The Edel shipyard has left its mark on the history of French yachting through its innovations and models that have influenced several generations. Founded in the 1950s, Maurice Edel’s shipyard successfully adapted to market changes and the expectations of boaters for two decades.
The Edel construction project was born.
In the 1950s, French recreational boating underwent a revolution, driven by a middle class seeking nautical leisure activities and new construction methods thanks to composite materials. It is in this context that Maurice and Pierre Edel, twin brothers with a passion for sailing, founded the Edel shipyard in 1956 in Décines, near Lyon, close to the Grand Large lake.
Their ambition: to make sailing accessible by offering habitable sailboats made of polyester, an innovative material for the time. Their Grand Large would be the first French plastic boat. Later, the Edel 2, launched in 1966, would embody this philosophy by offering an unsinkable and affordable coastal cruiser, with over 2,100 units produced until 1982.
Key moments in the history of the construction site
The history of the Edel shipyard is marked by successes and challengesIn January 1976, the Meyzieu factory was ravaged by a fire, jeopardizing the booming production. Despite this setback, the shipyard rebounded by diversifying its product range and by partnering with architect Sylvestre Langevin in the early 1980s to develop popular catamaranssuch as the Edel Cat 26, launched in 1984, which met with immediate success.
However, financial difficulties led to liquidation in 1995. The name and assets were taken over, but the new company, Edel Catamaran, ceased operations permanently in 2005.
The construction site today
Since Edel Catamaran ceased operations in 2005, the shipyard has been inactive.However, Edel sailboats continue to sail and enjoy a solid reputation on the second-hand market.
Their robust design and accessibility make them popular choices for boaters, especially for coastal cruising. Communities of enthusiasts, such as the Edelvoilier.org website, perpetuate the shipyard’s legacy by sharing resources and experiences about these iconic boats.
The most popular models from the Edel shipyard
Here is a selection of iconic models from the Edel shipyard:
- Large wide: the first French composite sailboat.
- Edel 2 (1966) – Architect: Maurice EdelAn unsinkable coastal cruiser, produced in more than 2,100 units until 1982.
- Edel 660: Architect: Maurice Edel. A successful and very innovative sailboat for its time.
- Edel 4 (1971) – Architect: Maurice EdelA 7-meter family sailboat, appreciated for its versatility and ease of sailing.
- Edel 5
- Edel Cat 26 (1984) – Architect: Sylvestre Langevin
- Edel Cat 33 (1985) – Architect: Sylvestre LangevinAn innovative cruising catamaran, offering high performance and a unique design with separate volumes.
- Edel Cat 42 (1991) – Architect: Maurice EdelA large catamaran voted “Boat of the Year 1991”, appreciated for its comfort and its capabilities on the high seas.
These models bear witness to the innovation and passion that have driven the Edel shipyard throughout its history.