What is an Imoca?

Imocas are 60-foot monohulls designed for major ocean races such as the Vendée Globe (the “Everest of the Seas”), the Ocean Race, the Route du Rhum, the Transat Jacques Vabre, etc. They can reach speeds of almost 40 knots (70km/h) perched on their foils…

True masterpieces, unique in their technology, architecture and implementation, they are to sailing what Formula 1 cars are to motoring.

These yachts are the result of highly advanced engineering research in every field: hull shape, strength of materials, computer technology, and they are designed to withstand extreme wind and sea conditions…

Take up the challenge, dare, innovate

In collaboration with the best engineering firms in the world, and under the supervision of architect Sam Manuard, Black Pepper Yachts has already built 3 Imocas, all of which will be lining up at the start of the 2024 Vendée Globe; that is almost 10% of the fleet… A remarkable success, since today’s leading skippers have chosen to take up this incredible challenge aboard one of our boats.

1. Bureau Vallée (ex L’Occitane en Provence)
2. Initiatives-Cœur
3. OceansLab Innovations

Of course, all the developments, research and technological advances developed by Black Pepper for the construction of these boats are subsequently used in the construction of production boats, which contributes to making them unique in the  nautical market.

Take up the Challenge, Dare, Seek, Innovate, Find the Solution: the Imocas built by Black Pepper Yachts and designed by Sam Manuard stand out from their competitors on a number of points, not least the famous scow hull that Black Pepper was the first to dare to design on such boats; they also have a moderate beam, offset foils, a flush deck, a recessed cockpit and a front-view roof.