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A maritime heritage icon in need of renovation
L'Hydroptère, a true technological feat imagined by Éric Tabarly, has marked the history of sailing with its extraordinary performance. This trimaran has become a legend, breaking several speed records, including the symbolic 50-knot mark for the first time in 2009.
However, despite its successes, the boat was abandoned in 2015 in Hawaii, where it remained waiting for better days. It wasn't until 2019 that L'Hydroptère was saved from destruction and, after brief preparation, repatriated to Nantes in 2023. Now, a team of enthusiasts has taken over to give it a new lease of life, with the aim of flying it again by 2025.
An ambitious restoration project in Nantes
Based in Nantes, the restoration team's mission is to restore L'Hydroptère's unique character and speed potential. This project is not just about restoring a racing yacht: it's about preserving a jewel of France's technological heritage, while projecting it into the future.
The aim is not only to make the boat operational, but also to put it at the service of public interest, research and technological innovation. Through partnerships, it could serve as a floating laboratory for scientific experiments or sustainable development projects.
Call for solidarity: individuals and companies
In order to finalize the renovation and get L'Hydroptère back into service, the team needs to raise ?150,000. To achieve this, a call for national solidarity has been launched. Individuals can contribute via an online Leetchi kitty and, depending on their participation, benefit from the possibility of inscribing their name on the boat or even flying on board once L'Hydroptère is back in the water.
Contributions are free and here are the rewards that will be offered:
- 50 ? your name in the central shell
- 250 ? your name on the mast
- 500 ? invitation to a visit of the shipyard or the boat at the pontoon for 2 people + your name on the mast
- 800 ? a flight for 1 person aboard L'Hydroptère
- 1500 ? flight for 2 aboard L'Hydroptère
As for companies, they can become partners in this project by joining a dedicated club, offering them, in addition to visibility via their logo on the trimaran, the possibility of organizing events around the boat, or even having their staff fly aboard. This partnership also presents a unique opportunity to be associated with a project that combines history and innovation.
In need of equipment: a call to the world of ocean racing
To complete the restoration, the L'Hydroptère team is also appealing to the world of ocean racing. The trimaran needs specific equipment, in particular :
- 2 990 winches and 6 65 winches,
- Hydraulic system for mainsail and helm,
- Rotary pumps and a column system,
- Halyards, sheets and pulleys.
This technical equipment is essential to ensure the boat's performance and safety once back in the water. The contribution of sailing and racing professionals could speed up the refit process and ensure that L'Hydroptère returns to her full potential.
Preparing for the return of the flying trimaran in 2025
With a timetable set for spring 2025, the team is working hard to get L'Hydroptère flying again. More than a simple restoration, this project aims to pass on Éric Tabarly's maritime heritage to new generations, and to revive an avant-garde technological project.
