Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design

What Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design does

Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design is a French naval architecture and yacht design firm founded in 1983 by Olivier Racoupeau in La Rochelle, France, following his partnership with Jean Berret. The firm specializes in integrated yacht design services combining naval architecture, exterior styling, and interior design within a single multidisciplinary team of approximately twenty architects, designers, and engineers. It has designed nearly 500 different boats with approximately 20,000 units built to its plans, and has won eight European Yacht of the Year awards across its portfolio.

The firm's core technology centers on integrated design workflows supported by digital 3D modeling, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis using finite element models for structural and hydrodynamic validation, and immersive VR-based visualization for client presentations. Its product portfolio spans large custom monohull superyachts, large custom catamarans and multihulls, motor yachts and power catamarans, and complete production yacht ranges designed on behalf of partner shipyards.

Berret Racoupeau operates as a professional services firm generating revenue through custom design contracts negotiated per project on multi-year bases with both production yacht manufacturers and private yacht owners. Key shipyard clients include Fountaine Pajot (since 1991), Bénéteau (30+ years), Hanse Yachts (since 2020), Amel, Garcia, Allures, Gunboat, J Composites, and Wauquiez, plus bespoke commissions for shipyards such as Baltic Yachts, Royal Huisman, Air Yachts, and Jinlong Mega Yacht. Go-to-market relies on direct enterprise sales to shipyards, private superyacht commissions, and visibility through major international boat shows including Monaco, Cannes, Düsseldorf, Palma, and Singapore.

Name

Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design

Legal name

SAS Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design

Website

https://berret-racoupeau.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design is a French naval architecture firm founded in 1983 in La Rochelle, providing integrated naval architecture, exterior styling, and interior design services to shipyards and private yacht owners, with a portfolio of nearly 500 boats and 20,000 units built.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Yacht Design Services (Naval Architecture)

NAICS

Ship and Boat Building (3366), Boat Building (336612), Ship and Boat Building (33661)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Luxury Sailing Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Full-Custom Superyacht & Megayacht Manufacturing (IMAJAMAB), Luxury Catamaran (Power & Sail) Manufacturing (IMAJAMAF), Semi-Custom Luxury Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAMAA), Explorer Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAMAE)

Keywords

• Naval architecture services
• Yacht design
• Superyacht design
• Multihull design
• Interior yacht design

Headquarters

HQ city

La Rochelle

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Yacht design services: Custom naval architecture, exterior styling, and interior design services for shipyards and private yacht owners. Projects range from production boats to custom superyachts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design is a French naval architecture and yacht design firm providing custom naval architecture, exterior styling, and interior design services for sailing yachts, large catamarans and multihulls, and motor yachts. The firm serves both production shipyards (designing complete ranges for builders such as Fountaine Pajot, Hanse, Bénéteau, and Amel) and private owners of bespoke superyachts, supported by integrated 3D digital modeling, CFD/finite element analysis, and immersive VR visualization.

Product overview

Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design is a naval architecture and yacht design firm offering a comprehensive portfolio of custom and production yacht designs. The company provides integrated services across naval architecture, exterior styling, and interior design. Their custom portfolio includes large monohull superyachts (Evoë 100/180, Obsession, Louise 72), large custom catamarans (Thira 80, Alegria 67, Air 80, Baltic 107, FPY 120 S), and motor yachts (Power 80, Power 67, Zeffiro 150). Their production design services cover complete yacht ranges for partner shipyards including Fountaine Pajot (sailing catamarans from 40-120 feet), Hanse Yachts (cruising yachts 36-59 feet), Amel (luxury cruisers 50-65 feet), Garcia (exploration yachts), Wauquiez (Pilot Saloon and Centurion lines), Allures (aluminum exploration yachts), Bénéteau Oceanis, Gunboat, and J Composites. The firm has designed nearly 500 different boats with approximately 20,000 units built to their plans over 30 years.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Custom Superyacht Design (Large Monohull) Custom naval architecture, exterior styling, and interior design services for one-off sailing monohull superyachts over 60 feet such as Evoë 100, Evoë 180, Obsession (115 ft), Louise 72, Mary Blue, and Beniguet, delivered for private owners and prestige shipyards.
• Large Catamaran / Multihull Design Bespoke naval architecture, exterior styling and interior design for large sailing and power multihulls over 60 feet, including Thira 80, Alegria 67, Royal Huisman 110, Baltic 107 (33m), Air 80 (100% carbon), FPY 120 S (35m), and Jinlong Mega Yacht 110 — a recognized specialization with 35+ years of expertise.
• Motor Yacht Design Custom naval architecture and exterior/interior design for power catamarans and motor yachts such as Fountaine Pajot Power 80 and Power 67, Zeffiro 150, Panama 62, Power Catamaran CNB 85, Power Cat 160, Royal Huisman 118, and HEU Ship 185'.
• Production Yacht Design Programs for Shipyards Long-term, range-wide naval architecture, exterior styling and interior design services delivered to major production boatbuilders, including Fountaine Pajot (sailing catamarans 40-120 ft), Hanse Yachts (360-590), Amel (50-64), Bénéteau Oceanis/Sense, Garcia, Allures, Gunboat, J Composites and Wauquiez — typically multi-year strategic partnerships.
• Hanse 590 Sailing Yacht Flagship sailing yacht for Hanse Yachts featuring a large hardtop floating over an unprecedented cockpit dimension, built-in meridienne seats between cockpit and helm stations, and an upgraded interior with refined materials. The product is designed by Berret Racoupeau and produced by Hanse Yachts.
• Hanse 360 Sailing Yacht Sailing yacht designed for Hanse Yachts as part of the range renewal from 2020; subsequently nominated for European Yacht of the Year 2025. The product is designed by Berret Racoupeau and produced by Hanse Yachts.
• Fountaine Pajot NEW 41 Sailing Catamaran First of a new generation of Fountaine Pajot catamarans, revolutionizing the 40-foot category with 2000W solar panels, an open cockpit and high comfort levels. The product is designed by Berret Racoupeau and produced by Fountaine Pajot.
• Air 80 High-Performance Catamaran Ultra-high-performance 80-foot 100% carbon catamaran designed for ultra-fast long-distance cruising, with curved daggerboards and a low-weight carbon construction, built in Turkey under the Air Yachts brand.
• Baltic 107 Exploration Catamaran Custom 33-meter sailing catamaran for Finnish shipyard Baltic Yachts, combining elegance, performance and range with a strong environmental focus; Baltic's first multihull.
• FPY 120 S Superyacht Catamaran Largest Fountaine Pajot catamaran ever conceived at 35 meters, with approximately 600 m² of living space across three levels, combining luxury and privacy as the builder's flagship superyacht.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 500 different boats designed over 30 years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Hanse YachtscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Germany's leading cruising yacht manufacturer partnered with Berret Racoupeau from 2020 to renew its entire range. Successful launches include Hanse 460 (European Yacht of the Year 2022), 510, 410, 360, and flagship 590.
• AmelcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010French shipyard collaboration since 2010 for Amel 64, 55, 50, and 60. Both Amel 50 and 60 won European Yacht of the Year awards. Continued partnership for current range.
• BénéteaucoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1993World leader in boating with 30+ years of collaboration. Shared working methods and design tools enable development of new, safer, more accessible and performant models. Oceanis and Sense lines include models with 1000+ unit production.
• Fountaine PajotflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1991Long-standing strategic partner since 1991. Berret Racoupeau designed the Marquises 56 (first catamaran for the firm) and continues to design the entire sailing catamaran range from 41 to 120 feet, as well as the largest motor yacht models. One of the most significant partnerships in the company's history.
• Garcia (Grand Large Yachting Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAluminium exploration boat specialist. Collaboration on Exploration 45, 52, 60 series plus custom boats Mary B, Annka One, Beniguet. Part of Grand Large Yachting Group.
• Allures YachtingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation in lifting keel centreboards combining aluminium hull with composite superstructure. Complete exterior and interior design for Allures 40.9/45.9/51.9 series.
• Baltic YachtsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinnish shipyard's first multihull - Baltic 107, a 33m exploration catamaran. Combines Baltic's high-quality composite construction with Berret's multihull expertise. Delivery scheduled for summer 2027.
• Air YachtsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigh-performance 100% carbon catamaran Air 80 under construction in Turkey. Ultra-fast long-distance cruising catamaran expected late spring 2026. No compromise on performance or luxury.
• Royal HuismanflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch shipyard's first multihull - Royal Huisman 110 catamaran. Dutch shipyard renowned since 1884 for extreme refinement and exceptional quality.
• Jinlong Mega YachtflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst collaboration between Berret Racoupeau and Chinese shipyard for 110-foot (33.42m) catamaran. Successfully integrated large owner area within aesthetic lines.
• J CompositescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner45th anniversary collaboration on J/45; subsequent partnership on J/40. Maximizing comfort and style interior while preserving ergonomics.
• WauquiezcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterior design for Pilot Saloon 42, 48, Centurions, and Optio. Perpetuating the tradition of strong personalities, reliability, and irreproachable quality.
• GunboatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUltra-high-performance catamaran Gunboat 72 interior design for Grand Large Yachting Group. Dynamic, bright, welcoming interior with noble materials and panoramic views.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Dubois Naval Architects: UK-based luxury sailing yacht and superyacht design firm with a comparable legacy and portfolio of custom sailing superyachts for premium shipyards and private clients. Direct competitor for large custom sailing yacht commissions.
• German Frers (Frers Naval Architecture & Engineering): Argentinian-born yacht designer with decades of experience designing sailing yachts for shipyards and private owners worldwide. Comparable scope in production sailing yacht and custom superyacht design.
• Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design: UK-based yacht design firm specializing in high-performance cruising yachts and superyachts for premium shipyards and private clients. Comparable position in the custom and semi-custom sailing yacht market.
• VPLP Design: French multihull and sailing yacht design firm, also based in France, specializing in large racing and cruising multihulls including America's Cup and ocean racing trimarans. Directly comparable as a yacht design firm with strong large-multihull credentials competing for similar shipyard and private owner commissions.
• Nauta Design: Italian yacht design firm offering naval architecture, exterior, and interior design across sailing and motor yacht segments for production and custom markets. Comparable integrated design capability and shipyard client base.
• Humphreys Yacht Design: UK-based yacht design firm offering naval architecture, exterior styling, and interior design services comparable to Berret Racoupeau. Serves similar shipyard and private owner segments with comparable scale.
• Philippe Briand Yacht Design: French yacht designer with a parallel career designing production sailing yachts for major shipyards (Beneteau, Jeanneau) and custom superyachts. Comparable size, scope, and customer overlap in both production and custom segments.
• Judel/Vrolijk & Co: German naval architecture and yacht design firm with parallel heritage designing production and custom sailing yachts including racing yachts (America's Cup). Comparable scale, scope, and customer base in production sailing yacht design.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/berret-racoupeau-yacht-design
• Facebookfacebook.com/Berret.Racoupeau

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design