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<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/745" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="JFA Yachts (Company)">JFA Yachts</a>, the renowned French shipyard, proudly celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, showcasing its remarkable achievements in the world of custom yacht construction. Since its inception in 1993, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/745" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="JFA Yachts (Company)">JFA Yachts</a> has delivered numerous exceptional projects, both in the sailing and motor yacht sectors. Today, the shipyard has established itself as a global specialist not only in building unique custom yachts but also in providing top-notch maintenance and refit services for large yachts.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/275503/image/large-322a61f54a3f50b238202fb0e46f653a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/275503">In an era when <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/745" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="JFA Yachts (Company)">JFA Yachts</a> is ambitiously working on its largest in-house construction to date and venturing into new markets, the shipyard's founders, Frederic Jaouen and Frederic Breuilly, alongside long standing partners Brigitte Jaouen-Guennec and Michel Siou, are embarking on a change of ownership process. This strategic move, once completed, will pave the way for three dedicated collaborators to assume leadership roles, ensuring the shipyard's continuity and future development in the illustrious Port of Concarneau, to which it is firmly anchored.A remarkable journey of people and technologyFrederic Jaouen fondly recalls his birth in Concarneau, right in front of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/745" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="JFA Yachts (Company)">JFA Yachts</a>' current premises, which led him to establish the shipyard alongside his friend Frederic Breuilly. Over the years, the shipyard's significant growth in terms of infrastructure, expertise, and industrial partnerships has been greatly influenced by the rich human and industrial network in the region. This network has also fostered deep-rooted connections among <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/745" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="JFA Yachts (Company)">JFA Yachts</a>' employees, whether local or from afar, who play a pivotal role in an industry where craftsmanship and technical excellence reign supreme. Within the shipyard facilities, around fifty skilled professionals, including metal workers, welders, mechanics, cabinet makers, composite specialists, engineers, technicians, and administrative and sales executives, work collaboratively in their respective teams.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/275502/image/large-6d425a8e47bb8e838d91cbd6d82d9df4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/275502">The Port of Concarneau has also witnessed remarkable transformations over time. Since 1998, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/745" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="JFA Yachts (Company)">JFA Yachts</a> has invested in its own facilities, steadily expanding its presence. Today, the shipyard boasts an impressive array of halls along Quai des Seychelles, complemented by a recently purchased hall dedicated to composite construction.Embracing uniqueness through custom craftsmanshipDevoted to crafting one-of-a-kind yachts that stand apart from serial production models, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/745" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="JFA Yachts (Company)">JFA Yachts</a> shines through its diverse portfolio of accomplishments throughout the years. Listing all their emblematic projects is a challenging task. Currently, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/745" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="JFA Yachts (Company)">JFA Yachts</a> is crafting a 50-metre motor yacht in its largest hall, marking a significant milestone in the shipyard's history. Some notable yachts built by the shipyard include:Kermor (1993): <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/745" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="JFA Yachts (Company)">JFA Yachts</a>' maiden delivery, a 23-metre sloop sailboat later renamed Runaway Bunny.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/275508/image/large-cb88dbdf790d99699e18ee8c224c00c4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/275508"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1424" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zeepaard37.18m (121'12&quot;)JFA Yachts2003">Axantha</a> (2003): <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/745" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="JFA Yachts (Company)">JFA</a>'s inaugural motor yacht, measuring 37.18-metre in length, now called <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1424" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zeepaard37.18m (121'12&quot;)JFA Yachts2003">Zeepaard</a>. The owner was so delighted that they commissioned a second vessel with similar features, albeit significantly larger in size. The result was <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2617" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sea Eagle43.0m (141'1&quot;)JFA Yachts2011">Axantha II</a>, now <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2617" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sea Eagle43.0m (141'1&quot;)JFA Yachts2011">Sea Eagle</a>, a 43m masterpiece delivered in 2011.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/275507/image/large-1ffe4a5edf9fff80e693f282b4dff152.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/275507"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6746" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hortense 27.5m (90'3&quot;)JFA Yachts2009">Hortense</a> (2009): JFA's 27.5-metre motor sailor that has traversed oceans, including the Antarctic.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1480" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bystander42.18m (138'5&quot;)JFA Yachts2006">Bystander</a> (2007): A neoclassical motor yacht and escort vessel of Class J <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/251" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Velsheda39.4m (129'3&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1933">Velsheda</a>, renowned worldwide and honored with the most beautiful yacht award by the International Superyacht Society in the United States.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/257474/image/large-2afe947d003c96927debd18affb26b64.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/257474"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2553" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mousetrap33.5m (109'11&quot;)JFA Yachts2012">Mousetrap</a> (2012): At the time, the largest sailing catamaran ever built in carbon fibre, measuring 33.50-metres.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/257819/image/large-b6f8c936404dc4f991de67ddd784a2cd.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/257819"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5643" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="WindQuest26.25m (86'1&quot;)JFA Yachts2014">WindQuest</a> (2014): A 26.25-metre catamaran, the inaugural vessel from the "semi-custom" Long Island series. This series has seen three units delivered in 2014, 2018, and 2021, respectively.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/275510/image/large-9c97ba7ba42fc614cffb31ddbb104610.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/275510">Unwavering commitment to maintenance and refitSince its inception in the 1990s, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/745" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="JFA Yachts (Company)">JFA Yachts</a> has consistently undertaken maintenance and refit projects for both modern and classic large sailing and motor yachts. Examples include the complete rebuild and enlargement of the schooner <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1030" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Six Plus Two38.0m (124'8&quot;)Cammenga1972">Magistral&nbsp;</a>in 1999, the 42.9-metre modern sailing yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1892" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Guillemot42.9m (140'9&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2004">Guillemot</a>, and the legendary sailing yachts <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5208" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mariquita38.1m (125'0&quot;)William Fife & Sons1911">Mariquita</a> (1911) and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moonbeam IV32.1m (105'4&quot;)William Fife & Sons1920">Moonbeam IV</a> (1914), two classic yachts designed by renowned English architect <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1109" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="William Fife & Sons (Company)">William Fife</a>.To date, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/745" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="JFA Yachts (Company)">JFA Yachts</a> has delivered 31 distinctive new builds and undertaken over 45 refit and maintenance projects. One of the shipyard's strengths lies in its ability to establish a solid reputation in both the sailing and motor yacht markets, spanning monohulls and multihulls, and employing various construction materials. The common thread among these custom vessels is their penchant for intensive sailing, often venturing into remote destinations.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/229181/image/large-5f9f24cce57f180d502225854ecfb70f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/229181">A new era of leadershipThe shipyard's founders, Frederic Jaouen (President), Frederic Breuilly (Production Director), and Brigitte Jaouen (Director of Administration and Finance), were soon joined by Michel Siou (Project Manager). While Frederic Breuilly has since retired, the remaining three partners are committed to ensuring the shipyard's continuity. In pursuit of this goal, they have initiated a takeover process that positions long standing collaborators with similar backgrounds and extensive knowledge of the shipyard's operations for future leadership roles.The three associates set to embark on this human and entrepreneurial adventure are: Gael Douguet: Sales Manager, who first encountered the shipyard in 1999 and joined the team in 2004. Vincent Balouin: Technical and Project Management Director, who became part of the shipyard in 2005, and Dominique Rouchon: Project Manager for Interior Works, who joined the shipyard in 2008.With a collective experience of over 50 years, these new shareholders will work in tandem, guided by the unwavering commitment of Frederic Jaouen as President. Over the medium term, they will become controlling shareholders with the guidance of BFR Investissements, represented by Eric Brulé.&nbsp;Eric Brulé emphasizes that this change of ownership presents an opportunity for the shipyard to leverage the expertise and motivation of its buyer partners. Additionally, it is commendable that Frederic Jaouen has decided to perpetuate the company and ensure its continued success in Concarneau.Building on success and expanding horizons- Looking ahead, the three controlling shareholders, each in their respective domains, will remain focused on achieving common objectives:- Sustaining the shipyard's historical market niche by constructing custom super yachts, such as the ongoing 50-meter project.-&nbsp;Strengthening the Long Island catamaran series.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/187892/image/large-848b41bdece5f16ccc308a559b3c094b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/187892">Regularly undertaking refit projectsEnhancing the shipyard's competencies in composite construction, enabling expansion into new emerging markets within the composite construction industry. It is worth noting that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/745" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="JFA Yachts (Company)">JFA Yachts</a> has already delivered two yacht tenders and commenced construction of an 18-metre pilot boat for the French Lighthouses and Beacons Service earlier this year.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/275515/image/large-1c78404b323309a8c5f38ff83981e621.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/275515">The versatility of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/745" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="JFA Yachts (Company)">JFA Yachts</a>, combined with the unwavering passion and expertise of its dedicated collaborators, undoubtedly positions the shipyard as a key player in the European and French yacht-building markets, ensuring its enduring success for years to come.

JFA Yachts celebrates 30th anniversary

French shipyard JFA Yachts is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and ensuring its future.

JFA Yachts marks 30 years of success and ensures a promising future