Dubourdieu

What Dubourdieu does

Dubourdieu (legal entity SARL DUBOURDIEU 1800) is France's oldest continuously operating shipyard, founded in 1800 by Louis Dubourdieu in Gujan Mestras on the Bassin d'Arcachon and owned since September 2000 by Emmanuel and Béatrice Martin. The company designs, handcrafts, and distributes traditional and contemporary wooden boats, with an annual production of 12-16 vessels built one at a time using mahogany, teak, laminated wood, and aluminum, requiring more than 3,500 hours of hand labor per flagship model such as the Picnic Sport. Its product portfolio spans the Pinasse, Classic Express, Classic Sport, the Picnic family (Sport, Cabin, Club Sport, Open 10M HB, Open 15M), premium collabs such as White Ocean with Courrèges, and eco-innovation vessels including the Greenboat and Greenboat-Cat with hybrid thermal/electric propulsion and a planned hydrogen evolution via partner Symbiocell. The company also operates utility passenger boats, restoration services, winter storage (hivernage), and a year-round boat rental fleet across Arcachon, Pyla, and Cap-Ferret.

Dubourdieu generates revenue across five streams: (1) one-time sales of new custom-built boats priced by individual quote, (2) usage-based rental of traditional and prestige vessels from three Bassin d'Arcachon departure points, (3) professional services for traditional boat restoration using in-house carpenters, joiners, and cabinetmakers, (4) professional services for winter storage and maintenance in ventilated double-skin hangars, and (5) sales of pre-owned Dubourdieu boats. Go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven: customers visit the Gujan Mestras shipyard directly for consultations, with the Firros Yachts Sarl office in Cannes serving as exclusive Mediterranean sales representative. Primary customers are high-net-worth individuals commissioning bespoke vessels, supplemented by public-transport operators (notably Keolis for the BatCub river shuttle in Bordeaux), luxury brand collaborators (Courrèges, Philippe Starck), boat rental tourists, and professional marine operators. The company holds EPV (Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant) certification from INPI, renewed in 2017, and has registered trademarks including CLASSIC EXPRESS, PICNIC SPORT, GREENBOAT, and WHITE OCEAN.

Name

Dubourdieu

Legal name

SARL DUBOURDIEU 1800

Website

https://dubourdieu.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1800

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Dubourdieu is France's oldest continuously operating shipyard, founded in 1800 in Gujan Mestras, handcrafting 12-16 bespoke traditional wooden boats per year for high-net-worth individuals, while also operating eco-propulsion vessels, rentals, restoration, and winter storage services across the Bassin d'Arcachon and international export markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom boat manufacturing

NAICS

Boat Building (336612), Ship Building and Repairing (336611)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Semi-Custom & Series Production Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAEAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Day Cruiser, Bowrider & Runabout Manufacturing (IMAJAEAI), Yacht & Recreational Boat Service & Refit (TLAKAKAD), Marina & Small Craft Harbor Construction (IMAFAJAG)

Keywords

• Custom boat building
• Wooden boat manufacturing
• Luxury boat construction
• Boat rental services
• Boat restoration services

Headquarters

HQ city

Gujan-mestras

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Boat Sales: New bespoke boats built to order, with customers able to choose from existing models and modify elements or commission completely custom vessels. Production of 12-16 boats per year.
2. Boat Rental: Rental fleet of traditional and prestige boats operating year-round from Arcachon, Pyla, and Cap-Ferret on the Bassin d'Arcachon. Services range from breakfast to champagne and caviar dinners.
3. Restoration Services: Restoration of traditional boats using in-house team of carpenters, joiners, and cabinetmakers. Services include hull repairs, waterproofing, anti-fouling, engine maintenance, and customization work.
4. Winter Storage (Hivernage): Boat winter storage services in ventilated double-skin hangars, with comprehensive maintenance and repair work during winter period.
5. Used Boat Sales: Sale of pre-owned Dubourdieu boats including Classic Express Marcello, wooden Pinasse Collector, and various Picnic models.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Dubourdieu is a historic French shipyard that handcrafts bespoke traditional and modern wooden boats one at a time to customer order. The product range includes the Pinasse, Classic Express, Classic Sport, Picnic Sport/Cabin/Open/Club Sport lines, custom commissions, utility passenger boats (Greenboat, Greenboat-Cat, Utilitaire), and luxury collaborations such as the White Ocean. Complementary services include boat rental on the Bassin d'Arcachon, winter storage (hivernage), and restoration of traditional vessels.

Product overview

Dubourdieu is a historic French shipyard (Chantier Naval) founded in 1800, building boats one-at-a-time to order. The product portfolio centers on traditional wooden boats for the Bassin d'Arcachon region, organized into several product families: (1) Classic line including Pinasse, Classic Express, and Classic Sport combining traditional elegance with modern construction; (2) Picnic line including Picnic Sport, Picnic Cabin, Picnic Cabin 10M, Picnic Club Sport, Picnic Open 10M HB, and Picnic Open 15M for day boats and longer voyages; (3) Premium/Custom models including White Ocean (Courreges collaboration), Namaste, Alexandra, and custom-built vessels; (4) Eco/Innovation line including Greenboat and Greenboat-Cat with hybrid/electric propulsion; (5) Utility boats for passenger transport. Additionally, the company offers boat rental services, winter storage, and restoration services from its Gujan Mestras location.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Altitude 33 A fast day-boat requiring over 3,500 hours of construction, featuring modular solutions with forward tub and aft cockpit, V-shaped evolutive hull for stability and navigation comfort, built with mahogany and teak woods with custom upholstery.
• Chaloupe An XL model of the Picnic Cabin version designed for multi-day family or friends voyages, featuring a large cabin accommodating 4 people and comfortable onboard living space.
• Pinasse The traditional iconic boat of the Bassin d'Arcachon — a historic model from the Dubourdieu shipyard. Traditional wooden boat 10.10m long, accommodating 12 persons, used for fishing and leisure since the French Revolution.
• Classic Express A new generation fast pinasse made famous by the film 'Les Petits Mouchoirs'. Features classic lines with modern stratified wood construction, 11.90m length, accommodating 12 persons in category C.
• Classic Sport Perfect combination of Classic Express and Picnic Sport offering irreproachable comfort and navigation. Built with exceptional finish levels in mahogany and teak woods, 12m length with 2-4 berths.
• Picnic Sport The essential day boat for family and friends outings. Requires over 3,500 hours of construction, featuring forward tub and modular aft cockpit, V-shaped evolutive hull for stability, accommodating 16 persons in category D.
• Picnic Cabin The cabin version of Picnic Sport, ideal for multi-day sea escapes on all seas. Features 11.90m length, 16 persons capacity in category C, with V-shaped evolutive hull for stability.
• Picnic Cabin 10M The 10M version of Picnic Cabin, a decked boat navigating on Lake Constance. Features 10.15m length, 10 persons capacity, with V-shaped evolutive hull and 1 double cabin with 4 berths.
• Picnic Club Sport Evolution of Picnic Sport in outboard motor version. Features 11.80m length, 7T weight, 800L fuel capacity, with Yamaha V8 2x350HP outboard engines.
• Picnic Open 10M HB A new, more compact model with extraordinary performances and accessible hull length. Features 10.80m length, 14 persons capacity, revised deck plan for easy circulation, under-console cabin with 160x200 bed.
• Picnic Open 15M Ideal for Mediterranean. Exceptional living comfort boat navigating in southern Corsica waters. Features 15m length, 4.20m width, 20 persons capacity in category C, 2x400HP Volvo engines.
• White Ocean Collaboration with fashion house Courrèges creating a boat with pure and sleek lines. Made of mahogany and teak woods with Courrèges design codes including plexiglass tables, polished mirror stainless steel, white Kerrock dashboard.
• Namaste Sporty, sleek model from the Picnic Sport range offering exceptional exterior living. Features black and grey finishes, 13.20m length, 8 pers. in cat A, 12 in cat B, 16 in category C, with XL opening rear table for 12 seated guests.
• Alexandra XL model of Picnic Cabin for multi-day voyages with family or friends. Features 15.70m length, 4.65m width, planing hull, outdoor kitchen, custom spacious shower cabin, 8 pers. in cat A, 12 in cat B, 16 in category C.
• Custom Custom-built boats using traditional craftsmanship. Each unit becomes unique and personal, shaped to the owner's image. Includes custom designs for Philippe Starck and other prestigious clients.
• Greenboat Eco-designed 18m pinasse with hybrid propulsion (thermal and electric), low draft. Transports about 50 passengers and 20 bicycles on Bassin d'Arcachon. First step launched Spring 2012 as 15m pine wood boat, with planned evolution toward zero-emission hydrogen propulsion.
• Greenboat-Cat Second model in Greenboat range, a catamaran eco-designed for 45 passengers and 6 bicycles. Features reinforced aluminum hull for strong currents and difficult weather, dual motorization with offset positioning for better maneuverability.
• Utilitaire Utility boats for passenger transport. Currently 7 boats in operation on Bassin d'Arcachon with 50-95 passenger capacity. Features 11.90m length, 4.40m width, 13T weight, 2x200CV Volvo Diesel engines.
• Boat Rental Services Boat rental services from Arcachon, Pyla, and Cap-Ferret on the Bassin d'Arcachon. Offers traditional and prestige boats for various occasions with customizable experiences including breakfast, oyster tastings, and champagne/caviar dinners.
• Hivernage (Winter Storage) Winter boat storage service at Arcachon with exceptional conditions including double-skin ventilated hangar. Includes maintenance and repair work during winter period.
• Restoration Services Traditional boat restoration services for pinasses, chalands and other vessels using craftsmanship expertise of carpenters, joiners and cabinetmakers.
• Used Boat Sales Sale of pre-owned Dubourdieu boats including Classic Express Marcello, wooden Pinasse Collector, and various Picnic models.

Quantifiable outcome

• 225 years of continuous operation as a working shipyard
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 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 flagship and core.

• CourrègesflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2015Fashion house collaboration to design the White Ocean® boat featuring Courrèges aesthetic codes: transparency, white, mirror effects, plexiglass tables on mirror-polished stainless steel legs, white Kerrock dashboard and furniture, branded beach towels and crew uniforms. Launch event held May 2015.
• SymbiocellcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership for hydrogen propulsion development. Symbiocell specializes in hydrogen propulsion technology. Emmanuel Martin plans to evolve the GREENBOAT toward zero-emission hydrogen propulsion to minimize environmental impact.
• KeoliscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic transport operator for whom Dubourdieu built the BatCub, Bordeaux's first river shuttle service. The GREENBOAT-CAT was built for Keolis with delegation of public service from the Bordeaux Urban Community. Catamaran with 45 passenger capacity and 6 bicycle spaces.
• Firros Yachts SarlcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive sales representative for the Mediterranean region, operating from Cannes office at 21 Quai Saint-Pierre. Handles sales inquiries and customer relations for French Riviera and broader Mediterranean market.
• BatCub (Keolis/Bordeaux)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst river shuttle service for Bordeaux built by Dubourdieu, launched May 2013. Dubourdieu built the BatCub vessels for this urban waterway transport service, extensively covered in regional press.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Riva (Ferretti Group): Riva is one of the world's most iconic luxury wooden/handcrafted motorboat builders, founded in 1842 in Italy. Directly comparable to Dubourdieu on heritage positioning, craftsmanship ethos, premium pricing, and a product line spanning classic runabouts, day boats, and yacht tenders.
• Hinckley Yachts: Hinckley builds premium semi-custom powerboats and sailing yachts in Maine, USA with a comparable heritage (since 1928) and emphasis on craftsmanship, customization, and proprietary technology. Targets a similarly affluent buyer seeking custom semi-production craft.
• Boesch Motorboote: Swiss family-owned builder since 1935 of handcrafted mahogany motorboats and runabouts for lakeside leisure. Closely mirrors Dubourdieu on materials (mahogany), manual craftsmanship, low-volume production, family ownership, and luxury positioning in protected European waters.
• Apreamare: Italian builder of traditional Gozzi-style and mahogany motorboats since 1849. Highly analogous to Dubourdieu on Mediterranean heritage, wood construction, custom builds for the HNW segment, and recognized craftsmanship certifications.
• Frauscher Boats: Austrian premium boat builder since 1927 producing limited-edition handcrafted motorboats and yachts. Similar low-volume, high-touch approach targeting affluent buyers seeking distinctive European craftsmanship.
• Chris-Craft Boats: American heritage boat builder (since 1874) of mahogany runabouts and luxury day boats. Comparable on craftsmanship reputation, traditional aesthetic, premium pricing, and a product line overlapping Dubourdieu's Picnic and Classic day-boat ranges.

Broad incumbents

• Lazzara Yachts: US builder of luxury motor yachts in the 25-35m range with semi-custom and custom builds. Comparable on the custom commissioning model for ultra-high-net-worth clients, though at a larger boat size and different price tier.
• Cantieri di Pisa: Italian luxury yacht shipyard founded in 1940 building semi-custom motor yachts. Shares the heritage Italian/European shipyard tradition, custom commissioning model, and luxury segment overlap with Dubourdieu's largest Picnic and Classic models.
• Mochi Craft (Ferretti Group): Italian luxury lobster boat and motor yacht builder now within the broader Ferretti Group portfolio. Overlaps Dubourdieu on heritage craftsmanship for cruising boats but operates at a larger scale and broader product range.

Emerging players

• Contest Yachts: Dutch semi-custom sailing yacht and motor yacht builder serving the European premium segment. Compares on the bespoke/semi-custom commissioning model and craftsmanship, though focused more on sailing yachts than traditional motorboats.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bm_dubourdieu
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@chantiernavaldubourdieu3347
• Facebookfacebook.com/dubourdieu1800
• Instagraminstagram.com/dubourdieu_boats_official
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chantier-naval-dubourdieu

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 Dubourdieu