50 years of passion for blue water cruising yachts
A story of daring and passion
In 1974, two metalmaker brothers, Jean-Pierre and Jean-Louis Garcia, as passionate as they were talented, had the audacity to create a shipyard in the heart of Normandy. Fifty years later, the sincerity of their approach, the rigor of their work, their attentiveness to their customers and the excellence of the more than four hundred blue water cruising boats that have left their workshops, have made Garcia a name, a benchmark, known the world over.
Starting out with steel
In 1974, two brothers, Jean-Pierre and Jean-Louis Garcia, talented metalmakers, founded a shipyard in Normandy. Fascinated by sailing and inspired by famous navigators such as Bernard Moitessier and Joshua Slocum, they built some sixty steel boats, marking the start of their reputation on ocean cruising routes.
"We started out in a small Workshop with rudimentary tools, but our passion for the sea and our determination were boundless." - Jean-Pierre Garcia
The advent of Aluminium
The Garcia brothers soon began experimenting with aluminium, a more efficient material. Their meeting with naval architect Philippe Harlé gave birth to a series of iconic yachts, including the Maracuja, Volnay and Malibu.
Construction of 36.15 met by jean-luc van den heede
A fruitful collaboration with Jean-Luc Van den Heede in 1984 led to the creation of the 36.15 MET, a minimalist 60-foot sailing yacht that took 3rd place in the first Vendée Globe. Following this boat, Alain Mortain and Yannis Mavrikios, collaborators and associates of Philippe Harlé, continued the dinghy series with the now legendary Passoa range from 43 to 55 feet and the Nouanni.
iconic models
from 1990-2000
In the 1990s, the Garcia brothers continued their fruitful collaboration with the Harlé firm, joined by Alain Mortain and Yannis Mavrikios, first associates and then partners. They accompanied the development of blue water cruising with iconic models that have inspired generations and still travel the globe today. Shaped aluminium hull, centreboarder, panoramic roof - the Garcia fundamentals were already in place.
Maracuja
Nouanni
Passoa
The one-off years
In the 2000s, recognised for the exceptional quality of their carpentry and metalwork, the Garcia brothers were called upon to build ever larger and more sophisticated one-off sailboats. The small Normandy Workshop produced Levana, a 75-footer based on a Joubert-Nivelt design by Franck Darnet, and Poil de Carotte, a 110-footer based on a Vaton design!
In 2006, Zurbagan, a 90-footer designed by Vaton and Couedel, won the international "Super Yacht Design Award Best Sail" in its category (23 to 36 metres) in Fort Lauderdale.
Garcia joins the Grand Large Yachting group
In 2010, the shipyard opened a new chapter by joining the Grand Large Yachting group, which at the time brought together the Allures - founded by the group's founders - and Outremer shipyards. Naturally, Garcia Yachts joined these emblematic blue water cruising brands. This strategic alliance enables Garcia Yachts to benefit from the group's pooled resources and distribution network.
Launch of the Exploration range with Jimmy Cornell
In 2011, Jimmy Cornell, the famous English explorer of Romanian origin, was looking for the ideal boat to undertake the famous Northwest Passage. He approached Garcia, seduced by the shipyard's expertise. Together, and alongside renowned French architect Olivier Racoupeau, they designed the Exploration 45. A radical concept of aluminium monohull centreboarder, with panoramic roof, deck saloon, thermal insulation, double glazing, watertight door... This first model designed under the Grand Large Yachting era was a huge success.
A few years later, the Exploration concept was extended to 16 m, with the launch of the Exploration 52. With its extra volume and Double cabin, it's the ideal boat for a couple with children or two couples.
Jimmy Cornell completes the Northwest Passage aboard Aventura IV
After a first attempt from east to west in 2014, aborted due to the closure of the passage, Jimmy tries again in 2015, this time from west to east. And this time, it's the right one! By crossing the Bellot Strait, he succeeds in his wager. Mission accomplished for Jimmy and the Exploration 45, designed precisely to meet this extraordinary challenge!
Jimmy Cornell'sExploration 45 #1 in the ice
The crew at Fort Ross
Jimmy Cornell at the helm of Aventura IV
Pete Goss boards his Exploration 45
Another famous English sailor approaches the yard! After the Vendée Globe, the Route du Rhum and other exploits, Pete acquired an Exploration 45 to sail the Atlantic with his wife. Convinced by the concept, he became one of the brand's best ambassadors. It's a collaboration that continues to this day, with Pete sharing his incredible experience with the shipyard at proprietary events and during the development of new models.
" To sail on a Garcia is to venture out with confidence, knowing that every detail has been designed for safety and pleasure of travel." - Pete Goss
Launch of the first exploration catamaran
With the multihull market growing, Garcia dares to launch the first exploration catamaran! A two-hull version of the Exploration concept, it offers a new way of exploring the world. The Explocat adds the qualities of aluminium to the surface area and living space offered by two hulls: structural rigidity and material safety.
Garcia brings the Exploration concept to 60-footers
Drawing on its heritage of one-offs, Garcia extends its Exploration concept to a 60-foot yacht. With its volume, interior design, ambience and choice of materials, the Exploration 60 pushes Garcia's usual standards of comfort to the level of yacht refinement.
Three more Garcia Exploration 45 make the Northwest Passage
Nearly 10 years after Jimmy Cornell and the Garcia Exploration 45 No. 1, 3 Exploration 45 made the famous passage that same summer.
The story continues
Nearly 60 Exploration 45 have been produced, and the range has expanded to 52, 60 and 52-foot catamarans. Our owners continue to travel the world, off the beaten track. Scotland, Antarctica, Guyana, Polynesia, Australia... The Garcias are all over the world.
In the French West Indies
In Antarctica
In Scotland
