We are proud to count many Beneteau owners as our customers from all over the world. Many of them choose a downwind sail (a standard cut or custom cut asymmetrical spinnaker, a standard cut or custom cut symmetrical spinnaker or a custom Code Zero sail) to improve sailing performance, especially in light to medium wind.
What is the best spinnaker for a Beneteau?
Downwind sail setups chosen by our Beneteau customers typically include:
- Asymmetrical spinnakers with a sock or a top down Seldén furler, ideal for short handed cruising. The asymmetrical spinnakers is a popular choice especially for cruisers who are fairly new at sailing under a spinnaker sail, or sail short handed.
- Symmetric spinnakers with a pole. A symmetrical spinnaker is more complex to maneuver but very efficient for straight downwind sailing.
- Code Zero sails with a regular Seldén furler. You can opt for a Cruising Code Zero (very close to spinnaker) or a Performance Code Zero to target more specific wind angles.
Each example below features a real asymmetric spinnaker, symmetrical spinnaker or Code Zero sail designed for one of our customers who owns a Beneteau sailboat (such as Oceanis, First, and more).
You can browse real customer photos, sail details, sailing conditions and performance notes, check a few colorful spinnaker choices or find out what a logo looks like on a sail. This could help you find the right spinnaker or Code Zero sail for your Beneteau.
👉 Looking for a spinnaker size for your Beneteau? See our introductory guide to Beneteau spinnaker sizing, or contact us.
For a Code zero or a Seldén furler, contact us.
Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 – Asymmetric Spinnaker
Boat: Beneteau Oceanis 51.1
Sail Type: Asymmetric Spinnaker with custom colors
Sail size: 184sqm / 1980 sqft
Use: cruising
Wind Range: 5–18 knots
Sail cloth: Contender Maxilite; soft corners for furling
Retrieval device: Seldén GX 25 top down furler,
Sailing location: Off the San Diego coast, around all nine of the Channel Islands (20-56 miles) off CA
Photo credit: Doug M., USA
Note:
“I used the spinnaker in five-knot winds, propelling my boat at four knots while maintaining a 135-degree angle to the wind. In stronger winds of twelve knots, the asymmetrical achieved a sailing speed of eight and a half knots.”
Beneteau 34 or Beneteau Oceanis 34 – Asymmetric Spinnaker
Boat: Beneteau Oceanis 34
S/V Dreamweaver
Sail Type: Asymmetric Spinnaker with custom colors
Sail size: 74 sqm / 796 sqft
Use: performance cruising
Sail cloth: Contender Maxilite
Retrieval device: spinnaker sock
Sailing location: moored in Kilaben Bay, ocean sailing, Australia
Photo credit: Graham H. Australia
Note:
“We are new to asymmetrical spinnakers. We managed several gybes and did a few take downs and re-deployments just for practice. Our confidence got better and better as the afternoon sea breeze kicked in for some real off the beam reaches in moderate easterlies.”
Beneteau 361 or Beneteau Oceanis 361 – Asymmetric Spinnaker
Boat: Beneteau 361 (2003)
Sail Type: Asymmetric Spinnaker with custom colors
Sail size: 94 sqm / 1022 sqft
Use: cruising
Sail cloth: Contender Maxilite
Retrieval device: spinnaker sock
Sailing location: CA and WA
Photo credit: Griff W., USA
Note: Experienced sailor
Beneteau Oceanis 31 – Asymmetric Spinnaker
Boat: Beneteau Oceanis 31
Sail Type: Asymmetric Spinnaker, blue
Sail size: 64 sqm / 689 sqft
Use: cruising and racing
Sail cloth: Contender Nylite
Retrieval device: none
Sailing location: Britany & UK channel, France
Photo credit: PY. N, France
Note: Experienced cruiser; “I sailed in May with 25 knots and 53F, loved it”
Beneteau 473 or Beneteau Oceanis 473 – Asymmetric Spinnaker
Boat: Beneteau Oceanis 473
Sail Type: Asymmetrical spinnaker, custom colors
Sail size: custom design 126 sqm / 1356 sq ft
Use: performance Cruising
Wind Range: light air
Sail cloth: Challenge NFS 64
Retrieval device: sock
Sailing location: North Atlantic to Panama
Photo credit: Dan.F, USA
Note: Experienced cruisers: “The spinnaker is exactly as hoped. Smaller than our regular A2 and fits really nice with the Tacker on the jib. Have not had it up with heavy air yet but, the way it set for light air, I think it will be perfect.”
Beneteau Oceanis 473 – Beneteau 473 Code Zero Tight Reach (TR)
Boat: Beneteau Oceanis 473
S/V:
Sail Type: Code Zero Tight Reach (TR)
Sail size: 91 sq m / 979 sq ft
Use: Performance Cruising
Wind Range: 40-100 AWA
Sail cloth: Dimension Polyant CZ 30 and 60 laminate
Retrieval device: Furler
Sailing location: North Atlantic to Panama
Photo credit: Dan.F
Note: Experienced cruisers: “The Code Zero is just fantastic. It may be my favorite sail in inventory. Take a look how nice the shape is and how you can still see under the sail for observation. Nice.”
Beneteau Oceanis 473 or Beneteau 473 – Asymmetric Spinnaker
Boat: Beneteau Oceanis 473
S/V: Wonderland
Sail Type: Asymmetrical spinnaker
Sail size: 134 sq m / 1442 sq ft
Use: Cruising and Racing
Wind Range: up to 18 knots
Sail cloth: Contender Maxilite
Retrieval device: Sock
Tack outside pulpit
Sailing location: Australia, ocean racing
Photo credit: Wonderland crew
Note: Experienced racer and cruiser. “The spinnaker behaves beautifully! My friend is very impressed with the spinnaker also (he has over 30yrs sailing and boat building experience around the world).”
Beneteau Oceanis 331 – Asymmetric Spinnaker
Boat: Beneteau Oceanis 331
S/V: Dream
Sail Type: Asymmetrical spinnaker
Sail size: 74 sq m / 796 sq ft
Use: cruising
Sail cloth: Contender Maxilite
Retrieval device: Sock
Sailing location: Atlantic, East Coast
Photo credit: John N, USA
Note: Cruiser. “We decided to go with tying the sheets so they run outside the forestay. It’s easier to just let the sail go when jibing (as long as your sheet lines are long enough), and the pull in on the leeward side when coming through.
We love the sail and look forward to any opportunity to use it.”
Beneteau 423 – Asymmetric Spinnaker
Boat: Beneteau Oceanis 423
S/V: Amazing Grace
Sail Type: Asymmetrical spinnaker
Sail size: custom design 120 sq m / 1292 sq ft
Use: cruising
Wind Range: Light wind
Sail cloth: Challenge Fibermax NFS 44
Retrieval device: no
Sprit: yes
Sailing location: Michigan Lakes
Photo credit: Jim S., USA
Note: Cruiser. Because of the sprit and with a standard cut asymmetrical spinnaker, the luff would have been swept back considerably and the clew would have been very low. Hence we designed a custom sail with a higher clew, to work well without the sprit and 100% optimized for the sprit.
Beneteau 423 – Code 0
Boat: Beneteau Oceanis 423
S/V: Amazing Grace
Sail Type: Code 0 Medium reach (MR) –
Sail size: 80 sqm / 861 sqft
Use: Cruising
Wind Range: AWA 60 -120 (Apparent Wind Angle)
Sail cloth: Dimension Polyant CZ 30 Optic 2 Gold fiber+ Black X Ply, with grey taffetas backing
Retrieval device: Seldén CX Furler
Sailing location: Michigan Lakes
Photo credit: Jim S., USA
Note: Cruiser
