NORTH SAILS AND BENETEAU AMERICA SHOWCASE PRODUCT
A Weeklong Event in Newport, RI Showcases Product for Press, Dealers, and Customers
North Sails officially launched a partnership with Beneteau America in Newport, Rhode Island at an exclusive event dedicated to showcasing their new sailboats. Five boats were sea-trialed by over 100 people—press, dealers, and potential buyers—during the weeklong event.
The new First 18 and First 24 sport day cruisers come standard with North paneled one design sails, and the new Figaro Beneteau 3 performance racing boat sports 3Di RAW. Standard inventory on the new Oceanis 46 is North Sails, while the Oceanis 51.1 offers North products as an upgrade option. All five boats were available for a one hour sea trial, and North experts were onboard to help everyone get the most out of their sailing experience.
“It was a great format,” said North Sails VP of North American Sales Kimo Worthington, who spent five days helping onboard the Oceanis 46.1 and 51.1. “You could explain about our sails one on one, which was pretty nice.” Multiple one hour sails each day provided enough time to answer questions and delve into recent innovations. “Everyone thought the sails were gorgeous.”
Kimo especially enjoyed the chance to chat with Beneteau dealers about North products. “They don’t have much experience with a Code Zero; how to use it, how to jibe it, that’s new to them. They were very open to learning more, about their boats and our sails.”
The biggest takeaway for most people was the wide range of wind strengths and angles a cruising Code Zero can handle. “We were running with it in 20 knots at 145 apparent, and we’re at 80 true wind angle in 5 knots. It’s so easy for cruising. You never really need a spinnaker anymore.”
“North Sails has delivered industry-changing advances in sailmaking technology,” said Beneteau America Director of Sales Jean-François Lair. “They offer the largest network of lofts, which ensures customers’ peace of mind in knowing they’ll be well taken care of wherever they sail. We are quite pleased to partner with them to equip our newest sailboat models available in North America.”
“North Sails and Beneteau are brands known as industry leaders in their field,” added North Sails President Ken Read. “We both share a commitment to delivering the best customer experience across a wide range of market segments. All of us at North Sails look forward to further developing our relationship, and supporting Beneteau with its new Oceanis line of performance cruising boats.”
