Guppy (Beneteau) Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Beneteau Guppy was produced for a brief but significant period, from 1963 to 1966. Its creation marked a pivotal moment for Beneteau, signaling their ambitious entry into the fiberglass revolution. While the company had a long-standing reputation for building robust wooden fishing trawlers, the 1960s saw Benjamin Bénéteau's grandsons, André and François, spearhead the transition to fiberglass construction. This move allowed for more efficient production and lighter hulls, paving the way for recreational boats that appealed to a wider market. The Guppy itself derived from a 3.60-meter (approximately 11.8 feet) sardine fishing dinghy, a clear testament to Beneteau's initial focus on functional, working vessels. The design philosophy behind the Guppy was rooted in practicality, aiming to provide a stable small boat suitable for "all types of fishing at sea," thereby making a "professional boat intended for the yachtsman."

Sailing Performance and Handling

Given its modest length overall of 11.81 feet and lightweight displacement of just 441 pounds, the Beneteau Guppy is fundamentally a simple, stable day sailer or small utility boat. Unlike larger cruising yachts where performance ratios provide crucial insights into their sailing characteristics, such metrics are less applicable to a boat of the Guppy's diminutive size. Its design, featuring a centerboard and a fractional sloop rig, emphasizes ease of handling and maneuverability for its class. The Guppy's heritage as a derivative of a fishing dinghy underscores its inherent stability, a critical attribute for a vessel intended for practical use on the water, whether for recreational sailing or light fishing activities.

Accommodations and Layout

Due to its compact dimensions, the Beneteau Guppy offers extremely limited accommodations. With a length overall of under 12 feet, it is best described as a very small open sailboat, perhaps with the possibility of a rudimentary cuddy cabin for minimal shelter. The design prioritizes open cockpit space suitable for day sailing or fishing rather than extensive interior living arrangements. Information regarding specific interior layouts, finish quality, or material use is not widely available, suggesting that any enclosed space would be basic and functional, likely featuring unadorned fiberglass surfaces rather than intricate wood trim or comprehensive amenities.