Live from the yard - ORC Catamarans

ORC Exclusive Days 2025: Sea Trials of the ORC 57 Catamaran in Lorient

On September 27, ORC hosted its Exclusive Days, an event dedicated to discovering the ORC 57 catamaran, departing from Lorient La Base.

The goal: to offer a select group of prospects the opportunity to experience the ORC philosophy firsthand — a unique balance of performance, comfort, and personalized support.

A Day of Experience and Connection Aboard the ORC 57

From 9 a.m., guests were welcomed aboard the ORC 57 by the shipyard team. After a friendly briefing led by Bruno Gillard, ORC Sales Manager, and Théo, Marketing Manager, the fleet set sail from Lorient La Base at 10 a.m.

The program included sailing sessions, hands-on steering, technical exchanges, and thrilling sensations at the helm. Between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., participants discovered the catamaran’s full performance potential in ideal conditions. Each guest had the chance to take the helm and feel the precision and stability that define ORC’s design.

Two members of the ORC design office were also on board to answer technical questions and share their insights into the shipyard’s philosophy and engineering approach.

An Exceptional Moment: The Start of the 24H ULTIM

This edition of the Exclusive Days coincided with the start of the 24H ULTIM, creating a unique and unforgettable experience. Guests were able to watch, directly from the deck of the ORC 57, as the giants of the seas — the ULTIM and Ocean Fifty trimarans — flew past at breathtaking speed. It was a spectacular moment that added even more magic to this sailing experience.

Friendship and Sharing at Anchor off Groix Island

At 12:30 p.m., the catamaran headed to a sheltered cove off Île de Groix for a convivial anchorage. This peaceful interlude allowed participants and the ORC team to share their impressions in a relaxed and authentic setting, before performing a reefing demonstration on the return leg to Lorient.

A Complete ORC Experience

Beyond the sailing itself, the day perfectly illustrated what defines the ORC signature:

High-performance, seaworthy, and elegant catamarans
Personalized support at every step
A passionate and attentive team
A community of sailors who share the same vision of the sea

The ORC Exclusive Days are designed as a true immersion into the ORC universe — giving every future owner the chance to experience the brand before they commit.

Relive the ORC Exclusive Days in Video

Discover the atmosphere, faces, and sensations of this exceptional day through our official video:

ORC 57 ADV hull #5 “MERU.RS”: launch, signing & owner handover in Lorient

Fast & Light, nothing superfluous: fast cruising as a way of life.

This summer we launched ORC 57 hull #5 “MERU.RS” at Lorient La Base. Its owner, Malcolm WOOD — ORC brand ambassador — experienced a three‑part delivery: launch, signing, handover and first sail. This day (condensed into our film) showcases the expert support provided by the ORC team, led by Bruno Gillard, Sales Manager for the brand.

Simplicity = efficiency. Lightness = sensation. That’s ORC DNA applied to a truly fast cruising catamaran.

Launch & handover of “MERU.RS”

What the film shows

Preparation & quality control: final dock checks, systems verification and sail inventory review.
Safety checklist & methodology: reefing routines (1st/2nd reef), headsail changes, and safety reminders.
Trim & first impressions: validation of balance, VMG, and real‑world average speeds.
Owner coaching: transfer of ORC best practices, direct tiller feel, maneuvering ergonomics and cockpit organization.

Why the ORC 57 appeals to demanding sailors

Fast & Light: lightweight, stiff construction designed for high, repeatable averages without over‑loading the boat.
Helm pleasure: precise tiller steering, direct feedback, fine and readable handling.
Deck ergonomics: clear sailhandling plan, fluid flow between cockpit and saloon, excellent visibility and light.
Daggerboards: improved upwind angles and adjustable draft for coastal exploration.
Useful simplicity: equipment chosen for durable performance and reliability — no superfluous extras.

Owner onboarding built for sustained performance

Beyond the splash, the ORC handover is a complete coaching sequence: initial set‑ups, safety checks, fine‑tuning of baseline trims (rig, sails, balance) and a hands‑on familiarization focused on efficiency and comfort.

With Bruno Gillard and the ORC team, the owner leaves with clear references to keep the pace in fast cruising: sail choices, transitions, reef management, weight distribution and routine checklists.

Malcolm WOOD, an ambassador for the ORC spirit

Malcolm WOOD embodies the ORC philosophy: authenticity, the pursuit of clean trajectories, and reliable speed with a small crew. MERU.RS joins the ORC fleet with the ambition to sail fast, far, for a long time.

ORC 50 :A Remarkable 2nd Place at the Rolex Fastnet Race 2025

During the latest Rolex Fastnet Race, one of the world’s most legendary offshore races, the full carbon prototype from the ORC 50’s molds, GDD, skippered by Halvard Mabire, achieved an exceptional performance by securing 2nd place in the MOCRA class. This result highlights not only the talent of a skipper who is himself a true offshore racing legend but also the seaworthiness and competitiveness of ORC catamarans.

The Rolex Fastnet Race: a real-world test

The Fastnet, an iconic race since 1925, is renowned for its demanding conditions and its 695-nautical-mile course from Cowes, around the mythical Fastnet Rock off Ireland, and finishing in Cherbourg. A true marathon of the seas, this race tests the strength, speed, and reliability of every yacht.

In this context, the full carbon prototype ORC 50 demonstrated all its qualities:

Upwind performance in challenging conditions.
Speed and stability downwind at high speeds.
Comfort and safety that allow for sustained pace without compromise.

Halvard Mabire: a skipper with an outstanding record

A leading figure in offshore sailing, Halvard Mabire has been racing for over 40 years on the world’s greatest stages. His career includes multiple appearances in the Whitbread Round the World Race, solo transatlantic challenges such as the OSTAR and the Route du Rhum, as well as the Transat Jacques Vabre and several world championships in offshore racing. Admired for his seamanship, determination, and enduring passion for performance, he is one of the rare sailors to combine longevity with consistent results. His collaboration with ORC Catamaran demonstrates the full potential of our yachts when sailed by the very best.

Halvard Mabire’s expertise meets ORC’s philosophy

With decades of offshore experience, Halvard Mabire was able to unlock the GDD’s full potential. His mastery confirms that the ORC 50 is a fast and reliable cruising catamaran, capable of competing with the best racing multihulls.

This performance reflects ORC Catamaran’s philosophy: designing semi-custom catamarans that combine innovative design, lightweight construction, and adaptation to each owner’s vision.

A new benchmark for fast cruising

The GDD’s podium finish at the 2025 Rolex Fastnet proves that sailing an ORC means embracing the freedom of comfortable cruising with the excitement of racing. More than a yacht, it is a vessel of adventure and performance, crafted for demanding sailors seeking the thrill of the sea.

FreeWave sets sail: delivery of the 4th ORC 57

This month, a very special moment took place at our shipyard: the delivery of the ORC 57 hull #4 : FreeWave.

Under a bright sun, our Sales Manager Bruno Gillard had the pleasure of handing over the keys to the proud new owners, marking the transition from a shared project to the start of their new life at sea.

More than a delivery : a new beginning

At ORC, every handover is much more than a delivery. It’s the result of months of teamwork and dedication, and above all, the beginning of a unique adventure for the owners who are about to live their dreams under sail.

With FreeWave, a new chapter begins: one that will be written on the open sea, with horizons yet to be explored.

The first ORC 57 with twin steering wheels

This catamaran is also a milestone for us: FreeWave is the very first ORC 57 equipped with twin helm wheels.

It reflects what defines ORC Catamarans: a semi-custom approach where every project is tailored to the owner’s vision, without compromising on the core values of our brand : performance, comfort, and safety at sea.

The ORC spirit: more than just a catamaran

Each launch grows the ORC community. To us, seeing our catamarans leave the shipyard is both a source of pride and an invitation to follow their journeys across the oceans.

FreeWave is not only a boat, it is the promise of great sailing moments, shared experiences, and true freedom.

Malcolm Wood becomes ORC Brand Ambassador with his ORC 57 ADV

At ORC, innovation meets exploration. We are proud to announce that Malcolm Wood (entrepreneur, explorer, and athlete) has joined us as an official ORC Brand Ambassador.

A partnership built on performance and adventure

Known for pushing limits in every field he embraces, Malcolm co-designed with our design team the all-new ORC 57 ADV. This Adventure version of our performance cruising catamaran has been conceived for exploration, speed, and endurance.

Ultra-lightweight composite construction
Expedition-ready features for long-range voyages
Sleek, efficient design delivering both performance and strength

A catamaran capable of blending high-performance sailing with real-world expedition capability.

The ORC 57 ADV: a unique option for true explorers

The ADV (Adventure) version of the ORC 57 is not a distinct model, but a customization option developed in collaboration with Malcolm Wood, Darnet Design, and the ORC team.

This option has been designed to accompany sailors who dream of expeditions and freedom: reinforced equipment, redesigned fittings, increased autonomy, while retaining the high-performance DNA of the ORC 57.

The result is a tailor-made boat with the aim of satisfying the customer in their exploration program.

First encounter with the ORC 57 ADV in Lorient

During his first visit to our shipyard in Lorient, Malcolm shared his excitement in a short video:

First time we’ve seen it all put together… this thing is absolutely immense. With its 57-foot waterline and super narrow wetted area, it’s going to fly with minimal resistance.

Malcolm WOOD

He also discovered his custom carbon mast—75 feet long and weighing just over 200 kg Lorima :

I can’t wait for it to be put on the boat in four weeks’ time.

Malcolm WOOD

A key milestone in the preparation of his future expedition catamaran.

Adventures ahead

Malcolm’s ORC 57 ADV will soon be sailing the world’s waters with the following program:

Expeditions in extreme environments
A unique blend of adventure and performance

With Malcolm Wood, the ORC spirit reaches new horizons: cutting-edge technology fused with human adventure and deep respect for the ocean.

Watch Malcolm’s video from his first visit to the ORC shipyard in Lorient

Download the ORC 57 brochure and discover all the customizable options.

Contact our team to start designing your own ORC catamaran.