A second life for  Orange II

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François Bich and the Multiplast yard are pleased to announce the exciting news that the famed catamaran Orange II will be given a new lease of life.

This boat led by Bruno Peyron, held the Trophée Jules Verne (around the world speed record with crew) from 2005 and 2010 in 50 days, 16 hours et 20 minutes. It was also the fastest boat accross the North Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and held the 24 hours speed record (766.8 miles with an average of 31.95 knots).

Orange II at the start of the Trophée Jules Verne in 2005

Bruno Peyron :" I'm proud of this story of conquest, proud of this boat that allowed me to win my third Trophée Jules Verne, proud of my friends with whom I've shared so many hours and magic nights around the world and I'm so delighted that François Bich and the Multiplast yard have the audacity and the vision to embark upon this extreme and ambitious refit. This refit probably signals a positive turning point for the cruising catamaran's evolution and...I love audacity !"

A wonderful machine that won everything...

Designed by Gilles Ollier Design Team and built by Multiplast yard,Orange II, which is 118 ft long, is a wonderful machine that won everything. For a project of this scale, experience and passion are called for and François Bich has both in abundance.

François Bich began his sailing experience on the family boat, which was designed by André Mauric, following that with experiences on Ponant and 505. By 1965, he was sailing on the 12 m JI Sovereign which is family used during the summer. He decided then to devote four years of his life to train for the America's Cup on the 12 m JI and joined Joinville Battalion for training. In 1970 and 1974, he took part in the America's Cup on France in Newport.

Passionate about multihulls, from Hobit Cat to Formula 40, François Bich is one of the rare boat connoisseur able to give a second life to Orange II. He knows he will get an exceptional boat on which to go around the world.

Vitalia II (ex-orange II) after refit - Image by Narrative

 So, it was an emotional moment, when Jack Michal, Franck Martin and Yann Penfornis, three of the naval architects involved  in the original design of Orange II with Gilles Ollier went through their old drawings and calculation notes in order to produce the modifications for Vitalia II, François Bich's new boat. The aim is to transform this boat into a (very) fast cruising boat without losing its racing DNA.

Thus, a 753 ft² aerodynamic structure will be added at the back of the mast beam. Six cabins will be fitted in the hulls : three double cabins for guests and three more for the sailing crew.

François Bich sailing on his 62' monohull

Despite the owner's best concerted efforts to sail under the flag of a French pavilion, regulatory and technical factors have meant that the boat's transformation can only take place under the more flexible British system.
François Bich has been a member of BIC Company since 1969. From 1971, he managed BIC'S worldwide Lighter branch operations and, 43 years later, he's still in charge...

More information :

Contacts : 

François Bich : + 33 1 45 19 53 86
Yann Penfornis : + 33 2 97 40 98 44

Liens Internet :

BIC
Multiplast
Groupe Carboman
Narrative Design