Privilège unveils Vendée Globe limited-edition catamarans

Ahead of its 40th anniversary, French shipyard Privilège Marine has partnered with the Vendée Globe to create a limited-edition range of catamarans. Developed in collaboration with Arnaud Boissières, skipper of Imoca La Mie Caline, this edition integrates design elements inspired by the round-the-world race.

The Privilège shipyard, located in Les Sables-d’Olonne, was at the heart of the excitement surrounding this year’s Vendée Globe departure on 10 November 2024. Visitors gathered to support the racers as they set sail on the arduous solo circumnavigation, with emotions running high.

The limited edition catamarans feature a carbon mast and boom, a customised upholstery selection, and Vendée Globe branding on the gennaker and hull. Privilège says the vessels are constructed with cutting-edge materials for an optimal balance of lightness and strength.

Key features include advanced weather monitoring equipment, a routing system, recyclable sails, natural wood finishes and an energy-efficient autopilot. Together, Privilège says these enhancements aim to deliver environmentally conscious sailing without compromising on luxury or durability, ensuring performance even in demanding offshore conditions.

“It is with great pleasure that we announce today this Privilège Vendée Globe limited edition,” says Gildas Le Masson, CEO of Privilège Marine. “On the eve of our 40th anniversary, it embodies all the expertise of our employees and our commitment to designing exceptional catamarans since 1985. This limited edition reflects our ability to innovate in order to meet our customers’ expectations and reinforce our shipyard’s position as a benchmark in the luxury catamaran sector for offshore cruising.”

This collaboration holds special significance as both Privilège and the Vendée Globe were founded 40 years ago by Philippe Jeantot. For the first time in decades, Jeantot returned to visit both the shipyard and the Vendée Globe village for the announcement, demonstrating his enduring connection to the brand and the race.