What Couach Yachts does

Couach Yachts (legal entity COUACH SAS) is the oldest shipyard in France, founded in 1897 and headquartered in Gujan-Mestras on the Bassin d'Arcachon. The company operates two product divisions built on a common proprietary composite manufacturing platform. The Yacht division produces bespoke and semi-custom luxury motor yachts from 11m to 50m — including Flybridge, Sport, Open, Lounge (hybrid), and flagship models — serving ultra-high-net-worth private buyers via direct factory sales with no dealer network. The Professional/Defense division produces high-speed composite interceptors (up to 60+ knots), fast patrol boats, offshore patrol vessels, search-and-rescue boats, and a unique firefighting vessel, serving navies, coast guards, customs authorities, rescue organizations (notably SNSM under a 10-year contract), and prime defense contractors (notably Lürssen for the Saudi program).

The underlying technology is a proprietary composite platform: vacuum-infused sandwich construction combining fiberglass, carbon fiber, and Kevlar with polyester or epoxy resin. Couach developed the world's first 26-meter yacht hull molded entirely in Sicomin bio-sourced 'green' resin (~38% plant-based). The company holds in-house CFD, FEA, EMC/RF, and naval architecture expertise, has direct access to the Bassin d'Arcachon as a natural testing basin, and integrates an in-house Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) on defense vessels. Production capacity reaches one 17m boat per week, demonstrated by the zero-defect delivery of 79 Saudi interceptors in 20 months.

The business model is direct, project-based manufacturing. Revenue is recognized on vessel delivery and recognized across three streams: (1) custom luxury yacht manufacturing, (2) professional and defense vessel manufacturing via competitive procurement or subcontractor relationships, and (3) aftermarket maintenance (notably the 5-year Saudi contract via Couach Saudi Arabia Services and refit work at the IMS Shipyard subsidiary in St Mandrier). Couach is privately held by Nepteam, a local-investor PE group that acquired the company in 2011; Walter Ceglia serves as Chairman. The workforce exceeds 250 artisans across 21+ trades plus a dedicated R&D division.

Name

Couach Yachts

Legal name

COUACH SAS

Website

https://couach.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1897

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Couach Yachts is a French shipyard (founded 1897) building bespoke luxury motor yachts (11–50m) and high-speed composite defense vessels — interceptors, patrol boats, rescue craft, and firefighting boats — for UHNWI buyers and government customers including Saudi Arabia, SNSM, UAE, and India.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Luxury Yacht and Defense Vessel Manufacturing

NAICS

Ship and Boat Building (3366), Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Boat Building (336612)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Luxury Motor Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAMAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Full-Custom Superyacht & Megayacht Manufacturing (IMAJAMAB), Semi-Custom & Series Production Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAEAM), Motor Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAEAB)

Keywords

• Luxury motor yachts
• Composite shipbuilding
• Defense patrol boats
• Rescue vessels
• Custom yacht building

Headquarters

HQ city

Gujan-mestras

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom and semi-custom luxury yacht manufacturing: Design, engineering, and construction of luxury motor yachts ranging from 11m to 50m. Sales of bespoke and semi-bespoke units through direct factory sales. Revenue recognized upon vessel delivery. Price points vary significantly by size, customization level, and specifications — flagship 5000 Fly (50m) and 4200 Lounge (42m hybrid) represent high-value transactions.
2. Professional and defense vessel manufacturing: Design and construction of patrol boats, interceptors, rescue vessels, and firefighting boats for government/military customers (navies, coast guards, customs, rescue organizations). Revenue from large-scale contracts such as the 79-interceptor Saudi Arabia contract (subcontracted through Lürssen) and the 10-year SNSM rescue fleet contract. Production capacity of up to one 17m boat per week.
3. Aftermarket and maintenance services: Post-delivery maintenance and service contracts including the 5-year maintenance contract for Saudi interceptors via Couach Saudi Arabia Services. Refit services at IMS Shipyard (St Mandrier) in Mediterranean. Ongoing service revenue from operational fleet support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Couach Yachts designs, engineers, and manufactures custom luxury motor yachts (11m to 50m) for private buyers and a parallel range of professional/defense vessels — patrol boats, high-speed interceptors, rescue craft, and firefighting boats — for government customers and rescue organizations. All vessels are built in-house at the Gujan-Mestras shipyard using proprietary composite sandwich construction with vacuum infusion, with full design, engineering, composite manufacturing, joinery, painting, and assembly capabilities.

Product overview

Couach Yachts is a French shipyard (Chantier Naval Couach) based in Gujan-Mestras, founded in 1897, manufacturing luxury motor yachts ranging from 11m to 50m, as well as professional and defense vessels. The company operates two divisions: Yachts (luxury recreational vessels including Fly, Sport, Open, and Lounge models) and Professional/Defense (high-speed interceptors, patrol boats, rescue vessels, and firefighting craft). Key yacht products include the 2600 Fly with bio-sourced resin technology, 4200 Lounge hybrid model, and 5000 Fly flagship. Professional vessels include the 1200 LMI/Wasp interceptor, 1650 FIC high-speed interceptor, 1200 FIFI firefighter vessel, and SNSM rescue fleet models (NSC and SAR series). All vessels are constructed using composite materials (fiberglass, carbon, Kevlar) with vacuum infusion manufacturing process.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Couach Defense: Military and defense vessel division specializing in interceptors, patrol boats, and surveillance vessels for government authorities.

Products and services

• 1100 Mediterranean 11.4m luxury motor yacht with sporty design and outboard engines, designed for day cruising and Mediterranean lifestyle activities.
• 1500 Mediterranean 15.4m luxury motor yacht with spacious sunbathing area, large skylight, and elegant interior design reflecting the shipyard's French luxury tradition.
• 2000 Sport 20.2m sport yacht with Volvo D13 engines, designed for performance cruising with up to 6 guests.
• 2300 Fly 23.2m flybridge yacht designed for Mediterranean cruising with 15-day autonomy, featuring luxurious finish and deep V-shaped hull derived from defense research.
• 2600 Fly (Bio-sourced Green Resin) 26.2m flybridge yacht with 4 guest cabins and 2 crew cabins, featuring the world's first bio-sourced green resin composite hull (~38% renewable plant-based content), accommodating up to 9 guests and 3 crew.
• 2800 Open 28.6m open cruiser combining luxury with military interceptor performance, reaching 38+ knots via surface drive propulsion.
• 3000 Fly 30.7m flybridge yacht with twin 2400 HP engines reaching 32 knots, offering twice the autonomy of competitors and exceptional soundproofing.
• 3500 Fly 35m flybridge yacht with 1,200-mile range at 12 knots, V-shaped hull, and 15,000 L fuel capacity for extended cruising.
• 3700 Fly 37m superyacht with deep V-shaped hull, 5 guest cabins including a full-width owner's cabin, large fly deck, and BV Hull certification — among the most spacious yachts under 200 GT.
• 4200 Lounge (Hybrid Superyacht) 42m hybrid superyacht with innovative eco-responsible design and hybrid diesel/electric propulsion (2x750 V DC @ 70 kW continuous, 2x160 ekW generators, 100 kW/h LiFePO4 batteries), enabling transatlantic crossing in full autonomy with BV Hull certification.
• 5000 Fly 49.9m flagship yacht with full Glass/Kevlar/Carbon reinforced construction, twin MTU 5280 HP engines, 28+ knot top speed, and 4,000-mile autonomy for transatlantic crossings.
• 1100 FPB (Fast Patrol Boat) 11m fast patrol boat for coastal surveillance and rescue operations with 1-day mission capability.
• 1300 FIC (Fast Interceptor Craft) 13m high-speed interceptor with 50-knot max speed, designed for interception, fast patrol, and rescue missions.
• 1400 FIC 14.15m fast interceptor with rail-mounted modular systems, reaching 55 knots with 250+ nautical mile range.
• 1500 FPB (Fast Patrol Boat) 15m fast patrol boat with 40-knot max speed and 200 nautical mile range, designed for interception and rescue missions.
• 1650 FIC (High-Speed Interceptor) 16.95m high-speed interceptor reaching 60 knots with 250+ nautical mile autonomy, designed for anti-drug operations, illegal immigration control, and high-threat interception; platform for the 79 Saudi Arabia interceptors (2015–2018).
• 2200 FPB (Fast Patrol Boat) 22.35m semi-displacement patrol boat with 35-knot max speed and 600+ nautical mile range, designed for long-range coastal surveillance and EEZ protection.
• 2800 FPB (Fast Patrol Boat) 28m fast patrol boat with 35-knot speed, waterjet propulsion, 1,000+ nautical mile range, and 7-day mission capability for 14 crew.
• 2800 ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) 27.8m anti-submarine warfare vessel with 1,000 nautical mile range, designed for ASW missions with extended 1-week mission periods in hostile environments.
• 3200 OPV (Offshore Patrol Vessel) 32.3m offshore patrol vessel with 29-knot max speed, 600+ nautical mile range, and 12-day mission capability for 14 crew, optimized for high seas patrol and illegal fishing prevention.
• 1200 LMI / Wasp (Light Modular Interceptor) 12.5m modular interceptor (Wasp) with up to 4 outboard motors (Mercury Verado 400 hp), reaching 55 knots operational speed; open or closed wheelhouse, rail-mounted equipment, and 15-person crew capacity; reaches 0–50 knots in 8 seconds.
• 1200 FIFI (Firefighting Vessel) 11.95m firefighter vessel unique in Europe, equipped with 7,000 L/min water cannon, CoolFire piercing system, mist shield, and rescue equipment for firefighting operations in port and open water.
• 1200 SAR / NSC1 (Coastal Search and Rescue) 11.7m search and rescue vessel with 25-knot max speed, designed for coastal rescue operations as part of the SNSM rescue fleet renewal (10-year contract, 2019–2029).
• 1500 SAR / NSH2 (Second-Class Offshore Rescue) 14.5m offshore rescue vessel with 28-knot max speed, designed for SNSM second-class offshore rescue operations.
• 1700 SAR / NSH1 (First-Class Offshore Rescue) 17.05m first-class offshore rescue vessel with 27-knot max speed, dual fuel tanks of 2x1,700 L, designed for SNSM high-seas rescue fleet.
• 1600 Pilot (Pilot and Crew Transfer Vessel) 16m pilot and crew transfer vessel with 200 nautical mile range at 20 knots, designed for harbor pilot operations.
• 1600 PSB (Port Security Boat) 16.4m port security boat with 30-knot max speed, designed for pilotage, mooring, and crew transfer operations.
• NSC2 (Coastal Rescue Semi-Rigid) 8.77m aluminum semi-rigid rescue boat with 30-knot max speed, designed for SNSM coastal rescue operations.
• NSC3 (Coastal Rescue Semi-Rigid) 6.39m semi-rigid rescue craft with 40-knot max speed and 230 nautical mile range, designed for protected waters rescue.
• NSC4 / IRB (Inflatable Rescue Boat) 3.88m inflatable rescue boat (IRB) with 21-knot max speed, designed for inshore rescue operations as part of the SNSM fleet.

Quantifiable outcome

• 79 interceptors delivered in 20 months at zero defects — entire fleet accepted by Saudi customer without any comments despite strict double-control process in France and Saudi Arabia.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ADD Military Supplies LLCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 March 2018ADD Military Supplies LLC was previously Couach's distributor in the UAE and Middle East region, holding a license to sell military equipment to the UAE government. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed in March 2018 establishing deeper strategic cooperation for physical local presence in the UAE market. This alliance enables Couach to serve UAE and wider Middle East government customers directly through a trusted local partner.
• Abu Dhabi Ship BuildingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2018Abu Dhabi Ship Building is a large local UAE shipyard specializing in the construction, repair, and maintenance of civil and military vessels. Included in the March 2018 MOU alongside ADD Military Supplies LLC, representing Couach's strategic entry into the UAE defense shipbuilding ecosystem.
• LürssencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCouach worked as subcontractor to German shipyard Lürssen for the landmark 79-interceptor Saudi Arabia contract (signed July 2015). The 79 interceptors were part of Lürssen's giant contract with the Saudi Ministry of the Interior, potentially worth up to 1.5B EUR for up to 140 boats of various types. Couach delivered all 79 boats in zero-defect condition.
• Frédéric Neuman (Architecte Naval)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrédéric Neuman, naval architect, was allied with Couach for the SNSM competitive dialogue procurement. Neuman had previously worked with SNSM in 2017 on a preliminary study defining functional needs and fleet structure for the rescue association's future vessels. Together with Christophe Barreau, they formed the Couach-Neuman-Barreau consortium that won the SNSM contract.
• Christophe Barreau (Architecte Naval)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristophe Barreau, naval architect, partnered with Couach and Frédéric Neuman for the SNSM rescue fleet contract. The three-way consortium (Couach-Neuman-Barreau) was selected as the sole prime contractor for designing and constructing SNSM's future rescue fleet of 70+ vessels over 10 years.
• SicomincoreTechnology or IntegrationSicomin is Couach's historical partner for composite materials, specifically bio-sourced epoxy resin. For over 4 years, Couach's R&D department tested Sicomin's products and new developments to ensure quality solutions for series production. Couach selected Sicomin's bio-sourced epoxy resin (~38% renewable plant-based content) for the world-first 26m bio-sourced hull on the 86'-2600 Fly yacht.
• FantiniminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFantini is listed among Couach's yacht design collaborators in the Collaborations section of the website, indicating an external design partnership for yacht interior/exterior design.
• FreivokhminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFreivokh is listed among Couach's yacht design collaborators in the Collaborations section, indicating an external design partnership for yacht interior/exterior design.
• PintominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPinto is listed among Couach's yacht design collaborators in the Collaborations section, indicating an external design partnership for yacht interior/exterior design.
• Espen OeinominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEspen Oeino is listed among Couach's yacht design collaborators in the Collaborations section, indicating an external design partnership for yacht interior/exterior design.
• Mercury FrancecoreTechnology or IntegrationMercury France has been Couach's engine partner for the Wasp (1200 LMI) rapid interception platform for more than 3 years. The partnership provides Mercury Verado outboard engines (350 hp triple configuration, then 400 hp exclusive 2020 innovations) for the Wasp test platform. Mercury continues to share annual engine innovations with Couach.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Overmarine Group (Mangusta): Italian builder of high-performance motor yachts and open yachts (Mangusta brand) — comparable performance-oriented luxury positioning to Couach's 2800 Open and Sport models.
• Heesen Yachts: Dutch builder of aluminum and steel luxury motor yachts (30–80m) — competes in the semi-custom superyacht space Couach targets with its 42–50m Lounge and Fly platforms.
• Ferretti Group: Italian luxury motor yacht group (Ferretti, Riva, Pershing, CRN, Custom Line) — competes head-to-head with Couach in the 15–50m flybridge and semi-custom superyacht segments with broader global dealer footprint.
• Sunseeker International: British luxury motor yacht builder (13–50m) — closest direct competitor to Couach in performance, customization, and UHNWI positioning across flybridge, sport, and superyacht segments.
• Princess Yachts: UK-based builder of luxury motor yachts in the 13–40m range — directly competes with Couach in flybridge and motor yacht segments for the same UHNWI customer base and dealer-driven distribution model.
• Sanlorenzo: Italian semi-custom superyacht builder (24–73m) — comparable positioning to Couach in bespoke and semi-bespoke superyachts for UHNWI, with overlapping hybrid/sustainability messaging.
• Fassmer: German shipyard building fast patrol boats, interceptors, and rescue vessels for coast guards and navies — directly comparable to Couach's Couach Defense division in professional/defense composite vessels.

Broad incumbents

• Lürssen: German mega-yacht and naval shipyard — incumbent prime contractor that subcontracted the 79 Saudi interceptors to Couach; broader portfolio including 60–140m yachts and full naval platforms.
• Bénéteau Group: France's largest boatbuilder spanning sailboats, motorboats (Jeanneau, Prestige, Lagoon) — broader incumbent that competes with Couach's smaller yachts via Prestige brand and shares French shipbuilding ecosystem.
• Azimut-Benetti: World's largest luxury yacht builder (Azimut + Benetti brands, 13–100m+) — broader portfolio incumbent competing with Couach across most motor yacht segments with significantly greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfr-fr.facebook.com/CouachYachtsOfficiel
• Instagraminstagram.com/couachyachtsofficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/couach-yachts

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 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 Couach Yachts