About usThe Company
Ultramarine Boatbuilders Pvt. Ltd. is a French managed joint venture between European and Indian shareholders. The company is established in Pondicherry, on the south-east coast of India. The place has a hot and reasonably dry climate, and is fairly protected from the south-west monsoon that beats down the rest of India every summer.
The people
The manager, Lionel Mallard, started sailing in 1965 and started building boats in 1975. During 20 years, he shared his time between these two activities. He has been cruising single handed as well as crewed, coastal and offshore. In 1992, he left France with his family for 5-year circumnavigation aboard his own schooner. He feels his experience as a sailor is essential to advise customers, and solve all problems a boat builder has to face to complete the best boat. For the four last years, he is settled in India where he builds the boats he loves.
The team :
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15 highly skilled carpenters and painters who have been carefully, taught the technique of wood-epoxy the perfection of the finishing and the requirements of the international market. |
| Why India? - The Southern coast of India has a long maritime tradition. For centuries, they have been building the huge teak dows that used to carry goods all across Indian Ocean, along the Spice road, and to Far east, along the silk road. - Indian carpenters have really surprising ability , and are quite willing to learn new techniques. - All necessary materials are available for wood-epoxy construction; all high-tech equipment can easily be imported. - Last argument and not the least: raw materials and labour are available at a very reasonable cost. |
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Our goals
We want to build for our clients the exact boat they hope, the boat which seems to meet the best of their requirements, according to their program, budget and aesthetic choice. We want to build fast , comfortable, well-balanced, seakindly boats rather than floating caravans. We want to build boats that are stiff and strong, well insulated, durable, fatigue-and-shock resistant, and need little maintenance.
All qualities that have appeared as being essential during our long sailing experience.
