PARIS—Beneteau SA, the world’s biggest sailboat maker, has seen a decline in orders this year amid the worldwide financial crisis, chief executive officer Bruno Cathelinais said.

“People are afraid’’ everywhere, Cathelinais said in a phone interview. “They have been wondering what will happen to the money they have in their bank accounts.’’

Orders “seem to be lower” this year compared with the same period last year, he said, adding that the numbers aren’t directly comparable as distributors now place orders only for the boats for which they already have customers, instead of for the boats they expect to sell.

Boat makers such as Beneteau and smaller rival Poncin Yachts have been hurt as the credit crunch turns customers away from more expensive leisure activities, such as sailing. Clients are placing fewer orders as they adopt a “wait-and-see attitude’’ amid the global financial strife, although this attitude “may not last long,” Cathelinais said.

“There is a lack of visibility for 2009,’’ said Gregory Jette, an analyst at Jefferies International Ltd. in Paris who has a “buy” recommendation on the stock. “I don’t know anyone who would want to buy a boat in this environment.’’

The company, based in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, France, plans to accelerate investments and may consider acquisitions in coming months, Cathelinais said. The maker of Oceanis and Cyclades sailboats plans to make €80 million in investments in 2009, up from €65 million in 2008, he said. French daily Les Echos reported in July that Beneteau was planning €75 million in investments next year.

Beneteau has said it wants to expand its motorboat division and start producing wooden homes at attractive prices.

“This crisis is an opportunity,” Cathelinais said. “We need to place ourselves in order to better profit once the crisis is over.’’

Beneteau makes boats that sell for about €10,000 to €15 million each. Sales climbed 8 percent to €1.09 billion last year, the company said three days ago. The first boat shows of the season, including that of Cannes last month, was marked by “a good level of attendance and a very warm welcome for the new models’’ the group presented, Beneteau said. (Bloomberg)

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Beneteau sailboat orders decline

PARIS—Beneteau SA, the world’s biggest sailboat maker, has seen a decline in orders this year amid the worldwide financial crisis, chief executive officer Bruno Cathelinais said.