aluminium yacht france

Aluminium Strongall Specialist – Sailing and motor yachts

Located in Tarare since 1963, META is the manufacturer of Bernard Moitessier's historical JOSHUA. Thanks to the Strongall ® assembly process, patented by the shipyard in 1977, and its unique know-how the shipyard designs and builds sailboats, trawlers, speedboats and other floating buildings using the deck hull prestressed aluminum technique: our constructions are efficient, innovative, comfortable and very resistant.

The History of the Site

It is in Chauffailles, in Saône et Loire, that Jean Fricaud, an enlightened self-taught metallurgist, takes advantage of his workshops to build his first 11m steel motor-sailer: the SAINTE MARTHE. At the age of 13, Joseph, the eldest son, dreams of cars, drawing and mechanics... and of leaving school as soon as possible in order to start an apprenticeship-which he will do, with his father's blessing.

The workshops, in full effervescence, set up a construction line for hydraulic shovels, Joseph finished his apprenticeship as a mechanic in Lyon and left to enrich his technical knowledge in various regional boiler making workshops hoping, as soon as possible, to practice metallurgy on his own account.

Still in Chauffailles, Jean Fricaud is approached by Bernard Moitessier, for whom he agrees, as a good patron, to build the steel hull of JOSHUA. At the same time, Joseph set up under the name META and became a subcontractor for his father's excavator company.

Jean Fricaud, in Chauffailles, has exhausted all the possibilities for expanding his hydraulic excavator construction company and sets up an additional workshop in Tarare, on the RN7, near Lyon. META, still in Chauffailles, began to diversify and expanded its range of construction equipment.

Jean Fricaud seized the opportunity of a lifetime and sold his prosperous business to an industrial group: he had just built the motorboat NADINE and could finally devote himself to deep-sea fishing. But the buyer does not want to expand to Tarare, where the workshop has just been completed. Sensing "the emergence of a market", Jean proposed to his son to build steel boats there. Joseph obeyed and fate precipitated events: thanks to the publicity generated by Bernard Moitessier's exploits, META became a full-fledged shipyard in Tarare.

After having built more than 70 JOSHUAS, more than 30 DAMIENS II, and many other steel hulls, Joseph launches a big paving stone in the pond and abandons steel in favor of STRONGALL® aluminum, which he has just patented. His pre-stressed aluminum construction technique makes it possible to create extremely resistant deck hulls. The young subsidiary PROMETA, directed by François Fevre, also abandons steel for STRONGALL®.

Patrice Passinge is 17 years old when he joins META as a metal worker, under the supervision of André Ravatier, the company's workshop manager. Joseph carefully follows Patrice's efforts, and despite his young age, he soon proves to be an outstanding journeyman.

Patrice Passinge became workshop manager when, after his excellent career at META, André Ravatier took his legitimate retirement. At the end of the 90's, aware that Joseph was getting older, various buyers came forward with the objective of expanding the company. But Joseph wanted to preserve the family spirit of the company and decided to pass on META to Patrice, who had a solid background and an excellent culture of the business.

Joseph definitively transfers the META Chantier Naval Spécialiste du STRONGALL® brand and all its activities to Patrice Passinge.

Construction and launch of FLEUR AUSTRALE, the magnificent custom sailing boat designed for and by Philippe Poupon. This large expedition ketch travels in all the waters of the world in complete safety, from the Arctic to the Antarctic via the Pacific Ocean.

Design and construction of the Ecotroll 39 in partnership with Jean-Pierre Brouns and the Olbia shipyard. The smallest troller approved for ocean navigation, it sailed from Lyon to Greenland through canals and oceans before returning to Lyon via the Canal du Midi in spring 2011.

50 years of META Shipyard on the island of Frioul opposite Marseille. Great meeting with many clients and personalities owning META yachts.

META is diversifying by proposing hulls for various floating projects, such as the development of a floating restaurant (entre deux ô) visible on Roanne.

Based on our floating projects, Dominique Renouf called on META to build Solar Carriage. Real floating habitats with electric propulsion, the Solar Carriage are powered by photovoltaic panels and can navigate on canals and rivers in an ecological way, an important value of our company. In parallel, META is working on its first production boat, the META 36.

Thursday March 12, a few hours before the first presidential address concerning the containment due to COVID-19, Philippe Brabetz signs the takeover of META Chantier Naval Specialist of the STRONGALL®. Patrice Passinge will launch a carpentry workshop dedicated to the interior fittings of the META 36, at the Tarare location.

The takeover is final and the shipyard, renamed META Yachts—Architect Shipyard—Strongall® Specialist, resists to the COVID wave and follows its course. Philippe conceides his TurboKeels® patent to the company and initiates a range of innovative designs for modern, attractive and highly performing sailboats, new motorboats. META Yachts confirms the desire to invest in environmentally clean projects such as electro-solar housing barge carried by Dominique Renouf, and gorgeous Noé boat, carried by Nicolas Lallemand.

Inauguration de META Yachts Services, à Port Saint Louis du Rhône, sur la côte méditerranéenne, cofondée par Philippe Brabetz et Fréderic Switala, pour l'entretien, le gardiennage et la vente de bateaux META Yachts d'occasion.

Technical Legacy

Bernard moitessier, writer of great talent, exceptional sailor and philosopher recognized well beyond our borders, bernard moitessier (1925 – 1994) has become a legend..

He has given rise to strong vocations by communicating his precious philosophy to all those who, in love with freedom, have “taken the plunge” and are blossoming far from our agitated lands. Everything or almost everything… has been said and written about Bernard, a very unusual character. “I am weighing these words because I fear that his formidable genius of simplicity has escaped some people and has disappeared into the oblivion of history, which would be unjust and regrettable. More than any other sailor, Bernard was haunted not only by the obligation of robustness of the boat, but also by maintenance, hence maximum simplicity. In this perfect sailor’s logic, the deck of JOSHUA – by its very studied simplicity – has always constituted, in my eyes, an essential work reference. Today, every builder (amateur or professional) should be inspired by the best of this masterpiece of practical common sense, on aluminum as on steel.

Drastically simple, but with minimum solutions that have been carefully thought through… On the JOSHUA bridge, nothing should catch, nothing should hurt, nothing should jam: no rails or screwed parts, but welding of sturdy rings instead (to make it easier to surf with the brush, to keep everything clean, and to do away with protective adhesives! Moreover, the most economical solutions were the order of the day, because Bernard was really not rich when Jean, my father, built for him in 1961, the hull number 1 of JOSHUA in CHAUFFAILLES. Among the original features of this deck plan – of a monarchal rigor – the famous “Chinese hood” for example, is worth the detour: 100% watertight thanks to its judicious volumes of depression in spite of the absence of flexible joint, inviolable, reducing thermal bridges, it divides by 3 the times of painting on its perimeter while maintaining the aspect of the new: who does better?

I was very young in the trade when my small team of journeymen started the construction of the JOSHUAS in TARARE, and Bernard’s sponsorship was a great help to me!

More than forty years separate us today from the launching of Bernard’s hull in LYON, and the spirit of the master is still deeply rooted in our reflexes – everything that could be tried differently often turned out to be less convincing, so thank you Bernard for your intelligent contribution to the design of the metal decks of our sailing ships.

Joseph FRICAUD

, Founder of META Chantier Naval

Our Strongall ® construction technique

There is no such thing as the a universal or perfect material, and here is why we have chosen aluminum to replace steel:.

• Aluminum boats are solid: constructions are homogeneous, without joints between welded elements and without weaknesses caused by composite associations of various materials
• Aluminum boats have a great longevity, are a good investment when budgets are under control and if they’ve been well designed and especially well built, they maintain a good rating when resold
• Aluminum grades 5083 and 5086 require little maintenance

Why Strongall ® ?

This aluminum construction method was developed and patented by META Chantier Naval in 1977. The concept is that of a self-supporting aluminum deck hull, based on the use of thick sheets: the transverse structure is then reduced to a minimum (integrated tanks, engine cradle, mast belt, crash-box or watertight bulkhead) depending on the size of the boat. This type of construction is synonymous to robustness and longevity, warrants of the significant investment a boat represents over the years.

The Advantages of Strongall ® :

• Stronger than equal weight steel construction
• About 30% lighter than the same steel shell with comparable strength
• The use of thick sheets allows a greater intensity in welding thus eliminating the risk of “sticking”, and guarantees a better fusion of the metal
• Little or no deformation of the plating sheets
• The thickness of the sheets increases the resistance to corrosion and significantly reduces the risk of metal fatigue (repeated cycles of torsion-bending of the planks where the hull is a hollow beam moving on complex waves and swell phenomena)
• The hull is treated with inorganic Zinc Silicate
• The painting of the dead works and the bridge is only necessary for cosmetic reasons, they can remain raw without consequence for the material.
• A significant advantage for the shipowner, the absence of internal restrictive structures makes the design of the fittings more flexible.

Architectural constraint:

The hulls require developable hull surfaces and lively chine(s)—easily integrated in elegant and efficient designs!

Over 300 sailboats, motorboats and trollers have been built in Tarare since 1977, their extreme robustness secures navigation in particularly difficult areas: Arctic, Northwest Passage, Antarctica… COME MEET US IN TARARE, AND GET A FEELING OF WHAT WE REALLY DO!

TurboKeels®

A solution for ballasting lead from one side to the other….

To displace the center of gravity without relying on complex tilting keels, Philippe Brabetz, new owner of the Meta shipyard, has come up with an ingenious solution: TurboKeels®, or how to ballast lead from one keel to another!

Already used on tilting keel sailboats such as IMOCAs, the system literally involves shifting the center of gravity of the boat—but a tilting keel requires a large draft and a complex, expensive and above all fragile mechanism not suitable for cruising yachts.

With TurboKeels®, Philippe Brabetz applies the above basic premise to twin keel boats. The 2 keels are then used as reservoirs to accommodate the ballast which travels from one keel to the other as needed, and following a closed circuit mechanism activated by a simple pump.

The advantages of Turbokeels are:

• Enhances power
• Diminishes heel angle
• Allows for shallow draft
• Simple, reliable and economical

Stronglite®

—The Stronglite ® technique is undergoing scrutiny by our R&D team—

you can stay tuned and follow our social media networks

Philippe Brabetz

Owner & CEO

Nathalie Simon

Administration & Sales

Marin Ducoux

Design Office Manager

Serge Calka

Export & Communication

Johan Tardif

Naval architect, Engineer

Dockyard Technical advisor

Aluminum Ship Builder

Naval Engineer

Philippe Brabetz has an architecture degree from the Paris-La-Villette School of Architecture. While studying to become a building specialist, he attends Dominique Presle’s naval architecture courses and becomes passionate about the subject.

He graduates shortly after the first Gulf War, when jobs were hard to come round, and nevertheless manages to join the Guignols’ team at Canal+, working at the design and production of TV sets and special effects as of 1995. Ten years later, still passionate about shipbuilding, he joins the Nantes Naval Architecture DPEA which he tops by an internship for the construction of America’s Cup Areva Challenge monohull. During his collaboration with shipyards and naval architecture firms in France, Spain and Morocco, he invents TurboKeels: a twin-keel system whose lest is ballasted from side to side. The invention patented, taking over META Shipyard seemed like the next best thing to do.

His mission is to consolidate the achievements of the legendary shipyard, but also to add the creative touch that will allow META to navigate today’s challenging waters and thus continue its fantastic adventure.

Born in the same valley as META and with a name familiar to windserfers worldwide, her career was mapped out: since 2008, Nathalie has been assisting the shypyard’s management from an administrative, commercial and accounting point of view.

An Executive Assistant by training, she favors positions which allow for the widest diversity of tasks, within human scale structures. It is an interactive and stimulating format that she appreciates and that participates to the great complementarity between her very “maritime” professional activity and very terrestrial personal interests: running, cycling, hiking are all activities which fill her up with the energy and enthusiasm we much appreciate.

Nathalie is a valued collaborator, who faithfully has and does contribute to the welfare of the company .

A naval architecture engineer with a degree from ENSTA Bretagne, Marin’s work at META combines his passion for sailing and his experience of ocean cruising with the technical skills acquired through his training.

As an admirer of Gérard Janichon (Damien) and Bernard Moitessier (Joshua), he says he’s proud to be able to contribute to the development of META and its new series of ocean-going yachts, with modern lines and a spirit of adventure still intact.

Lover of nature, water sports, and concerned about the environment, Victor tackles his new adventure : his meaningful collaboration as a fully-fledged member of the META team.

Profil Linkedin

Specialised Masters in Naval and Offshore Architecture/Engineering Offshore engineering, ENSTA Brest

Fluid Dynamics and Energy in Physics, Université Paris-Saclay

Fundamental Physics, Paris-Saclay University

Lionel has learned and confectioned his skill at aluminum ship building at META, where he’s been a faithful member of the team since 2004. He has become the metalworkers’ go-to person for all questions related to Strongall ® boat building techniques.

Not only is he an experienced boilermaker, he’s got a secret skill up his sleeve: he grows grapes which participate in the making of one of the local Rhone wines.

We’re looking forward to the META vintage 😉

Etudiant-ingénieur en architecture navale à l’ENSTA Bretagne, Marin allie en travaillant chez META sa passion pour la voile et ses expériences de croisières hauturières avec les acquis techniques de sa formation.

Admirateur de Gérard Janichon (Damien) et de Bernard Moitessier (Joshua), il se dit fier de pouvoir contribuer au développement de META et de sa nouvelle série de voiliers hauturiers aux lignes modernes et à l’esprit d’aventure toujours intact.

Le chantier est donc très heureux de pouvoir compter parmi ses équipes ce Marin très compétent—mais aussi parfaitement polyvalent, avec un très bel esprit d’équipe et un sourire communicatif.

Anticorrosion

Your anti-corrosion solution for 50 years.

This zinc-based product is the best protection against hull corrosion so far. We are its historical retailer and use it for all of our boats.

Whether used as antifouling or covered by a regular antifouling, METAGRIP ® welds perfectly to the steel or aluminum hull thanks to the absorption phenomenon.

It does not deteriorate and therefore fully respects the underwater environment.

Do you live in metropolitan France ? Order online

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Building robust, comfortable and easy-to-handle sailing yachts was Henri Amel’s ethos. Offering sailing enthusiasts the opportunity for an adventure on all the world’s seas requires impeccable construction in terms of quality, safety and comfort. We have successfully built on these key elements of the AMEL spirit in our latest 50-foot and 60-foot models, with, as ever, focus on attention to detail, using 100% French know-how, which, having defined our yard for 50 years, guarantees a refined finish for our customers.  As a result, Amel have succeeded in achieving the perfect combination of the robustness and manoeuvrability essential for long-distance sailing and the luxury of a French way of life.

The history of the AMEL shipyard is perfectly encapsulated in our “ensemble’’ logo; each yacht built brings together the best of our skills to offer a unique pleasure to our clients

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P.H.A.R.E PROJECT: towards the transformation of the AMEL yard

In parallel with the project to streamline our production site, we share with you some steps of the history of our shipyard. Chapter 4: Living and

Sailors gather for AMEL Yachts event in the Caribbean for a new edition in March 2024!

Four days of racing, discovery, and camaraderie in the heart of the Caribbean La Rochelle, February 15, 2024 – AMEL Yachts, a renowned builder of high-end

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Under the above French law, since the 1st of January 2022, each producer (company that places a product in the market) has his unique producer identifier number (Article L.541-10-13). This unique identifier number, assigned by the ADEME (French agency for the environment and energy management), proves that the placer on the market is a member of the APER (French association for eco-friendly pleasure boating) and that it fulfills its regulatory obligations. The AMEL SHIPYARDS’ U-ID number is: FR028009_18AOCF.

Futuna Yachts

marine builders

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Explorer 54 aluminum centerboarder sailing around Jersey

Futuna 70 under sail

Pictures of the Futuna 70 under sail...

Why aluminum?

An aluminium hull makes a whole lot of sense for an ocean going sail yacht...

Launch of Futuna 70

New Futuna 70 aluminum composite sail yacht was launched in Normandy...

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Marine Builder

Futuna Yachts builds high end round the world cruising sail yachts in the long tradition of French aluminum alloy boat building. Leveraging our experience and know-how, we developed the process of aluminum hull and composite sandwich deck  for the Futuna line in collaboration with Marc Lombard naval architecture office. 

Our designs are semi-custom and we deal with our clients directly. Please contact us at the address below either via e-mail or with a phone call for any further information, or arrange for a visit.

Our boats are put in the water in the beautiful Brittany coast centrally positioned in Europe, only three hours from Paris by train and barely more by car.

ZA de l'Eperon 35170 Bruz France

Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Phone: +33 155 858 350

Copyright © 2009-2012 Futuna Yachts. All rights reserved.

Be Bold. Be Antifragile.

The Shipyard : specializing in building aluminum sailboats

Alubat   is a renowned French sailboat manufacturer that specializes in building high-quality aluminum sailboats. With 50 years of experience, Alubat has established a strong reputation for producing durable, reliable, and seaworthy yachts.

Experienced sailors will confirm its resistance: during an impact, the hull will deform but will not rip. Your boat stays watertight. 

With a density and mechanical properties of both rigidity and shock absorption, aluminum is undoubtedly the ideal material for building yachts that are both light and safe. In addition to the flexibility it provides in terms of building processes, aluminum is certainly the most suitable material for making bespoke yachts.

The quality of hull construction, the durability of our woodwork and the care taken of the electrical installations combined with the seagoing qualities of our yachts, guarantee the resale value of your yacht.

Unlike fiberglass, the primary materials used – aluminum for the hull and deck as well as lead and / or cast iron for ballast – are all recyclable.

The first Alubat prototype ‘VODKA’ was built in 1974. This Ovni 25 was made of aluminum and had a fin keel but didn’t resemble the Ovni’s of today. It wasn’t until 1968 that the first Ovni 28 was launched that would go on to define future designs with an aluminum lifting keel and hard chines. 

In 2014, fourteen shareholders and manufacturers took their passion for sailing and blue water cruising to the next level and bought the shipyard. Michel Berson, president, they stayed true to the Alubat values and continues to modernize the shipyard. 

With Managing Director and seasoned sailor Luc Jurien, the Alubat range continues to evolve. Luc builds on his knowledge and insights gained from sailing around the world with his family aboard his Ovni 56 ‘Bulle” to the  product range.

Today, Alubat has built more than 1,600 aluminum sailboats sailing around the world.   Learn more about Alubat

Your boat takes shape in the skilled hands of metalworkers.

Louison - Metal Worker/Welder

In their own words.

“It’s always quite surprising to see how the beginnings of your boat actually happens. First, the pre-cut aluminum plates arrive on a pallet. From this initial flat shape, our teams create curves and form around the framework structure. The know-how of our team lies in the assembly by spot welding.

Aluminum sheets that are 4 to 10 mm thick are brought together and welded to become a hull, deck, and finally a boat of incredible robustness.

Pink traces left by the dye penetrant tests show that the welds are watertight.

The hull is always assembled upside down, with the ballasted daggerboard being installed about 3 weeks after the beginning of construction.

We’re in constant communication with the design office team, as certain options have a direct impact on the metalwork process.

It takes an average of 10 weeks in the metal shop before the boat reaches the painting stage.”

mickael - painter/bodywork

“ Your boat spends 4 full weeks in the paint booth, receiving a total of 9 coats of paint, before moving on to the assembly workshop.

First, the inside of the boat is completely dusted and vacuumed.

Then, it is cleaned with hot (120°) high pressure water to be de-greased.

Some areas are masked up on the topsides, such as the hull, chainplates and cleats, and then the application phase of the painting cycle begins.

A first coat of epoxy primer is applied on the deck, hull and interior up to waterline level.

All welding points such as handrails, stanchion feet etc. are coated and sanded to apply a second layer of epoxy primer.

Then the finishing primer is applied and sanded again for a smooth finish.

Finally the application of 2 coats of polyurethane lacquer completes the painting procedure.

For the non-slip areas, masking tape is applied, then the paint is passed over by a lacquer roller followed by a sprinkling of glass microbeads. This if left to dry for 24 hours before applying a matting agent. “

Craftsmen install the custom-made furniture in the designated carpentry workshop.

enzo - woodworker/joinery

“The joinery work on the new models is entirely designed using 3D modeling and is digitally cut.

Our carpenters are able to meet any request for customized fittings, whether for new builds or renovation work. A varnishing booth allows us to obtain a high level of finish.

After the furniture is built, it is then assembled and fit. 

But before any of the furniture or flooring is installed, insulating foam is applied. There are two types of insulation available:

F or navigation in all areas, polyurethane foam insulation in installed inside under ceilings and on the topsides up to the waterline. For effective control of condensation, thermal bridges are created thanks to the installation of polyethylene foam on the stiffeners and frames of your boat.

For specific navigation in cold climates, we recommend additional insulation in sprayed cork. “

Electrical Installation

The shipyard pays particular attention to the electrical installation to avoid any electrolysis issues. The entire electrical network is bipolar and completely isolated from the hull with a high-quality electrical panel.

All the cable and pipe-runs are made at the very beginning of the interior fit-out.

Each through-hull water fitting is independent, with its own manual seacock. For safety reasons, all skin fittings – inlets and outlets – are welded, there are no glued through-hulls.

CIGALE 15 QR

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History of Alubat Yachts

Alubat is a world-renowned shipyard specialising in aluminium sailing yacht production. Founded in 1973 and located on the west coast of France, in the heart of the Vendée nautical sector, the company quickly became known for its innovative design and quality craftsmanship within the nautical industry. Alubat is responsible for the design, build and sale of Ovni, Cigale, and Alubat 58 yachts, with more than 1500 hulls on the seven seas. Their boats are particularly favoured by nautical enthusiasts, especially for long cruises and expeditions due to their durability, safety and performance.

Over time, Alubat has constantly evolved with the changing landscape of boat manufacturing, especially in relation to sustainability measures and cutting-edge technologies. This has led to a brand rejuvenation in 2017 when the company was bought by new shareholders. Alubat made significant advancements, notably by incorporating more modern architectural designs and advanced ergonomic strategies. This also led to the reintroduction of the new generation of Ovni, which combines the best of their traditional design with modern amenities.

Today, Alubat continues to operate from its original location in Les Sables d'Olonne, France, supported by a network of agents worldwide. Alubat's dedication to exceptional build quality, solid performance characteristics and innovative design, has earned the company a reputation among bluewater cruisers and sailing enthusiasts alike. Maintaining an uncompromising approach towards boat building, Alubat remains in constant pursuit of excellence, blending tradition with innovation to create truly unique sea-faring vessels.

Which models do Alubat produce?

Alubat produce a range of boats including the Alubat Ovni 37 , Alubat Ovni 43 , Alubat Ovni 45 and Alubat Ovni 490 . For the full list of Alubat models currently listed on TheYachtMarket.com, see the model list in the search options on this page.

What types of boats do Alubat build?

Alubat manufactures a range of different types of boats. The ones listed on TheYachtMarket include Sloop , Aluminium boat , Exploration vessel , Cutter and Cruiser .

How much does a boat from Alubat cost?

Used boats from Alubat on TheYachtMarket.com range in price from £64,100 GBP to £735,000 GBP with an average price of £284,000 GBP . A wide range of factors can affect the price of used boats from Alubat, for example the model, age and condition.

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BoatNews.com

Alium Yacht, a 40-foot open boat made in France in aluminum

Alium Yachts is a new brand of Mediterranean open yachts. This French brand was born from the alliance of three associates passionate about boating, a young Swiss designer, Valentin Design, and the builder Meta Yachts. The first model, the Alium 42S will be unveiled in September 2022 in Cannes.

An open aluminum shell

Alexandre Louvier has been selling boats for 22 years. He has worked for Riva, but also for Regal in the south of France. In collaboration with Christian Desbois and Alain Dutoit, he has just launched the brand Alium Yachts the first model is an open hull of 12.77 m long built in aluminum by the French shipyard Meta Yachts .

Alexandre Louvier explains : "Aluminum is a recyclable material and therefore in the trend of the moment. It also has the advantage of not having to make molds and therefore allows our customers greater freedom to customize."

A typical Mediterranean design

L' Alium 42S has a very contemporary design with taut lines and a deep V hull. Its bulwarks unfold over the entire rear of the cockpit, to become a true floating bathing platform. A huge stern sunbathing area, a bow sunbathing area, two side bars, refrigerators, a plancha, an ice maker, a spacious cockpit well protected behind an angular windshield, benches, a table and all the amenities of a daycruiser are on board. A cabin with central bed and toilet completes the set, even if it is not the first program of the boat .

A semi-custom design

But the strength of Alium Yachts is to offer the possibility to customize your boat, as Alexandre Louvier explains: " The 12 m long by 4 m wide platform has been well thought out and approved. We don't offer a complete custom layout, but almost. In my previous job, it happened regularly that customers wanted different layouts than what was presented. But this was not possible and the customer would then go for another model. The construction method allows the owners that freedom."

Thermal or hybrid engine

Several hull, upholstery and floor colors are available, as well as the possibility of installing a hard-top or a hybrid motorization for short-distance electric sailing. As standard , the Alium 42S is powered by two 380 horsepower Volvo Penta DPI. The speeds announced by the shipyard are 37 knots in peak and 28 knots in cruising.

The boat will be launched at the end of July and presented in Cannes in September 2022.

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New build yachts

We are specialized in the building and finishing of aluminum custom built sailing yachts and have over 30 years experience.

Is your yacht in need of maintenance, repairs or a large refit? We’re happy to help you with it. We not only work on aluminium yachts but also on steel, polyester or even wooden yachts.

Designed by one of the world’s most legendary sailors as his private yacht. Brought to you by KM Yachtbuilders, the leading builder of aluminium expedition yachts up to 100ft.

We are KM Yachtbuilders

We build aluminium yachts. Starting out with three people and about as many yachts. A few decades later we are a team of 45 with more than 100 builds under our belt and our yachts are sailing the seven seas from pole to pole.

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Alu Marine, a premier yacht building company that was created in 1986, creating bespoke high-end Alu Marine yachts, motoryachts, sailing yachts and high-performance catamarans. It is also a leading manufacturer of industrial and commercial grade aluminium ocean vessels, including passenger ships and ferries, docking boats and barges. There are a number of outstanding Alu Marine charter yachts available for boat rental around the world, with a few of them listed below. For more information and a list of luxury charter yachts that suite your requirements and style, please contact our experienced and professional charter brokers.

The French yacht builder and an active member of Super Yacht France and FIN, is a well-known player in the pleasure yacht and superyacht segments of the industry. Alu Marine employs an experienced and highly-skilled team of craftsmen who are committed to provide the necessary services and expertise in various aspects of the yacht construction project. It also provides regular updates to its clients right up to the projects’ completion and delivery of the newly-built motoryacht or superyacht. In addition to this, the company also performs regular maintenance and refit services to a broad range of clients. 

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Alu Marine in Focus

Since its establishment in 1986, the company was able to complete a diverse set of yacht construction projects, and all of motoryachts and sailing yachts constructed in its facility are still operating in various parts of the globe. The key reasons why high performance yachts and superyachts constructed by Alu Marine yacht builder are highly in demand are their proven stability, durability and comfort. 

Alu Marine is supported by highly qualified and experienced team of designers, architects and engineers and specialises in the construction of one-off single-hull and multi-hull yachts. Its construction team is able to adapt to the needs and preferences of their clients, whilst managing a wide range of projects involving power cruisers and sailing yachts. The company is committed to delivering to its clients newly-built luxury yachts and superyachts that meet the highest standards of performance, reliability and safety. 

Whilst the main specialisation of Alu Marine is in the construction of sailing yachts and motoryachts with aluminium hull, the company has diversified its core specialties to cope with the rising demand by sailors and professional maritime entities for a wide range of motoryachts and sailing yachts. A significant milestone in the growth and expansion of the company is the construction of super yacht Douce France , which is a high-performance 138-footer catamaran. The catamaran Douce France was hailed by maritime experts as the largest sailing vessel in the world (at the time of her launch). 

Photo 1: Alu Marine catamaran yacht Noah 88 design by Kenzo Takada; Photo 2: Luxury catamaran yacht Noah 70; Photo 3: Luxury power catamaran yacht Panama 62' concept;

A Look at the Major Milestones of Alu Marine

In 1986 there was the growing preference for larger motoryachts and superyachts and an increasing number of yacht builders were channeling their resources and using their expertise in constructing megayachts and large vessels. 

It was during this year that Alu Marine completed their first yacht construction project, the  catamaran Douce France, considered then as the largest luxury catamaran. In 2005, Jean-Claude Borgel got majority control of Alu Marine and gave a fresh direction to the yacht building company.  

It was in 2009 that Alu Marine formally opened its new shipbuilding facility. This ultramodern and high-performance yard increased the production capacity of the company and provided a better working environment for its team of engineers and technical personnel. It was also during this year that Richard Gibeaud was appointed as the company’s general manager. 

2010 was relatively a busy year for Alu Marine. It was during that year that the company launched the biggest industrial-grade barge that was ever constructed by Alu Marine. The company also launched its Havana yacht line, which is a collaborative project between Alu Marine and eminent yacht designer, Berret Racoupeau .  

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French Sailboat Brands (Complete List)

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

August 30, 2022

France is home to many sailing organizations and individuals that want to experience life on the water. There are many excellent French sailboat brands too.

Whether it is a monohull or multi-hull, there are plenty of great choices to consider if you are looking for one. So what French sailboat brands come to mind?

You are likely familiar with popular French sailboat brands such as Beneteau, Jeanneau, and Fountaine Pajot. However, other French brands like Amel, Dufour, and Pogo definitely stand out. In addition, you cannot forget about RM, Bali, Excess, Garcia, Lagoon, Nautitech, Outremer, and Windelo.

Each brand has something a little bit different to offer to help create the best sailing experience. While no brand is absolutely perfect, some are making a strong case.

According to experts in the sailing realm, there are some French sailboat brands that happen to have the best sailboats in the world. While this is heavily debated and different for each individual, there are a few that rise above the rest.

Table of contents

‍ French Sailboat Brands to Check Out

Many French sailboat brands strive to be the best, so it will take some time to pick and choose the top of the line for your situation. Taking a look through all the brands is the only way to do it.

Many will pick one French sailboat brand over another due to a variety of factors. These include price, the reason for that particular sailboat, and comfort.

Beneteau and Excess

Beneteau is a one-of-a-kind sailboat brand that has found a way to combine racing and cruising without compromising comfort. They are one of the most popular sailboat brands in the world, offering many variations to fit sailors' needs.

For example, the Beneteau First 36 is an excellent full-scale sailboat that provides sailors an opportunity to get on the water safely and in style. Their stable hulls and light weight make them fast and reliable.

The brand has put together timeless classics for around 136 years now. From the living spaces, to the craftsmanship, you cannot go wrong with a Beneteau.

An elegant take on catamarans has been brought to customers by the Excess brand . They have one of the most intricate details with increased sailing area to provide sailors with the best possible experience.

Beneteau owns Excess, but both seem like independent versions of sailboats. Either way, both are excellent in their own categories.

Back in 1973, Alubat began production with their aluminum sailboats. They are the leading aluminum blue water sailboat brand and have served France proudly.

Since it is 100 percent aluminum, the hull is light and welded together. This creates a unique advantage compared to other fiberglass hulls that try to challenge weight.

In addition, Alubat uses lifting keels that allow you to take your adventure onto the beach. They have one of the best craftsmanship and put together a unique design.

Privilège/Kirie

The Kirie sailboat brand has been around since 1912 when they began building sailboats in Rue de la Forêt. While starting out on smaller sailboats, they eventually turned their production to racing boats.

Their most popular models include Feeling, which has a handful of variations based on size capabilities. In 1987, this boat received boat of the year honors.

You will likely have a hard time finding one of these boats now, especially since the brand was bought out by Privilège. This brand also makes top-of-the-line sailboats, but they are typically custom ordered and not mass produced.

Privilège has a few in their lineup that they make for the public. These are their Signature Series catamarans. You can expect quality builds and some of the best catamarans here.

Wauquiez is determined to help sailors get out on the water. Over the last 20 years, they have established excellent sailboats with modern interiors and elegant hulls.

They offer three popular models known as Pilot Saloon, Centurion, and Optio. Each one has plenty of room due to the design of the deck layout.

They are all catered to fit the needs of sailors that want to experience blue water sailing at different levels. Whether you want an easier sailing boat as a beginner or want a larger boat to race, Wauquiez offers them all.

One of the more prestigious families in French sailboats, Jeanneau offers one-of-a-kind sailboats to anyone. Their most popular sailboat is the classic Sun Odyssey 380.

Starting in the 1960s, Henry Jeanneau was looking to go fast on the water. He was able to develop a powerboat to compete in the 6-hour Paris race and won.

This particular design has everything down to the last detail to offer customers the best experience on the water. Just like many of their designs, you can count on efficiency, ease of use while sailing, and excellent sail area.

Fountaine Pajot

Fountaine Pajot is all about helping you create memories while in luxury. They are known for their beautiful catamarans, most notably the Astrea 42.

Their inverted bows are easy to spot, making them appealing to look at while you glide across the water. They even made sure the interior was as comfortable as possible, with some models having large windows below the deck.

Dating back to 1976, they have become a standard for French sailboat brands. Whether you want an entry-level catamaran or a luxury one, they have options to get you going.

Amel is one of those brands that has stood the test of time. They have put together one of the most comfortable, yet easy-to-sail boats that everyone can enjoy.

Over the last five decades, Amel has been able to set itself apart from other competitors. They have made themselves the standard when it comes to French sailboats. One of their best models to check out is the Amel 50, which is a powerful and comfortable ride.

They pride themselves on safety, having reliable hulls, and offering fun on the water. You can count on Amel to create a quality boat and honor the French.

Dufour has been in the business for over 60 years and provided sailors with some of the best sailing yachts. These boats have an assertiveness like no other and you can quickly tell them apart from the rest.

The newer Dufour 32 offers a classic spin on style and comfort, all while giving sailors peace of mind when it comes to handling. They even have an aft sunbathing area that can be adjusted in minutes if needed, which means they have thought of everything when it comes to comfort.

Dufour has partnered with Fountaine Pajot to be a part of the ODSeaLab to be more environmentally sound for bodies of water near France like the Atlantic Ocean. By 2030, they hope to have net carbon-neutral cruising sailboats.

Pogo Structures has been around since 1987 building cruising sailboats and racers. It was not until 2017 that they debuted their own line of powerboats using the same name. As for sailboats, they began building them in 2000.

While they are primarily still a shipyard producing close to 60 boats a year for other clients, they have reputable sailboats to look through over the years. These include the Pogo 40, Pogo 10.50, and Pogo 44.

They have served a lot of sailors throughout France, primarily in Combrit where they have their headquarters. You can likely find these sailing on the Atlantic coast.

RM Yachts is another quality shipyard in France that has doubled as the maker of many sailboats for other brands and created their own. They have focused on making their own for the last 20 years, with some custom accommodations along the way. They are known for their easy-to-handle boats that are not only comfortable but of high quality.

Back in 1989, they came up with their first design of the RM900. This was an epoxy-soaked plywood boat that had metal reinforcing the inside. Not too much has changed, other than having fiberglass sandwiched in between.

They continue to provide opportunities for sailors in La Rochelle that want to get on the water, as they produce roughly 50 yachts per year. RM Yachts can have either two keels or a lifting one, giving sailors customized options that best fit their needs.

Bali sailboats offer a little something for those that love catamarans. Not only are these some of the most beautiful catamarans on the market, they are also well built.

They have a partnership with Catana shipyard, located in France at Canet en Roussillon. This is one of the most famous shipyards out there, providing top-of-the-line yachts and catamarans.

This French sailing brand has listened to what customers want for luxury, which includes rigid cockpits, sunbathing areas, sliding windows, and plenty of room on the roof to lounge. It is no wonder this brand has quickly risen to the top since 2014.

Garcia yachts were started back in 1974 by two brothers, Jean-Louis and Jean-Pierre Garcia. Both were metalworkers and they played around with the idea of building steel boats.

They are an excellent shipyard in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France, where they have also built a line of their sailboats. These include the Exploration series and the Explocat.

Lagoon is another beautiful catamaran brand that thrived along the coast of France. They are easily recognizable for their racing sailboats.

From 1984, they quickly developed a huge following for their offshore catamarans. The Lagoon 55 and 47are two perfect examples of their craft.

They are easy to maneuver, fast, and have the awards to back up their performances in races over the years. They are part of the very popular Beneteau Group, so it is no surprise that they are widely recognized.

Nautitech is aiming to provide sailors the capability of traveling around the world in a catamaran. While you may not want to travel full-time on the water, these sailboats are meant to handle anything.

Previously owned by French sailboat brand Dufour, the company was sold in 2002 to Bruno Voisard. They eventually moved their operations to La Rochelle, France, and dominated the market for catamarans along the coast.

One of their more famous designs is the Nautitech 40 Open. It is an award-winning yacht that has an open concept and is easy to sail.

Outremer is another French sailboat brand that wants to help sailors live out their dreams of living on the water. Dating back to 1984, there are well over 400 of these catamarans sailing across the world.

Sailors love what Outremer has been able to do in their designs, especially the Outremer 55. It is a completely livable catamaran that is easy to operate even if you are short-handed. No matter which model you find yourself in, Outremer is an excellent French sailboat brand.

Windelo is a revolutionary French sailboat brand leading the market in clean sailboat energy. Their catamarans are equipped with electronic motors that are able to swap over to hydrogen generation.

These are definitely ahead of their time, especially when they produced the Windelo 50 Adventure. With all of those clean energy options, it does not comprise luxury or the performance of these catamarans.

These are also easy to handle even if you are short-handed. If you are wanting a catamaran that can handle anything and use clean energy, Windelo makes an excellent option.

History of Sailboats in France

France has a long history of boats due to its geographical location. Generations have developed models and tweaked designs to get it right.

Over time, it has grown into a large economic output with over 20 French sailboat brands or shipyards. These companies are responsible for employing over 20,000 people, so the economy of France depends on sailboats.

The oldest French sailboat brand is Beneteau, which dates back to 1884. At that time, Benjamin Beneteau started his boat building company with a focus to make sailboats and powerboats for French fishing fleets.

Throughout the years, demand for sailboats, racers, and cruisers all popped up with different French brands meeting those demands. Today, the marine industry is quite busy along the French coast.

Chantiers de l'Atlantique is one of the largest and most popular shipyards in the world. It is located in Saint-Nazaire, France, and they handle just about every boat you can think of.

What is it Like to Sail in France?

France is a unique location in the world that has a rich history. Sailing happens to be intertwined within that history, so naturally, you will see sailing as a common occurrence.

There is over 2,000 miles of coast to explore, meaning you have more than enough room to check things out. This alone makes it an interesting travel destination on the boat.

Sailing Options

France has four different bodies of water surrounding the country. These are the Atlantic Ocean, North Sea, English Channel, and the Mediterranean Sea.

Since there are many locations to sail, you can have fun no matter where you are. Rivers and canals are perfect for smaller sailboats. The Atlantic side offers many opportunities for larger boats.

Social Clubs

There are also over 400 boat clubs that have different options for sailors. Each one will have different levels of expertise and groups of people to communicate with.

Depending on which one you choose can help you save time and money on select membership perks. Some will let you dock for free or offer other incentives if you a member.

Perfect Weather

The climate in France is nowhere near as consistent as sailing in Florida year-round, but it is another factor that allows sailors to enjoy their time on the water. France typically has cool winters and mild to moderate summers.

While the temperatures do show up around freezing, the summers are not that hot. If you can handle the temperature ranges then sailing in France will be a breeze.

What is the Market Like for French Sailboat Brands?

Since sailboats are a symbol of luxury in France, many are proud to own one that can afford it. The sailboats you will likely see are typically all made in Poland or France.

Depending on the brand and size, the prices can range between $14,000 all the way to $16 million, if not more. For mega yachts, these are well above $40 million.

The average selling price for French boats comes in around $240,000 according to Yacht World for used and new French sailboats. The most common brands that were researched were Beneteau, Jeanneau, and Sunseeker.

It is important to know how much a particular sailboat is worth before committing to buying it. Check the brand you have in mind and find out all price points based on age, condition, and location so that you can determine the best deal possible.

Why are French Sailboat Brands Popular?

The French had a passion to follow their dreams and design something that they loved. While this sounds like a familiar story for most successful brands, it is a little bit different in France.

Since the competition is so tough, you have to be able to make top-quality sailboats in order to survive. If your product is lacking in any way, you will be out of business quickly.

Some French sailboat brands have a generation or two of the family business under their belt, while others are new to the game. Either way, you still have to be able to impress the customer, which many have done so.

In fact, if you were to ask a sailor what their top five favorite sailboat brands are, they will likely choose a French one somewhere on that list. The most popular one so far is still Beneteau, which also happens to be the most common French sailboat out there. The next in line is Amel, which is up for a bit of a debate.

How to Buy a French Sailboat?

If you are interested in buying a French sailboat from one of the brands mentioned, there are some variables in play that you need to be aware of. While many of these brands are popular, they may not be available to you depending on your location.

In addition, some sailboat brands only make so many models per year and it might be difficult to obtain a particular one. If you do your research ahead of time, it could save you a lot of steps in trying to track one of them down.

Depending on where you are currently at, buying a French sailboat is going to be tricky. If you are in the United States, you will either need to find a dealer that can ship one to you there or buy a used one already in a marina.

There are some locations that have a market for French sailboats. It might be beneficial to make phone calls first or check online before just showing up.

Budget Friendly

Just like any major purchase, you need to make sure you have the correct amount of funds available to you. This means getting a loan set up in advance, saving more money, or selling something to help fund this purchase.

French sailboat brands do not typically cost more than other sailboats. However, the brand and size of the boat will make a huge difference.

You have to ask yourself if having 10 or 15 feet more is worth the extra thousands of dollars. If you can go smaller, this would also save you money.

Straight from the Source

If you find a French sailboat brand that you like, you could always try to purchase one online. By visiting their website, you can check out the next steps in the buying process.

They could help you in locating a dealer or find a way to ship it to you. This could save you time and money if they are able to work out a deal.

What to Look for in a French Sailboat?

Looking for a French sailboat is just like looking for another sailboat brand, unless this is your first time. You need to make sure you understand your sailing goal first before buying one too soon.

Sailing goals include your purpose of sailing, how much you want to spend, and how long you plan to do it. If you can confidently answer those questions, then you are on the right path to what a good French sailboat brand is.

If you are aiming for comfort, you need to see if it can accommodate what you have in store. You need to find out if it has room for guests if you can live on it full time or the extra features that separate it from the rest.

The living space and other features make a huge difference for boats that aim for comfort and simplicity. You need to find one that does not compromise comfort for performance.

Monohulls have the capability of righting back up after the motion swings back and forth. Catamarans, or multihulls, have more stability and it will be a smoother ride.

If you plan on using your French sailboat for quite some time, you want to make sure you have the safest option of all. Both sailboat types have their advantages and disadvantages, so it is up to you to decide which to favor.

Ease of Use

Do you want a sailboat that comes equipped with everything you need to sail full time? What about one that is easy to handle by yourself or just two people?

These are basic questions to ask yourself, but you must do the research thoroughly before buying. Staying ahead of the game when looking for French sailboats will help you out in the long run.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Aluminum Yachts

Aluminum yachts are light, fast, relatively durable, and convenient in servicing. they don’t corrode or rot from the constant contact with water, they are capable of carrying the necessary load, and they can really serve you for a long period of time. the decision to purchase is entirely up to you..

The price of an aluminum yacht is rarely cheap, if you’re not talking about an old vessel. Very often aluminum is the material of choice for mega-yacht construction and premium class boats. There are models, however, intended for the general consumer. But in this category they are being squeezed out by the plastic fiber yachts, as being cheaper and simpler in construction.

An aluminum hull will undoubtedly cost you more than plastic, but at the same time will be more efficient money-wise, than a wooden or a steel one. The same could be said about the cost of operating and servicing it.

Aluminum Yacht Net Cost.

The cost of building an aluminum hull consists of two factors:

• The price and volume of the aluminum;
• Method of processing.

Aluminum is more expensive than steel and one would naturally assume that would greatly influence the cost of a hull, but that is not the case. The thing is that the aluminum is very soft. It is very easily bent and welded compared to steel. Even a thick sheet of aluminum is very pliable. The processing and hull construction greatly influence price.

The low weight of this metal makes the engineer’s job easier too. They can form almost anything out of it, creating nearly any hull shape they like (within reason), making the yacht practically any size they need.

Performance Features of the Aluminum.

The main advantage that most of the owners can appreciate, even those with no knowledge of chemistry, is aluminum’s ability to withstand corrosion. This is true only in the case when aluminum is used in the open air, above the water. The reason for this is the finest oxide layer that is formed once the metal is exposed to air. That thin layer is what protects the metal from corrosion.

It is also very good at withstanding fresh water. However, it gets more complicated with salt water. For many years, the shipbuilders preferred steel as their material of choice. Everything changed when the chemists came up with a way to raise the corrosion resistance with additives. Today, aluminum yachts are made from alloys of magnesium and silicon (so called alloy 5803). Therefore, when engaging an unknown manufacturer or non-specialized company for building your yacht, you need to ask about the kind of aluminum that is used and its composition. That is the only way to assure that the aluminum will not be affected by corrosion.

The second advantage to aluminum is the weight. Aluminum is obviously lighter than steel, and in some cases, wood. It is the second lightest material after plastic, so it gains speed very easily and is very maneuverable.

Aluminum has one setback – its low durability. Excessive softness of material, which is very advantageous during manufacturing, may become a drawback during use. In cases where a steel yacht is not even dented, an aluminum one can break or tear. On a positive note, most minor collisions result in dents that can easily be repaired.

Refurbishing Value and Maintenance.

There is no need to take your personal aluminum yacht to the specialists every year. The entire routine checkout can be done on your own. Even when section of the paint come off, there’s no big harm done – aluminum is capable of withstanding some exposure to salt water.

Repairing your yacht after some accidents is a little more complicated. If there’s a dent, you can try to flatten it out - the metal is very soft and pliable. If there’s a tear, you will definitely need to go to the professional welders and what is more important, see to it that the patch is made from exactly the same kind of alloy.

Aluminum Yachts for Sale

Atlantic Yacht and Ship, Inc., has aluminum yachts for sale from individual owners and large-scale yacht manufacturers throughout the world. In business since 1959, our stock of aluminum yachts includes Trinity, Admiral, Wider 2016, Sunrise, Heesen, Ocea France 2017, and other new and previously owned aluminum yachts for sale.

Often, one of the reasons for choosing an aluminum yacht over a steel yacht is cost. However, there are many other things to take into consideration before making such a profound purchase; which is why it is important to deal with an experienced yacht broker that can assist you with more than just the sales process.

We are fully licensed yacht brokers with experience in yacht purchases and sales throughout the world and can assist you with everything you need to know about aluminum yachts.

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• France: The Source For Aluminum Sailboats

The summer of 2009 was a good one in Scotland, at least compared with the rest of the UK and Ireland. But as is generally the case, once the weather breaks, that’s it, the summer is over, and it’s time to make tracks.

We had set off from Tobermory on the Isle of Mull early in the morning, and by the afternoon were well down into the Firth of Lorne en route south to the North Channel before a long spell of southerly gales were due to set in.

Away on the mainland shore we could see another yacht beating South, and could soon see that it was another OVNI. A few minutes later we crossed tacks, and managed to take a few photos of her against the massive backdrop of Mull. A French 385 called Brecqhou , we had seen her earlier in the season in Arisaig, and she looked right at home in the wild setting of the hills.

A brief chat on the radio led to an exchange of e-mail addresses so that we could exchange photos somewhere down the line before we parted, Brecqhou heading for the Crinan Canal, us on into the night and a quick stop at Jura.

Some time later we made contact once again, by which time I’d learnt a little more about Brecqhou and her owner, Hubert Perier. Since buying her in 2002, he has sailed her to the Azores, Portugal, Spain, Ireland, Iceland and Scotland, an impressive record. And it reminded me once again what great boats these are that demand to be sailed in this way, and that the French sailors really do use them.

It’s odd that aluminum boats have never caught on in the UK. Apart from a short production run of a 28-ft multichined sailboat called a Sarum, and a few semi-custom boats from Whisstocks, one-offs apart, that’s about the sum total of alloy yachts that I know of. Yet they have been hugely popular for years in France, and not just OVNIs, although they are perhaps the best known of the French boats. I’ve just been looking through the boats for sale in the French sailing magazine Voiles et Voiliers , and of 48 yachts in the 13m size bracket no less than 14 are aluminum, and from 9 different builders.

And all of them are boats that are capable of long voyages off the beaten track: 3 OVNIs, 3 nice round bilge Garcias, two elegant Mauric-designed Meridiens and a variety of others. Anyone looking for a good boat for high latitudes could do far worse than start with any one of them.

I asked a boat builder friend why it was that British builders never took to alloy, and he suggested that one reason may have been that to build in aluminum would have meant stocking such a wide variety of different stock—differing hull plate thicknesses for example—that unless some sort of series production was envisaged it would never have been viable, and maybe there’s something in that. And it’s fair to say that we never built many steel boats either, so maybe it has more to do with our love of production boats, and the cost of building one-offs.

Either way it seems a pity, especially as the Dutch builders have taken to building in alloy, too, and with the same attention to detail they have always brought to their steel yachts. In Falmouth, where we lived for many years, there are still really good quality cruising sailboats like Rustlers being built in GRP, and even one-off wooden pilot cutters, but nothing in aluminum, although there is absolutely no reason why not. The kind of craftsmen who work there are the equal of any others in the world, and I’ve no doubt could build aluminum boats to the highest standards.

So, until there is a cultural change, if you’re in the market for an aluminum boat, whether a one-off, semi-custom, old or new, then France is the place to look—and right now there’s plenty of choice.

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Hello Colin,

I have been looking for a good reason for a first post on ACC and my recent viewing of a French designed and built, aluminum sailboat and your very pertinent article has led me to do just this. I am pretty new to the world of sailing but pretty keen at studying and formulating a needs/wants list, for a robust and comfortable coastal cruiser, with live aboard potential, based out of Vancouver Island, B.C. This has, among other things, led me to an appreciation of metal hulled boats, pilothouses and twin keel designs. This particular boat, Marguerite 1, was owned by the designer, Michael Joubert and built in the Meta shipyard, who specialize in their “Strongall” building technique. She was sailed through the Northwest Passage in 2012 ( https://blog.mytimezero.com/2013/04/17/borealis-expedition-motorsailer/ ) and finally ended up in storage at the Canoe Cove Marina, in Sidney B.C. Sadly, Mr. Joubert passed away last year, which is the reason for her sale. I reckon that both you and John and so much of your very informed readership are familiar with Meta and Mr. Joubert and perhaps, Marguerite herself and I certainly highly welcome any feedback that anyone may have. For anyone who is interested, I include: http://www.voilemagazine.com/2016/03/michel-joubert-salut-lartiste/ Thanks so much to everyone who contributes to make this such a superb resource.

Art Kernaghan

I took a look at the links, but did not see much detail on this particular boat. Do you have a link to a listing?

Also, if you get really serious, you may want to consider Colin’s consulting service . There is no one better to advise you on these types of boats.

Thanks for your reply and for looking at the links, as well. I did a lot of online digging to gain detailed information on her but there was not much and the broker was not yet, too well informed, either. The only specs I have gleaned, are from what I have sourced online, from the magazine article I linked to. Thanks, as well, for Colin’s website. Maybe I will drop him a line, to see what his thoughts are.

Art, Jackie and I looked at Marguerite last September, we were alerted to the impending sale by a friend who helped deliver her to Vancouver Island. Like you, we were looking for a French aluminium shoal draft pilot house boat. Claude Joubert and Bernard Nivelt were aboard and we had a brief sea trial. We liked her a lot and were very impressed with the thoughtful design. As you have identified, the Strongall system is strong even if not impregnable, as M. Joubert found out. We visited the META factory in France last year as part of our boat quest and again were impressed with the ethos and engineering. For us, the stumbling block was her current lack of sailing ability. Since the rig was cut down to match the reduction in the draft of the bilge keels prior to her North West passage, she has become effectively a motor boat with auxiliary sails and the engines run continuously. However she is certainly a robust and comfortable coastal cruiser capable of far more once you have gained experience and if you have a taste for it. She appeared to have been well maintained and had a very homely feel, unlike almost every other boat we have looked at in the past six months. Good luck with your quest. Robin & Jackie Hartley

Thanks so much, for the reply–I couldn’t have asked for better, than from folks who have sailed Marguerite, visited where she was built and who met and talked with Michel’s wife and design partner. Your comments about her sailing ability are what I suspected and the hour meters on the engines, at 8500, tell the tale that you describe. Hmmm… The boat certainly has undergone a lot of modifications in her life. I suspect the change from the canoe-style stern was taken after her grounding, when she was in for repairs. I did view the boat with a friend who has a very experienced eye and like you describe, found her to be well-maintained. The air was very dry inside–not a hint of damp odour. I think that the boat would be ideal for exploring these coasts, so will continue learning more about her. If you care to talk more about all of this via email, I would very happy to hear from you. My Gmail address is my full name: arthurkernaghan.

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Aluminium sailboats

Aluminum offers an excellent safety / longevity / price / performance ratio. These qualities make it the favorite material of many long trips sailors. The boat holding the world record for the single-handed world tour “the wrong way”, (against the prevailing winds and currents) is an aluminum monohull which finished in 2004 the itinerary Ouessant / Antarctic / Ouessant in 122 days 14 hours 3 minutes and 49 seconds skipped by Jean-Luc Van den Heede. A reference!

You will find here our selection of aluminum sailboats.

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Alia Yachts launches all-aluminium 45m superyacht Project SAN

Related articles.

Turkish shipyard Alia Yachts has launched Project SAN, a 45-metre custom superyacht built entirely in aluminium. Design comes courtesy of Dutch studio Sinot with naval architecture from Lateral Naval Architects .

The layout of Project SAN places increased focus on al fresco living, with a "fully open main deck all the way from the stern to the bow, without any major visual obstacles," according to Paul Costerus, partner and lead designer at Sinot.

"The design of SAN began after long and in-depth conversations with her future owner on the desired layouts, functionality and style," continued Costerus.

Her exterior is characterised by a low, predatory superstructure with a raised pilothouse and sharp, clean lines. Initial images also show off her plumb bow and uncluttered deck space.

"The exterior deck furniture is multi-functional," said Costerus. "Tables convert from dining to an evening cocktail setup and sunbathing areas convert easily into intimate seating. The aft deck sunbathing area can be expanded by folding the bulwarks down, providing even more of an outdoor living space experience."

While imagery is unreleased, interiors are minimalist and detail-orientated, with full-height windows ensuring the yacht’s surroundings remain a key focal point.

Accommodation is found on the lower deck, with a four-cabin layout that includes a generous owner’s cabin.

Alia Yachts President Gökhan Çelik said: "Based on an innovative and attractive design philosophy, Project SAN will further strengthen our pursuit to be recognized as one of the top custom yacht builders in the world by delivering such superior projects recognised worldwide."

This follows the shipyard's recent partnership with Burgess on a custom 45-metre superyacht. The project will bring together H2 Yacht Design , Vickers Studio and Van Oossanen , with delivery scheduled for 2026.

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