Historic monohull sold for less than ?16,000
Priced at ?12,286, Christophe Auguin's former 60-foot Imoca Geodis finally sold for ?15,684 on May 19, 2025 in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. The yacht, renamed Oxigen by a former Hungarian owner, had been languishing in the Bassin du Commerce for over a decade. The sale was concluded after only five bids, including four in the last few hours, underlining the relative interest in this mythical boat.
A recovery procedure after eleven years of neglect
The yacht had ceased sailing since 2014. In 2021, the municipality initiated legal proceedings to take ownership of the vessel, accumulating over ?50,000 in unpaid port charges. This case of a "port sucker" raised a growing problem in French ports: that of ocean-going vessels left unused and unmaintained. The municipality's primary aim was to avoid the outright destruction of the boat.
A new life ahead, but at what price?
The identity of the buyer remains unknown for the moment, but she will now face a complete restoration. After several years of exposure to the elements without regular maintenance, the hull, rigging, appendages and on-board systems will require thorough checks.
This project is reminiscent of the two-time winner of the Vendée Globe, recently taken over by skipper Kieran Le Borgne. But while the Brest-based IMOCA has remained in its original configuration, the ex-Geodis has undergone structural modifications that do not correspond to the original character of the Finot-Conq plan.
If the refurbishment project is confirmed, this unit could once again become a sailing vessel, or even be given a second life in the world of associations or events.
A second life that's hard to organize
Retirement has always been a problem for these former glories of ocean racing. The former Geodis will have to endure a project devoid of any notion of profitability. To date, the winner of the 92 edition, won by Alain Gauthier, is for sale at ?110,000, while the Pingouin, a Lombard design launched for Catherine Chabaud and which took part in four Vendée Globe races, is available for ?95,000, ready to set sail again.
