 
1884 - Benjamin Beneteau, shipwright, founds the Beneteau boatyard at Croix-de-Vie, France to build sailing trawlers. In that same year, the first Beneteau boats are put to sea. Three generations later, the passion lives on as Madame Annette Beneteau Roux, Benjamin's granddaughter, steers the company soundly into the next century.
1964 - Annette Benneteau Roux and her brother, Andre' Beneteau, diversify the company with the introduction of fiberglass sailing yachts. With the introduction of the Fletan and the Guppy, Beneteau takes part in the 1965 Paris Boat Show for the first time, and its reputation for building seaworthy pleasure boats grows.
1976 - Designed by Andre' Mauric, the First 30 was the beginning of Beneteau's very successful First series. The First 30 was chosen Boat of the Year at the Paris Boat Show and won the first leg of the Figaro Single-Handed Race.
1986 - In response to its North American success, Beneteau opens a state-of-the-art production facility in Marion, South Carolina. Within four years, Beneteau is one of the top three sailboat manufacturers in America.
1987 - Jean Berret and Philippe Starck combine daring and experience to produce this year's Cruising World Boat of the Year.
1988 - The Copeland family leaves Vancouver on a 6-year circumnavigation of the world on their Beneteau 38.
1990 - Beneteau Celebrates 1000th Boat in the Marion, SC facility
One of the most advanced production plants in the world, Beneteau's facility in South Carolina builds hundreds of yachts each year. Already, the tradition of boatbuilding is being passed down from one generation to the next- much like it has for over 100 years at Beneteau's European sites.
1992 - Official partners in the Louis Vuitton Cup, the America's Cup, and the Match Racing World Championships among other.
First 45f5 - a new standard is set by Bruce Farr and Pinafarina. This aerodynamic beauty wins the title CHS Yacht of the Year.
1994 - The Beneteau built Mumm 36 Corum Watches wins The Kenwood Cup.
1995 - Oceanis 281 - Chosen as Cruising World / Sailing World Boat of the Year, the Oceanis 281 features the most spacious and comfortable cabin in a sailboat her size.
Beneteau named exclusive European builder of The Admiral's Cup one-design.
1996 - Bob Wilke sails his Beneteau 321 more than 4,500 miles from the U.S. to Chile she collides with a floating ship container in the dead of night... just a few scratches!
First 42s7 Diana wins Key West Race Week
1997 - As Beneteau celebrates her 20th year in the USA, it collects another prestigious Boat of the Year award for the Oceanis 461.
1998 - Beneteau 411 wins Boat of the Year as Best Value, Full-Size Cruiser.
1999 - First 40.7 Wins Boat of the Year best Racer/Cruiser.
Beneteau USA breaks an all time Beneteau record -- 86 sales orders
2000 - At Beneteau USA, big advancements mark the company's entry into its third century. At the factory, crews are working hard on a physical plant expansion that will increase the size of the factory by nearly 100%. Inside we are implementing a new state-of-the-art company-wide software that will successfully sail us through the millennium and beyond.
2001 - First 36.7 wins Sailing World Boat of The Year Best Value and wins SAIL Magazine's Top 10 Award. Beneteau 473 wins Cruising World Magazine's Boat of The Year for Best Production Cruiser over $200K.
2002 - First 40.7 Dame Blanche wins Key West PHRF Boat of the Week.
First 36.7 Team Revolution wins IMS World Championship.
2003 - Beneteau 423 wins Cruising World Boat of The Year for Best Mid-Size Cruiser under 250K and wins SAIL Magazine's Top 10 Award.
2003 - Beneteau USA is a recipient of the Marine Industry CSI Award for Excellence in Customer Satisfaction for auxiliary powered sailboats.
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