Boatyard tour

Working from the outside in – see how Privilège catamarans are built. Of course, you are always welcome to join us on our next visit to the Privilège boatyard in France.

Privilège 580 Hull
The deck is attached once the larger components such as furniture and engines are installed.

The facilities

Les Sables d’Olonne, France

The Privilège shipyard enjoys a compelling location in Les Sables d’Olonne, France. 

Not only is it an ideal facility for building and launching its premium line of catamarans but it is also the departure point of the famous Vendée Globe solo, around the world race. 

This is the same location where the company was started by Philippe Jeantot (himself a solo circumnavigation champion) in 1985.

Mast being delivered for a 6 Series.

commissioning

Let's start at the end

Typical cluster of tools seen at the early stages of commissioning.
Interior work at the dock - upholstery is always added last.
New 5 Series with rigging in place.

fiberglass shop

working from the outside in

5 Series deck mold is polished and waxed before the lay up begins.
On the 5 Series the mold is first sprayed with gelcoat.
Shop for small fiberglass components.
This metal frame provides support and is then used to turn over the newly constructed deck.
A newly completed deck being trimmed.
Deck in place and ready to be lifted on to the hull.
Notice that all bulkheads are made of infused closed cell foam coring; no plywood or balsa is used.

installation

equipment and furniture

Preparation for installation of crossbeam
Furniture is carefully protected during construction.
Protecting the furniture installation on board

design and engineering

preplanning and design

Each yacht requires weeks and sometimes months of preplanning and the design office makes sure all goes as planned on the boatyard floor.

Most renderings are computer generated, but sometimes a hand sketch best captures a clients ideas

more about the boatyard
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