la rochelle yacht builders

RM Yachts: French plywood sailboat manufacturer

Over 30 years of plywood yacht building expertise.

Welcome to RM Yachts!

French sailboat manufacturer since 1989, our shipyard based in La Rochelle is specialised in the construction of fast cruising yachts of 30ft to 45ft in plywood and epoxy – approximately 9 to 14 meters.

Whether you are looking for a coastal cruising sailboat, or planning longer open sea trips, such as Atlantic, Pacific crossing, or round-the-world sailing, there will always be an RM yacht fitting your project.

We are actually the sole shipyard and manufacturer having built over 500 monohull sailboats using this material and this sailing yacht building technique. Needless to say, we know plywood-epoxy in-and-out.

This material’s benefits are numerous: lightness and stiffness, for increased performance under sail, and a dry and sane interior atmosphere, thanks to its thermal and phonic specifications.

Not to mention its reduced impact on the environment, compared to other materials usually found in naval construction (GRP, polyester, etc.).

Designed by award-winning architect Marc Lombard, RM yachts are 100% made in France, and then sail around the world. Our clients frequently share their anecdotes and logbooks from their solo or family adventures on our modern sailing boats.

Available in different appendage versions (single-keel, twin-keel, lifting-keel, single or twin rudder), RM Yachts are customisable, starting with their hull colour and interior design.

Advising you to choose the best cruising sailboat

Thanks to our many years of experience as a sailing yacht manufacturer, we have designed our website to provide you with all the information you need to select your next cruising yacht :

• What is important when choosing a cruising sailboat?
• What is the best size for a coastal or bluewater cruising yacht?
• How to choose the best sailboat to live on?
• What options are to be considered when preparing an ocean crossing or a circumnavigation?

Our F.A.Q. section is also a great source of information to help you find the ideal sailing boat according to your needs and sailing plans.

You are more than welcome to visit our premises, and we can also set up a sea trial! Our team will be more than happy to help you configure your brand-new sailing yacht

Alternatively, you can also have a look at our previous models and see how high our used monohull sailboats are on the market. Our expert brokers remain available for additional information.

Finally, acquiring an RM also means you have access to a panel of services, provided by Grand Large Yachting group’s dedicated subsidiary: Grand Large Services. Whether it’s about training lessons, spare parts, maintenance, or refit before slipping lines, our specialists are here to help!

Bring your own dreams, we’ll take care of everything else.

Looking forward to meeting you soon,

The RM Yachts team.

Keep in Touch' Restons en contact

We will send you RM Yachts News (Only) to make sure you are up to date. Recevez (seulement) nos infos, pour être sûrs de ne rien rater !

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At RM Yachts of La Rochelle

• April 16th, 2017
• On Location

It has been the naval architect Marc Lombard himself who awoke my interest in RM Yachts: When I got the chance to meet him during the Boot boatshow in Dusseldorf this year to talk about the very process of designing a sailing yacht and his personal approach (read the article here ). He directed me to the stand of Fora Marine – RM Yachts where we sat down to discuss the topic. It was here when I first heard about the fact that a yacht builder is making big and yet fast sailing cruisers from plywood.

Last week I happened to be in La Rochelle at the Atlantic Ocean Coast and it suddenly struck me as I was driving through a large commercial area when I saw the big RM-Yachts logo and I suddenly remembered. I took the chance and called the company and I was very excited to have Justine at the other end of the line – the very lady who was so kind to arrange the meeting with Marc during the boatshow in the first place: “Sure, of course you can come and have a visit at our yard. We would be delighted!”, she said and offered me her company to show me around. That was my lucky day.

Plywood as an ideal material for building boats

Why is it such a news that there is a company making sailing yachts from plywood? Boats and ships have been made from timber for many hundred years before: Mankind´s first boats have been hollow dug out canoes, Egyptians have set out on the Mediterranean in rafts made of reed, Polynesians have conquered much of the Pacific Ocean in cleverly rigged, very fast tiny outrigger boats and finally had the Europeans roamed the Oceans in huge sturdy yet fast and reliable timber made sailing vessels. But I admit: In a world made of plastic it sounds a bit awkward to have a yacht made from plywood considered to be “modern” or state-of-the-art.

When we entered the large production facility, not after the owner of the company greeted me and was wishing me a nice stay, I was surprised to hear from Justine than RM Yachts is selling some 40 units annually. That is much, much more than very renown Scandinavian boat yards such as admired Luffe for example. “We want to make some 48 boats this year”, she says, “The maximum limit for these facilities as you may see would be some 80 boats anually.” You know what struck me most as I stand in the hall? The smell. No biting GRP polystyrene-odors but the fine smell of wood. Very nice.

“This is how it all starts”, she says pointing to a storing area: Large piles of plywood of all sizes and thicknesses are stored here, some piles made of pre-cut parts for the boats. “The parts are laser cut”, Justine explains. I can see what will be future portholes, stringers, parts which will form a bulkhead of a yacht. Where do these raw plywood sheets come from? “They are made especially for us nearby. Also the laser cutting service is performed by a local company in the area around us. We try to have most of the boat done by ourselves of course. If this can´t be done, we are always seeking the help of local companies first.”, Justine explains.

Making a plywood sailing yacht is – not unlike the building of a GRP boat – a lot of hand labor. When I was visiting the yard it was bristling with people. What I liked a lot was the fact that I equally saw young people working here as well as elder craftsmen which is a sign of a good healthy workforce and the ensuring of knowledge transition between the generations. There appeared to be no pressure here – people did their work thoroughly, I often saw them putting away the tools to intensively check on the outcome. All of the male workers of course found their time to greet Justine with French bisous as well.

Making the structural skeleton of the sailing yacht

“We have no molds to make a yacht´s hull”, Justine explains as we stand in front of a huge construction made of thick plywood: “That´s the negative model of the hull and the equivalent to the GRP-mold if you want. The craftsmen will put the pre-cut parts in a certain manner to a certain place and thus form the skeleton of the hull.” I get closer to watch: First they will put in the bulkheads. Then stringers and ribs will be complemented. The longitudinal parts such as stringers will be put in place as well. “It´s a giant puzzle!”, I said and she nods, smiling.

The parts are then glued together by means of Epoxy. “We are using a lot of Epoxy in our yachts of course.”, Justine says pointing to the thick joints of the plywood plates: “Epoxy is the best glue in this matter as it will be virtually sucked into the plywood material. It will form a very, very strong bond with the wooden parts no other glue will achieve.” They use different forms of Epoxy here, I will learn later. Looking at the joints I notice the sheer thickness of them: Not as thick a thumb, but as thick as two thumbs!

It´s funny to see that there are no nails, no screws no bolts and nuts whatsoever needed to form the structural skeleton of this yacht. Looking at the huge strains which will go into a yacht´s hull when sailing, when the shrouds are under immense loads, when waves pound the hull, it´s just amazing to see that there is not a single bolt needed to support the wooden mainframe of an RM Yacht.

I crawl deeper into the huge 3D-puzzle to look thoroughly. All joints are glued from either sides to the adjoining parts, the quality of the joints is as high as expected – no seams visible. Even the Epoxy glued areas – though made by hand – seem to have been done by a robot as perfect and even as they appear. Thanks to a precise laser-cutting technology this boat will be as symmetrically perfect as one could think of.

I wonder how long it would take to fabricate a plywood yacht hull. Justine is asking a worker how looks at the construction and estimates: The large boats, 10 to 12 meters, will take a good week to be made, the smaller, 8 to 9 meter yachts are faster: “The hull of an RM 890 will take three to four days in this production step.”, Justine translates. Wow, that´s fast for sure, faster than molding (and drying) a GRP-hull.

Achieving structural strength of a plywood yacht hull

Plywood – this word may for some people sound odd in connection with making a proper oceangoing yacht. You could use plywood for furniture or panels, but could you use it to make a ship that is sailing on the Oceans and withstand the sheer forces of nature? These boats all have Cat A CE-rating and are thus made for sailing in all conditions in all areas of our planet. The boats needs to be strong. How do they achieve it?

Before I enter the large workshop-hall I take a look at a steel frame unit ready for assembly outside. That´s a thick piece of stainless steel, not dissimilar to those massive main frames for example X-Yachts is utilizing in their respective yachts. “This cage is also done by a partner company in this area.”, Justine explains: “Every RM yacht has one of these built in.” The steel has a thickness of some 10 millimeters.

The frame will be partially jacket with plywood which is glued to the steel and be put into the caliber right from the beginning. This it will be obstructed into the hull to form solid bonds. “The steel main frame serves many purposes”, Justine tells me: “It will first of all take on the keel. We offer three kinds of keels with our yachts: The solid T-keel, a twin-keel with which the yacht can fall dry and the lifting keel. Especially for the very long lifting keels you need to have a very strong frame to take on the loads.”

I take a look under one of the hulls and can clearly see how the steel cage is built in. Most of the steel-parts have been covered with plywood, others had been bolted to thick plywood stringers of the hull. The cage is securely attached to the wooden structure: “The second purpose of the steel cage is to take on the loads from the shrouds which will be diverted directly to the steel.”, Justine tells me.

All in all the hull makes a deep impression on me. On the one hand I am fascinated by the plywood construction, the thick joints and the perfect seamless assembly, the effort that goes into each and every part of the structure. When I touch the structure or knock on it, it feels solid and the “Clang” of my knocking reassures me of the solidity of the hull. On the other hand … it´s still plywood, isn´t it?

What about collision damage on a plywood yacht?

As we roam the workshop, I do ask Justine some further questions on stability of the boat. What about collisions? Hitting floating object is a nightmare for every skipper and whilst the sea gets more and more polluted, yards need to find answers. Of course, she says, that´s a problem for every yacht maker and RM Yachts has an answer to this one too.

“Look at the bow section here”, she shows me a half-ready hull. The very bow has been laminated with multiple layers of glass reinforced fibre-matts and Epoxy. “This is just the outside. From the inside you will notice that in the collision compartment of the yacht we have built in no less than 4 layers of thick plywood – each one glued to the hull, laminated to the hull and soaked with Epoxy. This is really a very, very strong construction and makes a firm bond in case some collision takes place.”

I go down to my knees and look right into the collision compartment (which will house the anchor-chain and gas-bootle) later. There I can see what she meant. I can further see some solgitudinal stringers which will add further strength in this area. Seems appropriate and to be honest, it looks a lot more assuring that some GRP-made hulls I had to inspect where there isn´t any of these elements but just 0.8 centimetres of GRP.

“There is an option we offer,” Justine tells me as we stand next to a half-ready hull: “See this yellow layer? This is Kevlar.” I touch the garment which feels like any other laminated denim: Solid. “The whole hull is covered with one layer of Kevlar and some spots of the boat, especially the bow section, with two layers. That´s an option we offer for clients who want to be 110 per cent safe against collisions.” They don´t like this option at RM Yachts, Justine tells me, just because it´s not necessary as they judge: The boat is safe and strong even without Kevlar. It will only add weight to the hull. “But many clients want this reassurance so we do it.”

Epoxy resin & plywood: An ideal team

Marc Lombard told me during our interview that plywood is the ideal material to make a ship because of a certain feature of it: It is soaking itself automatically with Epoxy if done right. Justine gets me deeper into this: “When the hull is completed on the stand, it will be completely painted with Epoxy resin. As plywood is naturally made of a more softer timber, the material will literally soak itself full of resin instantly. When drying out, the once soft plywood will then be a rock solid new material. And this is what we want to achieve.” Again under one new hull I watch a worker doing exactly this job. Very tedious, on your knees for hours and re-doing the joints, painting the inner hull with Epoxy. The nice smell of wooden material in this area of the workshop is of course instantly replaced by the familiar odour of resin and chemical agents helping to stick to the material and dry fast.

Of course, plywood-made hulls cannot bear round shapes like it is achieved with a GRP mold. RM Yachts are therefore hard chined hulls. Naval architect Marc Lombard sees no problems in that especially in view to most of the contemporary GRP-hull concepts which themselves feature more or less extreme developed chines to gain more volume. For performance-oriented hull designs like this of a Pogo for example a chine will add sufficiently to the stability of the yacht when sailing heeled.

When the inside of the hull is completely painted with Epoxy, all adjoining areas of all bulkheads, stringers and other parts will be laminated at least twice. In the end, no wooden surface of the original plywood hull will be touchable anymore: An owner will have the impression of being on an ordinary GRP-made boat. From the outside, the same treatment is applied: The plywood is soaked with Epoxy, then the adjoining seams will be laminated twice. As I stand there to admire a raw 890 hull, they are pulling a white painted hull out of another workshop: “That´s the latest of our boats, the 1370.”, Justine explains: “Please don´t take pictures: She is brand new …”

Filling and smoothing the yacht´s hull

We enter another section of the complex. Huge fans are constantly taking out and filtering the air from dust particles. Air condition keeps the hall inside a certain small range of temperatures so that an optimum surrounding for the very working steps is created which are performed here.

“When the raw hull is dried thoroughly”, Justine explains, “it will be brought here. One layer of Epoxy is brought to the outside of the hull as you may see at this boat. This layer is for example white.” It will then sanded down to create a smooth surface. “After the first there comes a second layer with the same, more thicker Epoxy, and this will have a different color just to check. This will also be sanded down. After these steps the hull has perfect shape without any scratched. No seam will be visible anymore.”

Looking at the hull very closely, I notice the thickness of the Epoxy layers which is in some areas well more than 3 millimetres. The sanding process – which is a very, very nasty work, hazardous for the workers (that’s why they have to wear dust masks and the air is immediately filtered through the large machines, a loud work and a nasty work as I know from my own experiences with sanding GRP surfaces on my own yacht (read it here ).

Looking at the stern of this hull I notice the different strengths of the thickness of the plywood sheets forming the hull itself: The bottom sheet clearly is thicker than 2 centimetres, going to the outside and up the hull to the ship´s sides the sheets get thinner, but no thinner than one centimetre. Sanding work has been done just fine on this hull: The once “hard” chines are now rounded to a nice and soft shape.

Here it is where I can finally take a look at the finished raw-inside of the hull with all of the plywood soaked with Epoxy, the adjoining areas laminated twice for additional strength and everything covered with another single layer of GRP-garment. Looks rock-solid and walking on the hull is no problem: No squeeking nor any other sound coming from the surface when walking on it.

It doesn´t work completely without GRP

Of course, RM Yachts are no complete plywood boat. This is what I understand now. The basic material may be plywood, but the construction bears nevertheless a significant portion of modern-day materials just like Epoxy resin and different types of GRP-garments. As Marc Lombard told me during Boot boatshow Dusseldorf, the one and only part of the boat that is made the “traditional-modern” way in a mold is the deck.

“You cannot achieve nice round surfaces and forms with plywood”, he said: “We just want to offer not solely a fast sailing hull but also sailing pleasure which derives from a large portion of the comfort a cabin offers.” Marc explained that the deck will be done traditionally by hand-laminating a GRP mold. And this is what I see at the next station. “These decks are done at a nearby shop by another local partner”, Justine tells me as we walk by.

“Salut!”, we greet loud and clear as we enter another part of the hall, the joiner´s workshop. Now that´s the smell I love indeed! Wooden parts are sawn, sanded and worked with so that it scents like being in a forest here. “Now the GRP molded deck will be outfitted with wooden parts as you may see here.” This could be interesting, I am thinking for myself, since I am right now working on my own yacht on the roofing .

Just as I did it on my own King´s Cruiser 33, the workers are glueing wooden parts to the ceiling which will later be the substruction to take on the roofing panels. Wiring for lighting and other electric installations are already attached to the roof. And there it is: My inspiration! Velcro-tape is used to hold the roofing panels, at least as a secondary joining point. I am taking this idea for my own project since my roofing panels are somewhat heavy and very long – utilizing Velcro will make working with it a lot more easier.

At the same time, the hull – readily painted in the inside – is brought to the assembly line. “Now you can see we have painted the internal hull completely white.”, Justine shows me a 970-hull. “It´s no different in her appearance from a GRP-molded hull anymore and you won´t see any plywood.” Which is perfectly true. The white paint has been applied flawlessly and workers are busy installing machinery, wires and tubes.

“Finally, after the marriage – when the deck joins the hull – the yachts will be brought here and all connecting areas between hull and deck will be closed with multiple layers of this thick Epoxy.” The deck will be attached in two ways at the same time: The deck will be glued with Epoxy to the hull. That’s why they had built a wide strip at the edge of the ship´s side so that a large area is formed to glue the deck onto. Second, thick nuts and bolts will be drilled through deck and hull every 20 centimetres to form a solid mechanical bond.

Interior design and final fitting of the yacht

With this step the boat has been finished to a raw state. All major pats like engine, additional machinery, all electric wires and parts had been already installed. Most of the joinery is of course assembled and put into the boat before the marriage of hull and deck – just as it is the case with all yachts. “Now the boats will be brought into our paint shop”, Justine adds, pointing to a now empty area at the end of the workshop. Where the secret RM 1370 just left.

We leave the large workshop. Two RM Yachts are on the outside to be fitted and rigged. An RM 1270 is the first we inspect. “All colours from the RAL-palette are possible”, Justine says: “We can even create tones if a client won´t find his favourite colour among the thousands of variants.” She smiles. “There´s always the one favourite colour not supplied by RAL, I can assure you …” We enter the 1270 and go down the entryway.

“With every RM Yacht you will only have to make three steps to enter the saloon”, Justine insists. What impressed me (again) was the sheer light suffused saloon. Wow, that´s almost as spacious as on a deck saloon yacht, I tell her. She agrees: “Yet it isn´t a DS. We achieved to offer almost a 360 degree view of the surrounding which is fantastic when sailing.” I can only imagine.

Partially this fantastic situation is due to the huge skylights in the fore part of the saloon: These large windows allow huge amounts of light entering the saloon for sure. “It´s wonderful to see the sails in full bloom. Even when sailing with autohelm, you´ll have a perfect view to what´s happening around and in front of you from down below here”, Justine adds.

Just like windshields of modern sportive cars the RM Yachts bear this feature: As I stand outside on the fore deck of the 1270 I can compare this 34 feet boat to the nearby RM 890, the smallest in the RM range, that also have these large skylights. Light is even more important the smaller a yacht will be, so that is well done, Marc!

But what I loved most about the RM: The navigation station. “We take pride in the fact that every RM Yacht features a proper chart table”, Justine tells me. I dislike current trends in “modern” cruisers to further miniaturizing the chat table, to make it disposable of because most sailors don´t do proper chart work but rely solely on their chart plotters. The RM1270 has a huge nav station – compared with her boat´s size – which I so much adore. (Read about the chart table of my own yacht here )

The price of an RM Yacht

I conclude the tour oft he RM Yachts facilities with a chat about the efforts which go into these boats. RM Yachts is making around 40 yachts per year, which is more than I thought. “We like to produce more and this year there will be a slight increase in the amount of units sold, but growth is not our primary goal”, Justine assures me. “We want to keep our high standards of quality both in the building of the boats as well as in their sailing abilities.” She is proud to tell me that when they´ve tested the RM 890 against the all new Pogo 36 (read it here ), at this very day, the RM was faster.

All this comes with a price tag of course. Making a yacht is always almost solely paying for handmade craftmanship. That´s no different between a GRP-made boat to these plywood yachts. Nevertheless, as Marc Lombard told me, the price for a plywood-epoxy-hull is around 20 per cent higher than compared with a similar hull made of GRP alone. RM Yachts is definitely an exclusive brand and therefore these boats do cost. In sheer numbers: One meter of the RM 970 does come in at some 14.900 Euros. A Pogo 36 will be slightly cheaper, 14.700 Euros. The Dehler 34 will come in at 12.000 Euros per meter, the Oceanis 35.1 at 10.800 Euros. So there´s the difference, some 25 to 30 per cent to the production boats.

In the end I did have some very, very interesting two hours at RM Yachts workshop in La Rochelle with my wonderful host Justine who allowed me to take a free look at everything that was of interest. I was offered to look behind every corner, to turn things upside down (but to avid making pictures of the brand new RM 1370 – which I however did and will publish another article on this yacht when RM has officially launched the boat in the coming weeks. Thank you so much, Justine, thanks RM for having me as your guest. All that remains is the longing for an … at least small … RM Yacht (I´d take the green one) and maybe I will get the chance to sail one of these at the German RM-dealer not far from where I live.

More information on RM Yachts on their website

Other interesting articles on that topic:

Talking RM Yachts and plywood boats with Marc Lombard

Alex on his plywood-build: A Mini 650

Roofing panels made from plywood

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LEEN-TRIMARANS

The call to travel, designed by experts and enthusiasts, they bring together all the qualities of yachts designed for demanding owners: elegance, performance, comfort, great autonomy, safety and remarkable sea passage. their modern and refined lines ensure a unique and timeless look..

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This new LEEN 51 trimaran is more than just a motorboat. This hybrid trimaran is a true concentrate of power and dynamism.

The LEEN 56 combines all the advantages of the travel yacht, dynamic appearance, outstanding seaworthiness and optimised interior volume. This trimaran exudes balance and serenity.

The LEEN 72 combines brilliantly and intelligently, a unique line and a strong character. The bridge offers protection and security in all aspects. as well as a huge comfortable and bright living space.

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The company “CANDELA” has now been providing its services to owners of classic sailing yachts for twelve years. CANDELA is located adjacent to the inner basins of the port of La Rochelle and benefits from the port’s excellent support facilities for yachts of all sizes and from the skills and abilities of the craftsmen and specialists who work around the different basins.

Work of the highest standard is assured by the extensive experience of the proprietor Bruno Barbara, and his unrelenting quest for perfection.

The relationships formed with yacht owners are based on shared commitment, mutual respect and honesty.

A solid resource of subcontractors and suppliers gives CANDELA the capacity to deal with all aspects of technical work ranging from a quick and simple repair to a complete yacht restoration.

A perfect spot

Perfectly sheltered in the heart of the city the vast locked-in basins provide direct access to a large hard-standing or “marine technical area” set aside for yacht and boat work, adjacent to which are the sheds of the shipyards and the suppliers.

The local waters, sheltered from the Bay of Biscay by the islands Ile de Re and Ile d’Oleron, are perfect for trial trips.

If you wish we can take complete charge of unloading, de-rigging and laying up of your vessel including safe covered storage of all the gear, spars and rigging. The hull, rig and all equipment can be kept in the secure sheds adjoining the technical area.

A full expertise

As a part of this infrastructure and having access to all these facilities CANDELA’s areas of expertise lie more specifically in :

– Structural work on yacht hulls,

– Replacement of structural timbers, frames and planking,

– Modification of deck plans and equipment,

– Manufacture of interior and exterior fittings, furniture and joinery,

– In general, any item made from wood, complete to finish painting or varnishing.

CANDELA also offers its expertise and abilities in:

– The design and manufacture of metal parts in stainless steel, bronzes and other metals and can make foundry patterns for castings,

– Polishing, chrome and nickel plating,

– Assembly and tuning of rigs,

– Traditional ropework, splicing and wire splicing.

Candela - Bruno Barbara - 33, rue des voiliers - 17000 La Rochelle - Tel : +33 (0)5 46 07 48 75 - [email protected] Copyright © 2011 Candela. All Rights Reserved.

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THE AMEL SPIRIT IS IN CONSTANT RENEWAL

Behind the modern lines of our yachts hide fifty years of know-how, born from Henri Amel’s passion for ocean-going sailing and ship-building. Our equipment and design are in constant development to guarantee optimum onboard comfort, regardless of the sailing conditions.

The AMEL spirit is behind every stage in the construction process, from the choice of materials to internal finish, along with the service provided to AMEL customers around the world. Fully designed and manufactured in La Rochelle, each unit is delivered by an AMEL technician, with one week to get to grips with the yacht. Owners can familiarise themselves with their new yacht and begin to appreciate the true pleasure of effortless, safe and comfortable sailing.  

100% MADE IN FRANCE

Laminators, carpenters, varnishers, electricians, plumbers, mechanics, riggers, deck fitters, upholsterers… More than 30 tradesmen work together in the design and construction of sailing boats. In a permanent search for irreproachable finishes, the selection of materials is the subject of all attention with priority given to French know-how.

THE VOICE OF THE CLIENT

Buying a yacht is a purchase like no other; it is part of a dream, a lifestyle that we build. For AMEL’s employees the conception of each boat is treated as a unique project. Active listening which anticipates requests, leads to proposals and facilitates the process until the owner takes charge of the boat and is guided with its maintenance. For Amel, a client, like a yacht, is not just a number, but is unique and part of the family.

Henri Amel, who was born on 16th April 1913 as Henri Tonet, was fascinated by sailing from a very young age. At the end of his teenage years, he began sailing on small yachts. He started to build boats in his bodywork business in Paris. After being called up for war, he continued his boat-building activities in Lyon. He was wounded in one eye during the war and lost his sight completely shortly afterwards for several years. But Henri Amel never gave up his dream to build yachts that would be robust, comfortable and easy to manoeuvre.

The beginnings

Les chantiers AMEL is created in La Rochelle when Henri AMEL, who until then had been entrusting the construction of his yachts to external yards, takes over the company ARPIN (Ateliers Rochelais de Polyester Industriel et Naval), based in the Ville en Bois district. At the time he had over forty employees, including his designer Jacques Carteau, the future technical director then right hand man of Mr. Amel, then CEO of Chantiers AMEL. Since 1962 AMEL has also had a base in the Mediterranean, in the new port at Hyères.

The La Rochelle workshops produced the Copain, the Pampero, the Super Mistral Sport and the Euros 39. As a pioneer in polyester construction, AMEL manufactures its boats using its own glass fibre, assembling via stratification internal bulkheads, deck and hull in a single piece, forming a perfectly waterproof and highly resistant structure.

5.25m, produced from 1962 to 1968

9.40m, produced from 1962 to 1966

Super Mistral Sport

7.06m, produced from 1961 to 1972

On 5th February 1968, ARPIN’s workshops were completely destroyed in a fire. Henri Amel built new yards in Périgny, a new business park in La Rochelle. These new premise were inaugurated in January 1969 and would produce every one of AMEL’s yachts up to the current models.

11.75m, AMEL’s first ketch, produced from 1966 to 1972

The guadeloupe

Creation of the “Guadeloupe Yachting” rental company in Pointe-à-Pitre, replaced in 1981 by an AMEL after sales service base.

6m, produced from 1971 to 1972

First Grand Pavois de La Rochelle

21st – 24th September 1973:  first Grand Pavois in La Rochelle, on the initiative of Henri Amel, Michel Dufour, Fernand Hervé and Roger Mallard, four La Rochelle-based manufacturers.

The Coconut Road

Oct 1975 to June 1976:  La Route des Cocotiers: Mr. Amel crossed the Atlantic to the West Indies then passed through the Panama Canal to Polynesia on board the Meltem “Capitoune II”, which he had promised to deliver personally to his customer and friend in Tahiti. He was accompanied by 3 crew-mates. During this journey Mr. Amel designed the Maramu, working with Jacques Carteau at a distance.

Chantiers AMEL S.A.

In 1978, the “Ateliers et Chantiers AMEL” became “Chantiers AMEL S.A.”

15.82m, produced from 1979 to 1989

11.95m, produced from 1979 to 1989

13.80m, produced from 1978 to 1989

C.E.O Michel BONNETEAU

10m, produced from 1985 to 1991

The AMEL sail furling systems

First yachts equipped with AMEL sail furling systems.

14m, produced from 1989 to 1997

Super Maramu

16m, produced from 1988 to 1998

C.E.O. Jacques Carteau

Super maramu 2000.

16m, produced from 1998 to 2006

C.E.O. Jean-Jacques Lemonnier

Jean-Jacques LEMONNIER, sales director, is elected CEO.

Best Boat of the Year

The Super Maramu 2000 is voted Best Boat of the Year by the American review Cruising World.

17.20m, produced from 2005 to 2011

Death of Henri AMEL

12th April 2005:  death of Henri AMEL. From 2005, the boats produced by the yard are no longer named after winds or islands, but bear the name “AMEL”.

A new building

The La Rochelle-Périgny production site expands and a new 4000m² building is inaugurated, in particular with a view to producing larger units, such as the AMEL 64.

19.60m, produced from 2010 to 2019

AMEL Caraïbes

Transfer of AMEL Caraïbes from Guadeloupe to Le Marin in Martinique.

17.30m, produced from 2011 to 2018

C.E.O. Emmanuel Poujeade

January 2014:  Jean-Jacques Lemonnier leaves his position as chief executive and is replaced by Emmanuel Poujeade, Chantiers AMEL’s administrative and financial director, who joined the company in March 2000. Mr. Lemonnier remains Chairman of the Board.

AMEL 64 at the “Boot” Düsseldorf

January 2015 :  AMEL 64 is presented for the first time in an indoor boat show at the Düsseldorf “Boot”. The exhibited model features new interiors now proposed by AMEL with light wood species and a refreshing design.

September 2016 :  Creation of the AMEL Club with its blog dedicated to AMEL owners.

September 2017 :  Launching at the Cannes Yachting Festival of the new model, the AMEL 50, a 15.50-meter sloop.

European Yacht Of The Year

January 2018:  The AMEL 50 is voted European Yacht Of The Year in the Luxury Cruiser category.

September 2019:  Launch at the Cannes Yachting Festival of a new model, AMEL 60, sloop of 18m.

5.74m, produced from 1963 to 1968

8 rue Joseph Cugnot, 17180 PERIGNY, FRANCE.

+335 46 55 17 31

© 2019 Chantiers Amel | Legal notice – privacy policy

Anti-Waste and Circular Economy Law (AGEC)

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.

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The GRAND PAVOIS

The grand pavois la rochelle, a look back at the history of a unique boat show.

It was in 1973, in the midst of the oil crisis, that four pioneers from La Rochelle’s shipyards took the lead and formed the hard core of an independent professional association whose aim would be to coordinate and promote the interests of the water sports industry. They created the Grand Pavois association. Its ambition? To create an in-water show where it would be possible to boatyard managers, discover the boats in-water and, above all, make appointments to try out boats at sea.

They were Henri Amel, Roger Mallard, Michel Dufour and Fernand Hervé.

Henri Amel was a shipyard owner and an experienced yachtsman. His boats, named after the winds, were already experiencing a much-deserved success.

Roger Mallard , a ship builder, sold 750 models of the Écume de Mer in five years, more than half of which were for export.

Michel Dufour invented the counter-moulded hull, a process that he used in the construction of his famous Sylphe and Arpège.

Finally, Fernand Hervé, a well-known figure in La Rochelle, had mastered unit manufacturing, including moulds used for mass production by other shipyards.

A unique example in Europe and almost unique in the world of trade shows, the Grand Pavois Organisation Association has always been governed by professionals at the service of professionals and yachtsmen. As a result of this associative status, GPO has a very strong connection with the professional world of international yachting.

And it is for this reason that the show is always in line with the needs of the French and international market . It highlights the qualities of French, European and world production and it demonstrates the richness and multidisciplinarity of small boatyards which are very likely to choose the Grand Pavois La Rochelle as their annual show.

The Grand Pavois’ visitors? Enthusiasts!

70% of visitors to the show are keen on water sport activities (boating, fishing, water sports)

44% of them own a boat. 

Discovering new products is the main motivation of our visitors and everyone recognises that the main attractions of the show are the presentation of the boats in-water and the thematic spaces. 

The Grand Pavois is the meeting place for enthusiasts! 

Over the years, the Grand Pavois La Rochelle has become a major event in the international water sports calendar and is one of the top 5 international in-water boat shows.

AN INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED SHOW

In addition to the many foreign delegations that apply for guest country of honour status.

An average of 35 countries are represented via their brands at the Grand Pavois La Rochelle.

THE SHOW’S KEY FIGURES

80,000 VISITORS expected

200 JOURNALISTS

3 KM of pontoons

300 BOATS EXHIBITED in-water

12 THEMATIC SPACES (sailing, fishing, board sports, traditional boats, tourism, sustainable sailing, etc.).

Sea trials and water sports events, etc. Grand Pavois La ROCHELLE, is the essential event for autumn!

GRAND PAVOIS ORGANISATION

Founded in 1998, the association Grand Pavois Organisation (GPO) offers custom-made expertise, advice, know-how and a unique experience in France and internationally in the nautical event industry. 

GPO creates and manages French and international nautical events with the help of a permanent team of professionals with a wide range of skills (communication and press relations, marketing and sales, technical and logistics on land and at sea, partnerships and public relations): Boat shows in France and abroad, ocean races, stopovers of international competitions and transatlantic type rallies, BtoB and BtoC events and public relations operations (corporate regattas, launches and christenings of exceptional boats, promotional tours…) 

Given its associative status, dedicated to promoting the marine industry and developing the practice of sailing, GPO has a real proximity with the professional world of international sailing and a widely acknowledged know-how in the world of nautical events. The Grand Pavois Organisation association is managed by a Board of Directors entirely formed by professional nautical experts.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Faq       contact       privacy policy     legal notice       grand pavois organisation.

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Association Grand Pavois Organisation

Avenue du Lazaret 17 042 La Rochelle Cedex 01 - France

Tel. 0033 (0)546 444 639

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Tour The Factories Of France’s Top 3 Catamaran Builders

Tour the factories of france’s top 3 catamaran builders, bali | fountaine pajot | lagoon.

April 22nd – April 28th, 2017

Catamaran Guru Offers Buyers An Exclusive Opportunity To Tour The Factories Of France’s Top 3 Catamaran Builders! Join Us As We Guide You On A Tour Of These 3 Famed Catamaran Factories And Share With You The Building Processes And Unique Features Of Each Brand. Take Advantage Of This Exclusive Opportunity To Learn Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Catamarans & Boat Ownership, Right At The Source!

Get Educated By The Experts At The Source!

Our readers have loudly voiced a desire to come along with us as we explore the catamaran factories in France. In response, we have teamed up with Dream Yacht and now offer this unique opportunity for guided factory tours of the famed catamaran builders in La Rochelle, France. 

The French builders, Bali, Fountaine Pajot and Lagoon have turned out a lot of exciting and innovative new catamarans in the last few years. As catamaran specialists, we find ourselves collaborating daily with our clients about what to look out for and how to choose the right catamaran.

We wanted to share with you each brand’s unique features, building processes and give you the opportunity to meet the designers & builders. This is your opportunity to engage with us and the builders and learn everything you ever wanted to know about catamarans and yacht ownership. 

Enjoy Paris, French Cuisine & A Glass Of Bordeaux!

It’s not all going to be hard work and learning! Meeting in Paris, the journey starts off with some shopping & sightseeing (and a few “selfies” at some of the most iconic landmarks in Paris). We then travel into the countryside by luxury bus down to the coast and end up in the city of La Rochelle, a gourgeous old walled coastal city situated in the southwest part of France. 

We will meet in Paris on October 30th, 2016, where we will stay in a charming and elegant 4-star hotel located near the Arc de Triomphe and Place de l’Etoile in the chic 16th arrondissement. The hotel is a couple of minutes walk from the world famous Avenue des Champs-Elysées.

In La Rochelle we will stay in an exquisite hotel, located in the heart of the old town, between the cathedral and the 19th-century market hall, only an 8-minute stroll from the Vieux Port. We will dine as a group mostly but you are also free to explore on your own. We will send you suggestions for some fabulous restaurants in La Rochelle.

Finally, we are putting a wine tour together in the medieval wine village of Saint Emilion, a Unesco World Heritage Site. It will be a great and enjoyable adventure and with three factory tours and seminars in between, it will be very busy but informative and will be well worth your time! 

Included In The “Tour de France”

**With the purchase of a boat within 18 months of the tour, the cost of this tour will be refunded in full

Estelle Cockcroft

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Dufour Shipyard : the french luxury boats builder

One of the major luxury sailboat manufacturer worldwide.

Established more than 50 years ago on the Atlantic Coast, Dufour plays an important role in the region and is one of the main employers in La Rochelle.

With a production capacity of more than 18.000 m² and 420 full-time employees, Dufour counts among the biggest shipyards in the world.

In 1957, young engineer Michel Dufour discovered the new material, polyester. At the time, he was a keen competition sailor with a real passion for yachts , class rules and hydrodynamics. This sparked his idea to build a yacht made of polyester . In 1964, Michel Dufour started to design the “Sylphe” transportable yacht. He took a lot of financial risks to make the yacht, rented a hangar and started to make the “Sylphe” under the aegis of his newly formed company, Le Stratifié Industriel.

The famous Italian naval architect Umberto Felci and the designers of Dufour Yachts work in very close cooperation to get hulls of the very best quality. The worldwide reputation of our yachts does not need to be reminded.

100% made in France, all Dufour Yachts models are thinked, designed and produced in La Rochelle, in the company headquarters. With near 400 sailboats built by year, Dufour Yachts controls the whole supply chain, from the project development to expedition, passing from the mounting and wood work.

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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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Dagosails: A new sailmaker in La Rochelle

Article published on 24/04/2020

By Emmanuel van Deth

published in n°171 may / june

The former ocean racer, familiar with large racing multihulls, Xavier Dagault has just opened a sail loft in the Port des Minimes at La Rochelle.

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Previously in charge of repairs for the team at Incidences Sails, he was keen to retain a strategic location at France's second largest port (3,600 berths) when the famous sailmaker from La Rochelle moved to a larger site further inland. Incidences placed its trust in Xavier, integrating Dagosails into its network. The new sailmaker, inaugurated on March 13th, has remained operational during the lockdown so that boaters will be able to start sailing again without having to wait…

Tel: +33 (0)6 83 72 13 38

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