Big fleet transport
How do you arrange return transport for a Transatlantic racing fleet from a port with nowhere for a ship to come alongside?
The Transquadra is a unique transatlantic race, bringing together experienced amateur solo and doublehanded sailors over 40 years old. Despite its amateur status, the competition is as fierce as any professional ocean racing event, with a strong fleet and highly skilled sailors. After their journey from France to Martinique via Madeira, many of these boats require efficient transport back to Europe—a complex logistical challenge that Sevenstar Yacht Transport has mastered.
Seamless return from the Caribbean
This year, the Transquadra fleet of 39 monohulls between 8.5m and 12m LOA arrived in Le Marin, Martinique, in mid to late February after a fast and frequently boisterous passage from Funchal, Madeira. Just one month later, 25 of these yachts were already on their way back to Lorient, Brittany, as mast-up cargo aboard a Sevenstar vessel, along with 27 other yachts from the Caribbean. A separate transport was arranged for the smaller group of competitors who started the Transquadra in Marseille rather than La Turballe, ensuring they returned safely to Genoa.
Leading this operation is Matthieu Le Bihan, Sevenstar’s yacht transport expert in France. With over two decades of experience and a background in offshore racing, Le Bihan has coordinated yacht transport for major French transatlantic races such as the Transquadra, Route du Rhum, and Mini Transat. He has also arranged complex salvage operations for top-tier racing teams and provided specialized transport solutions for private yacht owners.
Precision planning for safe transport
Sevenstar’s Amsterdam-based Operation team meticulously plans the stowage of every yacht before they even arrive in Le Marin, using advanced software such as AutoCAD and Rhino. By obtaining design specifications from the shipyards that built the yachts, they determine the safest and most efficient placement for each vessel. For larger yachts, detailed 3D simulations ensure precise positioning and load distribution.
“The racers trust our service because we refine it with every edition of the race,” says Le Bihan. “We know the market and understand large fleet logistics inside out.”
While private yacht owners typically deliver their boats alongside the transport vessel, Sevenstar offers Transquadra competitors a full-service solution. Once the sailors finish the race, they simply drop off their keys with Sevenstar’s local agent before attending the prizegiving and flying home. Sevenstar’s team takes care of the rest—securing the yachts in the marina, arranging surveys, preparing them for shipment, and ensuring safe delivery.
Mastering complex load operations
Unlike many commercial ports, Le Marin lacks a dock where Sevenstar’s transport ship can moor. Instead, yachts are loaded from an anchored position in the bay, requiring meticulous coordination. A specialized rigging setup allows for efficient lifting, with yachts delivered to the ship every 25 minutes. To maintain this schedule, professional delivery crews shuttle the yachts from the marina, using an anchored pontoon as a buffer to keep the operation running smoothly.
With the constant trade winds in the Caribbean, conditions on deck can be challenging. Sevenstar ensures that all yachts are prepared for potential 35-knot apparent winds during transit. Each owner receives a comprehensive checklist, and a technician from Sevenstar’s local agency in Le Marin inspects every yacht before loading to confirm that all precautions have been taken.
We make more racing possible
One of the key advantages of Sevenstar’s transport service is its mast-up shipping solution. This is particularly beneficial for racers eager to participate in Spi Ouest, France’s largest regatta on the west coast, which begins shortly after their return to Lorient. The same applies to private clients returning from the Caribbean in time for events like Antigua Sailing Week.
Sevenstar, as part of the Spliethoff Group, operates a fleet of 140 vessels equipped with powerful cranes and optimized deck space for yacht transport. With average transit speeds of 15-17 knots and professional loadmasters on-site, Sevenstar ensures a smooth process from start to finish.
“We provide a true turnkey solution,” says Le Bihan. “From secure storage and survey arrangements to customs clearance and professional delivery to the ship, we handle everything. When the yachts arrive in Lorient, it’s plug-and-play—owners simply put the sails back on and are ready to race again.”
Weather conditions can sometimes cause minor delays, but with careful planning and constant communication, Sevenstar keeps the process on track. For large racing fleets, transport arrangements are made months in advance, ensuring a seamless operation.
For sailors and yacht owners looking for efficient, professional, and race-focused transport solutions, Sevenstar Yacht Transport remains the trusted partner.
