The cruising version is a modernisation of the popular Bente 24, the boat that Alexander Vrolijk and Stephan Boden were once able to propel into early cult status thanks to a campaign that was as loud as it was effective, mainly on social media and smart trade fair appearances. The new boat is also a small cruiser with a so-called dodger, an eye-catching and effective PLexiglass superstructure that creates a large interior height and provides plenty of light in the open interior. Once again, the new boat comes from the Judel/Vrolijk design office.
At 7.80 metres long and less than 2.55 metres wide, the yacht remains slimmer than its predecessor model and can be trailered with a normal car. The lower weight and compact dimensions mean that the Bente 25 can be used flexibly and enables cruises away from the home waters. Different keel variants are being planned, and a swivelling keel for variable draught is available as an option. The design and development work on the 25 cruising is almost complete and construction of the first prototype is imminent.
Cruising version with plenty of space and light
The Bente 25 cruising offers five fully-fledged sleeping berths with comfortable berth dimensions according to the shipyard. As with the Bente 28, the dodger is part of the deck structure and creates a feeling of space with plenty of air and light with a respectable headroom. A WC cabin is currently being planned and will be offered as an option. The rig does not require a backstay and simplifies handling. The mainsheet guide is equipped with an adjustable tacking pot, and a traveller is available as an option. A built-in engine with electric drive or a classic outboard motor at the stern are available as propulsion options. According to the shipyard, the yacht is equipped for single-handed sailing and features innovative solutions for the gennaker bowsprit and halyard deflection.
Bente Open as a sporty daysailer
The Bente 25 open presents itself as a classic daysailer with a significantly larger cockpit without the typical Bente dodger. The dodger bracket is integrated as a lower styling element to retain the Bente style. In the bow area there is a slip cabin with comfortable berth dimensions for weekend cruises. The open and open.i versions have a different deck to the cruising version. Essentially, the Bente 25 open and the inclusion version open.i are the same boat, but with different sails to ensure the required safety factor for the open.i.
Including sailing with direct wheelchair access
The "i" in the BENTE25open.i stands for inclusion. The forecastle boxes can be removed in favour of wheelchair stands in just a few simple steps. Wheelchair users can drive directly onto the boat and find a safe place in a possibly unfamiliar environment. The time-consuming transfer to special seats is no longer necessary. The deck layout will be equipped for single-handed sailing so that beginners or inexperienced sailors can also take part in inclusive sailing and only one experienced accompanying person is required. As a genuine keelboat, the Bente 25 open.i with its high ballast ratio has a pronounced safety factor. The boat is suitable for sailing training for children, young people and adults and for ambitious recreational or regatta sailing.
Individualisation with airline rails
Airline rails on the cockpit floor allow the BENTE25open.i to be customised in just a few simple steps. Various options are available depending on the desired area of use: Cinema seating like in a youth cutter, fixed points for a wheelchair or bucket seats with suspension. One sailor expressed the wish for a bucket seat with line adjustment on a traveller rail so that she could change sides. A simple cockpit table can also be fixed in place. The airline tracks form the multiple basis for customisation, similar to roof rails on a car. Together with Judel/Vrolijk & Co., Bente Yachts is developing the boat as a ready-to-sail base for all people and life and age situations in dialogue with the sailing inclusion community.
Experience from four years of practice
Bente Yachts has been involved in inclusive sailing for years. Stephan Krings, Chairman of the Board of Inclusive Sailing for All e.V., got the ball rolling. A special model based on a Bente 24 has already been sailing for around four years. The boat, which has been sensibly converted with an open deck, can be seen in many TV programmes on ZDF and NDR, in the daily press and at numerous sailing events such as Kieler Woche. The insights gained from this type of sailing are now being further realised with selected partners. Supporters include the President of the German Sailing Association Mona Küppers and Elke Paatz from the DSV. Jens Kroker and his team from the Turning Point Foundation as well as Sven Jürgensen and Clemens Kraus from Wir sind Wir-Inclusion in Sailing e.V. are contributing their in-depth expertise.
Mockup roadshow for direct feedback
In order to achieve the best possible ergonomics and line guidance for all three models, the Bente Yachts a 1:1 wooden model of the cockpit section. The mock-up of the Bente 25 open.i will be shown at selected inclusive sailing events as part of a roadshow for interested parties to view and actively test. The insights gained from the discussions and an accompanying survey will flow directly into the current construction and design process. The roadshow starts on 9 and 10 May in Kressbronn on Lake Constance at the Ultramarin Boatshow with free admission. Hamburg will follow on 14 and 15 May at the Alster. Further dates are being planned but have not yet been finalised. For Kieler Woche, for example, the converted Bente 24 "Henk de Mol" from the Inclusive Sailing for All association will also be out on the water.
After building almost 200 Bente 24s in over ten years, the brand from Lake Constance is expanding its model range with the 25. A price for the new boat has not yet been set, but will be based on the cost of the predecessor model. This costs from the shipyard in Szczecin (Yacht service) from 63,000 euros (including VAT).
Bente at the Kieler Woche and in the survey
The one-off version "Henk de Mol", which has been converted into an inclusion boat, will be active on the water and interested parties can register to sail along. Further info at inklusivessegeln.org/ and www.wir-sind-wir.org/. Bente Yachts will be on site with a mock-up to test the ergonomics for inclusive sailing in practice. Impressions of the classic daysailer/weekender of the BENTE25.open can also be gathered.
Bente Yachts is conducting a survey on the inclusion boat open.i. To take part, please click here.
Technical data
- Hull length 7.80 m
- Waterline length 7,20 m
- Width 2,55 m
- Draught 1,45 m
- Draft alternative 2,00 m
- Weight 1,75 t
- Ballast 0,6 t
- Mainsail 23 m²
- Jib 17,5 m²
- Gennaker 55,0 m²
- Mast height above WL 11,66 m
More on the topic
Fridtjof Gunkel
Deputy Chief Editor YACHT
