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In July 2025, at the Regatta Center in Medemblik (Netherlands), the F16 World Championship was won by a French catamaran built by Befoil. Carried by an experienced duo, Emmanuel Le Chapelier and Éric Le Bouëdec, the Befoil F16 Carbon beat off an international fleet. A victory, achieved in technically demanding conditions, to be commended.
A racing boat designed for competition
The Befoil F16 Carbon features a full-carbon architecture optimized for consistency and performance upwind and downwind. With a length of 5 m and a beam of 2.50 m, this catamaran features an 8.5 m carbon mast and a rigorous 125 kg weight allowance. The hulls, daggerboards and rudders are made of carbon laminate. Its sail area reaches 17.2 m2 upwind, and 34.7 m2 downwind with the spinnaker.
This unit relies on lightness and responsiveness to prove formidable in transitional phases. In a variety of conditions, the French duo took advantage of the weight distribution and finesse of the appendages to dominate a tough fleet.
A rigorous and adapted race strategy
With six victories from eleven races, the Emmanuel Le Chapelier - Éric Le Bouëdec tandem demonstrated consistent tactical mastery. Their ability to read the race course and react to shifts in the wind enabled them to hold off the onslaught of other crews, notably the title-holders Australia.
This success is due not only to the boat's sheer speed, but also to precise management of the fleet, trajectories and race pace. This consistency underlines the importance of upstream preparation work and perfect harmony on board.
High-tech manufacturing
Built in France, the Befoil F16 Carbon uses composite know-how adapted to sport sailing. Based in Lorient, France, Befoil designs its models using full-carbon vacuum lamination. The aim is to achieve maximum rigidity while controlling weight and ensuring the durability of the parts under stress.
The daggerboards and rudders, cut to reduce turbulence and improve glide, are CNC profiled and then hand-finished. The extruded, pre-stressed carbon mast helps hold the sail plan in place during extreme sailing.
The profile of an experienced crew
Emmanuel Le Chapelier and Éric Le Bouëdec are no strangers to the multihull scene. Together, they have won several world and European titles, notably in SL16, Viper and F16. This experience has enabled them to precisely calibrate the Befoil 16 and adapt it to their sailing style. Their track record illustrates their consistency at the highest level, with a methodical approach to major events.
Towards a competitive series
The French manufacturer announces the launch of a limited "World Champion" series of its Befoil F16. Several configurations are available, from a full-carbon model to glass/carbon laminate versions, with prices starting at 22,500 euros ex VAT.
