Beneteau shows e-sailing yachts at Nautic

Beneteau hosted the world premieres of the First 44e and Oceanis 30.1e at December’s Nautic Boat Show in Paris, with the sailing yachts showcasing sustainability in terms of the construction materials and propulsion systems.

Gianguido Girotti, Managing Director of Groupe Beneteau’s Boat Division, said: “We cannot force our customers, but we can win them over, which is why we need pioneering projects to develop new technologies and prepare the future leap forward. The transition is underway. The whole of the industry will need to change.”

The First 44e is the first production boat to be built from recyclable Elium resin, as part of Beneteau’s exclusive partnership with Arkema. Instead of teak, an exotic wood predominantly produced in Myanmar, the decking is made of Iroko from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified forests in Congo.

The yacht has a Torqeedo series hybrid propulsion system, where two pods are powered by a 20kW battery bank that can be recharged at harbour or at sea with a diesel generator.

Beneteau Oceanis 30.1

The Oceanis 30.1e uses an all-electric Torqeedo pod engine, with a 5kW battery that can be recharged at harbour or by solar panels. The Oceanis 30.1e is designed to be used initially for inland sailing, although Beneteau is considering rolling out the materials and technology used on the two boats on an industrial scale for production models.

Yann Masselot, Managing Director of Beneteau, said: “Reducing the environmental footprint of the nautical industry is a succession of challenges and small steps. Each innovation involves inventing valid technical solutions, creating partnerships and making investments, and, of course, receiving the support of customers.

“A demand for a new style of sailing is emerging. It is our responsibility to pave the way and not to impose changes in the way we sail, but to make them possible.”

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