What Grand Large Yachting does

Grand Large Yachting is a French privately held shipbuilding group founded in 2003 by Xavier Desmarest and Stéphan Constance, headquartered in La Grande-Motte (legal entity Grand Large Yachting Méditerranée, RCS Montpellier 501 597 215). The group designs, manufactures, and sells premium blue water cruising yachts across four distinct hull technologies: aluminum monohulls (Allures Yachting, Garcia Yachts), carbon fiber performance catamarans from 48 to 90 feet (Gunboat), composite cruising catamarans from 45 to 60 feet (Outremer), and marine plywood/epoxy fast cruising sailboats (RM Yachts). The group operates nine production and service sites across France, has built more than 1,500 vessels cumulatively, and employs approximately 650 people.

Revenue is generated primarily through one-time hardware sales of custom-configured yachts sold directly to private owners via brand-specific websites, an international boat show presence (Paris, Düsseldorf, Barcelona), and consultative field sales. Recurring revenue is captured through Grand Large Services (delivery, maintenance, refits, and resale brokerage) and Escale Formation Technique (blue water cruising training). The group also generates commercial revenue through Aqualodge floating hospitality structures supplied to operators such as Dream Yacht Charter. Disclosed FY2020 revenue was €53.3 million, up 59.2% from €33.5 million in 2017, against a headcount that roughly doubled over the same period.

Grand Large Yachting has grown through a sustained acquisition-led roll-up strategy, adding Garcia Yachts, Alumarine Shipyard, Ocean Voyageur, Gunboat, Griffon Marine, and RM Yachts between 2007 and 2020. The group targets experienced and aspiring blue water sailors globally, with a documented operating footprint in France, the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Australia, and has won multiple European Yacht of the Year and Multihull of the Year awards across its brands.

Name

Grand Large Yachting

Legal name

Grand Large Yachting Méditerranée

Website

https://grandlargeyachting.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Grand Large Yachting is a French privately held shipbuilding group that designs and manufactures premium blue water cruising yachts across five brands (Allures, Garcia, Gunboat, Outremer, RM Yachts), serving private owners, charter operators, and blue water sailing enthusiasts globally with complementary after-sales and training services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sailboat Manufacturing

NAICS

Ship and Boat Building (3366), Boat Building (336612), Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Luxury Sailing Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Luxury Yacht Hull & Superstructure Fabrication (Composite/Aluminum/Steel) (IMAJAMAG), Full-Custom Superyacht & Megayacht Manufacturing (IMAJAMAB), Explorer Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAMAE), Semi-Custom & Series Production Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAEAM)

Keywords

• Sailing yacht construction
• Blue water cruising
• Catamaran manufacturing
• Aluminum boat building
• Yacht maintenance services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cherbourg

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Yacht Manufacturing and Sales: Grand Large Yachting generates the majority of its revenue through the design, manufacture, and direct sale of premium blue water cruising monohulls and catamarans under its five shipyard brands: Allures Yachting, Garcia Yachts, Gunboat, Outremer, and RM Yachts. Boats range from approximately 40 to 150 feet and are sold directly to customers with custom configuration. Revenue is one-time at point of sale, though after-sales services (maintenance, refit, training, brokerage) generate ongoing service revenue.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Grand Large Yachting designs, manufactures, and sells premium blue water cruising sailing yachts (monohulls and catamarans) through five shipyard brands (Allures Yachting, Garcia Yachts, Gunboat, Outremer, and RM Yachts), offering boats from approximately 40 to 150 feet constructed in aluminum, carbon fiber, composite, and marine plywood/epoxy materials. The group also operates a comprehensive owner service ecosystem including delivery, maintenance, refits, training, and brokerage through Grand Large Services and Escale Formation Technique.

Product overview

Grand Large Yachting is a French shipyard group founded in 2003, offering a diversified portfolio of sailing yacht brands and services for blue water cruising. The group comprises five shipyards: Allures Yachting (aluminum lifting keel monohulls), Garcia Yachts (aluminum exploration yachts), Gunboat (carbon fiber performance catamarans), RM Yachts (plywood-epoxy cruising sailboats), and Ocean Rider Catamarans. Beyond manufacturing, the group provides comprehensive owner services through Grand Large Services (maintenance, refits, brokerage) and Escale Formation Technique (cruising preparation training). The group also developed Aqualodge floating hotel structures. All vessels are manufactured in France, with the group operating 9 sites and employing 650 people, having built 1,500 boats.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Allures Yachting: Aluminum cruising sailboats based in Cherbourg
• Garcia Yachts
• Gunboat
• RM Yachts
• Alumarine Shipyard

Products and services

• Allures Yachting Aluminum Cruising Sailboats

Quantifiable outcome

• 59.2% revenue growth over 3 years (2017–2020)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jimmy CornellcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 October 2021Jimmy Cornell, renowned sailor and rally organiser, co-created the Grand Large Yachting World Odyssey 500 with Grand Large Yachting. This 3-year round-the-world rally (2021–2024) commemorated the 500th anniversary of Magellan's circumnavigation. Jimmy Cornell brought his expertise in rally organisation and blue water navigation to the partnership.
• Yachting WorldcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 September 2021Grand Large Yachting co-organises the Blue Water Sailing Webinars series with Yachting World magazine. The 2021 edition featured 6 free English-language sessions with expert speakers on topics including weather routing, medical emergencies at sea, skipper roles, and digital sailing. This partnership provides educational content to the blue water sailing community while building brand affinity.
• Dream Yacht CharterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 3 January 2019Grand Large Yachting fulfilled an order for 5 Aqualodge floating hotel structures with Dream Yacht Charter, the world leader in boat rental. Aqualodges were developed from an original idea by Philippe Chevalier (Antilles Sail) and operated in Martinique from 2019, with 6 more units already in operation in Guadeloupe.
• ADEME (French Environment & Energy Management Agency)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 March 2018Outreach Yachting received an award from ADEME for its research on e-maintenance. This partnership supported the development of the OCM (Offshore Connected Maintenance) app, the first concrete application of which was presented at the International Multihull Boat Show.
• Fédération des Industries Nautiques (FIN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Grand Large Yachting is an active member of the French Nautical Industries Federation. CEO Xavier Desmarest served as coordinator of the Constructors Committee, and Chairman Stéphan Constance served on the Executive Bureau as Vice President alongside Yves Lyon-Caen (Bénéteau Group). Membership provides industry influence, collective advocacy, and networking.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Amel: French blue water sailing yacht builder known for long-distance cruising monohulls with centerboard keels. Direct competitor to Allures and Garcia in the premium blue water monohull segment.
• Sunreef Yachts: Polish luxury catamaran builder producing custom sailing and power catamarans in the 50–100+ foot range, overlapping directly with Gunboat's luxury performance catamaran positioning.
• HH Catamarans: South African-built luxury performance catamarans with carbon construction, directly competing with Gunboat in the high-end sailing catamaran segment.
• Catana Group: Parent of Bali and Catana catamaran brands, listed on Euronext Growth. Direct competitor in performance and cruising catamarans with comparable size and product overlap.
• Fountaine Pajot: French catamaran and sailing yacht manufacturer based in Aigrefeuille-d'Aunis, directly competing with Grand Large Yachting's Outremer and Gunboat brands in the cruising catamaran segment. Similar mid-to-large size and French production footprint make it the closest head-to-head peer.
• X-Yachts: Danish performance sailing yacht manufacturer (30–60 feet) with strong cruising range. Direct competitor in the premium sailing yacht segment, particularly overlapping with RM Yachts and Allures.
• Bali Catamarans (Catana Group): French catamaran builder within Catana Group producing cruising catamarans that compete head-to-head with Outremer and Gunboat. Direct overlap in blue water cruising catamaran positioning.
• Lagoon Catamarans (Bénéteau Group): World's largest cruising catamaran manufacturer, part of Bénéteau Group. Directly competes with Outremer and Gunboat in the sailing catamaran space, with overlapping size ranges and customer profiles.

Broad incumbents

• Bénéteau Group: Dominant French marine group with €1B+ revenue, owning Lagoon, Jeanneau, and other brands. Operates broadly across sailing, powerboats, and catamarans and represents the scale benchmark for the industry.
• Jeanneau (Bénéteau Group): Major French sailing and motor yacht brand within Bénéteau Group, offering sailing yachts across a broad price/segment range. Competes with multiple Grand Large brands as part of a much larger portfolio.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/GrandLargeYachting
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/davtron-inc
• Xx.com/glyachting

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Grand Large Yachting