Hard-to-get financing
The Pinball Boat shipyard, created in 2016 around a hybrid thermal-electric boat model, took over the historic Ocqueteau shipyard, based on the island of Oléron, in 2020. While the foundations of its business remain sound today, it is announcing that it will be downsizing this May 2024, as its manager Pascal Duclos justifies: "We had increased the sails, counting in particular on a fund-raising effort at regional level which was unsuccessful. With the experience I had with Goupil Industrie in electric vehicles some twenty years ago during the launch period, when we had the support of the Region, this seemed achievable for our hybrid electric boats. So we're going to return to a more cautious level, as the fundamentals are sound. Sales for 2023-2024 are on a par with 2022-2023, despite the market slowdown, thanks to the opening of new distributors."
Consolidating activities and keeping a low profile
The company activated all the levers needed to get through the period. While a sales office was opened in Arcachon and the company had two sites, in Gironde for the design office and on the island of Oléron for production, Pinball Boat is now concentrating its forces in Oléron. While the first Pinball Boat was sold in Marseille, the shipyard is counting on the Ocqueteau brand to give the hybrid electric boat time to find its market. Pascal Duclos remains optimistic: "By refocusing all activity in Oléron, this will simplify management and communication within the company. We're adapting and being realistic by limiting expenses, to keep our backs straight, while continuing to push the sale of Ocqueteau boats and giving ourselves time for Pinball."
