A new adventure ahead for François Gabart

After conquering some of the world’s greatest solo sailing records, the renowned French skipper, François Gabart is focusing on a more intimate adventure: a round-the-world trip with his family. To adapt his catamaran as well as possible before setting sail, François Gabart has undertaken a complete refit. At the heart of this transformation: a repowering with a Nanni N4.80 engine, offering reliability, comfort and safety for serene family sailing. From ocean racing to family cruising, François Gabart has always been able to count on the performance and quality of Nanni products.

François Gabart and Nanni: a lasting relationship of trust

Much more than just a sailor, François Gabart embodies a new generation of sailors, combining performance with a passion for the sea.

He really came into the public eye in 2013 when he won the Vendée Globe at just 29 years old, beating the event record. This spectacular victory marked a turning point in his career and in the history of ocean racing. He continues to impress as he pushes the limits of speed and endurance aboard his Macif trimaran, setting a new solo round-the-world record in 2017. Beyond the awards, Gabart also stands out for his desire to help sailing evolve. In 2019, he created MerConcept, a company dedicated to maritime innovation in competitive sailing.

It was during his years of training and competition in the Figaro Class that he first discovered Nanni engines, and more specifically the Nanni N3.21.

This compact Kubota-based 3-cylinder engine develops 19.6 hp and has been powering Figaro Bénéteau monohulls for many years, making them true laboratories for ocean racing. Robust, easy to maintain and reliable, the N3.21 accompanied François Gabart on his first major solo expeditions. This gave him the opportunity to test the Nanni engines under real, demanding conditions, and to fully appreciate their reliability and efficiency.

As he himself recalls:
“At the time, all the Figaro boats were already equipped with Nanni engines, and it’s true that I still have a lot of trust in these engines, in this brand. And I’m happy to continue this story after these years of Figaro.”

A repowering signed Nanni for a safe round-the-world sailing

Visionary sailor, committed entrepreneur and passionate father, François Gabart is embarking on a new project, renewing his trust in Nanni products. For several months, François Gabart has been carrying out a complete refit of his personal catamaran. For a round-the-world trip with his family, this transformation is designed to meet the needs of a true living space at sea.

Among the key elements of the refit, the repowering occupies a central place in this project, where safety and comfort are top priorities. Now equipped with a Nanni N4.80 engine, François Gabart’s catamaran benefits from an engine that is both reliable and powerful. Based on a 4-cylinder Kubota block, with its 80 hp, the N4.80 provides comfortable power, ideal for confident maneuvering.

Thanks to its high torque at low rpm, the N4.80 ensures efficient propulsion even in the most demanding conditions. Perfectly suited to long-distance cruising, it offers efficient, constant cruising and the responsive acceleration needed in difficult conditions.

Another advantage of the N4.80 is its compact design, which facilitates access to various maintenance points. By enabling François Gabart to carry out simplified recurring maintenance, it also gives him the peace of mind to concentrate on the essentials during his family voyage.

Gabart’s precise needs are clear to him:
“What we wanted was to have something reliable, simple and efficient, that I would also be able to maintain easily, even when I’m on the other side of the world.”

A project supported by strong local roots

This refit would not have been possible without the support of an entire local ecosystem, which has followed François Gabart’s project from the earliest stages.

Anchored in Concarneau, an emblematic town for ocean racing and MerConcept’s home base, the sailor was able to count on the support of Méca Diesel, Nanni’s official distributor for the Brittany region. Located just a few meters from the project, Méca Diesel was able to contribute its technical expertise to the entire process. Over and above the technical aspect, a human and professional relationship was forged. With Méca Diesel and Nanni’s support, François Gabart benefits from a local, responsive and competent after-sales service.

Thanks to a large network of Nanni-approved agents, François Gabart can rely on fast, efficient and worldwide after-sales and customer service during his round-the-world tour.