Concarneau shipyard founded in March 1993 by Frédéric Jaouen and Frédéric Breuilly, specializing in custom aluminum (monohulls and catamarans, sail and power) and refits of large vessels. Label Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant since 2017. Around thirty new builds and about forty refits to date.
The Concarneau custom aluminum shipyard, from Kermor to the 50 m Explorer
A boutique-shipyard born from a 22 m sloop
Frédéric Jaouen and Frédéric Breuilly met at the Le Guen Hémidy Marine shipyard in Carentan in the 1980s. After the closure of the Normandy site, they founded JFA Yachts in Concarneau in March 1993, with Brigitte Jaouen handling administration and finance. The first unit built by the shipyard was the Kermor, a 22 m lightweight aluminum displacement sloop. JFA then moved on to superyacht refits (Amadeus 33 m Briand in 1995, Whither 30 m Vaton in 1995, Magistral 36 m schooner in 1999), before relocating in 2000 to a quay site equipped with a 2,000-tonne syncrolift.
Custom aluminum, monohulls and catamarans
The shipyard specializes in custom aluminum (monohulls and catamarans) for both sail and power, as well as refits. It delivered its first aluminum powerboat in 2003 (Axantha, 37 m), its first catamaran in 2004 (Sun Tenareze, 85'), a prize-winning escort vessel in 2007 (Bystander, 42 m — International Superyacht Society award), Axantha II in 2011, and launched the semi-custom Long Island catamaran range in 2014 with WindQuest (85'). A large catamaran construction hall was added in 2010, a hall for units up to 22 m in 2016, and a composite workshop in 2020. EPV (Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant) label obtained in March 2017.
Transfer in progress since 2022
Brigitte Jaouen and Frédéric Breuilly sold their shares in February 2022, initiating a gradual ownership transfer over 5 to 7 years. Three long-serving employees are progressively taking over the capital: Gaël Douguet (commercial director, joined in 1999), Vincent Balouin (technical director, joined in 2005), and Dominique Rouchon (interior design project manager, joined in 2008), with BFR Investissements (Eric Brulé) as the reference shareholder. Frédéric Jaouen remains president.
JFA Naval: professional vessel division
In 2024, JFA Yachts launched a dedicated division for professional vessels (aluminum or composite): JFA Naval. Three composite units under construction — including an 18.7 m beacon tender for the Iroise Sea lighthouses and a 13.7 m pilot boat for the port of Sète.
