BROKER'S CORNER - Flying the Tricolour
The summer sailing season is already heating up, particularly for Beneteau owners who are being presented with a number of opportunities to display their sailing prowess over the coming months.
NSW owners have the chance to prove their seafaring abilities, when Beneteau dealer Vicsail hosts its 2012 Beneteau Cup on Sydney Harbour on November 23.
Although the racing is sure to be fast and furious, Vicsail has presented another challenge to its Beneteau owners by asking each participating yacht to raise much-needed funds for its chosen charity, Humpty Dumpty. The yacht that raises the most funds before and during the event will be recognised at the Beneteau Cup presentation dinner.
And there’s more racing on Sydney Harbour that weekend, the national Beneteau network and the Middle Harbour Yacht Club staging the inaugural Beneteau First 40 National Championship. The event is open to any owner of a First 40 in Australia and the Beneteau factory is supporting the event with prizes and the attendance of Beneteau’s First range director, Eric Ingouf as Event Commodore.
“I’m extremely excited to see our owners and local dealers joining together to enjoy everything that is owning a Beneteau, and what better way to do that than with the Beneteau Cup and now our first ever First 40 National Championship”, said Beneteau’s sales manager, Yves Mandin.
The Queensland Beneteau Owners Group, together with major event sponsor Queensland Beneteau yacht dealer, Spirit Marine, hosted their annual Queensland Beneteau Cup and French Yacht Challenge on the weekend of October 27 and 28.
The sailing was on Moreton Bay and French fare was the order of the event, the French National Anthem played prior to the starting gun and a French inspired dinner at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron on Saturday evening.
For more information, visit www.vicsailsydney.com.au/beneteau-cup; www.beneteauownersqld.com
JW MARINE EXPANDS TO MELBOURNE
Sydney dealership JW Marine, Australia’s main distributor of the Beneteau powerboat range, has confirmed the November opening of a new office at Melbourne’s Docklands marine precinct.
Pyrmont-based JW said it will offer the largest range of leading European boat brands in Victoria, headlined by the Beneteau and Monte Carlo ranges from one of the world’s biggest boatbuilders.
The Beneteau fleet on display at Docklands will include the sporty Antares 8, Antares 8.80 and the Barracuda 7, regarded as ideal craft for cruising or fishing on Port Phillip Bay. JW will also promote Beneteau’s stylish Gran Turismo sportscruisers and Swift Trawler semi-displacement cruisers.
The agent said there has never been a better time to buy a boat from this major European powerboat brand, particularly with a favourable Australian dollar and factory incentives contributing to a great opportunity for purchase right now.
“We’re excited about this next stage in our expansion, and now with offices and agents around the country, we offer exceptional service and support coverage for our brands,” said JW Marine managing director, Adam Waters. “Melbourne will be a great market for us as we will be representing the largest range of European models available on the market.”
JW Marine now has offices in Sydney and Melbourne joining its recently opened office at Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast. It also has agents in Tasmania, Perth and New Zealand offering Australia-wide service and support for these exclusive European brands.
For more information, visit www.jwmarine.com.au
Top photo: Vicsail hosts the NSW Beneteau Cup on Sydney Harbour.
There was no shortage of yachts at last year’s Beneteau Cup.
Above and below: CBD Melburnians won’t have far to travel to test-drive boats like the Beneteau Flyer Gran Turismo 44, with Sydney agent JW Marine setting up an office at Docklands.
From Trade-a-Boat Issue 433, Nov-Dec 2012.