51' Beneteau Idylle 15.5

Beneteaus Idylle series are not the inexpensive plastic, bimbo boats of Moorings charter fleets today. These classic cruisers built in the mid 1980s are teak laden cruising machines. I once talked to a client who mentioned slyly he had a 38′ boat currently. I politely asked, What type of 38 boat? He whispered embarrassedly, A Beneteau Idylle. Are you familiar with the Idylle series? Usually, people put out some esoteric, ancient sailboat design and expect you being a yacht broker to know everything. Well this time I was luckily. I proudly said, Oh thats when Beneteau made good boats! He happily agreed, Yes, I am embarrassed to say my boat is a Beneteau because everybody thinks of the current low-quality designs. Another broker in-house concurred, Oh yes, Beneteau made some great boats back then. I know it. The Idylle series and the early First series are quality built Beneteaus as much as that sounds like an oxymoron. The Idylle series includes 34, 38, 44, and 51 foot designs. Beneteau produced the German Frers designed 51 from 1985 to 1987.
Beneteau 51 Idylle 15.50

First Impressions
The 51 Idylle is a Frers designed boat, and Frers always pens fast yachts. His Swan and Hylas racer/cruisers are some of the most beautiful, highest performance yachts of today. In the early 1980s, he had just left Sparkman & Stephens and was starting on his first Swan, Hylas designs. The 51 has an raked bow, classic sheer, and flat stern. It is odd to see a Beneteau without a swim platform. Her toerail is the perforated aluminum and the trunk cabin is low and racy with the well aft cockpit. Underneath she has a deep, 66″ fin keel and spade rudder. The propeller is half way between the rudder and k

To be added