Windelo unveils first hybrid catamaran at La Grande Motte show

Windelo used the International Multihull Show in La Grande Motte, France, to put its first hybrid catamaran in front of the market as a world premiere, and the setting mattered as much as the boat. The show, staged April 22-26, drew the sailors, brokers and prospective owners who shape where multihulls go next, giving Windelo a high-profile stage for a launch that was designed to say more than “new model.”

The headline is not just that the boat is hybrid, but what that means in practice. Windelo describes its electric-hybrid drive as silent, ecological sailing with two propulsion systems, reduced noise and lower exhaust pollution. For buyers, that points to a quieter experience when leaving a berth, maneuvering in tight marina spaces or running short distances where engine time can feel wasteful. It also suggests a more flexible cruising setup than a pure electric boat, with conventional propulsion still in the mix for owners who do not want to give up range or offshore confidence.

That balance is the real pitch. Parallel hybrid systems are attractive because they promise cleaner, calmer operation without forcing catamaran owners into an all-electric compromise that can be hard to square with long cruising days and varied charter use. The catch is that hybrid hardware brings more complexity than a straight diesel installation, so ownership will hinge on how well Windelo and Transfluid keep the system accessible, reliable and easy to service. For this crowd, the question is not whether hybrid sounds good. It is whether the extra technology earns its place aboard.

Windelo is trying to make that case from a strong base. Founded in 2018 by Olivier Kauffmann and Gautier Kauffmann, the yard has operated from Canet-en-Roussillon since 2019 and has built its identity around reducing its footprint without giving up the joy of sailing. Transfluid said in May 2023 that Windelo had already chosen its electric propulsion for the builder’s first electric catamarans, so this hybrid debut extends an established partnership rather than starting from scratch.

The timing also fits Windelo’s recent expansion. The yard launched its 58 and 62 at the Cannes Yachting Festival in 2025, with Barreau-Neuman and Stellantis Design Studio involved in the design push into the 60-foot segment. Put together, those moves show a builder moving from niche eco-experiment toward a more polished product line. This hybrid premiere suggests the next step is not only bigger catamarans, but a more convincing answer to the question of how cleaner cruising can work for everyday owners.