Veterans amongst the silverware

by Helen Taylor on 2 Mar 2007 In human terms, intangible elements such as characteristics of personality and wisdom cannot be quantified with a monetary value but for a tangible item such as a boat, it is easily quantifiable orrrrrrrr it is not, depending upon its
owner.

Beneteau boats and their owners evoke such thoughts, especially in the past couple of weeks where two older models and their owners have featured prominently on the podium around Australia.

Wait, I do not suggest that the owners are old, merely mature, canny gentlemen who have had the foresight to buy a boat of enduring quality.

Bob Penty of Elizabeth Bay purchased his Beneteau First 38s5 ‘Big Blue’ in 1989 as a pre-loved model with definite characteristics. Designed by Jean Berret, the interior is by world design guru Phillipe Starck ensuring the boat has true iconic style.

But Phillipe Starck did not win Bob the Milson Memorial Cup for 2007. Bob won that against tough competition. The Milson Cup is the personification of longevity, first raced by the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron in 1931 and has now been won by a Beneteau two years in a row.

A more modern boat but fated with the same enduring quality is the Beneteau First 40.7, first launched in 1997, has won the IRC division in the 2007 Adelaide to Port Lincoln Yacht Race. Dick Fidock, 78 years young and very proud of his First 40.7 ‘As Good as It Gets’ has a similarity to Jack Nicholson (who featured in a movie of the same name). They both have a twinkle in their eye and for Dick it most certainly is aimed at first place.

It was in fact a Beneteau First 40.7 race with IRC Division 1 placings going to ‘As Good As It Gets’ - Dick Fidock (1st), ‘True North’ – Andrew Saies (2nd) and ‘Reverie’ – Alan Woodward (3rd) and Overall IRC to Dick Fidock.

The Bruce Farr designed boat continues to maintain prominence on podium standings across the globe justifying Groupe Beneteau’s decision to keep the 40.7 production line operating, filling the orders.

So, is there a price placed on longevity? Well, that is for the owners to decide and as long as the very essence of Beneteau is maintained, that being the evolving spirit of the sea.