Windelo, Bali, Outremer: these regional catamaran flagships carry the industry around the world

Gautier Kaufmann de Windeloa défend un catamaran vertueux construit à Canet-en-Roussillon (P-O). MIDI LIBRE – Dorian Cayuela

For world tours (Overseas), rentals in the Antilles or the Mediterranean (Bali) or for virtuous sailing (Windelo), the Occitanie shipyards have an international reputation. Updates from the largest multihull show in La Grande-Motte (Hérault) which takes place until Sunday with 65 prestigious in-water units to discover.

We only see them or almost at the international multihull show, which, until Sunday, welcomes the world flagship of these luxury boats to La Grande-Motte (Hérault). These three construction sites carry the colors of Occitanie across the oceans and above all a unique and acclaimed know-how.

In April 2019, Windelo presented, at the same show, a simple model of what the shipyard based in Canet-en-Roussillon (P-O) wanted to develop: a virtuous, accessible and efficient boat.

Five years later, the 54-foot Windelo cruise ship is proudly welcomed by the organizers as a world premiere… And it was awarded Wednesday as multihull of the year, prize of the professional jury.

L’carbon footprint halved

"We have reduced the carbon footprint by 47%, the hull of the boat is covered with basalt fiber fabrics, it’s more eco-responsible, 15% more resistant…But also more expensive!" smiles Gautier Kaufmann, 30 years old, operating director and son of the creator Olivier Kaufmann who take a step back.

The foam in the hull is made from recycled plastic bottles, the propulsion is electric and the battery bank is powered and rechargeable by 6,500 watts of solar panels scattered around the cockpit in particular, while a wind turbine ventilates inside. entrance to the catamaran… They work with the Ecole des Mines d’Alès or the IES in Montpellier.

"When we started in 2018, no one cared too much about ecology, it’s the value of the company, today it’s a desire of the market" completes the Catalan of adoption.

With 90 employees on the site, ten catamarans which will leave the yard in 2024 and 13 in 2025, the economic model is validated. For a price of 1.5M€ all options included, buyers come from France, Europe, Australia, Korea or the United States where the largest world market is located, which whets the appetite of Windelo who comes to establish a strategic partnership on site.

"On Canet we have enough to triple our capacity, this nautical ecosystem attracted us there"& nbsp;indicates Gautier Kaufmann, not forgetting to recall the essential financial support for innovation from the Occitanie region and Ademe.

On the same pontoon, just opposite, the pink of the Catana-Bali banners swept by the breeze, also evokes the scent of travel. On another scale and still, in part, in Canet-en-Roussillon. First there was Catana and its imposing multihulls, a brand which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and then the genius of Olivier Poncin, the former president of the group, who died last year , who launched the Bali range just 10 years ago.

"Today there are 1,500 Balis in the world"

"Today, there are 1500 Balis in the world" proudly indicates Aurélien Poncin, Olivier's son, now CEO of this group listed on the stock exchange and which employs 450 people for the P-O site alone where part of the Balis, the largest, are built, the smallest in Tunisia. The secret to success ?

"Volume, space, fluidity… This is why it is requested by rental companies and all those who want to become tenants" replies Aurélien Poncin.

Rental structures offering weeks at good prices for families, friends, from six to ten people, in the Caribbean, Corsica or Croatia, are snapping up these units. The shipyard and its production sites can produce 250 to 300 units per year.

If after crazy growth over the last three years, the market has dried up, the group, now second in France, has launched its new Yot brand, with engines, outboard or catamaran style .

The shipyard also had the idea to launch its carpentry in Rivesaltes (P-O), where 150 people work on the furniture of the boats throughout the shipyard while the desire to grow the walls in Canet is pressing: "we are discussing with the stakeholders to expand our capacity and modernize our production" reveals the CEO.

And then how can we not mention Outremer, the flagship brand of the Grand Large Yachting (GLY) group, a shipyard based in La Grande-Motte and which is also celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Matthieu Rougevin-Baville, the sales director, is beaming and for good reason: after having been acclaimed by the European press, the Outremer 52 feet, was elected multihull of the ;rsquo;year 2024 in the performance category, at the Grand-Mottois show.

"A trip around the world is a slice of life"

"This is the third competition that we have won with the 52 and there it is the recognition of the public, it’ rsquo;is the realization of a real commercial success" he said. Because 80 units of the Outremer 52 have been sold in 2 years, an extraordinary performance for this boat dedicated to great adventure. Of course, Covid was a trigger, but not only that.

"Our customers are families who go around the world, who have a travel plan and who say to themselves it’this is the time, it" ;rsquo;is a slice of life and they need to be confident" explains Matthieu Rougevin-Baville. "So, our boat does not compromise on safety, with materials that resist impacts, and support".

To progress, GLY also relied on its GunBoat brand, a sleek catamaran nicknamed the Ferrari of the seas, now manufactured in La Grande-Motte after having been relocated from the United States. The icing on the cake, the GunBoat72 also won first prize in the multiyacht category. Here again, the group with a well-filled order book, employing several hundred people, is looking to expand.

The La Grande-Motte multihull show continues until Sunday

"To give the general public the desire to escape and sail. This is one of the objectives of the FIN (Federation of Nautical Industries), new owner of the international multihull show in La Grande-Motte.

Until Sunday, 60 units afloat and 15 on land are visible, coming from shipyards in 13 countries, but also innovations (hydrofoiler bike on the water or cleaning system of boats with desalinated water).

In addition, this Friday, April 5, the Region, the State and the FIN sign the contract for the nautical industry and service sector in Occitanie, for the environmental transition, employment and development of the sector.

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