Jack Setton

Sixty boats and still a new one to design

Jacky Setton — alias Jack — has owned more than 60 boats since the 1980s. Former French importer of the Pioneer brand, he made his fortune in consumer electronics before turning it into a long series of custom-built units, both sail and power.Legacy Award at the 2025 World Superyacht Awards in Venice, for his overall contribution to yachting.

Shipowner, not naval architect

Setton does not design his boats. He commissions them. His method: select a leading naval architect, impose a precise specification (often counterintuitive), and have each built as a single unit. He has worked with André Mauric, Martin Francis, Mani Frers, Paolo Bua, Judel/Vrolijk. Always custom-built, never production.

A signature: the carbon daysailer

In sailboats, Setton pushed a consistent line of carbon daysailers built by Multiplast in Vannes:Ciao Gianni (Setton 60, Frers, 2009), Paja (8.99 m, Bua, 2020), Jaro (JV60, Judel/Vrolijk, 2023). Boats designed to be sailed single-handed, without a deck crew, on day trips.

JARIC and the Skysat system

For powerboats, Setton commissioned MAURIC to build the fast craft JARIC — 18 m carbon, three Mercury Verado 600 hp, 43 knots. Skysat supplies the battery system that enables silent operation at anchor: air conditioning, electronics, hotel services without starting the generator.

Achievements

• Pioneer (1980s) — 24.9 m aluminum sloop, André Mauric, derived from Kriter VIII, two 200 hp outboards
• Senses (1999) — 57 m exploration yacht, Martin Francis × Schweers yard
• Pink Shrimp (2000) — 32 m shrimp trawler (Jemison Marine, Alabama) converted to cruising
• Ciao Gianni (2009) — Setton 60, carbon daysailer for single-handed sailing, Mani Frers × Multiplast
• Paja (2020) — 8.99 m daysailer, Paolo Bua × Multiplast
• Jaro (2023) — JV60 carbon daysailer 18.3 m, Judel/Vrolijk × Multiplast
• JARIC — 18 m fast craft, MAURIC × Multiplast, triple Mercury Verado 600 hp (43 knots), Skysat batteries
• Legacy Award — World Superyacht Awards 2025, Venice