The recreational boating market is undergoing a profound transformation. In 2025, the Groupe Beneteau established a division entirely dedicated to charter services or, more commonly, boat rentals for vacations. Its goal is to transform boating into a lifestyle experience that is accessible, sustainable, and fully integrated into the global tourism industry.
Faced with the explosion in rental demand, which grew from 1.3 to 2 million passengers annually between 2017 and 2024, the Groupe Beneteau is strengthening its organization with a dedicated division. Led by a team of experts, this structure relies on a direct presence at the heart of key markets, such as Greece.
This on-the-ground proximity allows us to anticipate our clients' consumption trends and to best support our network of partners
Clément Dael, Division Director.
The objectives?
Adapting our offer, supporting our operators and building bridges with the giants of tourism (resorts, tour operators) to make the sea the new frontier of the client experience.
From sailing to hospitality: the new faces of charter
Beyond the traditional crewless rental known as "bare boat", aimed at seasoned sailors, the market is expanding.
While this historical segment remains a solid pillar, growth is now driven by two major vectors:
Cabin charter: highly popular among younger generations, this model offers a hotel-like experience. Guests book an all-inclusive stay on a catamaran, with a crew member and a pre-defined itinerary. This shift towards service requires a rethink of design. The launch of the Jeanneau Sea Loft 480, a hybrid concept combining the stability of a catamaran with a monohull hull, is the perfect illustration.
Crewed yacht: on luxury vessels (LAGOON from 60 to 80 feet), the private charter becomes a floating villa offering an exclusive service (captain, private chef, hosts).
The virtuous circle of sustainability: the "refit" era
For the Groupe Beneteau, the use inherent to rental must go hand in hand with responsibility and impact. This vision is embodied in two industrial pillars:
Integrated eco-design: the Group is rolling out the use of new materials, such as high-resistance laminated woodwork, ensuring greater longevity of interiors despite frequent turnovers.
The "Refit by Groupe Beneteau" programme: in 2025, the Group is giving a second life to its iconic models (such as the Lagoon 450) at its Bizerte site, in Tunisia.
The objective is to renovate 30 to 40 units per year. We are extending the life cycle of our boats and thereby reducing our overall environmental footprint. Because in my view, the first ecological gesture is simply not to throw things away.
Clément Dael, Division Director.
Photo credit: Samuel Weber
Placing people at the heart of the experience at sea
Beyond the figures, the Group places people at the centre of its thinking. This involves paying close attention to the working conditions of crews (skippers, hosts) with redesigned cabins to offer a level of comfort befitting this demanding profession. Because the ultimate challenge remains emotion. The sea has an unrivalled power to disconnect and offers a luxury of time and space that the Groupe Beneteau is committed to making more accessible. By blending the codes of sailing and outdoor hospitality, it opens the doors to a dream world where the land is rediscovered through the waves.
By blending the codes of sailing and outdoor hospitality, the Groupe Beneteau opens the doors to a dream world where the land is rediscovered through the waves.
Boat rentals & shared use : the new face of boating
Why is boat rental experiencing such strong growth ?
Demand for boat rentals has soared in recent years, growing from 1.3 to 2 million passengers annually between 2017 and 2024. This growth is driven by the increased accessibility of boating, the rise of bareboat charter offers, younger generations' interest in immersive experiences, and the boom in experiential tourism.
What is boat charter ?
Nautical charter, or boat charter, is the rental of boats for a set period of time. It allows you to enjoy a personalised sailing experience, tailored to your needs, without having to own a boat. Charter fits into the new modes of consumption — favouring use over ownership.
Why did Groupe Beneteau create a 100% charter division ?
In 2025, Groupe Beneteau structured a dedicated charter division to adapt its offer to a rapidly evolving market, support charter operators in developing their services, build bridges with global tourism players (tour operators, resorts) and strengthen its presence in key regions such as the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the Asia-Pacific.
What are the main types of boat rentals available today ?
The charter market, or boat rental market, is built around three main offerings:
1. Bare Boat Bare boat is the rental of a boat without a crew, for experienced sailors. It is historically the first and most traditional way to rent a boat.
2. Cabin Charter Cabin charter is a way to rent a sailing or motor boat with a crew member. It is an all-inclusive, turnkey stay that is very popular with younger generations, offering an experience close to a hotel stay. A flagship example: the Jeanneau Sea Loft 480, a hybrid "monomaran".
3. Crewed Yacht Crewed yacht is a luxury boat rental service, ranging from 60 to 80 feet, with premium service: captain, chef, and hosts. This is a true "floating villa".
How does Groupe Beneteau integrate sustainability into boat rental ?
Boat sustainability rests on two pillars:
1. Stronger and more durable materials Groupe Beneteau is rolling out the use of high-resistance stratified woodwork to extend the lifespan of boat interiors despite intensive rotations.
2. The "Refit by Groupe Beneteau" programme Launched in 2025, this sustainable boating programme makes it possible to renovate 30 to 40 boats per year, extend the lifecycle of iconic boats (e.g. Lagoon 450), reduce the overall environmental impact and avoid waste.
Where can you rent a boat ?
For boat rentals, three regions dominate: the Mediterranean (the world's leading market), the Caribbean and the Asia-Pacific.
What is the Jeanneau Sea Loft 480 "monomaran" ?
It is a boat with an innovative hybrid concept: the stability of a catamaran, a monohull hull, designed for cabin charter and service-oriented uses. The Jeanneau Sea Loft illustrates the shift in nautical design towards greater comfort and hospitality.
What is Groupe Beneteau's Refit programme for boats and why is it important ?
The Refit programme consists of refurbishing existing boats, extending their lifespan and reducing the sector's carbon footprint. It is a concrete response to sustainability challenges in the boating industry.
What is the Beneteau Group’s vision for the future of boating ?
The Beneteau Group’s vision for the future of boating can be summed up in one sentence: “The boating of tomorrow is a perfect balance between exceptional products and outstanding service.”