Jeanneau,
a Story of Passion

Jeanneau's story by decade

1950

1957

In 1957, Henry Jeanneau, already passionate about aeroplanes and automobiles, had just discovered a brand new passion for powerboating, one that began as he watched a boat pass by his window. Soon afterward, in Les Herbiers, France, home to a rich heritage of artisan work, he began building a wooden hull with which he participated in the 6-hour Paris race, the largest national race at the time. He was first to cross the line, and this galvanized him. So, a past time became a trade.

1958

The shipyard built its first fibreglass hull. This new material, a petrochemicals product, created a technological breakthrough without precedent.
“In the beginning, we built three boats a week. It was very artisanal. We built everything from wooden preforms, from the keel to the ribs. It was necessary to demonstrate to customers that the fibreglass would perform as well as wood. The first model was called, “Sport polyester.” Then came the “Mirage” and the “Prélude.” Fibreglass became the material of choice, definitively.”
Robert Rigaudeau, Naval Architect, Design Department

1960

1963

First production-line powerboat, the Sea Bird

1964

The Jeanneau shipyard produced the first sailboats, with the Alizé, a true success.

1970

1970

This year marked the beginning of the “democratisation” of sailing, and boat production went up.
JThis same year, Jeanneau launched the fabulous Love Love and the Sangria. This last model was a huge success, securing Jeanneau’s position as a market leader in the design and construction of liveable sailboats. 3,000 boats were sold.

1976

JEANNEAU ENTERS A SINGLE-HANDED TRANSATLANTIC RACE WITH A MELODY helmed by Yves Olivaux. This significant event demonstrated, quite simply, that a production model boat could be sailed across the Atlantic, single-handed, just as Eric Tabarly had done.
LAUNCH OF THE FLIRT We place the flirt very high among 6-metre models. It appears solid, well made and very satisfactory in all aspects.”
Neptune Nautisme n° 158 – August-September ‘76

1980

1980

THE JEANNEAU SHIPYARD TAKES PART IN POWERBOAT RACING alongside the company, Transports Graveleau.
For several seasons, the Formule 1 Inshore or Formule 3000 (1984) catamarans, helmed by Michel Rousse, would dominate the competition with their more solid, Kevlar hulls.
LAUNCH OF A NEW POWERBOAT MODEL: THE CAP CAMARAT
The spirit of the Cap Camarat line was born with the Cap Camarat 575 . Called “the 4 x 4 of the seas,” its seafaring qualities were such that that it became legendary. Today, the Cap Camarat line has become an international reference in powerboats for sport and leisure.

1981

Jeanneau won the first 3 places in the Nyamey-Bamako Rally, a test of endurance covering 2,000 km. Specially constructed of Kevlar, the Cap Camarat Niger 510 was the big winner of this African adventure, with Gérard D’Aboville. This same year, the Club Med chose Jeanneau to resupply its fleet of powerboats for water skiing.

1982

JEANNEAU BECOMES EXCLUSIVE SUPPLIER FOR THE SAILING TOUR DE FRANCE
Between 1982 and 1998, Jeanneau was the exclusive supplier for the Sailing “Tour de France”, with 3 generations of sailboats: Rush Royale was replaced in 1984 by the Selection .
CREATION OF JTA (JEANNEAU TECHNIQUES AVANCÉES) Constituted by men and women passionate about competitive sailing and high-tech construction, this workshop developed some 50 prototypes, all high-tech race boats: Formula 40s, maxi-multihulls, 60-foot trimarans, One Tonners, as well as boats for The America’s Cup, The Globe Challenger, etc.

1983

Launched in 1983, the Sun Kiss quickly becomes a reference among large cruising sailboats.

1984

Construction of the “Fleury Michon 7,” the largest catamaran ever built at that time, was a product of the beautiful relationship between Fleury Michon, Jeanneau and great skippers, such as Philippe Poupon. The Fleury Michon 8, 9, 10 et 11 would win numerous titles, including the Route du Rhum (single-handed transatlantic race) in 1986 and the transatlantic sailing record in 1987.

1985

The 1st Lagoon catamaran

1987

Jeanneau cements its international leadership in the world of powerboat racing, beating world records for speed with a production model engine (170.21 Km/h) and for endurance over 24 hours. Jeanneau accumulated victories in the 24-hour race of Rouen four times, in the 6-hour race of Paris, as well as in Great Britain and in Singapore.

1989

Birth of the 1st PRESTIGE designed by Garroni Design. She immediately won hearts with her contemporary style and exceptional seaworthy qualities. This launch signalled Jeanneau’s arrival on the market of luxury motor yachts. Today, over 2500 PRESTIGE motor yachts cruise the seven seas.

1990

1990

Aboard her “Groupe Pierre 1er” trimaran, Florence Arthaud completed an incredible race and was first to finish, ahead of Fleury Michon and RMO. It was a triple win for Jeanneau, who built all three boats on the podium.

1991

The Jeanneau One design (JOD) replaced the Sélection as the official boat of the Sailing Tour de France.

1995

JEANNEAU IN CINEMA
Two replicas of “Pierre 1er” were produced to meet the enormous production needs of the American film, “Waterworld,” with Kevin Costner.
BIRTH OF THE SUN FAST LINE OF RACER-CRUISERS
The first Sun Fast made its debut with the production of the Sun Fast 52, a Jeanneau racer-cruiser sailboat designed by Philippe Briand in collaboration with Philippe Poupon.
Chantiers Jeanneau joins Bénéteau. This is also the year that Microcar (licence-exempt vehicles) and Lagoon (catamarans) join the group.

1996

Creation of Jeanneau America in the United States.

2000

2000

With the Sun Odyssey line, the 2000s would see dynamic growth in a line of sailboats featuring signature Jeanneau qualities : elegance, comfort, innovation and seaworthiness.

2005

Our site dedicated to the construction of large Jeanneau models is expanded. Jeanneau would now have the world’s largest shipyard for the construction of production-model boats, extending over 40 hectares.

2008

Jeanneau launched the Sun Fast 3200, designed by Daniel Andrieu, which went on to be named “European Yacht of the Year.”

2010

2011

Creation of the Asia Pacific Jeanneau subsidiary in Hong-Kong.

2013

JEANNEAU ANNOUNCES THE 18TH SUN FAST MODEL with the new Sun Fast 3600. Without a doubt, this new sailboat is a fine addition to an impressive family line!
DONGFENG RACE TEAM, FOR WHOM JEANNEAU IS THE OFFICIAL SUPPLIER, represents China in the Volvo Ocean Race.

2014

JEANNEAU OFFERS THE FIRST PRODUCTION YACHT OVER 60 FEET: THE JEANNEAU 64 ! It is an audacious move made possible by the experience and capabilities of the Jeanneau team, and one that has been very well received by customers. Customer loyalty continues to be an essential source of our motivation, enthusiasm and confidence, and has been since 1957.

2015

JEANNEAU, LEADING THE RACE The Sun Fast line dominates the podium in 3 out of 4 divisions, and 10 are among the top 12. Such beautiful results for this line that combines speed, performance and technology!

2016

Jeanneau has become a key player in the market of inboard powerboats. We are continually renewing our product offer and creating new product lines that immediately find their audience: the Leader, Velasco and NC lines each offer their share of innovation.

2017

BUILT IN THE USA Jeanneau begins production of the NC 895 in Cadillac, Michigan.

2017

60 YEARS OF BOAT BUILDING Jeanneau hits a major milestone in 2017, celebrating 60 Years of boat building!

2018

WALK-AROUND SERIES Jeanneau introduces a new concept for cruising sailboats -- the walk-around decks. Starting with the launch of the Sun Odyssey 440 followed by the Sun Odyssey 490 and 410, these sailboats have won international awards all around the world.

2019

SUN FAST 3300 ARRIVES The newest addition to the extremely successful Sun Fast line, the 3300 is the brain child of Guillaume Verdier and Daniel Andrieu, whose collaboration guarantees high performance and success under a variety of rating rules.