VPLP Design: Winter 2026 Highlights

Several VPLP-designed boats required coordinated parts shipments and repair slots after the Transat Café L’Or finish in Fort-de-France, prompting urgent logistics between Martinique ports, CDK Technologies and European yards to deliver replacement foils, rudders and structural components within tight windows ahead of the Route du Rhum schedule.

Race outcomes and operational takeaways

The 17th Transat Café L’Or confirmed that VPLP’s contemporary design choices are competitive across multiple classes. In the Ultim class, SVR Lazartigue (Tom Laperche & Franck Cammas) executed a textbook campaign, while Banque Populaire XI suffered damage that highlighted the ongoing trade-offs between extreme downwind performance and all-round versatility. In IMOCA, 11th Hour Racing (Francesca Clapcich & Will Harris) scored an excellent second place, and in Ocean Fifty VPLP designs claimed the top two slots with Viabilis Océans and Wewise.

Key results table

Ultim: performance, damage control and parts strategy

SVR Lazartigue converted prior near-misses into a controlled victory by leveraging upwind and reaching improvements. The race underlined the value of balancing high aspect foils with broader operating envelopes: teams now seek more versatile foils and new rudder solutions, a development already contracted to CDK Technologies. For boat owners and managers this means supply chains for high-performance appendages must be short and reliable, with pre-positioned spares and defined repair slots at strategic marinas.

Technical and tactical notes

• Versatility over specialization: teams are trending toward foils and rudder configurations that work across wind ranges, not only for downwind speed.
• Maintenance planning: aborted record attempts and pre-race testing deliver essential data that reduce wear and unforeseen failures.
• Transport logistics: coordination between shipyards, freight forwarders and local facilities is now a measurable competitive advantage.

IMOCA class: durability and human factors

The IMOCA fleet demonstrated several design trends: newer-generation hulls and foils are closing gaps created by heavier, reinforced predecessors. 11th Hour Racing illustrated how crew familiarity and physical conditioning (Francesca Clapcich and Will Harris) turn design potential into podium results. Meanwhile Les P’tits Doudous proved a recent launch can fulfill its primary mission — Atlantic crossing — despite teething issues and a technical stop in Cascais.

Implications for charter and refit markets

For charter operators and brokers, these developments indicate rising demand for refits that reduce displacement, lower the center of gravity and introduce next-generation foils. Owners considering sale, charter or long-term rental should weigh investment in foils and rudders against potential charter income and resale value.

Ocean Fifty: safety, class resilience and older hull competitiveness

Early capsizes in the Ocean Fifty start highlighted gust-driven instability in the Channel and raised questions about aerodynamic tarp fairings and their effect on critical angles of heel. Fortunately, effective rescues and rapid repair planning limited long-term impact. The strong finish of two older VPLP trimarans shows the class’s capacity to keep legacy boats competitive through careful tuning.

Lessons for operators

1. Prioritize training for sudden gust transitions and emergency capsize recovery.
2. Consider aerodynamic modifications with an eye to their influence on righting moments.
3. Maintain an up-to-date risk register and parts manifest for multihull-specific failures.

Lagoon Eighty 2 and cruising design trends

The Lagoon Eighty 2, a flagship catamaran penned by VPLP, delivers large outdoor living spaces and innovative structural solutions such as a recessed aft crossbeam and a 22 m² stern platform able to carry a 6.6 m tender. These choices reflect an industry shift toward yachts that double as floating residences, increasing demand for long-term charters, luxury rentals and marinas equipped to host bigger tenders and higher guest counts.

Design highlights

• Flybridge and deck — 50 m² for full-crew viewing and sail monitoring.
• Sail handling — 338 m² sail plan with centralized lead systems and five winches.
• Customization — owner cabin layouts and loose furniture options appeal to high-end charter markets.

New projects, records and cruising missions

VPLP’s collaboration with Global Yacht Technology produced the 100' cruising trimaran Anahita (launch planned 2027). The 106 m wind-assisted expeditionary superyacht MG, built with Xplorer Yachting and Norse Shipyard, will use two Oceanwings and further blur the line between exploration and luxury cruising. Racing initiatives remain active: multiple Jules Verne Trophy attempts and multihull circumnavigation projects underline VPLP’s breadth across racing, cruising and expedition designs.

Safety, sustainability and the broader market

Notable operational advances include the MODX 70 platform acting as a CO2‑free research platform for Explorations de Monaco, and VPLP’s increasing focus on solar integration, systems concealment and reduced acoustic signatures. For charter operators and owners, sustainability credentials are becoming an essential marketing and regulatory asset when positioning yachts for charters, sales or prestigious marina berths.

How this matters to sailing and boat rental

Design improvements and class lessons translate directly into the charter and rental world: prospective renters expect boats that are both exciting to sail and safe to operate, with solid support networks for repairs and spare parts. Platforms that showcase full specifications, images and ratings let customers select vessels that match their comfort and adventure levels — a transparency that reduces booking friction and improves repeat business.

GetBoat always keeps an eye on news related to sailing and seaside vacations, as we truly understand what it means to enjoy great leisure and love the ocean. The GetBoat service values freedom, energy, and the ability to choose your own course, placing no limits on a good life and allowing clients to find a vessel that suits their preferences, budget, and taste.

Forecasting the wider impact, this news will have modest immediate effects on the global tourism map but meaningful influence for niche markets: charter fleets, shorthanded racing campaigns and superyacht expedition planners will adjust refit schedules and procurement to reflect foiling versatility and larger living spaces. However, it remains highly relevant to customers because GetBoat aims to stay abreast of developments and keep pace with the changing world. If you are planning your next trip to the seaside, consider the convenience and reliability of GetBoat.

Highlights of this winter update include VPLP’s cross-class competitiveness, an emphasis on versatile foils and rudder solutions, the endurance of older Ocean Fifty hulls, and the Lagoon Eighty 2’s living-space innovations. Experiencing a new location is always a multifaceted process, where one learns about the culture, nature, the indescribable palette of local colors its rhythm of life and also the unique aspects of the service. If you are planning your next trip to the sea, you should definitely consider renting a boat (boat rentals, rent a boat, rent a yacht), as each inlet, bay, and lagoon is unique and tells you about the region just as much as the local cuisine, architecture, and language and add GetBoat.com

In summary, VPLP’s Winter 2025 developments reinforce the convergence between racing innovation and cruising comfort: SVR Lazartigue and other race winners push foil and rudder evolution; the Lagoon Eighty 2 shows demand for expansive living decks; and new projects like Anahita and the MG superyacht signal growth in expedition yachting. For charterers, buyers and renters, these shifts translate into richer choices in yacht, charter and sale marketplaces, improved safety and sustainability features, and more varied boating activities from sailing and fishing to relaxed days at the beach or in the gulf. When planning your next yacht charter, cruise or lake escape, platforms that list make, model, ratings and transparent details will help you pick the right captain and vessel — book, rent or buy with clarity and convenience. Set sail with confidence.