VPLP Design

What VPLP Design does

VPLP Design is a privately held French naval architecture firm founded in 1983 by Marc Van Peteghem and Vincent Lauriot Prévost, headquartered in Vannes with additional offices in Paris and Nantes. The firm designs and engineers custom sailing and motor vessels—catamarans, trimarans, foiling multihulls, superyachts, motor yachts, and commercial maritime vessels—operating across three transverse divisions: Racing, Yachting, and Maritime. Its proprietary technologies include the Oceanwings rigid wing sail system (validated over 68,000 nautical miles on Energy Observer), extensive foil and appendage design expertise, and proprietary CFD/simulation tools including the SYD design simulator.

VPLP generates revenue through bespoke design-fee contracts with shipyards, racing teams, and yacht owners, with each project individually quoted based on scope and complexity. Key anchor clients include Bénéteau Group's Lagoon brand (6,000+ catamarans built since 1987), Grand Large Yachting's Gunboat, CDK Technologies, Banque Populaire Racing Team, Luna Rossa, Energy Observer, and Ariane Group. The firm's go-to-market relies on direct enterprise relationships and a strong event presence anchored by the Monaco Yacht Show.

The business has completed over 100 projects in nearly four decades, accumulating an iconic track record that includes the 2010 America's Cup win (BMW Oracle), multiple Jules Verne Trophies, Vendée Globe victories, and the 121m Canopée ro-ro cargo vessel for Ariane rocket transport. The company remains under partner management—Marc Van Peteghem as Chairman, Simon Watin as Managing Partner, and partners Mathias Maurios, Xavier Guisnel, and Antoine Lauriot Prévost—with no external private-equity or strategic ownership identified.

Name

VPLP Design

Legal name

MARVIN SERIES (VPLP Design)

Website

https://vplp.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

VPLP Design is a French naval architecture firm founded in 1983 that designs custom sailing and motor vessels—catamarans, trimarans, foiling multihulls, and superyachts—for shipyards, racing teams, and yacht owners worldwide. It operates across Racing, Yachting, and Maritime divisions with proprietary foil and wing-sail technologies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Naval Architecture and Marine Design Services

NAICS

Other Specialized Design Services (54149)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Concept & Feasibility Naval Architecture (Requirements, Trade Studies) (IMAJAGAA)

Keywords

• Naval architecture design
• Sailboat design
• Multihull engineering
• Foiling technology
• Yacht design

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Naval Architecture Design Services: VPLP Design provides custom naval architecture and engineering design services for sail and powerboats. Revenue is generated through design fees for new boat projects, working with shipyards, sailing teams, and yacht owners across racing, cruising, and maritime segments.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

VPLP Design is a naval architecture and engineering firm that provides custom design services for sailboats and motorboats across racing, cruising, and commercial maritime applications. The firm designs multihulls (catamarans, trimarans), monohulls, foils, and rigid wing sail systems such as Oceanwings, working directly with shipyards, sailing teams, superyacht owners, and commercial maritime clients worldwide. Revenue is earned through bespoke design fees for individual projects rather than standardized products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Canopée (121m rigid-wing ro-ro vessel) Commercial maritime design of a 121-meter rigid-wing ro-ro cargo vessel for Ariane Group, equipped with VPLP rigid wing sails to transport Ariane rocket components between mainland France and French Guiana.
• Hemisphere (44.20m sailing catamaran) Bespoke superyacht design of a 44.20-meter sailing catamaran with six cabins for 12 passengers and over 1,100 m² of downwind canvas, succeeding Douce France as world's largest cruising catamaran.
• GP70 / Catch Me (70-foot blue-water sailing catamaran) Custom design of a 70-foot blue-water sailing catamaran built in carbon fiber, weighing 22 tons and equipped for energy-independent fast ocean cruising.
• Gunboat Fusion 80 Design of the Gunboat Fusion 80 high-performance cruising catamaran for the Gunboat yard under the Grand Large Yachting group, with a flybridge added for accessibility.
• Lagoon Eighty 2 (flagship sailing catamaran) Flagship 24-meter sailing catamaran design for Lagoon/Bénéteau Group featuring flybridge, open deck plan, luxury finishes, and recognition as the 2025 Yacht Style Award winner in sailing catamarans over 18m.
• Lagoon Eighty 3 (luxury motor yacht) Projected design of the Lagoon Eighty 3 luxury motor yacht exceeding 24 meters with a flybridge, designed for long-range ocean cruising with 3,500 nautical mile autonomy.
• MODX 70 ocean-going motor yacht Design of an innovative ocean-going motor yacht with automated dual propulsion (100% electric or combined with Aeroforces retractable wind wings) built with partially biosourced resin, in collaboration with Océan Développement.
• Anahita (100-foot cruising trimaran) Design of the world's first and largest 100-foot cruising trimaran, in collaboration with Global Yacht Technologies (platform integration) and CDK Technologies (construction), with carbon foam infusion construction and central hull living spaces.
• Energy Observer 3 (EO3) research and expedition vessel Design of EO3, a 30-meter aluminum catamaran research and expedition vessel for Energy Observer's 2025-2033 'A Journey to Carbon Neutrality' mission, equipped with four Oceanwings wingsails, 140 m² of solar panels, and an ammonia-to-hydrogen fuel cell system.
• Racing Division design services Bespoke naval architecture and engineering for competitive sailing teams across ocean racing categories (Ultim trimarans, IMOCA 60s, Ocean Fifty, Figaro 3, America's Cup), with deep expertise in foils, appendages, and hydrodynamic optimization for racing performance.
• Yachting Division design services Custom and series naval architecture for cruising catamarans (Lagoon, Gunboat, GP70), superyachts (Hemisphere, Douce France), motor yachts, flybridge sailboats, and blue-water voyaging vessels, balancing comfort, performance, and livability.
• Maritime Division design services Design of commercial vessels including rigid-wing ro-ro cargo ships (Canopée for Ariane Group), expedition research vessels (Energy Observer EO3), fishing vessels, and innovative wind-assisted cargo transport solutions focused on decarbonization.
• Special Projects design services Bespoke, exploratory naval architecture work for unusual vessels, one-off concepts, and collaborative designs that fall outside the Racing, Yachting, and Maritime divisions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 6,000 Lagoon catamarans built since 1987
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Micheletti + PartnersmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2025Italian design firm collaborating with VPLP Design on a secret very large yacht concept (described as 'the largest ever drawn by VPLP') and a 45-foot motor tender (catamaran) dedicated to superyachts.
• Global Yacht TechnologiesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2025Global Yacht Technologies partnered with VPLP Design on Anahita, the world's first and largest 100-foot cruising trimaran. VPLP provides naval architecture and structural design while Global Yacht Technologies handles platform integration and systems.
• Xplorer YachtingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2025Partner in the MG project, the world's first wind-assisted expedition yacht. VPLP provides design expertise for the wind-assisted propulsion system.
• Norse ShipyardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2025Construction partner for the MG project, the world's first wind-assisted expedition yacht. Norse Shipyard is building the vessel in collaboration with VPLP's design.
• Grand Large YachtingmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2025VPLP Design works with Grand Large Yachting on the Gunboat Fusion range of high-performance cruising catamarans (Fusion 80 being showcased at Monaco Yacht Show).
• CDK TechnologiescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025CDK Technologies is building the Anahita trimaran at their new production facility inaugurated in 2025 in Lorient. Long-standing construction partner for VPLP designs including racing trimarans.
• Félix GodardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive designer Félix Godard is collaborating with VPLP Design on the EO3 research vessel project, contributing design expertise for the superstructures and overall aesthetic.
• Luna Rossa (America's Cup Team)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVPLP engineer Adrien Letourneur was seconded for three years (2021-2024) as lead appendage designer for Luna Rossa's AC75 foils. Knowledge sharing and expertise exchange on foil design.
• F-OneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerF-One provides wing foil equipment to VPLP Design in exchange for CFD calculations on foils. Exchange of expertise benefiting both parties - VPLP gains equipment for team testing while F-One receives computational analysis.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Philippe Briand Yacht Design: French-based yacht designer known for cruising yachts and superyachts including Jeanneau and Beneteau production designs. Comparable to VPLP for production cruising catamarans and monohulls within the Bénéteau ecosystem.
• Reichel/Pugh Yacht Design: US-based performance yacht design firm specializing in racing sailboats and high-performance cruising yachts. Directly comparable to VPLP's Racing division and America's Cup pedigree.
• Winch Design: UK-based multidisciplinary design house covering exterior, interior, and naval architecture for superyachts. Comparable to VPLP's superyacht practice, though with stronger interior design weighting.
• Botin Partners: Spanish naval architecture firm focused on racing yachts (IMOCA, Volvo Ocean Race, Maxi classes) and performance cruising. Comparable to VPLP as a leading independent racing-yacht design practice.
• Olesinski Design: UK-based superyacht design studio handling exterior styling, naval architecture, and engineering. Comparable to VPLP's integrated superyacht design offering for the HNW market.
• Dubois Naval Architects: British superyacht design firm with a long track record in custom sailing and motor yachts. Closely comparable to VPLP in serving the premium one-off superyacht market with high-end naval architecture services.
• Humphreys Yacht Design: UK-based independent yacht design firm specializing in sailing yacht and superyacht naval architecture. Comparable to VPLP as a boutique multidisciplinary design house serving HNW owners and shipyards across racing and cruising segments.
• Dykstra Naval Architects: Dutch naval architecture firm specializing in classic and modern superyachts, including J-Class designs. Comparable to VPLP for high-end one-off yacht naval architecture.
• Farr Yacht Design: US-based yacht design firm with deep experience in racing (America's Cup, Volvo, TP52) and production cruiser-racers. Comparable to VPLP across both racing and serial-production design work.

Emerging players

• Gilles Vaton Design: Independent French naval architect specializing in racing multihulls and IMOCA designs. Comparable to VPLP's racing design practice with a similar French-base and multihull focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VPLPYachtDesign
• Facebookfacebook.com/VPLPdesign
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vplp-design
• Instagraminstagram.com/vplpdesign

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 VPLP Design