Beneteau
Beneteau 57
The Beneteau 57 is a flagship center-cockpit cruiser that represents the pinnacle of the yard's collaboration with Farr Yacht Design. It is a powerful, high-volume passage-maker designed for long-distance blue-water cruising in absolute comfort. Positioned as a luxury 'mini-superyacht,' the Beneteau 57 offers a level of space and technical sophistication that was unprecedented for a production yacht at the time of its launch. It is a boat for the owner who wants to cross oceans with speed and style.
Market context for the Beneteau 57 is defined by its status as a highly desirable, high-value alternative to the custom blue-water brands. It features a very robust build with a glassed-in structural grid and a powerful rig that is surprisingly easy to manage thanks to electric winches and furling systems. The buyer profile is the successful couple or family planning a circumnavigation or extended periods of liveaboard cruising. The interior is a masterclass in luxury production joinery, with a magnificent full-width aft cabin and a saloon that is perfect for entertaining.
A surveyor's focus on a Beneteau 57 must be on the complex systems and the structural integrity of the large hull. The hydraulic or electric furling systems, the generator, the air conditioning, and the watermaker all require a specialist audit. The keel-to-hull joint and the rudder bearings should be inspected for any signs of stress. The engine, usually a Yanmar 160hp, is a robust unit but its service history is critical. Also, check the large deckhouse windows and the numerous hatches for perfect sealing, as these are potential points of ingress in a heavy sea.
At a glance
Quick facts
- Production
- 2002–2010
- LOA
- 17.8 m
- Beam
- 4.93 m
- Model
- Beneteau 57
Key takeaways
- Best for: luxury live-aboard and long-range bluewater cruising
- Common issue: standing rigging age and complex systems maintenance
- Typical price: see FairHelm Market Index — premium Beneteau tier
Expert verdict
FairHelm rating: 8.2/10 — Flagship luxury cruiser from the Farr era; offers exceptional volume and a very high level of comfort. Surveyors look for standing rigging calendar age and complex systems maintenance history.
Vadim Nareyko, FairHelm Editorial · Last reviewed: 2026-07-12
Technical data
- Length overall (LOA)
- 17.8 m
- Beam
- 4.93 m
- Production years
- 2002–2010
Typical problems
Buyer FAQ
- Is the Beneteau 57 too big for a couple to handle?
While it is a massive boat, it was designed with shorthanded sailing in mind. Electric winches, bow thrusters, and furling systems make it manageable for an experienced couple, although many owners choose to have at least one crew member for maintenance.
- How does the Beneteau 57 perform in light air?
Thanks to the Farr hull and a powerful rig, the 57 is surprisingly quick in light air for its displacement. It carries its momentum well and is a very efficient passage-maker.
- What is the fuel and water capacity of the Beneteau 57?
It is designed for long-range cruising, typically carrying around 480 liters of fuel and 1,000 liters of water, which is exceptional for its size.
- Are there different interior layouts for the Beneteau 57?
Yes, it was available in several configurations, with the most popular being the three or four-cabin versions, all featuring the signature master suite aft.
- What is the typical resale market for the Beneteau 57?
It remains a very popular choice for blue-water cruisers and holds its value well among buyers looking for a large, modern, and high-quality production yacht.
Design History
Beneteau 57 emerged when Scandinavian and North Sea yards were scaling reliable GRP cruising platforms for owner crews rather than charter fleets. French production shaped the hull lines and interior volume for predictable manners in Baltic chop and North Sea swell. Production ran from 2010 to 2016; registry and owner-club sources cite approximately ~400–850 completed hulls.
Beneteau positioned the Beneteau 57 for coastal and offshore use in the 2010–2016 production window — explaining mixed maintenance histories on the secondary market today.
Mid-production changes were mostly interior trim, engine options, and deck hardware rather than fundamental hull revisions. That means survey condition, winter storage history, and rigging invoices usually matter more than the model year printed on the brochure. When you evaluate a Beneteau 57 on Blocket, treat the maintenance story as part of the specification — not a footnote after the asking price.
Annual Ownership Costs
| Cost item | Low (SEK) | High (SEK) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marina berth | 22,000 | 48,000 | 17.35 m class, Stockholm/Gothenburg |
| Insurance | 8 000 | 22 000 | Agreed value and cruising area |
| Haul-out + winter | 12 000 | 28 000 | Yard package varies by region |
| Antifouling + hull care | 6 000 | 16 000 | Materials and labour |
| Engine / drivetrain | 5 000 | 16 000 | Service intervals and saildrive |
| Rigging reserve | 7 000 | 20 000 | Standing rigging age |
| Deck / structural reserve | 6 000 | 22 000 | Bedding, moisture follow-up |
| Total annual | 62 000 | 172 000 | Excludes major refit years |
Annual ownership for Beneteau 57 is predictable when service records are complete. Berth, storage, and insurance dominate fixed costs in Sweden. The largest variables are rigging replacement timing and any survey-led deck or drivetrain work triggered after purchase. Keep a separate technical reserve so routine season costs stay stable — especially on Blocket boats marketed as "ready to sail" without invoices.
Pre-Purchase Survey Checklist
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist: Beneteau 57
Hull, Keel and Underwater Body
- Moisture-map the underwater hull; document osmosis or barrier-coat history on Beneteau 57 GRP of this era.
- Inspect keel-to-hull joint, keel bolts (if external iron), and backing structure for movement or recurring fairing cracks.
- Check rudder bearings and steering linkage under load during sea trial.
Deck and Hardware
- Test bedding at stanchions, tracks, and winches; open nearby interior access if damp stains appear.
- Inspect hatches and portlights for seal compression and core moisture at corners.
- Verify chainplate areas internally for rust staining or soft laminate.
Rig and Sail Systems
- Confirm standing rigging age with invoices; treat unknown age as near-term replacement on club-used hulls.
- Inspect mast step, spreaders, and terminals for corrosion or fatigue marks.
- Operate furling and reefing systems under realistic load.
Machinery and Systems
- Review engine and saildrive service including cooling, exhaust elbow, and mounts.
- Audit batteries, charging, and owner-added electrical work for safe fusing.
- Check tanks, bilges, and hoses for age-related seepage.