The Figaro Beneteau 3, modernity, reliability and pertinence
After 15 years of loyal service, the Figaro BENETEAU 2 is giving way to the Figaro BENETEAU 3 on the Figaro Beneteau circuit. The new-generation sailboat made its debut at the French Elite Offshore Racing Championship in spring 2019 during the Sardinha Cup.
A real mini-revolution in the world of ocean racing, the Figaro BENETEAU 3 is the world's first production monohull with foils. A large-scale project, the Figaro BENETEAU 3 is the result of close collaboration between the BENETEAU Group, the Figaro Beneteau Class, OC Sport Pen Duick (the organiser of the Solitaire du Figaro) and the Le Figaro group. The latest addition to the Figaro Beneteau Class one-design fleet was designed by the Van Peteghem – Lauriot-Prévost architectural firm, which won the last two Vendée Globe races.
A boat in tune with the times, designed to last
"The challenge we faced was to create a boat that was as high-performance and reliable as the Figaro BENETEAU 2. We worked hard with specialists from the BENETEAU Group to design a high-tech boat in terms of materials and manufacturing processes. " Vincent Lauriot-Prévost, naval architect
Still as committed as ever to high-performance and competitive sailing, the BENETEAU Group brought together the best experts from across its brands and business lines to design and build this new generation. They contributed their expertise to the design of the one-design by VPLP. In order to optimize series production and comply with the strict rules of one-design racing, the BENETEAU Group created a specialized unit, the BENETEAU Group Racing Division, and set up a production site dedicated to the construction of the Figaro BENETEAU 3, located in Nantes-Cheviré.
"With this new Figaro BENETEAU 3, we hope to offer the fleet and those who dream of joining it an exciting and more modern platform. Inevitably, after 15 years of ocean racing on the same boat, we were getting a little tired of it. It was also the right time to do it, to get in touch with the state of the art. It wasn't about making a vintage version of the Figaro BENETEAU 2, but about bringing something innovative and visible to the table. Foils are clearly the future, especially when it comes to competition. Skippers will be able to get to grips with these tools in Figaro, in case they want to do something else afterwards. There will be gains in speed, that's for sure, if only because of the power of the hull and the modern sail plan. But anticipating the gains is not easy, especially for a small boat. They should be around 15% downwind. "
Yoann Richomme, winner of the 2016 Solitaire Bompard Le Figaro, Head of the Figaro Beneteau Class Measurement and Safety Commission at the time of its design.
Technical specifications of the Figaro BENETEAU 3
As reliable as its predecessor, the Figaro BENETEAU 2, the Figaro BENETEAU 3 is equipped with foils, a more efficient hull without ballast tanks, a slimmer and deeper keel, a rearward mast, and a larger, more efficient sail plan.
OVERALL LENGTH: 10.85 m
HULL LENGTH: 9.75 m
HULL WIDTH: 3.40 m
DISPLACEMENT: 2,900 kg
CE CERTIFICATION: A
INNOVATION: Foils
FOILS
Unlike Imoca 60 sailboats, the foils on the Figaro BENETEAU 3 have an inward-facing profile. The objective is different. These versatile foils generate anti-drift and improve the boat's righting moment without increasing its displacement. This improves the boat's performance.
THE KEEL
Deep, with a narrow sail, the keel generates minimal drag. The foils provide additional anti-drift.
THE HULL
Made of foam sandwich, fiberglass, and infused polyester resin, the hull corresponds to current designs. There are no longer any ballasts.
MAST AND SAIL PLAN
As on Imoca 60 racing yachts, the mast, set back, ensures balance under sail and allows for the use of more efficient sails. A bowsprit is added. Solo skippers will sail with a square-topped mainsail, a genoa and a jib, as well as a headsail spinnaker (105 m² to gain speed in light winds) and a small gennaker.