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 quickly began experimentingaluminium, a more high-performance material. Their meeting with naval architect Philippe Harlé led to the creation of a series of iconic sailboats such as the Maracuja, the Volnay, and the 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 as collaborators and then as partners. They thus accompanied the development of blue water cruising iconic models that have inspired generations and still sail the globe today. hull aluminium shaped, centerboarder, 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 began a new chapter by joining the Grand Large Yachting group, which at the time brought together the Allures shipyard—founded by the group's creators—and Outremer. Naturally, Garcia Yachts joined forces with these iconic blue water cruising brands. This strategic alliance allowed it to benefit from the pooling of the group's resources and its distribution network.
Launch of the Exploration range with Jimmy Cornell
In 2011, Jimmy Cornell, the navigator and explorer, was looking for the ideal boat to undertake the famous Northwest Passage. He approached Garcia, impressed by the shipyard's expertise. Together, and alongside French architect Olivier Racoupeau, they designed theExploration 45. A radical concept of monohull aluminium centerboarder monohull , with a panoramic roof, deck saloon, thermal insulation, double glazing, watertight door... This first model designed under the Grand Large Yachting era Grand Large Yachting a huge success.
A few years later, the Exploration concept was expanded to 16 m with the release of theExploration 52. Double cabin space and a Double cabin , it was 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 tried again in 2015, from west to east. And this time, he succeeded! By crossing the Bellot Strait, he succeeds in his wager. Mission accomplished for Jimmy and the Exploration 45, designed precisely to meet this extreme 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 is coming to the shipyard! After the Vendée Globe, the Route du Rhum, and other exploits, Pete chose an Exploration 45 sail the Atlantic with his wife. Convinced by the concept, he became one of the brand's best ambassadors. This collaboration continues today, with Pete sharing his incredible experience with the shipyard atowner events.
"Sailing on a Garcia means venturing out with confidence, knowing that every detail has been designed for safety and enjoyment." - Pete Goss
Launch of the first exploration catamaran
With the multihull market growing, Garcia has taken the plunge and launched the first exploration catamaran! Based on the Exploration concept but with two hulls, it offers a new way to explore the world. In addition to the surface area and living space provided by two hulls,the Explocat offers the advantages ofaluminium structural rigidity and material safety.
Garcia brings the Exploration concept to 60-footers
Drawing on his heritage of one-offs, Garcia has developed his Exploration concept into a 60-foot model. With its spaciousness, interior design, ambiance, and choice of materials, theExploration 60 raises Garcia's usual standards of comfort to the refinement of a yacht.
Three more Garcia Exploration 45 make the Northwest Passage
Nearly 10 years after Jimmy Cornell and the Garcia Exploration 45 No. 1, three Exploration 45 made the famous passage that same summer.
The story continues
Nearly 60 Exploration 45 produced, with the range expanding to include 52, 60, and 52-foot catamarans. Our owners continue to travel the world, off the beaten track. Antarctica, Polynesia, Patagonia, Iceland, Alaska... Garcias are everywhere around the world.
In the French West Indies
In Antarctica
In Scotland
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