French Excellence in High-Performance Catamarans
Gunboat, based in La Grande-Motte (Occitanie) and a member of the Grand Large Yachting group, is a world-renowned shipyard for building high-performance cruising catamarans. Founded in South Carolina (USA) in the 2000s, the shipyard was acquired by the French group Grand Large Yachting in 2019 and repatriated to France in 2020, benefiting from the Mediterranean nautical ecosystem and French expertise in composite materials. Gunboat embodies the excellence of lightweight and rigid carbon construction, with a radical approach: to create the fastest cruising catamarans in the world, capable of sailing faster than the wind from 6 knots of breeze.
The shipyard masters all high-performance carbon manufacturing processes: autoclave pre-preg on Nomex honeycomb core, structural optimization through finite element analysis, integration of redundant safety systems (crash boxes, watertight compartments), and custom interiors built to aeronautical standards. Gunboat collaborates closely with leading naval architects (VPLP Design) and designers (Chedal Anglay Design) to realize unique projects combining oceanic performance, superyacht comfort, and refined contemporary aesthetics. The shipyard's order book remains full, testifying to the brand's international recognition.
Flagship Models
- Gunboat 80 Series : The fastest cruising catamaran of its size (Highland Fling XVIII and subsequent models)
- Gunboat 72 Series : Standard, Flybridge, and Explorer versions for long voyages
- Gunboat 68 (replaced by the 70) : Best-seller of the range, performance and liveability
- Gunboat 60 : Compact performance catamaran, circumnavigations with reduced crew
News and Outlook
Gunboat continues its development with ambitious projects: range expansion (Fusion 80, new models), integration of diesel-electric hybrid systems and 100% electric propulsion for certain models, aerodynamic optimization of superstructures, and experimentation with recycled composite materials. The shipyard is also investing in virtual reality for interior design, allowing owners to visualize and customize their future boat before construction. With a limited annual production to ensure impeccable build quality, Gunboat asserts itself as the undisputed leader in the high-performance cruising catamaran segment, attracting a demanding international clientele seeking a perfect balance between oceanic speed and superyacht comfort.
