Notre savoir-faire - Chantier Hervé

Wood construction

Since the founding of Chantier Fernand Hervé in 1945, we have made wooden construction our primary art. From generation to generation, we celebrate the very essence of boating; that of passion, of love, of exhilarating sensations.

If emotion is an integral part of each work leaving the Fernand Hervé Shipyard, we have not forgotten the ultimate priority: that of optimal serenity at sea. From comfort to safety, well-being will remain our unwavering priority. Safety is non-negotiable; it is the primary key to the ethics of the boating industry.

Made up of true artisans, the Chantier F. Hervé team is driven by an unquenchable passion for the beautiful, the elegant, the pure. Beyond the technical aspects, our philosophy and our know-how are dedicated to the production of exceptional ships.

Custom construction as a guarantee of quality

Custom construction requires a longer time frame than a series design, but this is the guarantee of the creation of unique masterpieces. Every detail is scrutinized with millimeter precision, giving rise to creations of unparalleled perfection.

Before even laying the first milestones on navigation projects, our team devotes between six and twelve months to studies, reflections and in-depth and continuous discussions with architects and sponsors. Once thought through and specified down to the smallest detail, the project leaves room for the handmade manufacturing process.

Wood, a living and expressive material

Wood is much more than a material, it is the charm of a soul, of an expressiveness, which we try to transcend. Each of our creations aims to give birth to a property inhabited by a lasting, some would say timeless, soul.

We carefully select the types of wood, whose mechanical characteristics are scrutinized, then receive them on site before drying them, cutting them and then carefully shaping them in order to perfect the signature of each boat. Our selection of wood species, such as red cedar, yellow cedar, Oregon pine and other noble woods, guarantees the right answers for the future uses of the vessels produced.

The wood is reinforced and enhanced with fabrics and resins to ensure high structural performance for the hull, as well as weight and space savings for the interior design. We perfect each contour, each surface, to finalize the whole with osmosis thanks to traditional know-how inherited from marine carpenters and modern methods.

Composite construction

Since its creation, Chantier Fernand Hervé has dedicated itself to the evolution of composite boat building, elevating wooden vessels to new heights of performance and reliability. Today, we are proud to offer exceptional achievements thanks to more than 40 years of mastery of the most advanced techniques as well as high quality materials, all while perpetuating the artisanal methods for which we are renowned.

Composite, the revolutionary alternative in shipbuilding

Originally developed to reinforce wooden boats, composite has revolutionized our approach by offering a quick and lighter alternative. Quickly becoming an essential, composite tends to establish itself today as an accessible and efficient solution.

Beyond technique, our approach is mainly nourished by emotions. The composite, inert in itself, comes to life in the local environment, embodies modernity and accessibility. The intrinsic qualities make our vessels invaluable partners, whether for pleasure craft, work vessels, passenger transport, or even operational missions.

Shipbuilding that combines technique and passion

In our workshops, each ship is the result of a symbiosis between technical rigor and sustainable soul, honoring maritime traditions while embracing the opportunities of modernity.

Our know-how acquired over the years allows us to create exceptional vessels, combining lightness, resistance and aesthetic soul. If the realization of a dream requires the time necessary to adjust the smallest details specific to the custom design, our design and manufacturing methods optimize construction times.

We attach the same rigor and the same requirements to composite construction as to wood construction. Each project is carried out with meticulous attention, implementing our technical know-how and artistic sensitivity. Rich in our history and heritage, we are committed to offering our customers sensations at sea.

Tailor-made vessels with optimized performance

Every step of our manufacturing process reflects our meticulous approach. From custom design to the creation of precise molds for each component, we shape unique vessels, meeting the specific requirements of our clients.

Thanks to the mastery of infusion techniques and the use of fabrics with oriented fibers, we produce light and resistant structures, guarantees of the performance of our composite vessels. Our expertise also extends to wood finishing, bringing a touch of elegance to our creations. From floors to bulkheads, including cockpits and roofs, every detail is designed to create a harmonious link between composite and wood. The ambition here is indeed to combine the strengths of the materials so that the exterior envelope and the interior spaces are functional and aesthetic.

Interior layout

Always anchored at the heart of the activities of Chantier Fernand Hervé, the interior design is an essential component of the nautical experience. Reflecting the attention and finesse applied to all parts of the ship, it meets the multiple needs of safety and comfort while naturally participating in the general aesthetic.

Originally dedicated to wooden construction – including the creation of interior spaces – the Chantier Fernand Hervé quickly distinguished itself in the development of other typologies of hulls such as those in aluminum. Since custom manufacturing is our signature, we design all the fittings as unique pieces so that they fit perfectly into the boats we build.

Convinced that the layout cannot be reduced to a simple response to the shell, the layout orientations, the configuration of the spaces, the selection of wood species and hybrid as well as composite materials must work together to ensure a fair and balanced harmony. Each element combines to create usable and optimized volumes, even within the constraints of limited space. It is in this harmony that unique, functional and emotionally significant maritime interiors are born.

Passion and expertise in boat fittings

Each project is approached with an unwavering commitment to quality and safety; we master the specific standards and techniques of this demanding environment.

From the choice of materials to the varnish finish, including insulation, fixings, paints, stained glass, lighting, electricity, plumbing, flooring, ceiling coverings and partitions, each step is treated with meticulous attention.

Made to measure outside the ship, each fitting element is carefully and precisely adjusted to the shape of the hull. We strive to create optimal, safe and comfortable circulation spaces, guaranteeing an extraordinary on-board experience.

Although we have recognized expertise in boat building and interior design, Chantier Fernand Hervé also carries out renovations and interior modernizations.

Emotion for ambition

Each layout is tailor-made, in close collaboration with the architect and the client, in order to meet the specific requirements and desires of each. Our dedicated teams of carpenters and cabinetmakers, with their expertise and experience in the field, shape each piece of furniture and accessories with passion. Although our specialty lies in wooden fittings, we are obviously capable of using various materials to meet the needs and desires of our clients.

The realization of the navigation dream desired by the sponsor logically passes through the fluid and permanent dialogue that we establish in each of our projects between the client himself, the architect and us. This approach allows future sailors to live the experience of building their ship throughout the stages until its birth, its launching, and to project their identity and deep aspirations so that it this embodies them.

With us, interior design transcends the simple practical aspect to become a true artistic expression. Each ship we design has this subtle blend of traditional know-how and modernity, echoing the passion that has driven us for so many years. We are proud of our reputation for excellence and trust, building strong partnerships with reliable companies and collaborating with experts in every trade.