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The Vendée-based shipyard is targeting a much more coastal and stationary use of yachts, based on the actual habits of sailors. This approach has just been recognized by the Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique, which awarded the project its "Innovative Project" label at its board meeting in April 2026.
A boat designed for mooring rather than cruising
The Loopia 290 project is based on an observation that is rarely taken into account in the design of pleasure craft. According to Sea Loop Marine, the majority of owners sail little and use their boats mainly as leisure platforms at anchor.
The catamaran designed by Marc Lombard Design Group adopts an architecture focused on stability at standstill and ease of movement on board. With a beam of 3.90 meters and a length of 9 meters, the boat emphasizes living space and ease of movement.
This orientation has a direct influence on the hull and the desired performance. The Loopia 290 is equipped with two 40 kW electric motors and a 92 kWh battery pack. Sea Loop Marine has announced a range of around 60 miles at 6 knots, and a top speed close to 17 knots. The technical positioning is aimed more at coastal sailing, inland waters, day-anchoring or professional tourist use than long-distance crossings.
Accessibility becomes a design criterion from the outset
One of the most striking aspects of the project concerns accessibility. Unlike many retrofitted boats, the Loopia 290 was designed from the outset to accommodate people with reduced mobility.
A flat deck with no steps, wide walkways and level access from the pontoon are the central elements of this approach. Sea Loop Marine worked with APF France Handicap to integrate these constraints right from the development phase.
This design profoundly alters the boat's architecture. On many pleasure craft, differences in level, narrow gangways and steep descents make moving around complicated, even for an able-bodied crew.
Accessibility is also of interest to certain professional users. Nautical bases, tourist facilities and boat tour operators are increasingly looking for units capable of accommodating a wide public, including the elderly and disabled. The Family version of the Loopia 290 can accommodate up to 20 people in category D.
Electric propulsion for limited coastal applications
The choice of all-electricity remains consistent with the boat's program. Most of Sea Loop Marine's outings are less than 10 miles. In this context, autonomy is less of a constraint than for ocean cruising. The shipyard is also banking on on-board energy production for comfort equipment, thanks to solar panels.
But the boat's business model will also depend on the development of port infrastructures. The need for fast recharging in marinas still varies widely from one sailing basin to another.
The weight of the battery pack, recharging times and battery replacement costs also remain important issues for future professional operators. For tourism and lakeside applications, however, silent operation and the absence of direct emissions are real operational advantages, especially in restricted areas or protected natural spaces.
Ecodesign becomes an industrial as well as an environmental argument
Sea Loop Marine also highlights the fact that production is highly localized around Les Sables d'Olonne. The supply chain would be concentrated within a 30-kilometer radius of the shipyard. The Loopia 290 would incorporate around 70% recycled materials, and 80% of the boat would be recoverable at the end of its life. This approach responds to growing pressure on the marine industry to manage composites and recycle pleasure craft.
This is becoming a key issue for shipbuilders. Environmental regulations are making headway, and several ports are beginning to incorporate environmental criteria into their reception policies or calls for tender. This local industrialization also represents an economic challenge for the nautical Vendée. Sea Loop Marine has announced that it will be recruiting before the summer of 2026 to support the launch of production in Les Sables d'Olonne.
The Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique label also serves as an industrial gas pedal
Beyond the symbolic aspect, the "Innovative Project" label is above all a gateway to the Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique's support services. The shipyard will be able to present its project to public and private financiers, and gain access to the cluster's industrial and academic network. For a young nautical company, this step is often decisive in the transition from prototype to series production.
Sea Loop Marine plans to launch the prototype in late 2026, with a public presentation in spring 2027. Two units have already been reserved to plan. The shipyard is also announcing the arrival of a 25-foot model in 2027, followed by a 35-foot model in 2028. The stated objective is to produce 60 units by 2029.
