ANNAPOLIS, MD, Feb. 12, 2015 – Beneteau America announced today at the opening of the Strictly Sail Miami boat show a new partnership with SailTime North America, the world’s largest boat membership company, to bring Beneteau sailboats to their North American fleets.
Beneteau America further increases its presence at the show where the Beneteau exhibit counts 8 sailboats ranging from 22 to 60 feet, and where the SailTime booth includes an Oceanis 37 Platinum Edition.
Two new Beneteau sailboats have already been ordered for the SailTime San Francisco and SailTime Marina Del Ray California base locations. SailTime plans to add ten additional boats in six other base locations by 2016.
“We are thrilled this partnership will give more people the opportunity to experience sailing on a Beneteau”, commented Laurent Fabre, president of Beneteau America. “We have incorporated unique specifications into the boats delivered to SailTime to meet the needs of their fleet. There is no doubt this program is the perfect complement to our existing network of Authorized Beneteau dealerships, which remain exclusive distributors of new Beneteau yachts”, added Fabre.
SailTime has always been an innovator in the boating community, using an online calendar system for shared usage of vessels. The SailTime membership program began as a way to get more sailors out on the water and to offer an alternative to boat ownership. For every boat in the fleet, there are six to eight members sharing one vessel. Many members stay in the program for multiple seasons.
“Expanding our fleet to Beneteau sailboats will motivate a whole new segment of sailors to consider SailTime as a means to sail one for a full season. It will also attract many new sailors that would like to experience sailing a Beneteau before they purchase one”, said Todd Hess, president for SailTime. “We know the Beneteau brand is a good fit for SailTime as it is already the primary brand for our base locations outside of North America. This partnership will result in growth for both companies. For SailTime, it will add more members and expand our fleet. For Beneteau, it will generate more boat sales and allow more sailors to experience the quality of the Beneteau brand.”
About SailTime
SailTime members share the use of a professionally managed boat, through the use of an online scheduling system. A monthly membership fee covers the slip fees, maintenance, insurance and operating costs. These memberships offer an attractive alternative to boat ownership. SailTime also offers a generous Owner Member Program where the owner receives a monthly income, as well as the benefits of membership.
Now celebrating its 14th Anniversary, the company has over twenty-eight bases in North America and seven bases in Australia.
About Beneteau America
Beneteau is known worldwide for its sleek design, quality construction and innovation in the manufacturing of seaworthy sailing and power yachts. The Beneteau story began 130 years ago when Benjamin Bénéteau started building fishing trawlers in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, France. Today, the company continues to thrive under the leadership of Benjamin Bénéteau’s granddaughter, Madame Annette Bénéteau-Roux.
Beneteau Headquarters for the Americas is located in Annapolis, Md. Beneteau has manufacturing facilities in the U.S., France, Italy, and Brazil.
