Sailing is an art as old as civilization itself. It was even just sails and the wind that allowed mankind to explore the world, discover new lands, establish trade routes, and connect distant places across the globe. Modern sailboats, although they work with the very same principle as their ancient ancestors, look and perform completely differently. Thanks to modern enhancements and technology, sailboats take efficiency, comfort and luxury to the edge. In this post, we will list the brands that dominate the global recreational sailing yacht industry.
Beneteau
Beneteau is the most popular recreational sailboat manufacturer in the world, leading the industry. French sailboat-makers trace their origin all the way back to 1884 when the naval architect Benjamin Beneteau established the Beneteau Boatyard in order to build vessels for the fishermen. The BeneteauOceanis line can now be seen all over the world thanks to its universal reputation.
Beneteau product line:
Beneteau First
The Beneteau First series represents true sailing. The vessels are designed for competitive sailing but are also comfortable and convenient for use by families and groups of friends.
First 14 – Overall length: 4.30 meters
First 18 – Overall length: 5.55 meters
First 24 – Overall length: 7.29 meters
First 27 – Length overall: 11.50 meters
First Yacht 53 – Length overall: 17.16 meters
Beneteau Oceanis
Representing a global standard in sailing, Beneteau Oceanis is the most recognizable model line of recreational sailing yachts. This category represents modern sailboat standards all over the world.
Oceanis 30.1 – Overall length: 9.53 meters
Oceanis 35.1 – Overall length: 10.45 meters
Oceanis 38.1 – Overall length: 11.50 meters
Oceanis 41.1 – Overall length: 12.43 meters
Oceanis 46.1 – Length overall: 14.60 meters
Oceanis 51.1 – Length overall: 15.94 meters
Oceanis 55.1 – Length overall: 16.78 meters
Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 62
Representing the highest-end product of the Beneteau Oceanis line, the Oceanis Yacht 62 is also the flagship of the entire Beneteau brand.
Oceanis Yacht 62 – Length overall: 19.16 meters
VIDEO: Oceanis Yacht 62
Jeanneau
Jeanneau is another globally popular French sailboat maker. It was founded by Henri Jeanneau in 1957 and went on to become one of the most popular recreational sailing yacht brands around the world. In 1995, Jeanneau joined Beneteau Group. Jeanneau changed sailboat design forever with the introduction of their Sun Odyssey line in 2000, combining aesthetics, comfort, seaworthiness, and modern technology.
Jeanneau product line:
Jeanneau Sun Fast
Sun Fast lines are the light racing yachts of Jeanneau, optimized for performance and reliability. Sun Fast currently has 2 models.
Sun Fast 3300 – Length overall 10.11 meters
Sun Fast 3600 – Length overall: 11.25 meters
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey
Sun Odyssey is the most recognizable and popular model line of Jeanneau, closely trailing Beneteau’s Oceanis. Sun Odyssey currently has 6 models.
Sun Odyssey 319 – Overall length: 9.8 meters
Sun Odyssey 349 – Overall length: 10.34 meters
Sun Odyssey 389 – Overall length: 11.75 meters
Sun Odyssey 410 – Length overall 12.35 meters
Sun Odyssey 440 – Length overall: 13 meters
Sun Odyssey 490 – Length overall 14.42 meters
Jeanneau Yacht
The Jeanneau Yacht line represents the flagship of the entire Jeanneau Yacht brand, and vessels are built without any compromise and priced accordingly.
Jeanneau Yacht 51 – Length overall: 15.38 meters
Jeanneau Yacht 54 – Length overall: 16.16 meters
Jeanneau Yacht 64 – Length overall: 20.1 meters
VIDEO: Jeanneau 64
Bavaria
Bavaria Yachts is not only Germany’s biggest but also one of the world’s most popular sailing yacht manufacturers. It was founded by window manufacturer Winfried Herrman and yacht charter broker Josef Meltl in 1978. Today Bavaria represents Germany’s take on the recreational sailing yacht industry with fine German engineering.
Bavaria product line:
Bavaria C
C line represents the high-end product line of Bavaria; they are the flagships and some of the finest recreational sailboats around the world. It currently has 3 models.
C45 – Overall length: 14.43 meters
C50 – Overall length: 15.89 meters
C57 – Overall length: 16.73 meters
Bavaria Cruiser
Cruiser is the most popular product line of Bavaria, with family-oriented yachts that are elegant with a sturdy build.
Cruiser 34 – Overall length: 9.99 meters
Cruser 37 – Overall length: 11.30 meters
Cruiser 41 – Overall length: 12.35 meters
Cruiser 41S – Overall length: 12.35 meters
Cruiser 46 – Length overall: 14.27 meters
Cruiser 46 Style – Length overall: 14.27 meters
Cruiser 51 – Length overall: 15.59 meters
Cruiser 51 Style – Length overall: 15.59 meters
Bavaria Vision
Vision 42 – Length overall: 12.80 meters
Vision 46 – Length overall: 13.99 meters
Bavaria Easy
Easy 9.7 – Length overall: 9.99 meters
VIDEO: Bavaria C57
Dufour
Dufour is one of the leading recreational sailboat brands in France, founded in 1964 by naval engineer and architect Michel Dufour. Despite remaining as a separate brand, Dufour was later acquired by the leading catamaran manufacturer Fountaine Pajot.
Dufour product line:
Dufour 310 – Length overall: 9.67 meters
Dufour 360 – Length overall: 10.73 meters
Dufour 382 – Length overall: 11.25 meters
Dufour 390 – Length overall: 11.94 meters
Dufour 412 – Length overall: 12.70 meters
Dufour 430 – Overall length: 13.24 meters
Dufour 460 – Overall length: 14.15 meters
Dufour 520 – Overall length: 15.20 meters
Dufour 530 – Overall length: 16.35 meters
Dufour 56 – Overall length: 17.15 meters
Dufour 63 – Overall length: 19.20 meters
Hanse
Hanse is a sailing yacht maker based in the Baltic city of Greifswald. It is owned by Hanse Yachts, which also has five additional brands including monohull sailboat brands Dehler, Moody, a catamaran brand named and motor yacht brands named Fjord, and Sealine. Hanse is the second largest sailing yacht builder globally in terms of production.
Hanse product line:
Hanse 315 – Overall length: 9.62 meters
Hanse 348 – Overall length: 10.40 meters
Hanse 388 – Overall length: 11.40 meters
Hanse 418 – Overall length: 12.40 meters
Hanse 458 – Overall length: 14.04 meters
Hanse 508 – Length overall: 15.55 meters
Hanse 548 – Length overall: 16.22 meters
Hanse 588 – Length overall: 17.20 meters
Hanse 675 – Length overall: 21.10 meters
VIDEO: Hanse 675
Elan
Elan is a Slovenian yacht builder based in Begunje na Gorenjskem. It originates from the WW2-era Slovene Partisan workshop. Back then the company produced canoes and kayaks and over time it expanded to produce FRP boats and eventually; yachts.
Elan product line:
Elan E
Elan E3 – Length overall – 9.25 meters
Elan E4 – Length overall – 10.60 meters
Elan E5 – Length overall – 11.96 meters
Elan Impression
Elan Impression 40.1 – Overall length – 11.99 meters
Elan Impression 45.1 – Overall length – 13.85 meters
Elan Impression 50.1 – Overall length – 15.27 meters
Elan GT
Elan GT5 – Length overall – 13.20 meters
VIDEO: Elan GT5
Fountaine Pajot
Fountaine Pajot is a world-renowned French catamaran manufacturer headquartered in Aigrefeuille d’Aunis. It is one of the leading multi-hull manufacturers in the world. It acquired Sailboat manufacturer Dufour in 2018.
Fountane Pajot product line:
Fountaine Pajot Sailing Catamarans
Lucia 40 – Length overall: 11.73 meters
Astréa 42 – Length overall: 12.58 meters
Elba 45 – Length overall: 13.45 meters
Saona 47 – Length overall: 13.94 meters
Saba 50 – Overall length: 14.98 meters
New 59 – Overall length: 18.21 meters
Alegria 67 – Overall length: 19.49 meters
Fountaine Pajot Power Catamarans
Motor Yacht 37 – Length overall: 11 meters
Motor Yacht MY 40 – Length overall: 12.2 meters
Motor Yacht MY 44 – Length overall: 13.4 meters
Power 67 – Length overall: 19.69 meters
VIDEO: Alegria 67
Lagoon
Lagoon is a French catamaran builder based in Bordeaux. It was formerly a sub-brand of monohull sailboat builder Jeanneau. When Jeanneau was acquired by Beneteau, Lagoon also became part of the Beneteau group. Lagoon is now the world’s largest catamaran builder and its designers consistently take feedback from the customers to improve the design, giving the brand a consistent competitive edge over others.
Lagoon product line includes:
Lagoon 40 – Length overall: 11.74 meters
Lagoon 42 – Length overall: 12.80 meters
Lagoon 450 S – Length overall: 13.96 meters
Lagoon 450 F – Length overall: 13.96 meters
Lagoon 46 – Length overall: 13.99 meters
Lagoon 50 – Length overall: 14.75 meters
Lagoon 52 S – Length overall: 15.84 meters
Lagoon 52 F – Overall length: 15.84 meters
Lagoon 560 – Overall length: 17.07 meters
Lagoon 620 – Overall length: 18.90 meters
Lagoon SIXTY 5 – Overall length: 20.55 meters
Lagoon SEVENTY 7 – Overall Length: 23.84 meters
VIDEO: Lagoon SEVENTY 7
Catana
Catana was founded in 1984 as a shipyard in Cogolin. The catamarans built there were well made and innovative compared to others at the time, and as a result, Catana’s reputation rose quickly. Throughout the history of the brand, Catana consistently been known as the pioneer of modern catamarans.
Catana product line:
Catana 47 – Length overall: 14.03 meters
Catana 53 – Length overall: 16.15 meters
Catana 62 – Length overall: 18.68 meters
Catana 70 – Length overall: 20.86 meters
VIDEO: Catana 70
Leopard
Leopard is a South African catamaran builder founded in 2000 by world-famous yacht builders Robertson and Caine.
Leopard product line:
Leopard Sailing Catamarans
Leopard 40 – Overall length: 11.99 meters
Leopard 45 – Overall length: 13.72 meters
Leopard 50 – Overall length: 15.4 meters
Leopard 58 – Overall length: 17.56 meters
Leopard Power Catamarans
Leopard 43 Powercat – Length overall: 13 meters
Leopard 51 Powercat – Length overall: 15.64 meters
Leopard 53 Powercat – Length overall: 16.17 meters
VIDEO: Leopard 58
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