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With Up to Sea, Gilles Wagner observes the real-life practices of yachtsmen. This feedback from the field is now feeding a new project: to design a boat specifically designed for a day trip program and the majority of yachting uses.
How did the new boat project come about?
Gilles Wagner the genesis of the company came directly from our experience with Up to Sea. When we set up the company, we observed the actual behavior of users. We realized that half of our customers spend around 80% of their time at anchor.
In the summer of 2025, we also noted that, on a majority of rentals, customers covered less than 10 miles in a day. This means that the boat is no longer just a navigation tool, but also a living space on the water.
Has this led you to completely rethink your approach to the boat?
Gilles Wagner: Yes. The idea was born on February 18, 2024, at the Miami boat show. We started thinking about a production boat in the 6 to 12-meter range, with totally rethought specifications.
The American pontoon boat is a source of inspiration, with its emphasis on living space. In Europe, however, these boats are often considered less than elegant and, above all, dedicated solely to inland navigation.
So we came up with a different approach: taking up the idea of a very user-friendly boat, but with cleaner materials, less energy-consuming propulsion and a real focus on inclusivity.
What does this notion of inclusivity mean in concrete terms?
Gilles Wagner: We want to create a boat that is accessible to all generations and all situations. This includes children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with reduced mobility. In the 9-meter range, there are very few boats that are truly accessible to PRMs. We want to fill this gap. The aim is also to offer a very stable, easy-to-use boat capable of accommodating up to 20 people in category D.
What are the main technical features?
Gilles Wagner: Propulsion will be provided by an outboard electric motor. The idea is to provide silent navigation, suitable for coastal or harbor use. Solar panels will power the comfort equipment on board. They will not be used to propel the boat, but to cover the energy needs of life on board.
Is the environmental aspect also part of the project?
Gilles Wagner: Yes, clearly. Around 55% of the boat will be made from recycled materials, and almost 70% of the components will be recyclable. We also want to give priority to short circuits. Assembly will take place in Vendée, with a maximum of local suppliers. Engines and batteries will continue to be the main components sourced from outside the region.
Why produce this boat in Vendée?
Gilles Wagner: Because the Vendée is a very strong region in the nautical sector. There's a real ecosystem of companies, subcontractors and skills. This makes it possible to imagine an industrial project in a short circuit and to maintain territorial coherence.
Who is this future boat for?
Gilles Wagner: We identify three main types of customer.
- The first are the daily rental companies. They are the ones who best observe changes in usage.
- The second is nautical centres or tourist facilities that want to offer an activity accessible to a wide public.
- And last but not least, private customers who want a very user-friendly boat, designed above all to enjoy the anchorage.
Where does the project stand today?
Gilles Wagner: Construction is due to start in early April. The aim is to develop the concept into an operational prototype by 2027. Today, we're in the design and industrialization phase. The idea is that the boat can then be mass-produced.
What is the objective behind this project?
Gilles Wagner: Today, 90% of yachtsmen use their boats for around 15 hours a year. If we want to democratize boating, we need to design boats that are simpler, more accessible and adapted to real-life use. This project was born out of that thinking. To design a boat designed to enjoy the sea in a different way.
When will the final project be unveiled?
Gilles Wagner: we'll be presenting the final plans for the boat on the first day of the Nice Boating Tomorow, the international sustainable boating show, which takes place from March 19 to 22, 2026.
