Wauquiez Yachts

What Wauquiez Yachts does

Wauquiez Yachts (legal entity: Wauquiez Boats, SARL) is a privately held French luxury sailing yacht manufacturer founded in 1965 by Henri Wauquiez, operating from its shipyard in Neuville-en-Ferrain in northern France, with a legal registered address in Attichy and a sister motor-boat brand, Rhéa Marine, in La Rochelle. The company produces five blue water cruising sailing yachts spanning 42 to 58 feet — the Wauquiez 55 (flagship), Pilot Saloon 42, Pilot Saloon 48e, Pilot Saloon 58, and Centurion 57 — each built to order using artisanal joinery combined with modern composite construction (infusion molding, balsa sandwich, carbon fiber) and naval architecture designed by Berret-Racoupeau Yacht Design. The product surface integrates premium marine supplier technology: Volvo Penta engines with INTEGREL hybrid energy generation, Yanmar alternatives, Saildrive propulsion, swinging keel options, and Garmin EmpirBus digital switching/automation.

The business operates a sales-led, dual-channel go-to-market combining an international distributor network with direct shipyard sales, including custom configuration consultations, sea trials, and factory tours for high-net-worth individual buyers. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; yachts are bespoke multi-year capital purchases typically exceeding several hundred thousand euros each. The customer base is a long tail of HNW sailing enthusiasts pursuing circumnavigation, blue water cruising, and competitive sailing, with a brand community sustained through owner rallies (Mediterranean via Ettore Yachting, Pacific Northwest) and earned-media coverage in Yachting World, Figaro Nautisme, and Voiles et Voiliers. The Wauquiez 55 received the European Yacht of the Year 2026 award in the luxury cruiser category, the marque's most significant industry validation.

Name

Wauquiez Yachts

Legal name

Wauquiez Boats

Website

https://wauquiez.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Wauquiez Yachts is a privately held French luxury sailing yacht manufacturer founded in 1965, building five bespoke 42-58 foot blue water cruisers in Neuville-en-Ferrain for high-net-worth sailors via an international distributor network and direct shipyard sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Luxury Sailing Yachts

NAICS

Boat Building (336612)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Luxury Sailing Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Semi-Custom & Series Production Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAEAM), Luxury Yacht Hull & Superstructure Fabrication (Composite/Aluminum/Steel) (IMAJAMAG)

Keywords

• Luxury sailing yachts
• Blue water cruisers
• Yacht manufacturing
• Custom boat building
• Sailing yacht design

Headquarters

HQ city

Neuville-en-ferrain

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Luxury Sailing Yacht Sales: One-time direct sales of luxury blue water sailing yachts to high-net-worth individuals. Revenue generated through initial vessel purchase with extensive customization options. The company produces five distinct yacht models ranging from 42 to 58 feet, each representing significant capital expenditures typically exceeding several hundred thousand euros.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Wauquiez Yachts designs, manufactures, and sells handcrafted luxury blue water sailing yachts (42–58 feet) from its French shipyard in Neuville-en-Ferrain. Each vessel is built-to-order with extensive customization in layout, materials, and equipment for high-net-worth individual buyers. The product portfolio centers on the Wauquiez 55 flagship and the Pilot Saloon and Centurion ranges, employing infusion molding, composite construction, and integrated propulsion and energy systems.

Product overview

Wauquiez Boats is a French luxury sailing yacht manufacturer founded in 1965, producing blue water cruising yachts through artisanal craftsmanship combined with modern naval construction technology. The current product portfolio consists of two distinct ranges: the Pilot Saloon series (Pilot Saloon 42, 48e, and 58) featuring the signature raised deck saloon concept for panoramic views, and the Centurion series (Centurion 57) representing classic luxury performance sailing. The flagship Wauquiez 55 stands apart as a singular design with unprecedented layout including an independent owner's suite with direct aft deck access. All vessels are built in France at the Neuville-en-Ferrain shipyard using techniques including infusion molding, sandwich balsa construction, and carbon fiber components, with equipment sourced from premium marine brands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rhéa Marine: A French shipyard located in La Rochelle that manufactures motor boats with neo-retro aesthetics, inspired by traditional wood boats from the Atlantic coast.
• Pilot Saloon
• Centurion

Products and services

• Wauquiez 55 Flagship 17.58m blue water cruiser distinguished by its reverse sheerline, raised knuckle, and portholes running the full length of the hull. Features include twin Volvo D2 engines (50hp or 75hp), Saildrive propulsion, INTEGREL hybrid technology, GARMIN EmpirBus digital switching, swinging keel (draft 1.7m to 4.2m), and a three-zone deck plan. The SA/D ratio of 19.88 places it among the top blue water cruisers.
• Pilot Saloon 48e 14.95m luxury offshore cruising sailboat blending interior and exterior spaces with panoramic views through the Pilot Saloon deck saloon. Features a powerful hull designed for demanding sailing conditions with 2.10m standard draft and 2.35m deep keel option, 104 m² upwind sail area, 36-litre cockpit refrigerator option, and spacious owner accommodations.
• Pilot Saloon 58
• Pilot Saloon 42 12.99m luxury offshore sailing yacht and the foundational model of the Pilot Saloon range. Built in France using traditional joinery combined with modern construction technology including carbon fiber, infusion molding, and 3D software. Features a central fully-glazed deckhouse and excellent forward visibility. Over 300 Pilot Saloon units have been delivered worldwide since 1991.
• Centurion 57 17.70m luxury sailing yacht marking the return of the legendary 'Centurion' line to the prestige segment. Features a powerful and versatile hull with 2.5m bulb keel, Sparcraft racing mast, Harken winches and blocks, retractable carbon bowsprit, Yanmar 110hp engine with shaft drive (Volvo D3 150hp optional), and twin helm wheels with state-of-the-art consoles. Designed for offshore sailing with classic yacht elegance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 200 nautical miles per day sailing performance
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ettore YachtingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEttore Yachting operates under the umbrella of Wauquiez's Mediterranean base, organizing and hosting Wauquiez owner rallies and events. This partnership provides exclusive rally experiences for Wauquiez owners in the Mediterranean region, including events from Port Camargue base.
• Rhéa MarineminorOthersRhéa Marine is a heritage French shipyard located in La Rochelle, sharing the Wauquiez Group's passion for artisanal boat building. Both companies operate under similar philosophies of traditional craftsmanship meeting modern innovation.
• Berret-Racoupeau Yacht DesigncoreTechnology or IntegrationRenowned French naval architecture firm responsible for designing hulls and sail plans for Wauquiez yachts including Pilot Saloon 42, 48e, 58, Centurion 57, and the W55 series.
• Volvo PentacoreTechnology or IntegrationEngine supplier providing Volvo D2 engines (50hp or 75hp options) and Saildrive propulsion systems for Wauquiez yachts. Partnership includes INTEGREL technology integration for energy generation.
• YanmarcoreTechnology or IntegrationEngine supplier for Centurion 57 providing Yanmar 110hp engine (standard) and Volvo D3 150hp option (alternative) for motorization.
• HarkencoreTechnology or IntegrationDeck hardware supplier providing winches and blocks for Wauquiez yachts. Harken equipment selected for quality and efficiency on luxury sailing yachts.
• SparcraftcoreTechnology or IntegrationMast and rigging supplier providing Sparcraft racing masts for Wauquiez yachts, ensuring optimal sailing performance.
• GarmincoreTechnology or IntegrationElectronics and marine technology partner providing EmpirBus system for monitoring, digital switching, and automation on Wauquiez yachts.
• AndersencoreTechnology or IntegrationWinch supplier providing standard well-sized Andersen winches for Wauquiez yachts, selected for quality and durability.
• IONOSminorOthersWeb hosting provider for the Wauquiez website (www.wauquiez.com), located in Sarreguemines, France.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Jeanneau: Major French sailboat and motorboat manufacturer (Beneteau Group subsidiary) producing a wide range of sailing yachts. Overlaps in sailing yacht category but positioned at broader price points rather than Wauquiez's luxury HNWI niche.
• Dufour Yachts: French sailing yacht builder offering cruising yachts in the 35-60 foot range. Comparable on product category and French shipyard heritage, though positioned in the volume premium segment rather than Wauquiez's boutique luxury tier.
• Beneteau Group: Largest French boat manufacturer with a broad sailing yacht portfolio including Lagoon catamarans, Oceanis, and First. Larger incumbent operating in the same French sailing yacht space but with mass-market scale rather than Wauquiez's boutique luxury positioning.

Direct peers

• Garcia Yachts: French builder of aluminum blue water cruising yachts (sailing and motor) for serious offshore sailors. Comparable on geography, customer base (HNWI circumnavigators), and blue water cruising positioning.
• Amel: French luxury blue water sailing yacht manufacturer also producing custom-built ocean cruisers for HNWIs. Most direct comparable on product, customer segment, and French artisanal positioning — competes head-to-head in the 50-foot blue water cruiser segment.
• X-Yachts: Danish premium performance-cruising sailing yacht manufacturer producing yachts in the 40-60 foot range for affluent owners. Comparable on product positioning, customer profile, and premium pricing tier.
• Hallberg-Rassy: Swedish manufacturer of premium blue water cruising sailing yachts with a multi-decade heritage (founded 1940s). Direct competitor in the same HNWI blue water cruiser niche with similar pricing and craftsmanship positioning.
• CNB Yachts: French builder of luxury sailing yachts and superyachts, producing semi-custom blue water cruisers for HNWIs. Comparable on geography (French shipyard), customer base, and product positioning in the 50-70 foot segment.
• Contest Yachts: Dutch luxury semi-custom sailing yacht builder serving HNWI buyers in the 50-70 foot segment. Comparable on product category, custom-build business model, and target customer segment.
• Allures Yachts: French aluminum blue water cruising yacht builder offering semi-custom sailing yachts to HNWI buyers. Comparable on product (blue water cruisers), customer, and French shipyard craftsmanship heritage.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCnFcJACZS6d0uEX7d3sBgag
• Facebookfacebook.com/wauquiezboats
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wauquiez-international-sas
• Instagraminstagram.com/wauquiez_yachts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Wauquiez Yachts