Although it would be difficult to calculate, (Catalina also comes to mind, especially in the US), world wide, there may well have been more production sailboats built under the Beneteau name than any other.
The company is also one of the oldest.
Benjamin Beneteau, shipwright, founded the Beneteau boatyard at Croix-de-Vie, France to build sailing trawlers.
In 1964 Annette Beneteau Roux and her brother, Andre, granddaughter and grandson to Benjamin, diversified the company with the introduction of fiberglass sailing yachts. With the introduction of the Fletan and the Guppy, Beneteau took part in the 1965 Paris Boat Show for the first time, establishing its reputation for building seaworthy pleasure craft.
In 1976 the Beneteau First 30 was introduced. Designed by Andre' Mauric, the FIRST 30 was the beginning of Beneteau's very successful First series. The FIRST 30 was chosen Boat of the Year at the Paris Boat Show and won the first leg of the Figaro Single-Handed Race.
In response to its expanding North American market, Beneteau opened a production facility in Marion, South Carolina. Within four years, Beneteau became one of the top three sailboat manufacturers in America.
In 1990 Beneteau celebrated the launching of its 1000th Boat at the Marion, SC facility.
***(In order to simplify things, all the Beneteau models that we have information about, and, no doubt I have left quite a number out, have been listed under the 'Benateau France' section.)
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