From a friendship project to a professional project
The adventure of Beau Comme Un Bateau was born from the complicity between two friends, Quentin Hubert and François Lagabrielle. After graduating from business school and in communication for the other, each of them went their own way to start their professional life. When they met again, Quentin Hubert showed his sidekick videos on the phenomenon of tiny boats, similar to the tiny houses in the United States. They decide to build one of these mini-boats each to participate in the Rendez-Vous de l'Erdre, a boating event in Nantes. They train on youtube and in fablab to build boats and define the framework of the project with a naval architect. "Our desire was an ultra-easy move. The initial specifications were that the boat would fit in my car trunk. We presented the boat to the general public at the Nantes Maker Campus in the summer of 2019 and faced with the reception, we saw that there was the possibility of transforming a friendly project into a professional one" explains François Lagabrielle.
1st ships to be delivered in June 2021
This was followed by support from the BGE and then Atlanpole and a search for financing. "We have now found the funds to make the mold for mass production and launch the first boats of the model named Le Dandy. The first parts will come out of the mold at the end of April 2021 and the first boats should be delivered in June 2021. Of the 1st series of 15 boats, almost all are sold. We are keeping some of them to present the boats to professionals this summer", says the co-founder of Beau Comme Un Bateau.
For the construction, the company is using a subcontractor from the Loire. "Everything comes from the Pays de la Loire region, except for the Torqeedo electric motor, which is German," says the contractor.
Find a place between boat and kayak rentals
If the private individuals initially targeted by the co-founders remain in the target, Beau Comme Un Bateau aims primarily at professional renters on inland or sheltered waters. The boats are available from 5000euros HT in the basic version and with customizations for individuals. "We position ourselves differently from the electric boats on the market, which are larger and intended for longer trips, for aperitifs with friends. Everyone is active on our boat. We are closer to paddle or kayak, but without the obligation to do sports, with rental periods of half an hour or an hour (Editor's note: the autonomy is 4 hours at 6 km/h). Even if with this season, which looks like being special for tourism professionals, we may sell more to individuals, we are especially targeting boat rental companies" concludes François Lagabrielle.
