Last May, we caught up with Éric Pilato in La Rochelle aboard Skiboo 2, his Excess 11 hull #151. At the time, his own “Route du Rhum” was still just a project. Four months later, we have met up with the skipper and his catamaran again at the Grand Pavois, and this time departure is imminent!
Published 25/09/2026
Once the show closes, Éric will give himself another week or so to take on provisions and load all the necessary equipment before casting off. The plan remains unchanged: departure from La Rochelle and a direct passage to Pointe-à-Pitre, following the northern Route du Rhum route. With one major difference: Éric will set off around three weeks before the “real” competitors leave Saint-Malo, with the aim of reaching Guadeloupe at roughly the same time as them.
Most importantly, the crossing will be completed solo, nonstop and under sail aboard a production Excess 11. Since our first meeting, Skiboo 2 has naturally undergone a few modifications designed to make the boat more reliable for such a passage. Éric has notably replaced his topping lift with an additional halyard to provide a backup solution and has planned additional solar panels, which will be installed once the show is over.
With just a few days to go before departure, the project is therefore about to become reality. If Éric takes Skiboo 2 all the way to Pointe-à-Pitre as planned, he will complete the first solo, nonstop transatlantic crossing aboard an Excess 11.
An adventure we will, of course, be following every day across Multihulls World’s platforms!
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