YACHT CLUB CLASSIQUE

What YACHT CLUB CLASSIQUE does

Yacht Club Classique (YCC) is a French non-profit association founded in 2005 under the loi 1901 framework and recognized as an association d'intérêt général, headquartered at the Maison du YCC on La Rochelle's historic port. Its stated purpose is the conservation and active use of classic sailing yachts — preventing them from becoming museum objects — by organizing regattas, rallies, and cultural-heritage programming for the French Atlantic and Channel classic-yacht community. The organization operates the Jauge Classique Handicap (JCH), the recognized rating system for classic yachts covering 1,300+ vessels, and runs the Challenge Classique Manche Atlantique (CCMA) flagship race series that draws roughly 150 yachts annually, alongside events such as the Coupe des 2 Phares, Trophée Harlé, Scotland Rally, and Mise en Bouche.

YCC's product surface centers on a tiered membership model (armateur by boat length, embarqué crew, Shangri-La crew, reduced-rate, partenaire business, and lifetime donor/benefactor tiers), bundled FFV federation license resale, online regatta registration, an e-commerce boutique selling branded apparel, accessories and event posters, crew-meal tickets, sail-number registration, and tax-deductible donations supporting named initiatives (Maison du YCC, Culture, Shangri-La, Ateliers Classiques, Revue du YCC). Digital channels include the WooCommerce website, a monthly Infolettre newsletter, the periodic YCC Revue magazine, a Facebook page for the clubhouse, and an online Bourse Equipiers crew-recruitment board. Distribution is direct — through the online storefront, on-site sales at the Maison du YCC, and on-site event sales — with no third-party resellers.

The business model is subscription-and-event-driven: recurring annual membership dues form the core, supplemented by per-event regatta fees, transactional merchandise and meal sales, and donation income (free donations €50–€1,000 plus €2,000 Donor and €5,000 Benefactor tiers, eligible for 66%/60% tax deductions). YCC serves three primary segments: classic-yacht owners (armateurs), crew members (embarqués), and business partners (partenaires) spanning shipyards, sailmakers, marine services, cultural institutions, and maritime organizations, with approximately 100, 200, and 20 members respectively and 500+ active navigants across events. Strategic partners include the Fédération Française de Voile, the Port de Plaisance de La Rochelle, and the Musée Maritime de La Rochelle.

Name

YACHT CLUB CLASSIQUE

Legal name

Yacht Club Classique

Website

https://yachtclubclassique.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Yacht Club Classique is a French non-profit association founded in 2005 that organizes regattas and heritage programming for classic sailing yacht owners, crew members, and marine-industry partners on the French Atlantic and Channel coasts, operating the JCH rating system and the CCMA race series from La Rochelle.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Yacht Club & Classic Yachting Association Services

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Sailing & Water Sports Teams/Clubs (Sailing, Rowing, Surfing) (MPAKABAH)

Keywords

• Classic yacht racing
• Sailing regatta organization
• Maritime heritage association
• Yacht club membership
• Classic boat conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

La Rochelle

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues (Cotisations): Annual membership fees paid by armateurs (boat owners, tiered by boat length), embarqués (crew members), Shangri-La crew, reduced-rate members, and partners. These constitute the primary recurring revenue stream.
2. Regatta & Event Registrations: Fees for participating in organized races and rallies such as Scotland Rally, Mise en Bouche, Coupe des 2 Phares, Trophée Harlé, and the Atlantic Cup. Revenue is event-driven and varies by season.
3. Merchandise & Boutique Sales: Sale of branded clothing (polos, marinière, jackets, T-shirts), accessories (caps, socks, bags, hats), YCC anniversary merchandise (20-year collection), prints, and numbered sail registration fees through an online shop.
4. Crew Meals (Repas des Equipages): Sale of crew meal tickets for post-race dinners and parade events (e.g., 25€ per meal for the Coupe des 2 Phares arrival dinner).
5. Donations & Patronage: Tax-deductible donations from members and supporters directed to initiatives including Maison du YCC, Culture, Shangri-La, Ateliers Classiques, and Revue du YCC. Includes Benefactor (Membre Bienfaiteur, 5000€) and Donor (Membre Donateur, 2000€) tiers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Yacht Club Classique is a non-profit classic-yachting association that organizes regattas and rallies, maintains the Jauge Classique Handicap (JCH) rating system, and provides tiered annual memberships to boat owners, crew, and partners. It operates the Maison du YCC clubhouse in La Rochelle, sells branded merchandise and FFV sailing licenses via its online boutique, and runs heritage-focused cultural programs and conferences.

Product overview

Yacht Club Classique operates a membership-based organization for classic yacht enthusiasts with a WooCommerce-powered online platform offering tiered annual subscriptions for boat owners (armateur), crew members (embarqué), and partners, plus event registration services for regattas and rallies across the Manche and Atlantic regions. The product portfolio includes FFV sailing licenses, branded clothing and accessories commemorating the club's 20th anniversary, event posters, crew meal services, sail number registration, and facility access to the Maison du YCC club house in La Rochelle.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Maison du YCC (MdYCC): The club house located on the historic port of La Rochelle, formerly the Douanes building, restored by members

Products and services

• Membership Subscriptions (Cotisations) Annual membership subscriptions for classic-yacht owners, crew members, and business partners, priced by boat length for armateurs (€110–€250) and at fixed rates for crew (€50), Shangri-La crew (€35), reduced-rate (€35), and partners (€150).
• Regatta & Event Registrations Online registration for classic-yacht regattas and rallies across the Manche and Atlantic regions, with fees varying by event (e.g., Scotland Rally €700 second deposit).
• FFV Sailing Licenses French Sailing Federation (Fédération Française de Voile) licenses resold to YCC members in annual and temporary formats, required for participation in graded regattas.
• YCC Branded Clothing & Apparel Branded nautical clothing and apparel sold through the online boutique, including embroidered polos (€48), marinières (€48), softshell jackets (€40–€65), t-shirts (€15–€18), and a 20th-anniversary collection.
• YCC Accessories Branded club merchandise including caps (€18), beanies (€13–€16), tote bags (€10), water bottles (€17), notebooks and pens (€6), pins/badges (€6), and socks (€18).
• Event Posters (Affiches) Limited-edition commemorative posters for YCC regattas and events, printed in A2 format on 170gr semi-matte paper (€10 each).
• Crew Meals (Repas des équipages) Meal tickets for crew dinners during regatta events and parades, including the Parade Arrivée Coupe des 2 Phares dinner (€25 per meal).
• Sail Number Registration (Numéro de voile) Registration of official classic sail numbers for classic yachts, required for participation in YCC competitions (€30 one-time fee).
• Donations (Don libre) Free-amount tax-deductible donations (€50–€1,000) supporting YCC initiatives including the Maison du YCC, Culture, Shangri-La, Ateliers Classiques, and the Revue du YCC publication.
• Maison du YCC Clubhouse Access Member access to the Maison du YCC clubhouse on the historic port of La Rochelle, open every Friday evening from 18h00 and available for nautical events and member meetings.

Quantifiable outcome

• 150 yachts participating in CCMA events
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• HennessyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHennessy (cognac house) is listed as a partner/friend of YCC, appearing in the logos section of the website alongside other nautical and cultural partners.
• La Semaine du GolfeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLa Semaine du Golfe is listed as a partner organization, participating in the broader classic and traditional sailing event ecosystem in Brittany/Morbihan.
• DocksoapminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDocksoap, a marine cleaning/washing solution brand, is listed as a partner of YCC in the friends/partners section.
• La French TechminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLa French Tech national startup initiative label appears in the YCC partners section.
• A l'AbordageminorGTM or Marketing PartnerA l'Abordage appears as a partner in the logos section of the YCC website.
• NeptuniaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNeptunia, a maritime magazine/organization, is listed as a YCC partner.
• Port OlonaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPort Olona (Les Sables d'Olonne marina) is listed as a partner of YCC.
• Port de Plaisance de La RochellecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPort de Plaisance de La Rochelle is a key partner hosting YCC events and providing facilities. The port and YCC jointly hosted the Plastic Odyssey ship arrival in May 2025 at Bassin des Chalutiers, Quai Sénac de Melhian.
• Yeu ContinentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYeu Continent (island ferry/maritime service) is listed as a partner of YCC.
• Les Amis du Musée Maritime de La RochelleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLes Amis du Musée Maritime de La Rochelle is a cultural partner of YCC, collaborating on heritage and museum events such as the Plastic Odyssey exhibition at Musée Maritime.
• Jauge Classique Handicap (JCH) / CCMAcoreOthersThe Jauge Classique Handicap (JCH) is the classic yacht rating system managed by YCC, covering 1300+ boats. CCMA (Challenge Classique Manche Atlantique) is the flagship race series organized by YCC.
• Fédération Française de Voile (FFV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFFV (French Sailing Federation) issues sailing licenses that YCC resells to members. YCC organizes FFV-graded races (grade 5 for YCC-organized events). The CCMA counts for FFV race classifications.
• Patrice Bernier – Maître de Port Principal, Port de Plaisance La RochelleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPatrice Bernier, Principal Port Captain of La Rochelle marina, collaborated with YCC to host the Plastic Odyssey arrival in May 2025.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Société des Régates d'Arcachon: Regional Atlantic-coast French yacht club active in classic and offshore sailing. Overlaps YCC's Atlantic footprint but does not directly compete for the same classic-yacht niche.
• Société Nautique de La Rochelle: Local La Rochelle sailing club sharing the same home port and hosting facilities as YCC. Comparable as a regional sailing organisation though broader in scope (modern and classic).

Broad incumbents

• Yacht Club de France: Historic French national yacht club with broader remit beyond classic sailing. Relevant incumbent comparison given brand scale and broader racing and cruising calendar.
• Royal Yacht Squadron: Historic British yacht club hosting classic and contemporary racing. Functions as a broader-incumbent reference point for a membership-driven club with classic-yacht racing in its calendar.

Others

• Les Amis du Musée Maritime de La Rochelle (AAMMLR): Cultural-heritage partner organisation already referenced in YCC materials. Adjacent rather than competing; operates in the same maritime-heritage ecosystem in La Rochelle and shares FFV licensing channels.

Direct peers

• La Semaine du Golfe du Morbihan: Major Brittany-based classic and traditional sailing festival already listed as a YCC partner. Operates the same classic/traditional boat racing model and shares the same Atlantic French competitive calendar.
• Classic Yacht Association: U.S.-based international membership association for owners of classic yachts with regional fleets, racing events, and rating systems. Most direct international analogue to YCC's club-and-rating model.
• Classic Boat Association (UK): UK membership organization for classic boat owners offering rallies, events, and a community-oriented structure. Closest European peer in terms of membership tiering and historic-yacht focus.
• Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez: Iconic annual classic and modern yacht regatta held on the French Riviera. Comparable to YCC as a flagship classic-yacht race organizer in France, although structured as an event series rather than a year-round membership club.
• Cercle de la Voile de Paris: Historic Parisian yacht club organising classic and traditional sailing events in France. Comparable as a tiered-membership yacht club focused on classic and traditional craft.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/61592533343540
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yacht-club-classique

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 YACHT CLUB CLASSIQUE