Beneteau Figaro 3: Fabulous price for the large-series foiler? Well, almost!

Since the first data and computer illustrations of the Figaro 3 became known a year ago, the VPLP design has been causing a furore. Even outside the French racing series, for which it is actually intended, the boat is arousing desires everywhere. This is because it is the smallest ocean racing yacht with foils to be built in large series to date.

Only the price remained vague until last weekend. According to company sources, the new boat should cost around the same as its predecessor. However, insiders such as "Monsieur Figaro" Eric Ingouf, the responsible development manager at world market leader Beneteau, always pointed out that this would not be an easy task in view of the numerous carbon fibre components.

The wings are the most expensive components, even more expensive than the mast and engine. At Multiplast, they are completely laminated from carbon fibre fabrics and elaborately tempered, without sandwich components.

It is therefore hardly surprising that the price of the Figaro 3 is considerably higher than that of the Figaro 2. And there is not just one, but two of them. The 50 boats in the first series, which are reserved for active members of the class and will be delivered at the beginning of 2019, already cost 184,450 euros with an "introductory discount", so to speak; that's 40,000 euros more than the last examples of the predecessor.

After that, the base price ex shipyard increases again by almost 25,000 euros to 208,250 euros - including VAT, but excluding sails and electronics. Anyone ordering the highest level of equipment will therefore have to fork out a total of around 250,000 euros for a Figaro 3. This is definitely no longer a popular foiler.

For that kind of money, you can also get a very good used Class 40, to make a sporty comparison. However, this will incur higher follow-up costs. And, of course, it doesn't have foils.

Beneteau explains the price jump compared to the Figaro 2 with the general inflation rate. If you add in the inflation since 2003, when the predecessor made its debut, the new one is by no means more expensive. Arithmetically at least, this is true. However, new yacht prices have not risen to the same extent as the general basket of goods. But you will hardly be able to persuade your trusted dealer to offer significant discounts with this argument. For the time being, the Figaro 3 is and will remain unrivalled on the market.