6 Questions for… Jean-Paul Chapeleau, President of the Federation of Nautical Industries (FIN)
An Interview with Jean-Paul Chapeleau, President of the French Nautical Industries Federation (FIN)
Jean-Paul Chapeleau: “I’m from the Vendée region of France. After my studies and military service, I applied to several companies in my area, including Jeanneau. I started in the food industry, but Jeanneau called me back a few months later to offer me the responsibility of planning. I didn’t hesitate long and joined them in March 1980. I was 22! At the time, Jeanneau was already a large company with 1,000 employees and 4 factories. In planning, I managed the interface between production and sales. In the early 90s, the Gulf crisis disrupted our industry after a period of strong growth. It became complicated for us, and Beneteau took over Jeanneau in 1995. I continued my career in the group, eventually becoming the brand director of Jeanneau and finally Deputy Managing Director of the Beneteau Group. I spent my entire professional career in the nautical industry, and for me, it was logical to get involved in the French Nautical Industries Federation. I became one of its directors in 2018 and notably developed APER – the eco-organization in charge of dismantling pleasure boats. I joined the FIN’s executive board as vice-president in 2019. In 2022, Yves Lyon-Caen, then president, decided to retire. The FIN’s board of directors honored me by electing me as president. It’s a two-year term. I was then re-elected last year. Furthermore, I am also vice-president of the European Boating Industry, which represents the European nautical industry.”
Jean-Paul Chapeleau: “The FIN’s objective is to defend the nautical sector. We are a professional association whose goal is to represent, develop, and promote nautical industries. We act as a privileged interlocutor with public authorities. We, of course, offer advice and assistance to our members. Finally, we have an important mission of training and employment in general. Let’s not forget the social aspect in the long term in our sector, which is at the heart of our actions and concerns. Finally, the last point on which the federation is particularly active is sustainable development. It’s a subject on which we work in close collaboration with French manufacturers, but also European ones with the EBI, the European federation – 18 major European manufacturers are already involved – and at the global level, notably with the NMMA (National Marine Manufacturers Association), our American counterpart. And I can announce that it’s progressing quickly, even very quickly. We will have new tools, notably on the life cycle of boats, which will be quickly implemented.”
Jean-Paul Chapeleau: “Beyond the actions I just mentioned, we have a role in promoting nautical industries that is essential, and here we are talking, of course, about nautical shows. The International Multihull Show – the nautical show for multihulls – which was held in La Grande Motte from April 23rd to 27th is now an unmissable event on the calendar. When the creators of the show decided to hand it over, the actors in the multihull world came to us asking us not to let this gem go. So we took it over last year. The idea was above all to preserve its DNA and allow it to grow and develop. This year, the show will present 80 boats, which is a record, including many world premieres, which shows the interest that manufacturers from around the world have in this show. We are inaugurating a new space dedicated solely to motor multihulls. And we have many ideas for the years to come…”
The other big announcement is, of course, the return of a nautical show in Paris from November 26th to 30th, 2025, the Paris Nautic Show. Again, we wanted to respond to a request from the entire sector for a show in the Greater Paris area. The second clearly expressed desire was to limit costs, facilitate logistics – “mounting” large boats in Paris is complicated – and that the show does not exceed 5 days. The choice of an indoor show limits the impacts of the weather, especially at this time. Le Bourget met all our expectations: easy access, halls capable of accommodating large boats, and close to Paris. We have just announced the “Paris Nautic Show” and started marketing it. But I can tell you that reservations are already numerous and that we will have the pleasure of welcoming large boats, including catamarans. This show is looking positive, and we really want visitors to feel good there. It will be very lively, even festive! It’s time to win back new generations. You will find, in addition to boats and equipment manufacturers, everything related to usage, so destinations and tourist information, boat rental companies, but also innovations related to sustainable development and a general public focus with offshore racing.”
Jean-Paul Chapeleau: “I have two convictions: we will always have sailors who want to own their own boat. The reasons for this are numerous and well known. But I also think that a new form of approach, more through usage, will develop. Regarding the boats of tomorrow: they will inevitably be more comfortable and, above all, more environmentally friendly. I imagine them inevitably easier to use, always safer – novices are sometimes a little afraid of the sea and need to be reassured, which is partly what has made catamarans successful – and more and more connected. We will inevitably see, in the years to come, developments in propulsion, hulls, of course, to consume less, and also on construction methods and the use of new resins or fabrics.
Finally, I was talking about new uses earlier, and it is certain that we are moving towards a development of the reuse of boats. The average lifespan of a boat is 40 years. Whether for ecological or financial reasons, these old boats will increasingly be upgraded and “reused.” It should not be forgotten that in France in 2024, the transfers of used boats were ten times higher than those of new boat registrations. We have also set up a working group at the FIN on new uses and new practices.”
Jean-Paul Chapeleau: “The French Nautical Industries Federation represents 6,000 companies; 6.3 billion in turnover. 80% of the production manufactured in France is exported. The nautical sector also represents nearly 50,000 direct jobs and 120,000 jobs in total with the companies that gravitate around nautical activities. 4 million regular boaters and 11 million practitioners of nautical sports.”
Jean-Paul Chapeleau: “Last summer, I went sailing for two weeks on a motor catamaran in the Bahamas. Departure Florida, return Florida. On a Prestige catamaran! We were three couples of friends and, frankly, it was wonderful. And this summer, I have no plans, so I’m going to do a little motor boating around Noirmoutier, which is my favorite island…”
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