Inaugural Beneteau regatta- Western Australia

by Jardine Media on 21 Feb 2008 The first West Coast Beneteau Regatta will be held on the 29th and 30th of March, with both Fremantle Yacht Club and Rockingham’s Cruising Yacht Club hosting the event. A fleet of 23 boats are already confirmed, with more entries expected in the upcoming weeks As with any Beneteau Regatta there will be a fantastic line up of prizes on offer, including the lucky door prize of a trip for 2 to the Paris Boat Show in December…..not bad for a fun weekend of socialising and racing!

Givenchy Langer, the local Beneteau agent and owner of Squadron Marine, said ‘pretty much everyone who joins up for the race is going to win something.’ Prizes for the racing and cruising divisions include Beneteau pennants and trophies, crates of wine from Alexandra Bridge, a range of Harken equipment, sailing gear from sailmaker UK Halsey, and even a professional rig tune. The major prizes include a trip for two to the next Sydney Beneteau Cup as well as a four cricket bats signed by ex-Australian opener Justin Langer, which will be auctioned for Sailability.

Notable members of the racing fleet, which ranges from a Beneteau First 21.7 to a Beneteau First 44.7, include Brad Skegg’s ‘Palandri Wines Minds Eye’. This is the Beneteau First 34.7 which recently competed in the Sydney Hobart as the smallest boat in the fleet. ‘High Flyer’ is also set to attract a great deal of attention.

‘It’s one of the more spectacular ones we’ve got coming out. It is an IMS 40.7, which is actually classed as a Farr, but it’s one of the few that were built over in France, so they’re competing with us as well.’

Two of Squadron Marine’s clients have been instrumental in helping organise the regatta: Des Lord and Richard MacFarlane. As anyone who has been involved in the process can testify, running a regatta entails a huge time commitment and is an extremely detailed exercise in logistics.

‘We really wouldn’t be able to actually do it without them’ said Givenchy.

Des Lord, who has a quarter share in a Beneteau 411 in the Mediterranean and another quarter share in a Beneteau 43.3 based in Perth (‘I can honestly say that I don’t own a yacht’ he quipped) explained that Givenchy Langer invited him to become involved in the regatta in September of last year. Lord had been training for the World Masters Rowing Championships in Croatia but an accident left him in hospital recuperating from a hip operation. Like many very fit people suddenly forced into periods of idleness, Lord was bored silly and ‘down in the dumps’.

Langer’s invitation came at a good time; Lord thought to himself ‘what a great thing to get involved in’ and threw himself into the pre regatta preparations. Richard Macfarlane agreed to join the organising team and Lord and Macfarlane planned the regatta together. Both were motivated by a long association with the Beneteau brand ‘We’ve had Beneteaus for a long time; they’re a nice boat. The boats, to an extent, sell themselves.’

He joked that the regatta will be governed by ‘a novel system of handicapping best negotiated at the bar.’

Sail-World looks forward to hearing the reports from a weekend of racing that promises to be both highly competitive and a great deal of fun.

Meanwhile on the East Coast, the Vicsail offices are “standing by” for the arrival of the Fourth generation Beneteau Oceanis 31 and 37 footers. Both new models are expected to arrive in April, just in time for the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show (22nd-25th May.) This will be your first chance to see the Oceanis 31 and Oceanis 37 before their display at the Sydney International Boat Show (July 31st to August 5th.)

Vicsail’s Nick Bedggood said that there had already been strong interest in the new cruisers following the 31’s launch at the Paris Boat Show last December. Fourth generation designs are characterised by a slightly taller mast, less overlap in the genoa and modernised interiors.

‘One of the main differences in the cockpit is the patented pivot wheel of Beneteau isn’t there this time because there is sufficient room to walk around the wheel and binnacle.’

The interiors reflect trends in contemporary home design with an emphasis on clean lines, light and immaculate surfaces; the wooden surfaces are paler, the shapes edgier and squarer than previously. Efficient use of space has been taken to new extremes, living space is suffused with natural light; clever design means that you feel that you’re entering a boat rather than stepping down into one.

‘You’ll find on the Oceanis 37 that the swivel and fold down table in the saloon is quite modern, revolutionary really, and very different from what’s been there before.’

‘The third generation Oceanis were popular; the fourth generation will be a huge hit.’

The announcement that the first 31 and 37s are expected to arrive in little over two months is certainly good news for legions of Beneteau aficionados and those who have pre-ordered these prestigious vessels.

For those that are more inclined towards the racing side of life, Vicsail are importing the new Beneteau First 45 which is expected to arrive at the same time as the Oceanis 31 and 37. Bedggood describes the 45 as a ‘true cruiser/racer’ which is intended to fit into the Beneteau range between the old 44.7 and the 47.7. However the 45’s interior design is practically identical to the First 50, the key difference between them being that the 50 footer was designed as a sports cruiser whereas the 45 has broader crossover appeal.

‘It will have the ability to be really taken up to a full grand prix racing level, providing that platform on which to compete with all the great cruiser/racers out there.’

‘There is a test IRC certificate of 1.113 which is very, very competitive. Most of the 44.7s rolling around have got probably between 1.115 and 1.120; the best being 1.110 which is Prime Time, a very successful Beneteau 44.7’.

Three different versions of the 45 will be on offer: two regatta versions sporting a three spreader rig, non overlapping genoa and the choice between aluminium or carbon fibre mast. Sailors focussed on optimising their IRC rating will have the option of a blade keel without a bulb, very similar to the underwater configuration of the 44.7. Then there’s a cruising version with a slightly shorter mast and shallower keel.

Racing fans can expect to see a number of First 45’s competing at this year’s Audi Hamilton Island Race Week (22nd-30th August) with one owner planning to campaign his new boat vigorously on the East Coast circuit. Expect to see at least one 45 in the Sydney to Southport fleet, at Meridien Marina’s Airlie Beach Race Week and possibly the Coffs Harbour race later in the year.








For more information about the Oceanis 31, 37 or the First 45 contact:

Vicsail Pty Limited
d’Albora Marinas
New Beach Road, Rushcutters Bay NSW 2027, Australia
Telephone:+ 61 2 9327 2088
Fax: +61 2 9362 4516
Email: info@vicsail.com

If you would like more information about Western Australia’s inaugural Beneteau regatta please contact:

Beneteau Western Australia
Givenchy Langer
Squadron Marine Brokers
Perth Flying Squadron Yacht Club
The Esplanade Dalkeith WA 6009
Tel: 08 9386 9200
Fax: 08 9386 9244
Email: beneteauwa@bigpond.com.au