Innovative Yacht Partnership Promises Enhanced Boating Options for Travelers

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Le Boat, Europe’s premier boat rental firm, has inked a transformative £100 million deal with Groupe Beneteau under their Polish Delphia brand to expand its global fleet over the next decade. This partnership promises to broaden the horizons for travelers by offering an enriched array of private boat rental options and injecting fresh innovation into the charter market as it currently exists. The plan includes the construction of 400 new Delphia boats by 2034, with an initial rollout of 100 boats by 2028, including at least 25 of the new “Liberty” model—a luxurious one-to-two cabin boat set to debut in 2025.

Moreover, the collaboration will birth a cutting-edge three to four-cabin model expected to launch in 2027, crafted jointly by Le Boat, featuring both private use and exclusive charter versions equipped with complete air conditioning and an upscale fly bridge to deliver an unparalleled premium boating experience.

Speaking about the development, Cheryl Brown, Le Boat’s Managing Director, said: “We’re delighted to be building upon our long-standing relationship with Groupe Beneteau to support the next stage of Le Boat’s growth journey. It will allow us to continue developing high-quality river cruisers which our customers will love and enable us both to expand into North America. With these innovative new boats and stunning potential cruising grounds, this offers us a fantastic opportunity to grow both the charter and boat sales sides of our business.”

The pact also supports the expansion of Le Boat’s lucrative ownership program, which has tripled in Europe since the introduction of the Horizon fleet in 2016 and recently extended into North America. This program entices customers to invest in top-tier boats, ensuring a guaranteed income and allowing for up to fourteen weeks of holiday annually across Le Boat’s extensive network in 17 European and Canadian cruising regions.

Erik Stromberg, Vice-President of power and motor yachts for Groupe Beneteau added, “LeBoat has been a key partner for many years with the premier fleet of Horizon models. This next step continues the supply of Horizon models, as well as a new co-developed boat to support Le Boat’s charter business and boat ownership program.”

In a strategic move to enhance its footprint in North America, this alliance between Delphia and Le Boat paves the way for new fleet developments and charter locations across the continent, reflecting a significant shift towards sustainable, high-end boating solutions tailored for the sharing economy.

The innovative Liberty range is slated for release on June 10, 2024, and will be available for cruising from select Le Boat bases in France, Germany, England, and the Netherlands starting in the 2025 season, with no prior boating experience necessary. This initiative signifies Groupe Beneteau’s commitment to elevating its market presence and delivering superior yacht charter experiences.

Le Boat stands as the leading provider of inland water boating vacations across the UK, Europe, and Canada, boasting over 50 years of accumulated experience, expertise, and cherished memories.

Established 140 years ago in Vendee by Benjamin Beneteau, Groupe Beneteau has since expanded significantly, now supported by 23 production facilities worldwide and an extensive global sales network.