Voilerie Cherbourgeoise

Based at Port Chantereyne in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, Voilerie Cherbourgeoise upholds a craft approach to sailmaking. In a 160 sqm workshop, four craftspeople with a passion for the sea design every project to measure, taking measurements on board, with manufacturing described as entirely Norman. Skills are complementary: Vincent on the commercial side, a sailor with over fifteen years in the industry, Julien, master sailmaker who also handles rigging, Aurélie, marine upholstery, trained at the Ateliers de l'Enfer, and Swan, trained in sail manufacturing.

The sail range is complete: polyester or tri-radial mainsails, fully battened or with conventional battens, headsails including solent, genoa and jib, staysail and polyester storm jib, and downwind sails with spinnaker and gennaker. Two cuts are offered, the horizontal cross cut in polyester Dacron for durability, and the oriented tri-radial cut for technical cloths. Fabrics are sourced from Dimension Polyant, with Dacron, DCX, Pro Radial, Hydranet, aramid blends and nylon. The workshop also carries out sail repairs, and a used-equipment section rounds out the offer.

Rigging is a trade in its own right here. The workshop carries out full inspection of standing and running rigging in Cherbourg and across Normandy, with periodic checks, post-damage assessment and a detailed photographic report for owner records or insurance. Standing rigging is designed and replaced to measure: swaging of single-strand or Dyform stainless cable, Rod rigging to order, chainplates, turnbuckles and furlers, along with textile solutions for shrouds, backstays, runners or removable forestays. On running rigging, the team handles splicing, re-covering, replacing lines and adapting deck hardware. Spars are covered too: spreaders, tracks and cars, gooseneck fittings, hooks, kicker and boom, anchor points and guardrails.

Upholstery completes the picture. On the marine side, the workshop makes sprayhoods, biminis, cushions, lazy bags and protective covers to measure, using technical materials resistant to UV, salt and sailing conditions. The team also restores car and motorcycle upholstery, and makes shade sails, cushions and sun loungers for terraces and gardens.