Master builder: a profession absent from the yachting industry
Founded in 2004 in La Rochelle by Laurent Da Rold, former technical director of Fountaine-Pajot, and Jean-Philippe Houot, former head of Sparcraft's design office, Yacht Concept has positioned itself in a field that is present in the construction industry but absent from the nautical world: project management. Its teams work to coordinate the various trades, from hull builder to carpenter, engine builder, mast supplier or pipe fitter, not forgetting the designer. They ensure the planning and smooth running of the project. This task, often handled by shipyards in the case of series production, requires specific skills and considerable time in the case of custom-built boats. Yacht Concept aims to meet this need by bringing the experience of its founders and employees in series production in the nautical sector.
The business is structured around three areas:
- New construction
- Customization of production boats
- Refit
L'Hermione: the biggest new build ever!
The replica of La Fayette is without doubt the largest new-build project managed by Yacht Concept. It mobilized several full-time staff over an eight-year period. Other new boats have followed in the footsteps of the La Rochelle-based company, such as the Kapalouest, operated as a day-charter by Rivages.
Customize to sell better
Yacht Concept's core business is the customization of production boats, which involves the post-production modification of a new boat as it leaves the shipyard, in order to adapt it to the specific requirements of a shipowner. The project manager coordinates the necessary parties and manages a second adaptation worksite, immediately after production, to deliver a custom-built boat to the customer. This may involve special biminis, layout conversions or gangways.
Customers are generally people who want to keep a medium-sized boat on a comfortable budget. Particularly suited to catamarans over 50 feet and ?500,000, this service is regularly provided for Lagoon, Fountaine-Pajot, Bénéteau, Nautitech... "It's a win-win partnership with the shipyard. Instead of refusing a sale that's too far away from the production boat, he collects it, satisfies a customer and provides work," explains Laurent Da Rold.
