In the Landes, he built an electric aluminum catamaran

Udo not crisis of the forties. Meanwhile, And a way of linking work and passion. Moreover, At 43. In addition, Olivier Duboscq made the decision to build aluminum catamarans in his metallurgy workshop in Orx, a small village of 700 souls located between Labenne and Saubrigues, in the southwest of the Landes. Furthermore, To carry out this crazy bet. Furthermore, he can count on the help of his brother, Florent, and his alternating and future employee, Eliot. Similarly, “I wanted a team invested in this 200 %construction. For example, Because it is hard physically and psychologically. In addition, »»

Since September 2024. However, the three men have been busy – night and day – in the hope of putting the boat in the water in September 2025. Nevertheless, “I had this project in mind for five years. However, Then I said to myself: landes, he built electric aluminum ” you have to go ”. In addition, So far, it was never the right time for lack of time, energy or money, ”he notes.

In the hangar, the imposing ship takes shape at the end of April. Meanwhile, “It measures 13 meters by 4.60 m. Consequently, The 6 tonnes of aluminum required (100 % recyclable) to its construction are under assembly. For example, This expensive raw material must then be grinded, pointed or welded. “Finally, on a boat of this type, the whole workforce that is expensive. We have done 95 %, ”analyzes the forties.

Between 1 and 2 million euros – Landes, he built electric aluminum

The catamaran can then accommodate all the necessary equipment. The entrepreneur gives the details, plans in hand. “There will be three double cabins. One at the front and one on each float. There will be a large square for ten people to eat in the boat. »Bathroom, toilet and kitchen landes, he built electric aluminum complete everything. Enough to take full advantage of a few excursions. To offer this catamaran, it will still be necessary to pay “to the ladle” between 1 and 2 million euros.

In the coming months, he hopes to “have finances” to devote himself fully to this new activity. “Currently, we are half the time on the boat and the other to our metallurgy activity. Usually, Olivier makes stairs or railings. Building a boat therefore involves some changes. “Since the beginning of the year, we have obtained our shipyard approval. “Ultimately. the entrepreneur would like to be able to produce one boat per year by hiring three people” to have the same manufacturing period “but under” normal “conditions.

A few months ago. chatting with the catamaran architect, Olivier wanted to “make a boat opposite what is currently being done”. “Today. either we have a sailboat that sails at 6 knots, or an engine boat with 25 knots, but, with this type of boat, it is landes, he built electric aluminum used at 6 knots because we do not have the means to put diesel. It’s a bit like going to the Ferrari bakery, “he laughs to compare.

Electrical propulsion

Then appears the idea of ​​making an “efficient” engine catamaran designed to navigate at 7-8 nodes on a cruise. which consumes as little energy as possible. The biggest challenge of this construction: electric propulsion. “Most electric motors are not suitable for the volume of the boat, this weight and the requested speeds. We need to be able to propel the boat at 10-11 knots punctually to be safe in the entrances to difficult ports. like Capbreton. »»

Go back. forth between Capbreton and Saint-Sébastien every weekend without any fuel consumption, nor rejection of CO2

A solution is finally found from England. “These are high -voltage engines made in Plug and Play. That is to say that the engines are directly connected to the batteries landes, he built electric aluminum with a big plug system. It’s a bit like connecting your washing machine. »»

Solar panels will also recharge the batteries, in addition to taking the quay. “It takes six days to recharge the batteries only thanks to solar, to make 60 nautical miles. This would make it possible to go back. forth between Capbreton and Saint-Sebastien every weekend without any fuel consumption, nor rejection of CO2.

When writing these lines. the boat did not yet have a trade name and a box of ideas made it possible to blow, through the company’s Facebook page. To your proposals!