Beneteau closing the Marion, SC plant

Or is the wave of sales not quite to the level claimed?

Perhaps neither, but just a plant on a list of potential closures for a while and they finally decided to do it.

I bought a new First 35s5 in 1989. It had a fractional rig and was a joy to single hand. I later traded it for a Catalina 400 mast head rigged with air conditioning. I miss them both.

I just had a conversation last week with a friend who wants to build a new Beneteau 46. Nice looking boat, modern interior, but agree with Pascal on their motoryacht range.

That used to be like a Chevy, Ford, Chrysler thing... Beneteaus had their "look". People either liked it or didn't. They sailed well. Only design feature I didn't like (20 years ago) was the way the inner liner was done. Stringing a wire from stem to stern inside was a nightmare. Gerry Douglas has designed every Catalina for the last 30 years and I think he did an amazing job. I've owned three, and sailed a few more and they were all honest well designed boats with an incredible bang for the buck. Hunter, well there may be Hunter owners here so I'll just leave that alone.

I have owned three Beneteau's built in the SC plant. Still have a 2009 37. Price point build, great sailing boat, we love it as a day sail for single handing or small groups.
I can't imagine sales in the US are that slow. They did not close in 2008-9 when boat sales went in the tank. What on earth is Group Beneteau doing?
They have gone all in on the Ikea joinery with both sail and power, not the greatest. But then the just launched the First Yacht 53 and wow, as 993RSR mentioned.
They even just announced three new sailboat designs.
I can only imagine north americans aren't buying sailboats right now.

This is a surprise.

I see the print press in the area is saying it is a Coronavirus slowing that is causing the closure, not able to find a Group Beneteau statement.

We had a 2009 32S5 and it was terrific. Went to a 46 foot sloop and then to the dark side. The Beneteau did everything it promised with great reliability for the years we owned her. Lovely design and performance.

Maybe it’s because fuel is so cheap.

Cut 400 jobs but introduce 18 new models. How just like a conglomerate.

Having owned a Catalina 355[current boat]; Marlow Hunter 31; & Beneteau Oceanis 37 all shoal keel, I rank them as follows:
1. Catalina - best quality build and greatest ballast[over 6,000#];
2. Beneteau Oceanis 37 - good quality and nice lines, specially Platinum model[ballast over 4,000#];
3. Marlow Hunter 31 - cheaper build quality although good hardware[ballast was over 3000#.

Conclusion, ballast makes a big difference in a shoal keel and real wood beats Ikea wood on Beneteau!

Most sail boaters I know are horrible boaters. It doesn't take a genius to sail. I'm able to get a sail boat properly trimmed and at hull speed and have never, and I mean EVER, been taught anything by anyone or read how to do it......it's really not brain surgery to get the sails taught.

Ever have anything nice to say?

Sorry, but based on 60 years of sailing under just about all but the worst conditions your statement reflects that unlike power boat operation, which you do seem to know a few things about, in this case you have no clue what you are talking about. But I'm sure your mind is made up so I probably won't try to confuse you with the facts.