The world’s biggest sailboat builder has announced 16 per cent growth in its 2009-2010 financial figures.

The Bénéteau Group, owner of the Bénéteau, Jeanneau and Lagoon brands, recorded €573.7million in sales from its boatbuilding sector over the year, which ended on August 31.

The performance is better than expected with the growth achieved in a global cruising boat market that is seeing little expansion.

Although sailboats account for 44 per cent of the group’s sales, it also has significant interests in housebuilding and its property business achieved sales growth of almost 25 per cent.

As usual Bénéteau, which also includes Prestige and Monte Carlo motoryachts and CNB superyachts, is launching several new boats at the Autumn boat shows, such as the Sense 50, the first yacht in a new Bénéteau cruising range and a new 56ft catamaran from Lagoon.

A statement issued by the group said: ‘The sourcing delays experienced with certain suppliers in spring 2010 had raised fears that orders might be cancelled.

‘In the end, their repercussions have been less marked than forecast, as shown by the significant growth in sales during the fourth quarter.’

Subscribe to Yachting Monthly magazine for all the latest sailing news and reviews