Guy Couach

Our appointment was made for meeting in the middle of the Guy Couach factory... no, let’s rephrase that... in the immense production halls in Gujan-Mestras, on the southern shore of Arcachon Bay. The site is so extensive that Joana Grönewald, Veya Yachts’ Communications Manager, had to send me a Google Maps pin just to make sure I found the visitors’ entrance. Once there, my passport was exchanged for a visitor’s badge. It doesn’t take long to realize that Guy Couach is no ordinary boatyard. Alongside luxury yachts, the company also builds military craft and professional vessels for government agencies, so confidentiality is naturally part of everyday life.
It was June 15th, exactly one month before a major milestone: the launch of the very first Veya 53. In just a few weeks, hull #1 will quietly leave the shipyard for Toulon before making its public debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September.
Our tour begins with Florent Battistella, CEO of Guy Couach and, as such, President of Veya Yachts, accompanied by Joana. The atmosphere is focused, yet there’s an unmistakable sense of excitement. Everywhere around us, electricians, joiners and technicians are working flat out to meet the July deadline.

A Production Line Dedicated Entirely to Veya

The production tooling used to build Fountaine Pajot’s MY range, installed here in 2022, has disappeared. Until last year, Guy Couach assembled Fountaine Pajot’s motor yacht range here. The very last MY6 is still waiting outside for delivery. From now on, the entire production line is devoted to Veya Yachts, perfectly illustrating the strategic evolution between the two partners.
Guy Couach’s involvement with multihulls began several years ago through the agreement to build the complete MY range for Fountaine Pajot. The joint venture that gave birth to Veya now goes one step further. It not only marks the end of the FP-branded powercats - with the exception of the very large 70, 80 and 110-foot models derived from sailing catamarans—but also paves the way for a gradual transfer of activities that should eventually see Guy Couach take full control of Veya Yachts.
I was now discovering an all-new production line dedicated to the Veya 53, with enough capacity to accommodate future models. Four hulls - soon five - are already under construction.
As an experienced industrialist, Florent Battistella immediately spots areas where production can be made smoother, faster and more efficient. Nothing escapes his attention. Throughout the visit, he identifies possible improvements on the assembly line and discusses them straight away with his teams.
Hull #1 has already been decked, fitted with its engines and extensively wired. Even so, it’s still difficult to imagine that this impressive assembly of composite structures, unfinished bulkheads and partially installed furniture will soon become one of the newcomers in the premium powercat market. With ceiling panels still missing and many fittings protected for ...