The first IMOCA designed by VPLP and Verdier together
Safran is an IMOCA 60 launched on August 6, 2007, first design signed by VPLP and Guillaume Verdier; Marc Guillemot approached both naval architecture firms in late 2005. The industrial group Safran approved the project in December 2005. Construction began in September 2006 at Larros shipyard in Gujan-Mestras (Arcachon Basin), managed by Thierry Eluère, selected from three finalists (CDK Technologies, JMV Industries, Multiplast) because it committed to building no other sailboat in parallel.
Architecture and technical specifications
The design features a sharp chine, fuller forward sections, and curved, lifting daggerboards. VPLP handled rigging and deck layout; Verdier oversaw hull, appendages, and structure.
- Length: 18.28 m (60 feet)
- Beam: 5.70 m
- Draft: 4.50 m
- Mast height: 29.50 m
- Displacement: 8 tonnes
- Sail area: 300 m² upwind, 650 m² downwind
- Construction: 22,000 hours, estimated cost €3M
Boat achievements under Marc Guillemot (2007–2014)
- Transat Jacques-Vabre 2007 — 2nd with Charles Caudrelier (17d 3h 31m)
- Transat B to B 2007 — 5th
- English Transat 2008 — 4th
- Vendée Globe 2008–2009 — 3rd (95d 3h 19m), after an 82-hour time compensation awarded by the jury for Marc Guillemot’s diversion to assist Yann Eliès in the Southern Ocean
- Transat Jacques-Vabre 2009 — winner with Charles Caudrelier (15d 19h 22m)
- IMOCA World Championship 2009 — title
- Tour of Spain 2010 — winner
- Route du Rhum 2010 — 3rd
- Vendée Globe 2012–2013 — retired, keel loss (see below)
- Transat Jacques-Vabre 2013 — 2nd
- Route du Rhum 2014 — 3rd IMOCA (13d 1h 59m), final race under Safran colors
Vendée Globe 2012: keel loss 55 nautical miles from the start
On November 10, 2012 at 17:45, about five hours after the start from Les Sables-d'Olonne, Safran lost its keel 55 nautical miles from port. Marc Guillemot returned to Les Sables-d'Olonne under his own power. An investigation by Verdier and the Safran Sailing Team attributed the failure to weld fatigue between the keel head and blade, exacerbated by repeated wave impacts.
The boat after Marc Guillemot
Safran (the industrial sponsor) ended its involvement in late 2014. The boat then raced under other colors for a decade at the highest level:
- Groupe Quéguiner – Leucémie Espoir (2015–2017) with Yann Eliès — 3rd Transat Jacques-Vabre 2015 with Charlie Dalin, 5th Vendée Globe 2016–2017 in 80d 3h 11m
- Generali then Monin (2017–2018) with Isabelle Joschke — retired from Route du Rhum 2018 due to dismasting
- MACSF (since 2019) with Isabelle Joschke, modified with foils and wing mast — 19th Vendée Globe 2024–2025
