VPLP Design launches Oceanwings®: The Reefable and Furlable Automated Wingsail
Drawing on extensive experience in the field of rigid sail development, VPLP Design is proud to present a two-element wingsail which is furlable, reefable and entirely automated. Oceanwings® is a veritable disruptive innovation to ensure a simpler and more responsible approach to the sea and the elements.
It’s been a memorable winter!
The winter of 2016–2017 will forever be a high point in the history of VPLP Design. In the space of just a few weeks, between 25 December and 26 January, Thomas Coville broke the solo round the world record, Armel Le Cléac’h sailed to victory in the Vendée Globe, and Francis Joyon and crew won the Jules Verne Trophy. These three major achievements have one thing in common: the boats involved were all designed by VPLP (in collaboration with Guillaume Verdier for Banque Populaire VIII). Vincent Lauriot-Prévost, Xavier Guilbaud and Quentin Lucet talk about this fantastic winter and what the future holds for the firm.
The 12 tasks of the Vendée Globe
Quentin Lucet, Daniele Capua and Xavier Guisnel are responsible for IMOCA design at VPLP. In collaboration with Guillaume Verdier and his team they produced twelve of the boats sailing in this year’s Vendée Globe. Let’s hear what they have to say about them.
“Initiating a revolution in yacht design”
Having designed 12 of the 29 boats taking the Vendée Globe starting line on Sunday 6 November, VPLP Design is undeniably the most prolific of all the naval architects taking part in this eighth edition – sharing the top spot with Team Verdier, of course! Vincent Lauriot-Prévost looks back over an exceptional adventure in yacht design.
Ultimes: Banque Populaire IX takes shape
While Banque Populaire team are finalizing their preparations for the upcoming Vendée Globe, which will see skipper Armel Le Cléac’h at the helm of a VPLP/Team Verdier design, the team’s next project is gradually taking shape at Keroman Technologies in Lorient. Maxi Solo Banque Populaire IX is her name, and works to assemble her have already begun. “The two halves of the centre hull arrived from Green Marine in late August; while the starboard float and the aft beam will be arriving from Port-la-Forêt shipyard CDK in the coming weeks,” explains Xavier Guilbaud, head of project at VPLP’s Vannes office. “We expect Lorient to deliver the port float and the fore beam early next year, in time plenty of time for a summer launch.”
Lagoon: the Seventy 7 showcases at Cannes
Incredible but true, VPLP Design has been designing boats for Lagoon, the world’s leading cruising catamaran manufacturer, for almost three decades! SEVENTY 7, the largest of all the Lagoons, went on display for the very first time at Cannes Yachting Festival in September. It marks a new beginning for both VPLP Design and Lagoon. Marc Van Peteghem explains.
Monaco/ two new concepts revealed
Every year we present one or several concept boats which embody VPLP’s vision and perhaps prefigure a trend, a desire or a new direction. And this year at the Monaco Yacht Show was no exception, with the firm showcasing two concepts that are fundamentally very different but nevertheless characteristic of our approach to sailing boats and the sea.
Figaro: Busy with V3
While the thirty-nine competitors of the 47th Solitaire Bompard–Le Figaro are slugging it out for the title, the teams at VPLP design are busy designing the next generation: Figaro Beneteau 3.
Imoca: Transat feel good factor !
Quentin Lucet and Daniele Capua, responsible for monohull IMOCAs at the firm, reflect on the May and June trans-Atlantic crossings of the VPLP design/Team Verdier foilers.
Ultimate: a game changer
May 2 to July 3, two very special months enter the annals of VPLP Design. May 2 marked the start of The Transat bakerly which pitted Francois Gabart (Macif) against Thomas Coville (Sodebo) in a solo duel aboard 30 metre plus monsters designed by VPLP, the victory going to the former Vendee Globe winner eight days later.
