The small, smart Bente 24, enlarged by one size, with more space on and, above all, below deck - many fans of the boat with the orange cap may have been waiting for this, but they had to wait a long time. After the first project announcement in spring 2019, the time has finally come: the new Bente 28 is here, afloat and sailing. Corona and an eventful company history are responsible for the delay.
Bente 24 as a model for the Bente 28
In 2014, the launch of the Bente 24 caused a furore in the sailing scene. The new small cruiser is on everyone's lips, fuelled by the unprecedented volume of social media in the sailing scene - a simple, innovative, colourful and attractively priced concept for the young, the young at heart and newcomers. The Bente 24 spreads like wildfire, and the shipyard is able to build and sell around 120 boats in a short space of time.
But things were not to continue like this. Spurred on by its success, the brand was quickly developed further, initially with a large Bente 39, but also with plans for a compact cruiser suitable for the mass market under the name Bente 28.
Then came the abrupt and bitter end: caught up in the excessive development costs for the new models, the brand slipped into financial difficulties and was forced to close its doors in spring 2020. File for insolvency. Three months later, the Rescue for the Bente brand. Ultramarin Meichle + Mohr in Kressbronn, harbour operator and Bente dealer on Lake Constance, buys the brand and company rights and reorganises production. The successful Bente 24 can thus continue to be built, as can the large 39. And the Bente 28 project gets another breath of fresh air under its wings.
Christian Daum has been a loyal companion and active co-developer of the Bente brand from the very beginning. As head of the brand in the service of the new owners on Lake Constance, he has been working intensively on the completion of the Bente 28 for the past two years, with the office of Judel/Vrolijk & Co in Bremerhaven once again revising its own construction plans in close alignment with the concept of its little sister. The Bente 28 is built entirely by the supplier Yacht Service in Szczecin, Poland. The 24 and 39 have also always been built there.
The new Bente 28
Between the 24 and the 28, the hull is 1.10 metres longer, but only 24 centimetres wider. This means that the lines of the Bente 28 are more elongated than those of its little sister. However, it is also noticeable that the new ship has become significantly more voluminous, especially in the bow area. In addition, the stem slopes slightly downwards and there is a pronounced wide overhang at the bow up to the waterline in a neutral floating position. The look is somewhat reminiscent of the latest designs for the Class 40 or Imoca 60 ocean-going racing yachts, an impression that is reinforced by the indented deck with the striking bevelled edge at the transition to the hull.
The Bente 28 is neither a real sports boat nor a proven racer. But it sails well and has potential
The design is not only exciting for the eye. More important are the shape-related advantages in favour of the sailing characteristics. Even in the harbour, the very stiff floating position is noticeable. Even when two people are standing sideways on the running deck, there is virtually no heeling. The rather deep and hard-set chine edges in combination with the flat frame at the stern are effective.
This is confirmed underway. YACHT is the first sailing magazine to go on board shortly after the finished prototype arrives. And it was lucky. Despite the high pressure, Lake Constance off Langenargen offered good conditions for the test with winds of around eight knots (3 Beaufort). Hard on the wind, the Bente manages an average of 5.3 knots on a course of less than 45 degrees to the true wind direction. She sails stiffly, upright and true to course. The yacht is temperamental on a beam reach, initially with code zero, later with a gennaker. With half the wind, 6.5 knots are no problem, and occasionally the log even shows a speed of over seven knots. A voluminous touring boat like the Bente 28, which with a weight of 3.2 tonnes is not exactly one of the designated lightweights, has nothing to hide with these performance data.
The nominated Bente 28 is once again available to the international jury for test sailing in Spain for the European Yacht of the Year 2023. After a windy day with high waves, colleagues report very solid, stiff sailing characteristics on the wind and surfing under gennaker at speeds of over twelve knots. This would already have the character of a sports boat.
The design is based on a sporty sail plan with a high aluminium rig that is positioned relatively far aft in the boat. The apparently quite stiff mast without profile taper, but with very strongly swept spreaders, manages without a backstay. This means that the main boom can be longer and the mainsail can also be built with a strong boom in the top. In addition, there is a genoa with 108 per cent overlap. The sail load factor (ratio of sail area to total weight) for the Bente 28 is a comparatively high and therefore performance-orientated value of 5.03 for cruising boats - despite the relatively high weight. The sail plan also provides for a long, extendable bowsprit for additional space sails. When extended, the carbon fibre trunk reaches up to 1.30 metres in front of the forestay. This makes it easy to jibe the gennaker and code zero inside, even in stronger winds.
Unlike the Bente 24 with its attached single rudder, the Bente 28 has two rudder blades built under the stern. The two not very large steering fins give the helmsman very direct feedback to the tiller, which makes it easy to steer the boat quickly and optimally. However, the lever of the tiller, which is cranked upwards, is quite short, which increases the pressure when changing course, which can be a little annoying during manoeuvres. The cast iron T-shaped keel is available with two draughts of 1.65 metres (standard) and 1.95 metres (performance). A solution for a variable draught, for example with a lifting or swivelling keel, is not currently planned as an alternative. However, Bente Yachts will consider offering corresponding systems for shallow water areas and for easy transport as an alternative in the future.
Those who like sailing single-handed will have no trouble with the Bente 28. But with three people in the cockpit, it does get cramped
The handling is simple and good. The halyards and sheets are led back into the cockpit and are operated via two winches on the coaming. However, the space in the cockpit is somewhat restricted by the tiller steering on the one hand and the mainsheet guide on the platform in the centre of the cockpit on the other. With a crew of three, it already gets quite cramped here and you have to work for elbow room during manoeuvres. On the other hand, it is easier for sailors who are often travelling alone. With the tiller between your legs, all manoeuvres can be easily managed single-handed, even without a self-tacking jib or autopilot. In windy conditions, the helmsman and co-sailor are best seated upwind on the coaming and running deck. A good hold in heeling conditions is provided by grooves in the seat thwarts as welcome footrests.
The Bente 28 also has the distinctive dodger
The unmistakable Bente trademark is the massive and almost completely glazed dodger above the companionway, as well as the tarpaulin bow, which does not necessarily have to be bright orange like the test boat, but is available in various colours. The striking canopy is not only visually distinctive, but also combines many functional advantages, for example for sheltered seating in the cockpit in rain and wind. However, the most significant advantage of the Dodger is to be found below deck. The curved glass roof allows a full standing height of over two metres in the aft saloon area at the companionway. In the separate wet room and in the galley area, the values are just below this. This level of comfort is very unusual for a boat of this size.
What's more, the Dodger allows for impressive light transparency. The large glass surfaces also convey a kind of convertible feeling below deck and allow an almost unrestricted view forwards over the deck in the direction of travel when standing. The sails and their position can also be seen from the inside - great! However, the test also shows that it gets very warm below deck very quickly in bright sunshine, despite the pigment film on the glass surfaces. Fabric covers, roller blinds or venetian blinds would be a good option here.
Below deck, the Bente 28 is well finished
In general, the interior is beautifully built, almost flawless. Perfect surfaces, harmonious gap dimensions and sanded and sealed plywood components leave out any annoyances. Visible wood is generally in short supply below deck and is reduced to mouldings, edge strips and floorboards. However, the workmanship is also good here.
What is missing inside, however, is functional storage space in the form of lockers, boxes or drawers. Although there are many large compartments under the benches in the saloon and under the bunk boards forward and aft, where even bulky items can be stored, they are not easily accessible. The exception to this is the comparatively large galley with plenty of very usable storage space for kitchen utensils, crockery and provisions. And there is a spacious storage cupboard behind the separate wet room for all kinds of items, including life jackets and oilskins, for example.
The different versions of the Bente 28
Anyone interested in the Bente 28 must first decide on a version. For beginners on a tight budget, the boat is available in the very simply specified standard version for a good price of 129,900 euros gross, which is also fair compared to the competition, with a simple set of Dacron sails (main and genoa). In this basic version, the yacht is ready to sail, but comes without any amenities for the interior and with a greatly reduced deck equipment, also in terms of quality.
The much better and more extensively equipped version is the Bente 28 Edition. In this complete version, the boat costs 164,900 euros, which is 35,000 euros more than the standard boat. In return, buyers get a package that is completely suitable for touring. For example, the boat is equipped with a carbon bowsprit and gennaker, better sails with a lazy bag, larger and self-tailing winches, Harken fittings, a furling genoa and a traveller on the aft deck. An induction cooker in the galley, a saloon table with folding leaves or the high-gloss interior shells as side panelling are also only available in the Edition package, as well as a free choice of colours and materials for the interior. The test ship, the prototype, corresponds to the Edition version.
Bente Yachts is planning to present the new 28 as a world premiere at boot in Düsseldorf in January 2023. The smart, exciting and overall very harmonious package with a reasonable price will meet with great interest there.
However, it remains to be seen whether the new Bente can build on the great success of its little sister. A good foundation has been laid, but the competition is fierce.
The Bente 28 in detail
Technical data
- CE design category B
- Hull length 8.65 m
- Waterline length 7.83 m
- Width 2.99 m
- Draught/alternative 1.65/1.95 m
- Mast height above WL 13.50 m
- Theoretical hull speed 6.8 knots
- Weight 3.2 tonnes
- Ballast/proportion 995 kg/31 %
- Mainsail 33.2 m²
- Furling genoa (108 %) 22.0 m²
- Gennaker 75.0 m²
- Engine (Volvo P.) 9 kW/13 hp
- Fuel tank (PVC) 60 litres
- Fresh water tanks (bag) 55 litres
- Holding tank (PVC) 40 litres
Hull and deck construction
GRP sandwich with E-glass and foam core, laminated in hand lay-up. As an option (Package Edition), the fuselage is manufactured using the vacuum infusion process. Polyester is used as the laminating resin. Cast iron T-keel
Rig and sail
Aluminium rig with two spreaders from the manufacturer Seldén. A single set of Dacron sails (main and genoa) is included in the scope of delivery. The extendable bowsprit made of carbon fibre is only available as an option
Motorisation
The smallest two-cylinder diesel engine from Volvo Penta (D1-13) with saildrive and two-blade folding propeller comes as standard. Alternatively, the boat is also available with an electric pod motor from Torqeedo. Surcharge approx. 5,800 euros
Equipment and prices
- Base price ex shipyard € 129,900
- Price ready to sail € 137,825
- Warranty/against osmosis 2/2 years
Shipyard
- Bente Yachts, Meichle + Mohr GmbH, 88079 Kressbronn-Gohren
- www.benteyachts.com
- Sales Dealer network
YACHT rating
The successful Bente concept goes into another round. The new Bente 28 presents itself as a harmonious, functional overall package and is also impressive under sail
Design and concept
- + Modern, imaginative concept
- + Glazed dodger
- - Little space in the cockpit
Sailing performance and trim
- + Sails balanced and stiff
- + Perfectly suitable for one-handed use
- + Powerful sailing plan
Living and finishing quality
- + Headroom in saloon and WC
- + Very functional pantry
- - Boxes and cabinets missing
Equipment and technology
- + Electric drive as an alternative
- + Retractable bowsprit
- - Very short tiller
