Founded in 2005 by Denis Bourbigot, the IDB Marine shipyard quickly established itself in the Breton nautical scene. Specializing in the construction of high-performance, eco-designed cruising sailboats, it has successfully combined tradition and innovation to meet the expectations of discerning boaters. This article looks back at the history of this iconic shipyard, its key moments, its current market position, and its flagship models.
The shipyard’s origins: the context of the leisure boating market at the time, the founders’ DNA, and the first catamarans
In the late 1990s, the recreational boating market underwent a significant transformation with a growing demand for sailboats combining performance and comfort. Denis Bourbigot, after several years in the Caribbean as a charter catamaran skipper, decided to return to Brittany in 1997 with the ambition of establishing a shipyard. Drawing on his experience, he aimed to design sailboats dedicated to the pleasure of sailing, suitable for family cruising as well as solo or crewed sailing.
In 2005, with the support of Dominique Gouze, a lawyer and amateur sailor, he founded IDB Marine. The shipyard was initially located in Trégunc, near Concarneau, a region renowned for its maritime expertise. From the outset, IDB Marine distinguished itself through an innovative approach, emphasizing high-quality composite construction techniques and efficient management.
Key moments in the history of the construction site
Over the years, IDB Marine has made its mark on the nautical sector with several notable achievements:
- two thousand seventeen Collaboration with naval architect David Raison to develop a new “Maxi” series in the 650 class.
- two thousand nineteen During the Mini-Transat, Florian Quenot set a record of 291.47 miles covered in 24 hours at an average speed of 12.1 knots on his Maxi 650 No. 946.
- two thousand twenty-one Hugo Dhallenne wins the Mini-Transat series race on his Maxi 650 No. 979 “Jade”. Five other Maxi 650s also finished in the top 10 of this edition.
- two thousand twenty-three The shipyard inaugurates a new site at 3 rue des Bolincheurs in Concarneau and announces the end of production of the 1088 models due to lack of space. That same year, the e-Mojito 888 receives the “Electric Sailboat of the Year 2023” award as well as the “Golden Pipe” award from Voile Magazine.
The construction site today: its place in the market, its reputation
Today, IDB Marine is recognized as a major player in shipbuilding in Brittany. Based in Concarneau, the shipyard enjoys a solid reputation for the quality and performance of its sailboats. Its commitment to eco-design and technological innovation has allowed it to cultivate a loyal and passionate clientele. The team, led by Denis Bourbigot, is composed of experienced professionals, each responsible for a specific area, thus guaranteeing expert guidance at every stage of construction.
The most popular and sought-after models
Here is a list of IDB Marine’s flagship models, along with their launch year and the responsible architect:
- Maxi 650 (2017) – Architect: David Raison
- Virgin Mojito 650 (Date unspecified) – Architect: David Raison
- Virgin Mojito 888 (Date unspecified) – Architect: David Raison
- Virgin Mojito 32 (Date unspecified) – Architect: David Raison
- Malango 888 (Date not specified) – Architect: Not specified
- Malango 999 (Date not specified) – Architect: Not specified
- Malango 1045 (Date not specified) – Architect: Not specified
- Mojito 1088 (Date not specified) – Architect: Not specified
These models illustrate the diversity and innovation of the shipyard, meeting the varied needs of boaters, whether they are fans of regattas or leisurely cruises.
In conclusion, IDB Marine has, in less than two decades, carved out a prime position in the French nautical sector, combining traditional know-how and modern innovations to offer quality sailboats to sea enthusiasts.