A decommissioned Airbus carbon Imoca, designed by VPLP in Van

Marine engineering company VPLP, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, has changed its staff. The founders, Marc Van Peteghem and Vincent Loriot-Prévost, sold their shares to six partners who are now at the helm: Quentin Lucier, Xavier Guilbault, They manage a team of 35 staff spread across three sites: 18 in Vannes, ten in Paris and six in Nantes.

This fleet of marine engineers is working on new boats, in particular on Armel Tripon’s ship Imoca which will debut at the start of the next Vendée Globe. “Les p’tits doudous,” that’s its name

The first boat will be made of 70% declassified carbon from Airbus – in other words, leftover carbon that is not used in aircraft construction. All but one detail… “Because for three years, we have been calculating the carbon footprint of new boats,” Quentin Lucet explains. The Imoca, built in Nantes, will be launched in the spring or summer of 2024.

VPLP is also working on an 85-foot foiling monohull project aimed at sailing mainly in the Mediterranean. As for the Sun Fast 30 yacht, it was launched in July 2023 and is intended for offshore sailing racing schools.

Military boat, inspired by racing boats

Among the new products is also the 70-foot gunboat, which will be presented for the first time at the Düsseldorf Boat Show in early 2023. It is a combination of sailing and racing. Beautiful sport regatta catamaran that can sail on a hull at speeds of up to 25 knots. To be placed only in the hands of fairly professional crews.

Designed in Vannes, this 68- and 80-foot little brother, this gunboat is very inspired by trimaran racing techniques, particularly in the form of hulls and rudders with carbon fiber support planes, and was built in La Grande-Motte.

Lagoon 60: Great comfort on board

The other jewel from the VPLP Paris drawing boards is called the Lagoon 60. This luxury boat built by Bénéteau in Vendée was unveiled at the Cannes Boat Show in September 2023, and will be launched at the end of the year. “It is a comfortable and sophisticated cruise ship dedicated more to the Mediterranean and the Antilles,” says Quentin Lucet. It can reach speeds of 10 to 12 knots and weighs up to 32 tons.

Marine engineers have optimized circulation on the boat with maximum flexibility between inboard and outboard. The first level accommodates the spacious salon, widely open to the sea and the panoramic cockpit. On the second level, the upper bridge accommodates the driving area and the relaxation area. Four very comfortable cabins are distributed in two hulls. Gorgeous boat that wouldn’t look out of place in Antibes or Cannes!