Beneteau America has announced an extensive schedule of owners’ events including 16 Owners Rendezvous and 4 Beneteau Cup series to be held in North America this Summer and through Fall.

"We fully expect the now traditional Beneteau Rendezvous events to gather about 1,500 Beneteau owners and their friends”, commented Maryline O’Shea, marketing director for Beneteau America. “The growing success of these gatherings over the past 10 years has soared to nearly 600 vessels. And while they require much effort and time from our Beneteau dealers, we are pleased to see more and more of them embrace the opportunity to build a community around the Beneteau brand”, added O’Shea.

Beneteau Rendezvous are hosted throughout the US and Canada to give owners the opportunity to mingle with other Beneteau enthusiasts and discuss their sailing interests. They often include an educational component with contributors from select vendors and industry partners to discuss cruising logistics, maintenance, and more.

In an effort to generate interest in racing for owners of Beneteau sailboats and to promote the brand to the racing community, Beneteau America is also rolling out the new Beneteau Cup racing series.

“Even though the vast majority of our owners have chosen a cruising vessel, nothing should prevent them from enjoying the thrill of friendly competition on the water. We owe it to our owners to demystify racing and give them the opportunity to perfect their skills,” explained O’Shea. “If anything, the Beneteau Cup in San Diego has already demonstrated how much the concept of “racing cruisers” has caught on.”

In 2014, South Coast Yachts will be hosting the 5th edition of the Beneteau Cup of Southern California, attracting over 40 boats and 300 participants – dismissing the daunting images of expensive carbon-fiber and Kevlar- laced sails, stripped-out uncomfortable interiors, and aggressive, adrenaline-pumped crew.

Rick Day, of South Coast Yachts commented, “Most of our skippers only race during the Beneteau Cup. It’s highly doubtful they will trade in their cruisers and jump into the latest One-Design craze. But they will be thinking more about sail trim, and will be more confident with their boat handling skills the next time they’re on the water.”

In 2014, the schedule will include:

•             Beneteau Cup | Chesapeake Bay

Hosted by Annapolis Yacht Sales. Contact: Keith Mayes | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

http://www.beneteauregatta.com/chesapeake

Best 3 of four qualifying events including

o             MRYC Miles River Race on May 24th

o             EYC  Solomons Island Invitational on July 11th

o             SMCSA St Mary’s Governor’s Cup on Aug. 1st

o             NASS Oxford Race on Sept. 14th

 

•             Beneteau Cup | Pacific NW: June 28 at Elliot Bay Marina, Seattle, WA.

Hosted by Signature Yachts. Contact: Allan Johnson | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

•             Beneteau Cup | Southern California: Sept. 13-14 at the San Diego Yacht Club, San Diego, CA.

Hosted by South Coast Yachts. Contact: Rick Day | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

•             Beneteau Cup | Lake Michigan: Sept. 20 at the Columbia Yacht Club, Chicago, IL.

Hosted by Karma Yacht Sales. Contact: Jack Buoscio| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

To browse the full schedule of events, visit: http://www.beneteauusa.com/Boatshows-Events