This new version represents a modernisation of the popular Bente 24, the boat that Alexander Vrolijk and Stephan Boden were able to elevate to early cult status through a campaign that was as high-profile as it was effective, primarily via social media and clever trade fair presentations. The new boat is also a small cruiser featuring a so-called dodger, a striking and effective Plexiglas superstructure that creates a generous headroom and floods the open interior with light. The new model, too, comes from the Judel/Vrolijk design office.
At 7.80 metres in length and less than 2.55 metres in width, the yacht is slimmer than its predecessor and can be towed on a standard car trailer. The reduced weight and compact dimensions thus make the Bente 25 highly versatile and enable cruising far from home waters. Various keel options are in the pipeline, with a swing keel available as an option for variable draught. 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 full-size berths with, according to the shipyard, comfortable bunk dimensions. As with the Bente 28, the dodger forms part of the deck structure, creating a spacious feel with plenty of air and light and a generous headroom. A toilet compartment is in the planning stage and will be offered as an option. The rig does not require a backstay, simplifying handling. The mainsheet system features an adjustable Hahnepot; a traveller is available as an option. For propulsion, there is a choice between an inboard electric motor or a classic outboard at the stern. The yacht is equipped for single-handed sailing ex-shipyard and features innovative solutions for the gennaker bowsprit and halyard deflection, according to the shipyard.
The Bente Open: a sporty day sailer
The Bente 25 open is a classic daysailer featuring a significantly larger cockpit without the typical Bente dodger. The dodger frame is integrated as a lower-set design feature to retain the Bente style. In the bow area there is a slip-in cabin with comfortable berth dimensions for weekend trips. The open and open.i versions feature a different deck to the cruising variant. Essentially, the Bente 25 open and the open.i version are the same boat, albeit with different sails to ensure the necessary safety factor on the open.i.
Including sailing with direct wheelchair access
The ‘i’ in the BENTE25open.i stands for inclusion. The storage lockers can be removed in just a few simple steps to make way for wheelchair spaces. Wheelchair users can drive straight onto the boat and find a safe place in what may be an unfamiliar environment. There is no need for the cumbersome process of transferring to special seats. The deck layout is designed for single-handed operation, so that even beginners or inexperienced sailors can take part in inclusive sailing, requiring only one experienced accompanying person. As a true keelboat, the Bente 25 open.i offers a high level of safety thanks to its substantial ballast. The boat is suitable for sailing instruction for children, teenagers and adults, as well as for ambitious recreational or regatta sailing.
Customisation using airline rails
Airline tracks on the cockpit floor allow the BENTE25open.i to be customised in just a few simple steps. Depending on the intended use, various options are available: cinema-style seating as found on a youth cruiser, fixed points for a wheelchair, or bucket seats with suspension. One sailor expressed a desire for a bucket seat with rope adjustment on a traveller track to allow for changing sides. A simple cockpit table can also be secured. Much like roof rails on a car, the airline tracks form the versatile basis for customisation. Bente Yachts is developing the boat as a ready-to-sail base for everyone, whatever their life situation or age, in collaboration with Judel/Vrolijk & Co. and in consultation with the sailing inclusion community.
Lessons learnt from four years of practical experience
Bente Yachts has been involved in inclusive sailing for many years. Stephan Krings, as chairman of the board of Inklusives Segeln für Alle e.V., got the ball rolling. A special version based on a Bente 24 has been sailing for around four years now. The boat, which has been sensibly converted with an open deck, has featured in numerous TV programmes on ZDF and NDR, in the daily press and at various sailing events such as Kiel Week. The insights gained from this type of sailing are now being further implemented 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.
Mock-up roadshow for immediate feedback
To achieve the best possible ergonomics and line management across all three models, Bente Yachts a 1:1 scale wooden model of the cockpit section. At selected inclusive sailing events, the mock-up of the Bente 25 open.i will be on display as part of a roadshow, allowing interested parties to view and actively test it. The insights gained from these discussions, as well as an accompanying survey, will be directly incorporated into the current construction and design process. The roadshow kicks off on 9 and 10 May in Kressbronn on Lake Constance at the Ultramarin Boat Show, with free admission. Hamburg on the Alster follows on 14 and 15 May. Further dates are being planned but have not yet been finalised. During Kiel Week, for example, the converted Bente 24 “Henk de Mol” from the Inklusives Segeln für alle e.V. association will also be out on the water.
After building nearly 200 Bente 24s over the course of more than ten years, the Lake Constance-based brand is expanding its range with the 25. A price for the new boat has not yet been set, but will be based on the cost of the previous model. That costs from the shipyard in Szczecin (Yacht Service) from €63,000 (including VAT).
Bente at Kiel Week and in the survey
The one-off version of the “!Henk de Mol”, which has been converted into an inclusive sailing boat, is currently in operation; anyone interested can sign up to sail along. For further information, visit inklusivessegeln.org/ and www.wir-sind-wir.org/. Bente Yachts is on site with a mock-up to test the practicality of the ergonomic design for inclusive sailing. Visitors can also get a feel for the classic daysailer/weekender that is the BENTE25.open.
Bente Yachts is conducting a survey on the open.i inclusive boat. To take part, please click here.
The interior design of the Bente 25 and the surprising features of the Dodgers: Please click.
Technical specifications
- Hull length 7.80 m
- waterline length 7.20 m
- width 2.55 m
- draught 1.45 m
- Alternative draught 2.00 m
- Weight 1.75 tonnes
- ballast 0.6 tonnes
- mainsail 23 m²
- Jib 17.5 m²
- Gennaker 55.0 m²
- Mast height above waterline 11.66 m
Fridtjof Gunkel
Deputy Chief Editor YACHT
