french sailing yachts

French Sailboat Brands (Complete List)

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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Daniel Wade

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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Top 15 French Sailboats (and Catamarans) for 2022

France is undoubtedly one of the homelands of sailing. Monohull or multihull, every year the French shipyards present models that are successful all over the world. This is why we decided to select our top 15 French sailboats (and catamarans) for 2022; we choose them between the new ones and the slightly older ones. And you? What’s your favorite model?

Top 15 French sailboats for 2022: monohulls

Allures 51.9.

The Allures 51.9 innovates with its full-beam aft owner’s cabin. This model disrupts the codes of the yard also outside with its cockpit of 6 meters long with sunbath and swim platform for comfort; the navigation space can be protected by a hardtop to navigate in any security. The boat has a length of 51.9 feet (15.8 meters) and a beam (width) of 15.4 feet (4.7 meters). It is equipped with a fixed keel and a composite hull, which provides good stability and seaworthiness. The Allures 51.9 is available in a variety of configurations, including a three-cabin layout with a spacious owner’s cabin and two guest cabins, or a two-cabin layout with a larger owner’s cabin and a smaller guest cabin. It is also equipped with a well-equipped galley, a large saloon, and a navigation station. The boat is designed to be comfortable and easy to handle, with a simple sail plan and a self-tacking jib. The Allures 51.9 is a popular choice for sailors looking for a high-quality, reliable, and seaworthy yacht for extended cruising. Allures official website .

With this 15-meter unit , the La Rochelle shipyard opens the Amel concept to a new category of clients, thanks to more accessible dimensions. While they are not abandoning the emblematic ketch design of the La Rochelle shipyard, Amel has chosen the sloop for this unit. However, this is not a new format as such, as a number of sloops have already left the shipyard in the past. Among the innovations on this new model, the choice of a straight, powerful bow is a break from the shipyard’s habits. The waterline is extended to improve performance, making the front part of the boat more spacious. The addition of a bowsprit makes it possible to tack an additional sail such as an asymmetric spinnaker or a code-0. Amel official website .

Beneteau First 36

The Beneteau First 36 has a mission to bridge the gap between high-tech development in the world of racing and mainstream racer-cruisers. To be specific, even the standard version of First 36 will fully plane in a moderate breeze. Positioning six winches, steering wheels, and other deck gear was thoroughly tested on several mock-ups and a full-scale testbed sailboat to enable the sailing experience promised on the previous page.

Details like an offshore hatch on the foredeck or removable cockpit benches show the priority of sailing functionality over style used throughout the design process. Standard aluminium rig and cast iron keel were chosen to keep the boat accessible. Yet, Sam Manuard brought his experience and focused on perfecting the shape and design of these two key ingredients for a great sailing experience. The draft of 2,25 m was chosen as a compromise between performance and ease of use.  Beneteau official website .

The new Dufour 32, designed by  Umberto Felci,  has been developed in the same spirit as all the  latest models  in the Dufour range: it’s a sporty, innovative yacht that is easy to handle, both with a crew and single-handed. All the spaces have been completely redesigned to create a multitude of playful and intelligent uses. For the first time on a 32-foot  sailboat , you can now enjoy an aft sunbathing area … sheltered by a fabric shade that can be adjusted in moments. The inflatable and removable aft door of the cockpit folds down to complete this large friendly space. Dufour official website.

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380

Designed by naval architect Marc Lombard with interior styling by Piaton Bercault, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380 complete with the award-winning walk-around deck, follows the same design trend of its predecessors the Sun Odyssey 410, 440, and 490. On the interior, while the design features the hallmarks of this line, careful consideration was given to the perception of space and the simplification of lines, with the objective of creating sensations of peace and calm. Jeanneau official website .

For this fast cruising yacht , the shipyard has once again entrusted the Finot-Conq naval architecture firm to apply the very successful design of the Pogo 36 to a larger model. As for the hull, the Pogo 44 features a wide, chine hull, which guarantees high performance in planning and comfort when sailing at all speeds. The bow has a large volume, which is reminiscent of the Pogo 3. The keel of the Pogo 44, still made with a vacuum infused Monolithic Fiberglass veil and a lead ballast, receives the same hydraulic system as the Pogo 12.50 or Pogo 50. Pogo official website .

The French yard is well known not only among ocean sailors but also to those who love short-handed sailing and are looking for seaworthy and easily driven boats, both safe and comfortable. This last aspect is where Fora Marine has made great progress in the last few years, shedding some of the spartan image that characterized their products for many years.

What has not changed, and what is still the RM range’s defining characteristic, is the twin-chined hull, made of Okumé plywood impregnated with epoxy resin (the deck is in fiberglass sandwich). Below the hull, the yard offers two options, a single deep keel or double shoal draft keels. The RM are designed by Marc Lombard , probably one of the architects most able to transform the fashionable chine into an important element in cruising design. A chined hull, when properly drawn, gives both better hull shape and interior volumes. RM Yachts official website .

Top 15 French sailboats for 2022: catamarans

The new  Bali  4.4 offers interesting living spaces, both inside and outside. With an optimized sail plan, sailing should gain in performance. The French shipyard is constantly developing its range and, after the 5.4, the fleet’s flagship, and the recent 4.2 and 4.6, the Bali 4.4 joins this renewed family. The Bali 4.4 replaces the 4.3 and 4.5 from the Bali catamaran range. With the same origins (designer Olivier Poncin, architect Xavier Fay and Lasta Design for the interiors) the Bali 4.4 has the DNA of the last models with slender bows, a silhouette lightened by the presence of long hull portholes and vast living spaces. The latter are divided between the spacious rigid forward cockpit between the two hulls, the flying bridge with its saloon and solarium, and finally the tilt-and-turn door joining together the cockpit and saloon. Bali official website .

Excess 15 (bluewater sailing configuration)

The  bluewater  sailing configuration of the  Excess  15 consists of twin  Deep Blue  50 kW electric saildrives in cooperation with ZF, two Deep Blue high-capacity lithium-ion BMW i3 batteries, and a full energy management system for harvesting green energy and charging the boat’s batteries while underway. On the yacht’s long test sail, the hydro generation system easily provided enough electricity to power one hundred percent of the onboard hotel loads at a cruising speed of seven to eight knots. Adding solar photovoltaics, planned for phase two of the Excess 15 with Deep Blue Hybrid project , will extend the system’s range and provide even more hybrid power and comfort on board. Excess Catamarans official website .

Fountaine Pajot Isla 40

The 12m Isla 40 embodies the spirit of French yard  Fountaine Pajot  and is distinguished by invigorating lines. The catamaran features inverted bows and a particular saloon where the chart table is accessible from the entrance. Her performance is complemented by optimal liveability with the option of three or four double cabins plus the possibility of a skipper’s cabin if required. Olivier Racoupeau Yacht Design , in collaboration with the engineers at Fountaine Pajot, has designed this new model, taking inspiration from the strengths of the other models in the range, and giving this 40-foot catamaran even more space and storage. Fountaine Pajot official website .

Garcia Explocat 52

The Garcia Explocat 52 is custom made with aluminum hulls and structures and fiberglass composite deck roofs. Aluminum shipbuilding has been Garcia’s strength for over 40 years. In Normandy (France), the Garcia shipyard has built more than 300 monohulls, catamarans, and trawlers up to 102 feet in length. Garcia Explocat 52 is specially designed for owners who want to walk in high latitudes and / or in the tropics. In addition to the three versions offered, the aluminum structure allows the yard to customize the yacht to meet all the expectations of the owner. Available in 3 or 4 cabin versions, each Explocat 52 is uniquely adapted to fit your cruising dreams. Garcia Yachts official website .

With nearly 6,000 units produced since the French shipyard began in 1987, Lagoon remains by far the world leader in the multihull market. To celebrate this international success, the shipyard launched last year the Lagoon 55. Designed by the VPLP team on the naval architecture side, this 16.56-meter long and 9-meter wide multihull was designed by Patrick le Quément for the exterior and Nauta Design for the interior. This 55’ model is equipped with an extra-large 25 m2 (269 sq ft) cockpit, including a large dining area; two large loungers at the stern, a comfortable deck chair in the shade of the roof; as well as a bar area perfectly equipped to ensure comfort on board.  Lagoon official website .

Nautitech 40 Open

The redesigned roof enhances the streamlined silhouette and “Open Concept” of this award-winning yacht. The remodeled structure with large windows has optimized the helmsman’s 360-degree view from both helm stations. A skylight window in the cockpit roof provides the helmsman a clear view of the mainsail’s trim. The lounge area with a U-shaped sofa can now be found on the port side. And for those who don’t want to lose touch with the office on long trips, a desk can be included in the lounge area, if so desired. Nautitech official website .

Outremer 55

The Outremer 55, a liveaboard catamaran, is easy to maneuver, whether short-handed or even solo. The Outremer 55 features twin helms but they can be switched from on deck in a new double helm seat with full outdoor visibility for fun sailing, or switched down into the cockpit for fully protected sailing in bad conditions. The Outremer’s design team from VPLP have used CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) to reduce drag ad forward resistance, while allowing for higher carrying capacity hen blue water cruising. At just 13.5t and combined sail area of 172 sm (Mainsail & Genoa) sailing in light winds will be a joy, but if needed the twin 60hp diesel motors are ready to engage. Outremer official website .

Windelo 50 Adventure

Designed in partnership with the architects Christophe Barreau and Frédéric Neuman, this fast blue-water cruising catamaran features an electric propulsion system that includes great hydro-generation facilities, solar panels, and the possibility to work under generator when it’s a necessity. With the development of an eco-composite in basalt fiber and PET foam, this is definitely an eco-friendly boat. Behind the mast, the forward cockpit has two helm stations protected from the wind and spray, a good view of the sails and the bows, and all the running rigging at hand. At anchor, the cockpit can be well protected from the elements and opens up to the stern. The self-tacking facilitates maneuvers also with limited crew; the lifting daggerboards are placed at the center of the hull to optimize their hydrodynamic performance. Windelo official website .

So, this is the selection of our top 15 French sailboats (and catamarans) for 2022. And you? What’s your favorite model?

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A global signature, heading to carbon-neutral cruising, catamarans, motor yachts & sailboats.

Enjoy extraordinary experiences and share precious moments aboard your Fountaine Pajot sailing catamaran…

Motor Yachts

Choose the refinement of a motor yacht, with the luxury of space and comfort… A new horizon of experiences is opening up before you…

Dufour Sailboats

Step aboard legendary sailing yachts, synonymous with fast cruising and pleasure at the helm… A unique line bearing the Dufour signature…

More than half a century of passion and innovation

Inspired by a passion for sailing and a love of the oceans, Fountaine Pajot has been combining vision, expertise and innovation to design the very best boats for over half a century.

England | Southampton Boat Show

Owners RendezVous | Punta Ala

22 Jul 2024

Fountaine Pajot Motor Yachts team wishes you a radiant summer!

Interview with an Alégria 67 Owner & guided tour

Xavier Embroise

Alégria 67 Owner

2024 Monaco Yacht Show

22 May 2024

International Event | Open Days La Rochelle

24 Apr 2024

Thíra 80: voted “Best Production Sailing Catamaran” by Yacht Style

08 Mar 2024

Alégria 67 – The Flagship Catamaran Star at the International Multihull Show – La Grande-Motte

How does Smart Electric technology work? Answer on video…

Smart Electric: a complete overview of this technology, its origins, how it works and its everyday benefits… #Broadcast

Acquire a flagship catamaran, tailor-made solutions: charter management, customization…

How do you buy a flagship? What types of ownership are there? How do I get proper support? Find out all you need to know in this broadcast…

20 Feb 2024

A new way to experience Motor Yachts

What is the future of hydrogen in recreational boating?

Discover the challenges of implementing Hydrogen, thanks to our experts…

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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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Our know-how: high-quality sailing yacht building

RM Yachts are “composite” as much as the best materials are carefully selected for each part of the boat:

• Plywood for the general structure
• Epoxy stratification for the assembly
• Iron for the keel
• Polyester sandwich for the roof
• And from now on epoxy sandwich for the planking above waterline (1180).

To better visualise our plywood sailboat construction technique, think about a wooden house, with concrete foundations, a roof with tiles and window frames made of aluminium.

RM monohull yachts, available from 30 to 45 feet – approximately 9 to 14 meters –, are in constant development to improve our performance level as well as the quality of our products.

Most of our highly skilled engineers have been with us for almost 20 years, so they clearly benefit from very valuable owners’ feedback when it comes to our sailing yacht building expertise.

First step:

The hull and its structure

For the structure of our sailboats, we use high quality plywood: CTBX, full Okumé, with Class-3 gluing. Thickness varies between 12 and 15mm, depending on the RM model.

The hull itself is in marine plywood, with panels of 15, 18 or 22mm depending on the parts and of course the RM model.

The laser-cut panels arrive at our French shipyard, in La Rochelle, ready to be assembled and glued.

The assemblage is done on a template mould, integrating the iron part which will support the keel(s).

It is done « upside-down » for a better holding and an easier access.

Gluing is done with a bi-component epoxy.

Then come the plankings, made of plywood too, (except for the RM1180, our 39-foot bluewater cruiser), which are mechanically held so that they fit with the hull shape.

SECOND STEP

Just before demoulding, we run an inspection of the bulkheads. Each of them being structural, they are stratified to the hull. We make sure the joints are neat and smooth.

The hull is then craned up, and the stratification finalised.

Please note that every single piece of plywood is coated with epoxy, so that it is watertight and contribute to the overall stiffness of the sailing boat.

The hull is now ready.

INTERIOR WORKS

The inside is painted in white before we start the following:

• Electricity
• Tank installation
• Engine & accessories installation (batteries)

Depending on the yacht model, some furniture is always installed at this stage before the access becomes tricky.

FOURTH STEP

Deck preparation and installation

When the deck arrives at the shipyard, we use plywood again for the counter-moulding, and install the anti-slip painting as well as some of the deck fitting.

What makes RM’s sailing yacht building technique special is that once the deck is positioned over the hull, we apply another layer of epoxy to stratify it to the hull. This junction becomes invisible, totally watertight, and highly contributes to the global stiffness of the yacht.

From this stage, one may consider the boat is just one piece (hull + deck).

HULL CUSTOMISATION

The colour of your dreams for your family or even solo liveaboard sailboat is the result of a succession of tasks.

Back to step one, we apply epoxy on the upside-down hull and sand it.

Now we can start with a primer, thick enough to ensure the smoothness.

A second primer, thinner this time, is then applied. It improves the touch & feel.

Another sanding is then made, before the last primer – ultra-thin polyurethane – is applied. This is the last layer before we can finally spray the lacquer – the one of your dream colour for your modern customised sailing yacht!

SIXTH AND LAST STEP

The final fittings

Once the yacht has reached this final stage, we install windows, deck fitting, some added carpentry and plumbing.

Last, we crane the yacht to install her rudders (mono- or twin-rudder) and keels – whether you opt for a fin, twin or lifting keel sailboat.

A truck will come and pick her up, and once she splashes at destination, mast and rigging will finalise the building process.

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First Class 7.5

• Description

Specifications

The First Class 7.5 stemmed from the close collaboration between the Fédération Française de Voile [French Sailing Federation] and Beneteau shipbuilding who knew how to combine their expertise in the field of high-performance sailing boats intended for training young sailors.  With its particularly sound performance, the First Class 7.5, sturdy, transportable and easy to maintain, constitutes an excellent springboard for sailing clubs and up-and-comers.  Designed by Groupe Finot, this modern and dynamic sports monotype was designed for crewed regattas on a level playing field: learning and improvement, high-level match racing or club racing in fleets.  Through its performance and the sensations that it evokes, it is also aimed at those who want to enjoy practising sport sailing out of competition. 

Naval designer :  FINOT Jean-Marie

exterior design

Transat AG2R la mondiale !

BENETEAU a partner in the race!

Figaro Beneteau 3 projet

Beneteau services.

With teams for sea trials, financing, customization, events, an after-sales service, and a network of dealers worldwide, BENETEAU delivers the help and expertise every boat owner needs throughout his boating life maintaining an enduring customer relationship.

Other boats from the range

First Class 8

First Class 10

First Class 7

First class 12

First Class Europe

First Class Challenge

Figaro BENETEAU

Beneteau 25

Figaro BENETEAU II

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Yachts built by Timmerman