A production born from the oyster industry
Son of a sailor and marine carpenter, Guy Ocqueteau launched his shipyard in 1948 on the banks of the Ors channel, on the island of Oléron. At the beginning, the production was centered on Lasses, flat-bottomed boats of 6 meters in length, then 8 meters boats with inboard motorization. Far from any electrical network, the machines of the shipyard run on gasoline, so much so that the shipyard burns down entirely in 1952.
While overseeing the reconstruction of his shipyard, Guy Ocqueteau also operates an oyster farm and goes to sea daily.
Aware of the problems inherent to professional fishermen, Guy Ocqueteau has forged a reputation for building safe and comfortable boats, capable of operating in all conditions.
In 1962, the shipyard tried its hand at marketing the ZEF a small polyester sailboat of 4 meters. A visit to the Paris Boat Show in 1963 confirmed Guy Ocqueteau's decision to enter the growing yachting market and to focus his production on fiberglass hulls.
A turn towards series production for the yachting market
Guy Ocqueteau adapts his production tool while maintaining his production of wooden hulls. The following year, he exhibited at the Paris boat show the Sailor a small sailboat of 3.97 meters, which was ordered in a few days.
Ocqueteau would later launch a whole series of small outboard motor pleasure boats: Moussaillon, Novices, Sailor, Gabier, Hunier . Between 1969 and 1970, the yard moved and expanded to meet the growing production needs.
In 1971, Ocqueteau launched the Ostrea 850 the first motorboat designed for both professional and recreational sailors. Its huge rear cockpit and its marine qualities attract many fishermen.
The Boum, the best-seller of the Oleron shipyard
At the beginning of 1970, Guy Ocqueteau designed a small, simple, light motorboat with a semi-planing hull with a sharp chine. Named Boom and available in three lengths, it was an immediate commercial success. Manufactured in 4,500 units, the Boum is still to this day one of the most successful boats in the industry.
From the sailboat to the 1 er helmsman of fishing-boat
With the collaboration of the architect Gilles Gahinet, Guy Ocqueteau launched two models of sailing trimarans and several half-tonners. Helmed by Patrice, Guy's son, these boats won several titles in the multihull championship of the time.
In 1983, the shipyard launched its first fishing tugboat, the Eleanor 615 which is offered in both outboard and inboard versions. This model will be the first of a great line of helmsmen which will make the fame of the shipyard.
Some difficulties in a competitive market
Although Guy Ocqueteau was a renowned designer and sailor, the administrative management of the shipyard was not his forte. Poorly advised, he was forced to file for bankruptcy in 1982. The shipyard was taken over by Jeanneau, a company based in the Vendée region of France, which in turn experienced difficulties in the 1990s.
Ocqueteau became independent again in 1995, under the leadership of Jean-Pierre Melleir, former financial director of Jeanneau. The shipyard focuses on the production of boats dedicated to fishing, in particular helmsmen. Ocqueteau successively launched the helmsmen 645, 695, 705, 715, 735 and 745 which will be complemented by a range of Range Cruiser which benefits from slightly more comfort equipment.
A reference in infusion construction
In 2000, Ocqueteau specialized in the manufacture of infused fiberglass hulls using the IFH process. The shipyard in Oleron is then the only shipyard manufacturing motor yachts of less than 10 m with hulls made of vacuum infusion of fiberglass and balsa sandwich.
Infusion was at the time limited to racing yachts or aerospace, and this technique provides superior stiffness and lightness, and therefore better performance.
A range optimized for inshore fishing
After new financial worries, the company, the shipyard was integrated in 2020 to the company Pinball Boat, which manufactures an electric-hybrid catamaran. Ocqueteau has streamlined its range in order to refocus its offer.
The shipyard currently offers four models in its catalog, between 6 and 8m. Named Ostrea, they are available in outboard version. Only the Ostrea 700 is offered in an inboard diesel version.
Targeting a niche market, the ostrea range is in line with the history of the shipyard, offering reliable and seaworthy boats, designed for those who sail all year round.
