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Naval architecture agency since 1982
Marc Lombard started his activity as a naval architect in October 1981. After studying at the University of Southampton in the yacht design section, in October 1982, he started his own business as a naval architect. The design office was first specialized in multihull and monohull racing sailboats, and gradually diversified by designing for the mass production boat industry, for the super yacht field and more recently for the motor yacht field.
“Paradoxically, we started with sailboats and we still love sailboats, but we have diversified. Naval architecture, is ultimately the oldest profession in the world. You have to imagine that Neanderthal man had to build boats to cross rivers. Today, whether fishing, trade, the cruise, everything interests me. I am not sectarian. I like to learn new things and invest in new areas.”
Sailing passionate crewed in his Parisian youth, Marc Lombard trains atarchitecture navale at the Southampton Institute of Technology, from which he graduated in 1981. He sails in convoy with Mike Birch in 1978, after the latter won the Route du Rhum on his little yellow trimaran designed by the American architect Walter Greene. He offered him an end-of-study internship at his shipyard in the USA., where Marc Lombard will work in particular with Halvard Mabire and Jean-François De Prémorel. An incredible bargain and experience who will forge their know-how. Marc Lombard decides as soon as october 1982, at the age of 23 years, to create his naval architecture firm in La Rochelle to design offshore racing boats.
Hell plan, hydrofoil trimaran 12 m, then Grundig, catamaran of 13.50 m, et Lejaby Rasurel 2, catamaran of 60 feet will be his first creations. Marc Lombard also draws Ker Cadelac, trimaran foiler 70 feet ultra light very innovative for the time, who obtains many victories with its retractable foils. Impressed by the speed of Ker Cadelac during the tour of Europe in 85, Phillipe Jeantot entrusts the drawing of his 60 feet Crédit Agricole 2 for the first Vendée Globe to Marc Lombard, what will be his first IMOCA. Thereafter, Philippe Jeantot presents his boatyard to him, Jeantot Marine, now Privilège Marine. This is the start of a long collaboration with 13 models and developments developed with the agency during more than 30 years.
Eric Livet, then Lucien Wolher joined Marc Lombard's company. 1992 is the year of the meeting with the YES shipyard, Today RM Yachts. With this project begins a long collaboration : 13 models. The agency is proud to still be able to safeguard this process of epoxy plywood construction. In 1997, Catherine Chabaud entrusts us with the study of her IMOCA " The Penguin " (Whirlpool). His career will be exceptional : 7 Vendée Globe and Round-Alone, more than 20 deckchairs, the absolute record for the number of miles for an IMOCA ! This boat will inspire Jean Le Cam and Roland Jourdain, who will command his Sill with which he will make excellent results. In 2000, People's Bank 2 will be the 1is ORMA modern designed by the agency for Lalou Roucayrol, followed by People's Bank 3 which will be equipped with first curved and retractable foils.
In 2003, launch of Figaro Beneteau 2 which is a real success. 98 copies were produced, thanks to which the agency was able to integrate the site Jeanneau and sign his first successes in mass-market series. First with the Sun Odyssey 35 (+1200 boats built), then with the Beneteau Group for which the involvement extends : the new models Sun Odyssey et Oceanis, and today new multihull engine ranges. In between 2003 et 2008, the agency is expanding its skills with the integration of 3 new employees. Henry-Paul Schipman designs and constructs his prototype Mini 6.50 (3th in the Mini-Transat 2009). Paul Cougnaud develops the structure division, and Lionel Huetz strengthens the agency's expertise in hydrodynamics. In 2007, the agency starts a collaboration with the shipyard Nautitech Catamarans, with which 5 models will be developed until today.
From 2014, Nantes shipyard Black Pepper Yachts entrusts us with the design of 4 of its monohulls, THE Codes, neo-industrial style. This year also marks the agency's debut in Maxi Yachts, especially with the Long Island, sailboats and motorboats built in Concarneau by the shipyard JFA. It is in 2017 that the agency designs its first cruising trimaran, the NEEL 47. The collaboration with NEEL Trimarans still continues today through the development of the sailboat range from the Rochelais shipyard. Race side, the experience acquired over the years in Mini 6.50 is rewarded in 2015 by one victoire on the queen race (Frederic Denis on the 800). The prototype development continue with the 945 et 950, designed to be equipped with foils. In 2018 the agency signs its first victory in the Route du Rhum in Class 40, with a Lift v1 led by Yoann Richomme.
After the success of Lift v1, Aurélien Ducroz and his sponsor Crosscall turn to Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group to design their new boat : the Lift v2. This sailboat will experience rapid success and will be built in 9 copies, with the help of our partners V1D2, GL Composite, Gepeto and Lalou Multi. Yoann Richomme won the Route du Rhum for the second time on this boat in 2022. In 2019, the agency approaches the site Marsaudon Composite for which she is designing a high-performance catamaran, flagship of the yard : l'ORC 57. During this period, the agency continues its development and integrates 5 new employees. In April 2022, Marc Lombard retires and hands over his company to his 10 employees, who join together in SCOP (Production Cooperative Society).
Imbued with the know-how of its founder Marc Lombard, our team is now composed of 8 associated with various profiles (architects, engineers, modelers, designers). It is this mix of skills that allows us to work transversally on all of our projects.
“We like projects to pass through everyone's hands. Everyone brings their own idea to the projects.”
Our 40 years of experience and our multidisciplinarity push us to design ever more innovative projects, to meet the challenges of tomorrow, both in the world of racing and in that of yachting.
naval architect
Design and drafts
naval engineer
Race and hulls
naval architect
Composite et structure
Portraits © Caroline Pierre Photographer