.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
JEANNEAU
fACTORY
The original Jeanneau factory is located in Les Herbiers, in Vendée (France), producing exceptional sailing and motor yachts since 1957. Henri Jeanneau founded it, already passionate about planes and cars. Henry started making motorboats and discovered a new passion for power boating, one that began while watching a boat pass by his window. Soon after, at Les Herbiers, he began to build a wooden hull with which he competed in the 6-hour race in Paris, the largest national boat race at the time.
Jeanneau specialised in monohulls, but he created a subsidiary specialising in multihulls called Lagoon catamarans. Jeanneau (and Lagoon) joined the Bénéteau group in 1995.
We visited the Jeanneau factory in 2017 when we were still Jeanneau dealers. We collected some photos of the construction process. In addition, a video we made of the plant is available on the Jeanneau website.
It is possible to visit the Jeanneau factory by appointment through the Jeanneau Dealer.
Ask us for more information!
We were Jeanneau Dealers in the UK from 2003 to 2017.
JEANNEAU YACHT BOAT SHOW
The last UK Show
Southampton 2017 was our last Jeanneau Yachts Boat Show, with us being UK-based. We moved to Barcelona, Spain with our business during the summer of 2017. We are confident it will not be our last Jeanneau Yachts Boat Show.
Jeanneau Yacht For The Mediterranean.
But for the time being, we must purchase Yachts through our old company Network Yacht Brokers Conwy, for our clients wishing to buy a yacht for the Mediterranean.
With Brexit complete, the UK is out of the European Market. It will take years for things to settle down, so rules and regulations about VAT and special trading conditions will remain sketchy. The problem is that even though VAT and registration rules are well documented for countries outside the EU, local enforcement rules will be interpreted differently.
hISTORY
Jeanneau History Development
Jeanneau's History is well documented on the internet; information found usually goes back over the 60-year history. This page will only briefly mention Henry Jeanneau and the distant past as we feel the recent history of Jeanneau is more relevant today.
1
Significant Changes in Yacht construction
Considerable changes in new boat production have occurred over the last 20 years, none more than with Jeanneau boat and yacht production. Significant changes came when Prisma moulding was introduced to the Jeanneau product between 2005 and 2010. Add to that the evolution of hull construction and a more cost-effective solution to interior woodwork, the results being that sailboats built in the 90s bear little resemblance to the craft we see today.
2
Prisma Moulding (Injection Moulding)
Hull shapes 20 years ago and before was built in the traditional way using uncomplicated lines. A straightforward design is necessary for an uncomplicated mould. A sailboat deck was constructed in two parts and then glued or even screwed together to form the Yacht. Many surfaces would not have a smooth finish and had to be hand-finished. The old hand-laid deck of a yacht would typically be 30% heavier than its Prisma moulded counterpart. The Jeanneau 39i was one of the first production boats to get a Prisma Moulded Deck. A quiet revolution that met some resistance.
3
Prisma Moulding excellent for the environment.
I remember going to an American shipbuilder's yard back in 2001. As we entered the building, the stench of fibreglass resin was almost overwhelming. The light-hearted advice from the guide was to keep walking until we were out of the workshop! I realised if I paused too long my shoes would become fixed to the floor! None of the workers used respirators. This excursion to the USA was not to a Jeanneau factory; however, all boat builders using a spray to apply fibreglass to resin suffered from vapour problems. Now, if you enter a workshop owned by Jeanneau (Group Beneteau), you cannot smell fibreglass. The air is clean, thanks to injection or Prisma moulding.
4
Prisma Moulding is stronger
As Prisma moulding developed, designers realised they were from traditional angles. Yacht designers can now experiment with deck shapes that have transformed how yachts look. Gone are the days when a locker door opens and a buyer can see rough fibreglass. All surfaces are smooth. It’s also a fact that a Prisma Moulded deck is lighter and stronger than its conventional counterpart.
5
Screws are no longer necessary
In early 2000, a hull was screwed to the deck of a yacht. Visible screws or bolts along the deck joint and around windows were a selling feature showing the integral strength of the Yacht. As Glue and resin developed, Jeanneau realised it could join a hull to a deck with only Glue. For some time in the mid-2000s, decks were both glued and screwed. The only reason for using screws in this interim period was that Jeanneau thought the market was not yet ready to accept an entirely bonded-together hull. Sicoflex sealer has become an essential tool in the shipwrights’ tool kit. A Glue called Sicoflex, similar to that used by boat manufacturers is used throughout the marine industry.
6
The end of teak veneer
A natural teak veneer was used in production until around 2006. The significant disadvantage to this is the global cost of teak and the difficulty of consistency. Minor imperfections in a wood pattern often plagued boat builders. Inconsistency in wood quality continued until an artificial wood finish wood became available. From then, the grain is manufactured to match. From this point, Yachts became a little less personal; however, on the upside, replacing a door or panel became just a matter of ordering a spare part as they were all the same.
The evolution of a brand
Over 60 years ago, it took Henry Jeanneau and a group of creative individuals to create a brand. At its conception, market conditions fell in favour of this company, then experienced, and judgment (with a bit of luck) have carried this great brand to where it is today. The brand might not have survived if Beneteau had not taken over Jeanneau some years ago. The fact is the brand did survive the ups and downs of 60 years regardless of ownership. This survival is a credit to all who work for the company and believe in the Jeanneau brand.
Jeanneau Yacht
NETWORK YACHT BROKERS · Barcelona ·
Need help with Flag registration?
Network Yacht Brokers Barcelona offers free registration advice as support for yacht owners. We can arrange registrations under any flag for international clients and even offer the simple Dutch registration where no alternative exists.
If you have questions about registration please do not hesitate to contact us.
