That year, Marc Van Peteghem and Vincent Lauriot Prévost, who met on the benches of the Southampton School of Naval Architecture, created VPLP.
Their first plan is a 50-foot foiler, designed for Vincent Lévy and christened Gérard Lambert, in homage to the hero of Renaud’s song. He came 11th in his first race, La Baule-Dakar.
Nearly four decades later, VPLP design has more than thirty employees based in Paris, Nantes and Vannes.
An internationally renowned team of naval architects, engineers and designers, we work on sail and powerboat projects all over the world.
The business is divided into three areas: racing, yachting (series and superyachting) and marine.
Gérard Lambert, first boat designed by VPLP design, in 1983 © Vincent Levy
1987VPLP launches its first Lagoon catamarans with two 55-foot, 14-ton sisterships, built by Jean-François de Prémorel and Jeanneau Techniques Avancées Today, more than 6 000 Lagoon that have been built.
© Lagoon / Beneteau
1997 First victory in the Jules Verne Trophy with Sport Elec: this 23-meter trimaran, built at CDK for Olivier de Kersauson, has had a busy life, including the fastest round-the-world time with Francis Joyon in 2004.
© Christian Fevrier
2011 Launch of Hemisphere, the world’s largest sailing catamaran. With six spacious and comfortable cabins for 12 passengers and a crew of 10, this 44.20-metre-long giant of the seas is powered by over 1,100 m2 of downwind canvas.
© Jeff Brown
2017 Aboard his Ultim Macif, designed by VPLP design, François Gabart set a new round-the-world record in 42 days 16 hours 40 minutes and 35 seconds. Begun in 2011, the collaboration with one of the greatest sailors of his generation continues today with SVR Lazartigue, his new trimaran launched in July 2021.
© Yvan Zedda
1990 First victory in the Route du Rhum with Florence Arthaud on Groupe Pierre 1er,the fruit of the Formula 40 saga: one wing-mast, three hulls with a maximum length of 18.28 m, three rudders and an unforgettable sunset crossing.
© Thierry Martinez
2010 USA 17the 90-foot trimaran of the American challenge BMW Oraclewins the 33rd America’s Cup: for VPLP, as chief designer, this has been the most fruitful and intense investment the firm has seen to date. Much of the agency’s innovation in foils and rigid wings stems from this experience.
© Gilles Martin-Raget
2013 First Vendée Globe victory for François Gabart on the Imoca Macif. Like many others, this 60-footer, designed with Guillaume Verdier, has had a very successful career with two consecutive victories in the Route du Rum.
© Quentin Lucet/VPLP Design
2019 Launch of the maritime hub and signature of the 121-meter rigid-wing ro-ro Canopée, designed by VPLP design to transport Ariane rocket components between mainland France and French Guiana. A major step in the agency’s development.
© Realnum/VPLP Design – Zéphyr et Borée – Jifmar
1987VPLP launches its first Lagoon catamarans with two 55-foot, 14-ton sisterships, built by Jean-François de Prémorel and Jeanneau Techniques Avancées Today, more than 6 000 Lagoon that have been built.
© Lagoon / Beneteau
1990 First victory in the Route du Rhum with Florence Arthaud on Groupe Pierre 1er,the fruit of the Formula 40 saga: one wing-mast, three hulls with a maximum length of 18.28 m, three rudders and an unforgettable sunset crossing.
© Thierry Martinez
1997 First victory in the Jules Verne Trophy with Sport Elec: this 23-meter trimaran, built at CDK for Olivier de Kersauson, has had a busy life, including the fastest round-the-world time with Francis Joyon in 2004.
© Christian Fevrier
2010 USA 17the 90-foot trimaran of the American challenge BMW Oraclewins the 33rd America’s Cup: for VPLP, as chief designer, this has been the most fruitful and intense investment the firm has seen to date. Much of the agency’s innovation in foils and rigid wings stems from this experience.
© Gilles Martin-Raget
2011 Launch of Hemisphere, the world’s largest sailing catamaran. With six spacious and comfortable cabins for 12 passengers and a crew of 10, this 44.20-metre-long giant of the seas is powered by over 1,100 m2 of downwind canvas.
© Jeff Brown
2013 First Vendée Globe victory for François Gabart on the Imoca Macif. Like many others, this 60-footer, designed with Guillaume Verdier, has had a very successful career with two consecutive victories in the Route du Rum.
© Quentin Lucet/VPLP Design
2017 Aboard his Ultim Macif, designed by VPLP design, François Gabart set a new round-the-world record in 42 days 16 hours 40 minutes and 35 seconds. Begun in 2011, the collaboration with one of the greatest sailors of his generation continues today with SVR Lazartigue, his new trimaran launched in July 2021.
© Yvan Zedda
2019 Launch of the maritime hub and signature of the 121-meter rigid-wing ro-ro Canopée, designed by VPLP design to transport Ariane rocket components between mainland France and French Guiana. A major step in the agency’s development.
© Realnum/VPLP Design – Zéphyr et Borée – Jifmar
At VPLP Design we believe in the value of confronting different points of view. We are convinced that an effective design can only be achieved by putting together different skill sets.
The men and women at the firm, whether they be architects, engineers, designers or modellers, work cross-functionally on all the various projects managed by the Racing, Yachting and Maritime Divisions.
This valuable resource, when combined with our experience, enables us to innovate continuously in the world of sailing and motor boats.
At VPLP Design we subscribe more than ever to Enzo Ferrari’s famous maxim: “The team has replaced the lone genius.”
