Andre Beneteau

André Bénéteau (1930–2006) was a French naval architect and the founder of Chantiers Bénéteau, evolving from a small fishing-boat builder in 1884 (started by his grandfather Benjamin) into one of the world’s largest production yacht manufacturers. Trained in traditional wooden boatbuilding in Croix-de-Vie, Vendée, André took over the family yard in 1963 and pioneered fiberglass construction in France, launching the first Bénéteau sailboat—the Pêche-Promenade FG4—in 1965. His early designs, including the groundbreaking Evasion 32 (1973), introduced innovative motorsailer and pilothouse concepts that blended sailing tradition with motor cruising comfort—featuring long keels, ketch rigs, and protected cockpits ideal for year-round coastal and offshore use. Though not formally trained as a naval architect, André collaborated closely with designers like Jean Berret and later Groupe Finot, while personally shaping the brand’s early cruising ethos: durable, practical, and accessible boats for families. Under his leadership until 1983, Bénéteau grew from a regional builder to a global leader, laying the foundation for iconic lines like First, Oceanis, and Evasion. His legacy endures in the company’s emphasis on volume production, seaworthiness, and innovation.