class to combine the kind of handling you would normally expect with a pure sports boat in combination with comfortable cruising and space for leisure.

Features to make the most of open-air boating include an aerodynamic hardtop with sliding roof, and a semi-recessed sunpad protected by a generous awning on the foredeck.

The interior is bathed in natural light thanks to large hull windows and deck hatches, making for a bright canvas on which to put your individual stamp.

But what is particularly special about this 37ft model is that you can choose between inboard diesel or outboard propulsion, both of which will offer exceptional performance and ease of handling, like all GT models.

This follows the huge increase in outboard engines as the propulsion of choice in the Irish market, as observed by Beneteau’s Irish dealer BJ Marine.

Like the GT40 — of which BJ Marine have a new stock boat ready immediately — the GT36 will have a huge cockpit, ideal for days afloat with family and friends. And the interior lends itself to trips further afield and overnighting aboard.

“We have crossed the Irish Sea between our Greystones and Pwllheli offices many times in the GT models that we have sold to date, and look forward to doing so in this new model,” says BJ Marine group manager James Kirwan.

“This boat was designed to be used and boating has never been such a suitable and safe pastime.”

The Beneteau website has more details on the Gran Turismo 36, including a virtual tour. Contact BJ Marine at +353 1 287 8334 (or +44 1758-612686 in the UK) to book a test sail.

Continuing its new strategy in response to the coronavirus crisis hitting the global boating industry, French boatbuilder Beneteau has announced the reorganisation of the key management structure of its boat division.

As reported by International Boat Industry, company veteran Jean-Paul Chapeleau will now assume the duties of deputy CEO in charge of the recently formed unified industrial operations and development department.

Chapeleau was general manager of the Prestige brand until April this year and before that was GM of Jeanneau for over 10 years.

With these changes, CFO Bruno Thivoyon joins Groupe Beneteau’s board of directors, and deputy CEO of operational excellence and former CFO Christophe Caudrelier has departed the company.

Beneteau — whose Irish agents are BJ Marine — will present a “comprehensive” new strategy to investors on Saturday 11 July. International Boat Industry has more on the story HERE.

Irish Beneteau agents BJ Marine are the people to see for spare and replacements parts ahead of the next week’s limited return to boating.

Whether it’s a replacement canvas, a cutlass bearing, a stanchion or just a locker catch — whatever it is, get in touch with [email protected] for pricing and availability and they will do the rest.

It’ll pay to act fast on this new cruising-spec Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 ready for delivery in June from BJ Marine.

The popular Oceanis 51.1 is sold out until later this year so this may be the last chance for a while to get your hands on a next-generation cruising yacht with three cabins (2 has) finished with Alpi brushed oak.

Other features include electric genoa winches, mainsail arch, thruster, coastal and offshore electronic packs, wood decks and much more besides.

The ticket price is €399,000 but trade-in is possible if you’re looking for a luxury upgrade to make the most of summer — once coronavirus restrictions allow.

For further details contact James Kirwan at BJ Marine at [email protected] or call +353877712223.