Live from the yard - Page 2 of 9

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.

AVEL VAEZ has already crossed the 20,000-nautical mile mark

Just 18 months after delivery, ORC 57 hull #3, AVEL VAEZ, has already logged over 20,000 nautical miles. A symbolic milestone that speaks volumes about the reliability, range, and sailing spirit behind every ORC Catamaran.

Built for the blue horizon

Since launch, AVEL VAEZ has been in constant motion, ocean crossings, long passages, varied conditions. This performance cruising catamaran was made for it all. Designed for serious sailors, the ORC 57 delivers sharp lines, structural strength, and trim responsiveness that transforms every leg into pure sailing pleasure.

From trade winds to strong headwinds, AVEL VAEZ holds course with confidence fast, balanced, and ready for more.

20,000 miles of trust

Every mile sailed is proof of a deliberate choice: a semi-custom catamaran built for long-range cruising without compromise. From its infused composite construction to its offshore-optimized ergonomics, the ORC 57 proves itself on every point of sail and over every sea state.

For sailors who chase latitude and live by the wind, this is a platform designed to endure.

The ORC 57: for those who write their own sea story

The ORC 57 isn’t just fast it’s seaworthy, resilient, and ready to evolve with its owner’s ambitions. Whether you’re sailing short-handed across an ocean or living aboard full-time, this is a catamaran that rises to the challenge and goes the distance.

Join the sailors who trust ORC to carry them further, faster. Reach out to start planning your own bluewater journey.

ORC 50 PELICAN shines at the Tour de Groix: A successful first regatta

The latest addition to the ORC 50 range, hull number 27 named PELICAN, recently took part in its very first regatta during the Tour de Groix, a must-attend event for sailing enthusiasts.

A strong 3rd place for its competitive debut

Competing in the multihull category, PELICAN secured an impressive 3rd place, once again confirming the outstanding seakeeping abilities and performance of the ORC design — built for speed, responsiveness, and the pure pleasure of sailing.

The crew, made up of the owners and experienced members of the ORC shipyard (Thierry and Bruno), fully embraced the opportunity to test the boat in real regatta conditions.

We absolutely loved experiencing what the boat could do in a race. It’s fast, well-balanced, and incredibly enjoyable to handle. A true pleasure machine!

Tailored support for optimal performance

For this first competitive outing, Thierry and Bruno joined the owners on board, ensuring a smooth handover and sharing their in-depth knowledge accumulated during the design and fine-tuning of the ORC 50.

A perfect illustration of the semi-custom spirit at the heart of ORC Catamarans, where each project benefits from dedicated support and expert craftsmanship tailored to the owner’s vision.

The new ORC 52.2: All the performance of the ORC 50, with a warmer, more spacious interior

Building on the proven success and outstanding sailing qualities of the ORC 50, the all-new ORC 52.2 retains the same high-performance DNA, while offering a more spacious, inviting, and comfortable interior. It’s the perfect choice for sailors seeking speed and seaworthiness, without compromising on life at sea.

Ready to experience high-performance cruising with even more comfort

Discover ORC 52.2

Click here