Beniguet 19ft Custom Built Wooden Boat

The Beniguet is a classic coastal sailing dinghy inspired by traditional small craft of western France. With its harmonious sheerline generous beam and seaworthy hull form the Beniguet reflects a design heritage shaped by island passages tidal waters and sheltered bays. Combining simplicity with elegance it offers the charm of a traditional working boat adapted for modern recreational sailing. Our workshop faithfully builds the Beniguet using premium marine materials including Western Red Cedar Mahogany and Teak reinforced where appropriate with U.S. made Hexcel fiberglass and finished with System Three marine spar varnish. Each vessel is entirely hand built using traditional plank on frame construction preserving authentic character structural integrity and refined detailing. The hull is carefully shaped to provide reassuring stability smooth tracking under oars and responsive balanced handling under sail. Typical build time ranges from 4 to 6 months depending on customization and outfitting. Clients may tailor wood species interior layout seating arrangement rig configuration finish tone deck detailing and hardware selection to create a bespoke vessel suited to personal waters and sailing style. Specifications - Hull length/waterline: 19.19/17.22ft - Breadth/waterline: 6.89/5.91ft - Draught: 1.41/3.94ft - Light weight: 1940lbs - Sail area: 218.51ft - Outboard motor: 6hp Performance and Use The Beniguet is well suited to lakes estuaries and protected coastal areas. Under sail it delivers stable predictable performance with sufficient sail area for relaxed cruising and coastal exploration. Under oars or auxiliary power it remains practical maneuverable and easy to handle. Ideal for family outings classic boat gatherings and traditional sailing events the Beniguet captures the spirit of coastal craftsmanship combined with modern reliability. This wooden boat crafted by us is built from Vivierboats, with full credit given to the original designers where applicable. For each custom commission we acquire the appropriate drawings and construct the vessel to order offering both full size boats and finely detailed scale models. Contact us to explore specifications customization options and build schedules for your Beniguet. The Beniguet boat takes its name from Île de Béniguet off the coast of Brittany, a region long shaped by fishing, coastal trade, and small craft seamanship. For generations, local sailors relied on sturdy wooden boats capable of navigating tidal currents, rocky shores, and open Atlantic swells. These vessels were valued for their seaworthiness, shallow draft, and balanced hull forms suited to both work and short coastal passages. The Beniguet design reflects this Breton maritime heritage, drawing inspiration from traditional working boats that combined practicality with graceful lines. Over time, such coastal craft evolved into versatile leisure boats while preserving their classic character. Today, the Beniguet stands as a tribute to Brittany's enduring boatbuilding tradition, blending historic inspiration with modern craftsmanship and performance.