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.

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.

French boatbuilder Beneteau has restarted production at three of its sites as it announced half-year earnings that showed a 4.7% rise in consolidated revenues by the end of February.

International Boat Industry reports that this was thanks to sustained business in both its boat and housing divisions — though it represents a period before the impact of coronavirus on the economy worldwide.

In response to the current crisis, Beneteau’s CEO has taken a salary reduction and a new strategic plan will follow in July to reflect significant changes in global markets.

Beneteau’s Irish agents are BJ Marine, who recently delivered a new Beneteau 27 sports cruiser — the first in the UK and Ireland — to an Irish Sea customer in Cardiff.

The first Beneteau 27 in the UK and Ireland was delivered by BJ Marine to a new Irish Sea customer last week. As regular Afloat readers will recall, the deal on the new design was done at January's Boot Dusseldorf boat show by BJ's Cardiff brokerage office. 

The First 27 is a small towable sports cruiser packed with potential. She is certified in the CE B category (Offshore) and ISAF OSR Category 3 and is designed for offshore racing by naval architect Sam Manuard, taking inspiration from his own racing experience.

Featuring a hard chine as far as the stem, vertical sides, a good beam on the waterline and twin rudders, she has all the makings of a robust competitive boat. Her hull shape, carbon rig, and deep draught lead keel combine to make here remarkably stable. With her keel taking up 50% of her weight, she is a powerful little yacht. A manually operated hydraulic jack lifts the keel making the First 27 is easy to tow. 

The First 27 is also pitched as a boat that is ideal for a few days cruising with a crew of four. The fore cabin has a large double berth while two berths sliding below the cockpit double the length of the saloon seats. The style of the interior is simple yet boldly contemporary, featuring many clever details that everyone will love: folding doors held by magnets, shelves that double up as bags to embark/disembark everyone’s personal effects, a large table on keel casing leg, and the companionway steps housing storage with a bottom compartment the perfect size for a fridge.

Immediately following last month's Dusseldorf Boat Show, French giant boatbuilder Beneteau has been swift to maket two important launches both particularly relevant for the Irish sailing market writes James Kirwan of Irish agents BJ Marine.

We had a successful outing at the German show with this year’s boat of the year winner in the Family Cruiser category being the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1, one of the stars of last autumn’s Southampton International Boat Show and the Beneteau stand at boot Düsseldorf alike. 

Now, in February, the news of these two Oceanis models is another boost for the brand.

Oceanis 40.1

Oceanis40.1 - taller rig option as well as the usual in-mast furling or traditional mainsail with lazy bag

The Oceanis 40.1 replaces the Oceanis 41.1 which BJ Marine sold in great numbers both at home and overseas. The 40.1 offers 3 excellent cabins, made possible by the max beam carried all the way aft, giving two huge aft cabins and providing a massive cockpit on deck. As ever, the Oceanis 40.1 will offer excellent sailing performance in whichever configuration the client wants, noting we offer a taller rig option as well as the usual in-mast furling or traditional mainsail with lazy bag. With a self-tacking jib too, we can really customise the boat for every client. The boat will also come with a choice of the wood interior which can really personalize your boat.

Oceanis Yacht 54

Oceanis Yacht 54 - redesign of the cockpit will set her apart, offering great comfort and making handling the 54 very manageable

The new Oceanis Yacht 54, is very much the little sister of the multi-award-winning Oceanis Yacht 62. Finished to an incredibly high standard, the 62 and now the 54, offers something completely different to the market. The level of detailing in the interior, with endless options, ensures that the owner will have a boat exactly as they want it. The redesign of the cockpit will set her apart, offering great comfort and making handling the 54 very manageable for all those that step aboard. Again, with the different rig and keel options, Beneteau really are staying true to their values of designing and building an excellent sailing boat first and foremost and then building the interior and luxuries around that principle.

I will be sailing both boats at the end of April, with clients already booked for sea trials at our sea trial base in Port Ginesta near Barcelona, and we will report back in full to Afloat.ie

The full Beneteau press release on the new models is downloadable below

BJ Marine is looking to recruit a yacht broker for our busy sales office at Greystones Harbour Marina, just south of Dublin.

BJ Marine has a strong network of offices throughout Ireland, the UK and the Mediterranean, representing market-leading brands such as Beneteau (Sail + Power), Sea Ray and Fountaine Pajot.

The successful applicant will be an 'energetic and motivated candidate' with a strong interest in boats and the marine industry. Computer skills are essential.

Brief description of requirements:

• Answering sales enquiries for new and used boats.
• Managing leads and prospects and to seek out new leads.
• Seek out and secure new brokerage listings.
• Participation in National and International Sales events.
• Communicate with fellow employees to generate sales across all markets
• Report to management on activity progress.

Location: Greystones Harbour Marina, Co. Wicklow, Ireland

Salary/Rate: €TBD & Commission

To apply, please send a CV to James Kirwan, BJ Marine Group Manager, at [email protected]

French giant Beneteau has announced the launch of two passage-making yachts at Boot Dusseldorf this week.

The aim, according to James Kirwan of Irish agents BJ Marine, is to capitalise on the success of its Swift Trawler range, and the new yachts to be known and coded as 'Project E' to highlight they are built for: Exceptional cruises, long-distance blue water Expeditions, and unforgettable Experiences in Extra-voluminous
spaces.

These two yachts, one of which is over 20 metres (over 65’) long, are the result of Beneteau’s collaboration with Massimo Gino (Nauta Design) and Amedeo Migali (MICAD) and build on the highly successful Trawler range of practical, spacious boats, with a considerable cruising range, and put Groupe Bénéteau’s experience in producing luxury boats to good use.

The new boats have a distinctive displacement hull, developed by MICAD with the aim of improving their cruising range and efficiency, making it easier for owners to cast off on long-distance cruises.

A satin wax finished wood, leather and elegant textiles make for a stylish interior and exterior, carefully designed by the experts at Nauta Design.

Strikingly spacious inside, with volumes similar to much bigger yachts, and ingeniously designed, these large passagemakers also have enough space to comfortably house a crew.

The first model is 18.95 metres long (62’) and has a hull beam of over 5 metres (16’5”). Designed for 6 to 8 people on board (+ crew), the boat has an impressive flybridge – one of the biggest on the market. The interior spaces are spacious and well-appointed. The galley can be completely enclosed. The VIP guest cabin in the bow has
a considerable amount of headroom so that you feel like you are in a hotel suite. Comfortable and seaworthy, with a cruising range of 900 nautical miles and a central raised helm station, she is ideal for slow cruises, favouring introspection as much as getting away from it all or leisure activities.

The second model is 22.28 metres long (73’1’’) designed for 8 people and 4 crew. With space inside similar to an 85-foot boat, a little patience will be needed to see every detail of the second model. Careful attention has been paid to the low of movement on board, to make crew circulation easier. A raised pilothouse is located midships, cleverly positioned between the main deck and the flybridge and accessed by a dedicated stairway.

Built for long-distance blue water expeditions, these code-name “PROJECT E” yachts can be seen this weekend at BOOT Düsseldorf before they are officially launched in 2021.