Aluminum sailboats
Aluminum exploration sailboats
Explore the world with a robust and ecological aluminum sailboat
An aluminum sailboat instantly evokes adventure, exploration, and long sea voyages. It's an essential choice for those passionate about maritime discovery. Why is this material so appealing to naval architects and shipyards? What are its advantages for adventurous sailors?
Aluminum quickly replaced wood in shipbuilding, primarily due to its strength and lightness . Used even in regattas and offshore races well into the 80s, aluminum offers ideal characteristics for long-distance sailing. Unlike steel, it is more malleable and does not rust, making it a durable option even for demanding marine environments.
In a collision, an aluminum sailboat absorbs shocks better. Rather than cracking, it deforms, which reassures sailors about their safety at sea. Furthermore, aluminum is an environmentally friendly material , as it is 70% recyclable. In this era of ecological transition, choosing an aluminum sailboat is also a way to take action for the planet.
To prepare you for the great journey,
contact Trim your sail
Ogham Yachts, our sailboat brand
of long journeys and expeditions
BORD A BORD
Your expert in custom-made aluminum sailboats
At BORD A BORD , we have mastered the art of building aluminium sailboats dedicated to long voyages. Our sailboats, entirely made of aluminium, are crafted with artisanal expertise by our skilled metalworkers , under license from Bureau Veritas Aluminium, in our shipyard located in Northern Brittany.
Every aluminum sailboat we build is custom-designed. We work closely with you to create a bespoke sailboat, perfectly suited to your sailing plans, requirements, and lifestyle. Whether you dream of exploring majestic glaciers and their icebergs, venturing into uncharted waters near coral reefs, or anchoring in remote areas, our aluminum sailboats guarantee unparalleled safety and unwavering reliability . With BORD A BORD, embark on your adventure with complete peace of mind, wherever your next expedition takes you.
Custom-made design and trusted partners
Your comfort on board is our priority. At BORD A BORD , our design office and our skilled carpenters create bespoke interiors , tailored to your lifestyle and tastes, using materials selected for their quality and durability.
We also work with specialist partners such as HAKA VOILE for rigging and sails, or TEEM for electricity and electronics, in order to deliver an aluminium sailboat ready to sail in all latitudes.
With BORD A BORD, let your dreams of adventure come true thanks to an aluminum sailboat designed for you, built for exploration, and ready to face the most distant oceans.
Are you looking for an aluminum sailboat?
Exploration & Performance
Great journey
Scow
One off
Professionals
Our different ranges of aluminum sailboats
Great journey
Our deck saloon sailboats designed by Vincent Lebailly are made of aluminum. They present a comfortable, secure and single-storey indoor living space, designed for offshore navigation. Whether in twin keel or lifting keel version, these sailboats will amaze you with their habitability.
Exploration & Performance
Our customizable aluminum sailboats, specially designed for long-distance voyages, combine comfort, performance and safety. Drawing on our experience in the field of professional vessels, our constructions are robust and designed for extreme sailing conditions.
Scow
Bord A Bord has initiated with Gildas Plessis the development of a range of aluminum scows for long-distance cruising. These sailboats offer stability, safety and comfort. They are designed to withstand the harsh conditions of high latitudes. Sail at full speed and in complete safety aboard the Scows Bord à Bord.
One off
Are you dreaming of a unique aluminum sailboat? We can start from scratch and develop a custom design that meets all your expectations based on your sailing program and your preferences in terms of equipment and decoration. Our team of professionals is at your disposal to transform your vision into a custom sailboat.
The skills of our teams in terms of design and conception of aluminum hulls as well as interior fittings, allow Bord à Bord to offer you highly customized or tailor-made sailboats. We rely on powerful software such as 3DEXPERIENCE from Dassault Systems or TOP SOLID, which allows us to have an industrial approach to design and manufacturing even if these are unique models, the objective being to optimize material and labor costs.
So do not hesitate to contact us for your future projects.
Professionals
Are you looking for a low-carbon passenger transport solution? Bord A Bord is developing a range of sailboats for professionals. These passenger transport vessels have a customizable design and tailor-made fittings to perfectly meet your professional needs.
One Off, Custom, Made-to-measure
All of our aluminum sailboat models are open to the possibility of a custom design, adapted to your specific sailing program. Thanks to our custom-made fittings carried out in-house by Bord à Bord, you benefit from an interior perfectly adapted to your needs and meeting all your initial requests.
F.A.Q
On our aluminum hull sailboats
Why choose an aluminum boat?
Aluminum is very resistant to shock and wear, it is also a material containing 70% recycled aluminum and 100% recyclable. Aluminum boats are infinitely repairable which gives them a much longer lifespan than other materials.
What is the manufacturing and delivery time for an aluminum sailboat?
We vary between 18 and 36 months depending on the size of the vessel and our load plan.
Is it possible to make modifications compared to a production model?
It is quite possible to personalize or customize a sailboat already designed, this is the advantage of aluminum compared to composite, there is no mold. It is also possible thanks to our naval architecture design office to design a custom unit.
Who carries out the interior design of sailboats?
Our team of cabinetmakers specializing in sailboats, supported by our design office, carries out the fitting out of sailboats. It is possible to customize these fittings.
How do you control the quality of boat construction?
Our team is made up of Bureau Véritas certified boilermaker welders, they renew their licenses every 2 years.
The materials we use have material conformity certificates and the items we install on ships are CE certified.
We also rely on various experts and classification bodies to approve boats.
Sea trials are also systematically carried out in order to test the ships and detect the slightest fault before delivery.
What is the risk of having electrolysis on my boat?
Electrolysis is caused by poor anodic protection of the hull and/or current leaks. We therefore systematically have an electrical assessment carried out by a specialist firm each time the boat is put into service. The expert will measure the potential of the hull at different points in order to determine whether the hull is well protected thanks to its anodes. He will also detect electrical leaks at each device installed on the boat. A report is then issued.
Another possible phenomenon is galvanic corrosion when material pairs with different oxidation-reduction potentials are in contact and in a humid and saline environment. Stainless steel in contact with aluminum can for example cause a galvanic battery and corrosion of the aluminum. We therefore take particular care to isolate these elements from each other with nylon washers for example for other insulating pastes.
Retention of sea water in a confined space can also cause attack on the aluminium, so it is necessary to regularly check that there is no stagnant water below and on deck.
Where can you deliver the boats you manufacture?
We deliver all over the world thanks to our partnerships with various companies specializing in land or sea transport of ships.
News on aluminum sailboats
Bord à Bord Grand Pavois 2026: see you in La Rochelle
From September 22 to 27, 2026, Bord à Bord will participate for the fourth consecutive year in the Grand Pavois La Rochelle. This international in-water boat show will be an opportunity to showcase our expertise in the design and construction of sailboats...
A closer look at the OGHAM 54: a sailboat built for long voyages
OGHAM 54: an aluminum sailboat designed for long voyages. Designed for offshore sailing, the OGHAM SP 54 exemplifies the approach of Bord à Bord Ogham Yachts' approach to shipbuilding: offering aluminum sailboats capable of accompanying...
Iroise 48: Gandalf the Grey continues his journey towards the Far North
The Iroise 48 put to the test on a long voyage. After several months at sea, Gandalf the Grey continues his journey towards the high latitudes. This long voyage highlights the seaworthiness of the Iroise 48, an aluminum sailboat designed for long voyages...
Launch of an ISMERIA 45, designed for long voyages
An ISMERIA 45 in navigation: from the south of Europe to the Far North Launched in 2025, this ISMERIA 45, built by Bord à Bord Designed by Vincent Lebailly, it continues its sailing program today. After several months spent in southern Europe for winter storage, the...
Latitude N69.35° for an Iroise 48
Launched in Tromsø, beyond the Arctic Circle, an Iroise 48 sets sail A new Iroise 48 has just been launched in Tromsø, Norway, at latitude N69.35°. A magnificent setting for this ocean-going aluminum sailboat, and a source of pride for our shipyard...
High-precision maneuver in the workshop
10 tons of aluminum precisely turned: a key step in the construction of Lifesong Chez Bord à Bord, each aluminum sailboat project is a technical and human challenge. The overturning of the hull of Lifesong, a 24-meter sailboat designed for...
First sea trials of the Isméria 45
First sea trials of the Isméria 45: a highlight for the entire team Bord à Bord There are moments that mark an important milestone in the life of a sailboat. For the Isméria 45, it was a few days ago: its first sea trials. A powerful moment, at the...
SV Tonic tests the Ismeria 45
Our Ismeria 45 aluminum sailboat tested by SV Tonic. During the Saint-Malo boat show, two Dutch influencers, Eliane Roest and Simone Wittgen, boarded our boat... and decided to share their experience in their own way. Photographers,...
Presentation of the Ismeria 45 at the Saint-Malo Boat Show
Isméria 45 in Saint-Malo: A Successful First Presentation We had the pleasure of presenting our new aluminum sailboat, the Isméria 45, for the first time at the Saint-Malo Boat Show. This event marked an important milestone in the...
Back to the guided tour of the IROISE 48
YouTuber Leigh Rose shows you the Iroise 48 aluminum sailboat from every angle.
Customization of your sailboat
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