Tofinou Yachts

Down on the Atlantic Coast of France, near La Rochelle, Latitude 46 have spent the last twenty five years building boats with a reputation for seamlessly fusing classic values with the latest marine technology. Best known is the Tofinou/Tadorne range of sailing boats from 7m to 12m. The Tofinou 7 is an unmistakeable modern execution of a perfect 1930's, flush-decked, day-sailer. The 9.5 and 12 on the other hand are radical executions of the week-ender with gleaming teak and mahogany complementing carbon fibre and Kevlar to deliver scintillating performance and stunning looks. All have inboard engines, and rigs that are easily handled even when single handed.

If a motor yacht is more to your taste the Lady Scarlett and Andreyale ranges evoke the classic speed-boats and motor yachts of the 1920s and 30s. Again Latitude 46 have fused classic looks with modern technology.

TOFINOU BY S+ARCK

The fifth Tofinou 12, currently being built at the Latitude 46 boatyard, will be designed by Philippe Starck. The sketches will be available in October, with the Starck version Tofinou 12 unveiled at the Paris Boat Show in December 2010. "A Tofinou doesn't exist. It's just a dream, an evocation, a breeze, a sigh of happiness. So little materiality, so elegant. The perfect quality and timelessness of Tofinou born within the natural intelligence of the relationship between the sea and man. A dream." - Philippe Starck