WINDY, THE EMBLEMATIC SCANDINAVIAN BOAT BRAND SINCE 1966
After completing his studies in naval architecture, Hugo Vold launched his own brand of boats in 1966, which he named “Windy” in homage to his father’s fishing boats, the “Vindy”, which, despite the extremely perilous sailing conditions in the Skagerrak Strait, returned safely to port every time.
The first production unit was built in Skarpnes on the Norwegian coast. Windy quickly became a reference in the world of yachting. The legend was born.
60 years later, the brand has retained its original values while integrating new technologies. It calls on the best experts at all levels of production – architects, engineers, designers, technicians, craftsmen – to produce boats with unparalleled design and marine performance.
Windy currently employs 170 professionals in Sweden and Poland. Together, they strive to continue Hugo Vold’s legacy with excellence, passion and respect.
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CLASSY DESIGN AND EXCEPTIONAL MARINE PERFORMANCE
True to Hugo Vold’s philosophy, Windy has always called on designers who excel in their field – Ed Dubois, Hans J. Johnsen, Malcolm McKeon, Espen Oino and Guillaume Rolland to name but a few. Each in their own field selects the finest materials for Windy, which, combined with their creative talent, give the brand its strong personality and unique style.
In addition to their remarkable design, Windy boats are characterised by their long-lasting reliability and performance. 70% of the Windy boats built since the brand was founded are still sailing the world’s seas. This figure undoubtedly demonstrates the historical robustness of each of its boats. While the brand is committed to preserving its manufacturing secrets, it is proud of its expertise in the design and manufacture of deep-V hulls, moulded by resin transfer, and in the use of components at the cutting edge of innovation, guaranteeing exemplary performance and seakeeping.
MAREX, FAMILY SPIRIT AND SCANDINAVIAN EXCELLENCE FOR 50 YEARS
When Eyvin Aalrud founded Marex in 1973 in Grimstad in southern Norway, he was fulfilling a long-held dream: to become a boat builder.
In just a few years, thanks to his visionary temperament and determination, Eyvin enabled Marex – a contraction of the Latin “mare” meaning sea and “rex” meaning “king” – to establish itself as an example in the nautical industry, offering boats of remarkable quality, robust and innovative, much appreciated by families.
Eyvin’s two sons, Espen and Thomas, have been immersed in the world of the sea and sailing since they were very young, and took over the running of Marex in 1989, carrying on their father’s legacy with dedication and passion.
Marex, ‘The King of the Sea’, now has two factories, in Arendal, Norway and Kaunas, Lithuania, and employs 400 dedicated and highly skilled professionals.
LEGENDARY QUALITY AND AWARD-WINNING MODELS
If families love Marex boats and remain loyal to the brand, it’s undoubtedly because of their ingenuity, maximum comfort and very high level of quality.
In fact, each model undergoes a drastic inspection before being delivered to its owner.
After being tested on the water, the boat spends a full day in a test centre, where all the on-board components are checked: engine, electronics, heating, lighting, etc. In all, almost 100 points are checked.
This demand for quality, which is at the heart of Marex’s DNA, combined with innovative equipment and exceptional seaworthiness, means that every year the brand wins some very fine awards. Following the “European Power Boat of the Year 2024” and the “Motor Boat Award 2024”, the Marex 440 has just won the “Best of Boats Award” presented in January 2025 during the Düsseldorf Boat Show.
These are just some of the advantages that make Marex models fantastic boats to live aboard, whether for a day or a long cruise, even when the sea and the weather are rough.
MERVEILLE NAUTIQUE: EXPERTS IN YACHTING AND EXCEPTIONAL BOATS
Nicolas Cantenot, Founder and CEO
With the creation of Merveille Nautic in 2022, Nicolas Cantenot has brought together two worlds that are particularly close to his heart: on the one hand, his long-standing passion for boats and travel – he was an Officer of the Watch in the French Navy and has been sailing the world’s seas for 40 years – and on the other, the world of fine craftsmanship and luxury goods, where he spent his entire professional career (Dior, Guerlain then Hermès).
His approach to the yachting sector is largely inspired by the codes used in the luxury world: consider each boat as an authentic work of art, each cruise as a unique experience and each customer as an ambassador.
Bruno Kairet, Sales Director
It’s a name and a face that yachting professionals and enthusiasts know well, since Bruno Kairet has 30 years’ professional experience in the sector.
After working for a shipyard for 17 years, he joined Berthon France in 2017 to handle, among other things, the distribution of Windy boats.
His appointment as Sales Director of Merveille Nautic in 2023 allows him to extend his privileged relationship with Windy’s longstanding customers in France and to develop new ones.
Sandra Jaudel, Director of Communications
After 35 years as a journalist and then Editorial Director, working for major press, communications and digital marketing groups, Sandra decided to join her husband Nicolas in the communication of Merveille Nautic.
Also passionate about boating and boats, she ensures that the company and its two brands, Windy and Marex, gain visibility and notoriety.
SNIP Yachting and Motte Marine Ile-de-Ré, Marex resellers – West of France
Merveille Nautic has chosen to entrust the distribution of Marex boats to two shipyards renowned for their expertise and customer focus: SNIP Yachting for Brittany and Normandy, and Motte Marine Ile de Ré for Charente-Maritime and Vendée.
This partnership enables Merveille Nautic to count on partners of choice to ensure the Scandinavian brand’s influence on the Atlantic and Channel coasts.
Sandra Jaudel, Nicolas Cantenot, Bruno Kairet